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It is no secret that I've collected many a vintage garment over the past year or two in my quest to integrate more vintage pieces into my wardrobe. It's been a learning process, especially when ordering online (be looking out for maaaany an ill-fitting vintage piece that I hope to sell in a future Online Yard Sale.. if I can ever get my act together and photograph/list everything!).
My point being: it's hard, even when you're buying locally, to find a great fitting piece of vintage clothing. But that goes for any clothing, right? Not just vintage.
I'm slowly starting to realize that if you want a garment to really fit, you have to get it tailored. And I have quite a few vintage pieces that need to be altered, or reconstructed all together. Since I'm not of the DIY type when it comes to altering clothing (I do not have the know-how or confidence to do that) I often buy vintage locally thinking "Oh, I'll just get Madeline (aka Mother-in-Law) to take this in..." or "... reconstruct that..."
But I have so *many* pieces that need to be altered in some way that I'm thinking I need to find a tailor. I was talking with a girl on Twitter (who so very generously shared her experiences!) and this certainly sounds like something people do.. have things tailored that is. I don't know why this concept seems so foreign to me. I know a lot of dry-cleaning places have alteration services, but that just feels a bit iffy, you know? Especially when you're making major changes and not just raising a hem.
So my point is: I'm on the hunt for a good tailor. : ) I don't know why, but that sounds so old-fashioned. I quite look forward to it. Then maybe I can actually wear some of these pieces!
My question to you is: Do you use a tailor? For vintage pieces? Have you had major reconstruction done on these pieces? I'd love to hear your experience. (thanks in advance!)
I realize that some of this could get costly, but most of the items I've bought have either been thrift, or inexpensively purchased elsewhere. So maybe the extra cost wouldn't feel so big.
Here's a skirt and dress that I found at a local vintage shop and thrift store. Neither of them fit. (way too small) But I couldn't pass up the amazing velvet fabric and patterns. They're just gorgeous. My hope one day is to make the skirt into an a-line-ish skirt (will require much chopping, etc., I'm afraid) and the dress.. well, I might just cut that baby up for the fabric.
It's so hard to really see the velvet texture of the brown dress in these photos. It's sooo pretty.
And here's a patchwork skirt that I found at a local vintage shop as well, and the apple blouse was gifted to me by my dear friend Pilgrim! (she knows me well ; )
The patchwork skirt (or possibly apron?) actually fits! (would have to wear another skirt underneath.. or jeans maybe?) The apple shirt is slightly big, but I've got ideas. : ) Thinking of maybe putting a solid colored sweater vest over it maybe?
Vintage is fun, no? Even if it takes a little bit of extra work to make them perfect.
I remember those pictures; always wanted them for my room when I was a little girl. Love your blog, always takes me back to my childhood. Thanks!
Posted by: Pam Fairchild | February 15, 2011 at 08:35 PM
I have never used a tailor, I should be able to do it myself with all the sewing I do, but altering a piece of clothing that much just scares me!
That patchwork skirt is the cutest thing! I love it, probably because it combines two of my favorite things, vintage fabric and patchwork.
Posted by: Amy | February 15, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Vintage IS fun.
And I love everything about this post!
Posted by: No.17 CherryTreeLane | February 15, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Oh. my. gosh. I have fallen in love with your blog. I recently found a patchwork skirt too (thifted & blogged). It is very Rhoda/Shirley Partridge. Now I want to make my own...and your post has inspired me to!
Posted by: Becky W | February 16, 2011 at 04:52 AM
I LOOOOOVE that apple blouse!!!!
Posted by: Beth grushkin | February 16, 2011 at 05:22 AM
Gosh I love that patchwork skirt and the apple blouse. They are totally you :). I think I need to take part in an online garage sale... I've been buying lots of vintage that doesn't fit haha.
Posted by: Dana | February 16, 2011 at 07:25 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE the patchwork skirt and apple blouse, Danielle!
Posted by: Kristin | February 16, 2011 at 07:30 AM
I {heart} that apple blouse!! So Fun!! and the patchwork skirt rocks. I say wear it w/jeans or turn it into a tote!
Posted by: @stampylisa | February 16, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Ahhh! That long floral velvet skirt is incredible! I hope you're able to refashion it into a new fabulous skirt. It's so bright and fun. I love vintage. I try really hard to only buy pieces that fit me like a glove, but like you sometimes I just can't pass something up. I've started to amass a collection of "to alter" pieces myself. It's my goal for the summer. Use it or lose it!
Cheers!
Rebecca Jean
http://midnightmaniac.com
Posted by: Rebecca Jean | February 16, 2011 at 10:13 AM
dying over the awesomeness of these pieces!!!
Posted by: heather | February 16, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Love the pieces especially the brown velvet!!!
You pose an awesome question ...that I am about to find the answer to for myself!
My mom has always been my tailor/alterist of vintage clothing....but I recently acquired a lovely piece with some wacky proportions(not to mention my own wacky proportions!). It cost under 15 bucks AND if it fit perfectly it would be a stunner.I plan on taking the plunge as an experiment......ah my tiny body days before kids when all those teeeeeeny-tiny vintage pieces fit like a glove. I think I deserve a tailor who can make the most of what I have now!
Posted by: jungle dream pagoda | February 16, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Omg. I'm hoping you have an online yard sale, cuz goodness do you find cute stuff!! :) I definitely vote for a tailor, too - if you have a lot of pieces that are too scary to attempt to alter yourself, I'd definitely splurge - it'll be worth it for pieces you love & can enjoy wearing!
Posted by: Michelle Clement | February 16, 2011 at 05:32 PM
YAY! the apple blouse! i hope you find someone to help you out. i've never had MAJOR reconstruction done, but i'm sure if you found the right person they would get it done for you.
Posted by: pilgrim | February 17, 2011 at 12:49 AM
What beautiful, cheerful finds! I have begun altering my own thrift store finds. I found a soft cotton candy pink cardigan sweater at the thrift store last Saturday, but it was too boxy for my petiteness. But for $1.79, I couldn't leave it there. I brought it home and replaced the yellowed buttons with rose print ones, restitched a worn button hole, and then added side seams to give it a fitted look. I love the way it turned out! It makes me want to go on the prowl for more thrift store treasures to remake.
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
Posted by: Sherry | February 17, 2011 at 05:26 AM
I've had this amazing dress in my closet for 2 years that desperately needs a zipper! I found it at a yard sale and after having it dry cleaned I realized it was never finished! I want to wear it so bad but I don't even know where to start when looking for a tailer and how much to expect to pay? If you find out any detail do please share!
Hugs~ Chelsea Ann
Posted by: Chelsea Ann | February 17, 2011 at 04:07 PM
I had those framed prints on my bedroom walls when I was little! My mom called them the "moppets". How cool to see them again!
Posted by: Beth | February 18, 2011 at 02:46 PM
holy crap.
i love it all.
want. want. want. ;)
love you sweets!
Posted by: Karli Plant | February 18, 2011 at 06:39 PM
it's all so good. and i love that your entire home is decked out in vintage! my vintage collection is primarily relegated to my closet and office, to spare my boyfriend!
Posted by: marissa (stylebook) | February 20, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Call a store like Stefan's or Junkman's Daughter and see who they use for repairs. They may have a tailor that they could recommend.
Years ago I did some repairs and did windows for Rebecca at Stefan's - not sure who's running the place now.
Posted by: CrazyMomTats! | February 25, 2011 at 06:14 PM
That apple blouse is SO you! :) Love it. I vote for a tailor too. It'd be really worth it.
Posted by: Jen | March 10, 2011 at 09:00 PM