The Vintage Dressmaker

1940s style “Mildred” revamped

April 11, 2020 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

“Midred” revamped

This beautiful early 1940s style tea dress in original printed floral vintage silk is the new ” little sister” to “Mildred”, from my 1940s dress collection from 2017. With a slightly raised funnel neck on the front yoke and gathering around the bust ending in a rounded and very flattering high waist bias cut skirt this creates the lovely familiar silhouette of the era. The back closure has fabric covered buttons and the short padded sleeves are gathered to an interesting effect.

Early 1930s style “Hester” revamped

April 9, 2020 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

Here is a newly revised version of “Hester”, the lovely beach pyjamas from my 1930s beachwear collection from couple of years ago, this time in sweet dotted red printed reproduction cotton and ash duck canvas cotton trousers. It also features original vintage wooden buttons at the front and a bakelite buckle on the belt.

“Hester” revamped

My take on Margaret Schlegel’s Edwardian coat in Howards End

February 15, 2020 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

This beautiful double breasted and fitted, flared full length Edwardian style navy wool coat with gathered puff sleeves, a centre back panel with a slight train and a hidden slit, back pockets and a smaller decorative pocket flap at the front and numerous mother of pearl buttons make it quite the queen of coats. Here modelled by the lovely new owner, Victoria.

Howards End wool coat

Howards End wool coat

Howards End wool coatHowards End wool coat

Howards End wool coat

My homage to Bette Davis’ “All about Eve” dress

December 14, 2019 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

Here I present my homage to Edith Head and Bette Davis’ dress in All About Eve. This beautiful early 1950s style ballet length gown in pink/ orange shot silk dupion and nylon tulle creates the perfect silhouette for the belle of the ball. With a full skirt and fitted bodice, the greatest detail is in the off shoulder tulle gathered across, fastened by a diamanté brooch, creating a fantastic assymetrical, slightly illusion type effect. Added, half 3/4 length sleeves. Also with tulle belt across waist fastened by a brooch at the side. With zip fastening at the back.

Bette Davis All About Eve dress

Bette Davis All About Eve

Bette Davis All About Eve dress

Early 1930s style wool skirt

December 10, 2019 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

Here’s a lovely early 1930s style burgundy wool skirt with panelling and kick pleats. The vintage buttons down the front panels add a great little detail typical of the era. Closes with snap fasteners at the side.

Mid-1920s style skirt

August 6, 2019 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

Here I present a sweet mid-1920s style low waisted wraparound skirt in lovely plaid cotton with two large Bakelite buttons fastening.

Mid-1920s style plaid skirt

Early 1930s style rayon skirt

August 1, 2019 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

This electric blue early 1930s style rayon skirt with its large original Art Deco glass buttons and two kick pleats makes for the perfect separate to go with your favourite blouse or jumper. Snap fasteners at the side.

Mid- 1930s style summer darling

June 29, 2019 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

This sweet mid-1930s style cotton dress in a lovely geometric Art Deco print has a front yoke with turned collar joined by original green Bakelite buttons and a jabot, both in cream Egyptian cotton muslin. The arrow shaped belt also in the same cream fabric fastens with a Bakelite button. It also features a centre pleat in the skirt hem, both at the front and back, formed by a triangular peak very typical of the era.

An interesting detail at the back is the triangular shaped yoke with fan like darts in the middle of the peak in the centre.

The 3/4 length sleeves are of the very popular balloon variety, narrower at the upper arm and ballooning towards the sleeve bands.

The dress has a side snap fastening.

Mid-1930s darling

Early 1930s style summer dress

May 1, 2019 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

This sweet early 1930s style pullover dress is actually a version of one I made a few years back, here in a repro cotton print from the marvellous ‘ Antique Treasures’ collection by Paintbrush Studio.

The skirt is cut in bias giving it a lovely fleared effect and it features a Art Deco style triangular peak and two small pockets. The sleeves are the very popular capelet style of the era. The original 1930s buttons down the v- neck front and the pockets create a nice little detail also.

Perfect for the spring and summer!

Early 1930s style summer dress

Hey flapper girl in plaid!

April 10, 2019 Irma RomeroLeave a comment

This late 1920s style sweet plaid number is the perfect summer frock.

Following the distinct trend and style of the era where plaid and stripe fabrics were often cut both on grain and bias to create an interesting panelling geometric effect very much in the Art Deco vein as seen here. Also featured is the very popular insertion of a tie. With a peaked drop waist line and pleated skirt it can also be worn with a belt.

Late 1920s plaid dress