Another Pair Of Upcycled Overalls

 Another pair of upcycled vintage overalls.

This one has a pink gingham theme.

 Pink gingham front pocket.

Pink gingham lady (from an old apron, I did

the edge embroidery but she was already embroidered.)

And a little of the sashiko embroidery that I have been doing.

A pink floral patch behind the hole.

 And I used a piece of embroidery from a pillowcase

for two places on the back.

 And stitched around them with blue thread.

She will look good coming or going.

I think I am going to try to sell this pair on ebay.

Japanese Sashiko Visible Mending On Denim

I am currently obsessed with Sashiko mending on denim.  I love the sense of history that aged denim has.  I guess that is why some people collect old Levi's.  And if it has patches and repairs -- so much the better.  I think my advancing age gives me a sense of freedom when it comes to how I dress and what I choose to embrace.  I like thinking that the visible mending is just adding another layer of history to a piece of clothing.  And that the history shows....makes it like living art.

(all of the above examples are not my work, but helped inspire me.)

"Sashiko embroidery uses small running stitches to make beautiful designs which are simple and timeless in style. The word Sashiko literally means ‘little stabs’. " It traditionally uses white thread on dark blue cotton.  

 So I decided to take a "little stab" at visible mending on a pair of overalls that had already been mended until mends were about all that was left.  So much the better....

You can use a contrasting piece of cloth underneath a hole or tear so that it peeps out, 

and then stitch on top of both pieces of cloth to keep them in place. 

I really like the random imperfection of the stitches.

You can use a piece of denim or scrap of cloth on top to cover a hole or reinforce an area

 and then stitch over the top. I used this antique handmade lace on a few areas,

it matched the old thread I was using.

I like keeping everything kind of neutral.

I used a couple shades of scrap denim I had on hand 

(plus there had been several shades already used on it).

And I used three kinds of printed blue fabric that I already had.
(Some of the "fabric" was actually clothing hanging in the closet.)

So the project didn't cost me anything but time

(a surprising large amount of time.)

Upcycled Overalls

Last fall we went to a garage sale and purchased eight pairs of amazing well-worn overalls.  Not only were they well-worn, but they were well-patched.  Patched by a thrifty and talented wife who got all of the mileage possible out of these denims. Read about that here.  I just wasn't completely sure what to do with them.

After cruising around on pinterest, I decided they needed a bit of upcycling.  But I don't have a sewing machine (and don't want one.)  I do know someone who does, and is creative to boot.  So I proposed to her that I hand over the overalls, a bunch of lace and other doodads and set her free.
In return, she would end up with half of the "loot".

She immediately caught the vision but said it would be awhile before she had time to tackle them.  Well, then along came quarantine.  Time to spare.

So last weekend she brought over the finished overalls.  

SO CUTE! And we divided up the eight between us.  

We both will probably keep one (or two)

and sell the rest.  

Easy Tips To Determine Desirability of Vintage Levi's 501 Jeans

One of the "bonus" items (something in my "lot" that was not in auction pic or description)
 I received from the local on-line

auction that I picked up last Thursday was a vintage pair of Levi's.

They were very dirty, smelly but washed up well.  And I knew from

a little prior experience that they could be good.

 There are a ton of things to look for when establishing the 

value / age of a pair of vintage levi's.  First is the little red tag.

If it has a capital E, you are on the right track.

If the word LEVI'S is only on one side of the tag

(like mine) then you are doing even better.

 There is a window of time where there is a "diamond"

stitched on the bottom of the arcuate (wing stitch on pocket).

Check!  But the other back pocket of my jeans it is too worn to see it.

 Selvedge inside watch pocket. 😖

Not on mine, so I am a little confused.
Width of watch pocket,
and sometimes COLOR of watch pocket is a factor as well.

 Selvedge on seam instead of stitching.  Check.

 Concealed rivets.  Check.

 Centered back belt loop.

It would be better if it were a little to the left.

And it would be great if they had a leather Levi's patch.
And it would be fantastic if there was a cinch.
But then I'd probably be selling these to a museum.

Instead I'll be listing them on ebay,

I hope they will turn out to surprise me twice in a row.

Update:  The jeans sold for $689!

Edwardian Dress

 I bought this dress a few months ago,

and tucked it away in a "future ebay sales" drawer.

I have been on an ebay sabbatical --

balancing getting the "new" house ready and 

taking care of the "old" house.

 But then there were the van repairs --

and I managed to sell a few things on ebay

to help the checkbook.

This sold for $31.

 This is my favorite detail of the dress --

the tucks and lace.

So sweet.

She found her way to someone who will treasure her,

and I have a van that runs.

Win. Win.

Local On-Line Auction Vintage Wins

 

So about 10 days ago I made some entry-level bids on a local on-line auction.  They have a certain pick-up window of about 2 hours, no exceptions.  But I knew my calendar was clear, so I made some opening bids on about 45 lots.  45 lots.  The next day my son called to say that they were inducing my grandchild on the appointed pick-up day.  So, I asked a friend to pick up the treasures and did not raise any bids.  Therefore, my "wins" were pretty much the loser stuff that no one else wanted.  (BUT, who cares?  I HAVE A GRANDSON!)  I bid $4 on this "lot" because of the retro lamp shade peeking up of the top.  And yes, it was cool. Sold on ebay for $26.

 

This is a cute little side table with a "gator" patina.  It is a keeper, I paid $18 (all bids includes 10% auctioneer fee).

I am definitely a sucker for these vintage oriental jackets.  Many came from Japan during Korean war.  this lot included at least two for $4.  I will probably sell them on ebay.

Sold one for $20.

Do you see the small tiered shelf hiding in back?  That is why I bid on this lot, it was carved by a local around the 1930s and has a great tramp art look. I got it and the cute pink TP holder for $2. 

Sold the tiered shelf for $25.

 I got a big box of misc Catholic items which date from the 1940s-1950s for $4.  It was fun looking through all of it.  I kept a box of medallions, medals for ebay -- and I sold the rest at a yard sale Saturday. The ebay medallions sold for $14.

 I got these three little ceramic dwarves for $2.

They will sell in my "outdoor store".

Sold for $21.

 I had to get two large totes of "fall decor"

because I saw a corner of one of these peeking out.

$4, plus two totes which I can really put to good use as we are moving.

Sold on ebay for $21.

Most of the above stuff has already been moved to our new house.

Fifties Rockin'

Sometimes things come to me in themes.

I've never really been drawn to this era of clothing.

But suddenly I have two pairs of saddle shoes....

Saddle shoes cost $2 and sold for $24.

a cute homemade poodle skirt...

(nice and twirly).

Antique Lace Collars On Ebay

These antique collars are still from the vintage clothing box bonanza:

I don't have any idea how many I have,

there is still more than these.

This is a detail of a bobbin lace oldie.

I don't know if you are familiar with bobbin

lace making, but it looks hard.

Detail of satin collar, made in India.

Detail of ladies linen bow scarf

(like untied bow tie.)

Another bobbin lace collar,

possibly silk.

The wide shots are lovely...

but the closer you get...

the more you can see the gorgeous workmanship.

Most of these are Edwardian era...

somewhere between 1900-1920.

This battenburg lace beauty is my favorite.

 

You can see it's detailing better on a dark background.