A Sucker for Vintage Patterns

I am becoming a sucker for vintage sewing patterns. It's come over me recently. Now, that's odd, because I have been around them for many years. I have been working in costume shops of many varieties since 1978, and we use a lot of vintage patterns that are always somewhere on file. So they have been part of the scenery. I guess I took them for granted. Several years ago, I helped my aunt, an

New Vintage Dresses - yes, I know that's a contradiction...........

Oh yes, I feel the contradiction every time I mention 'new' vintage clothing. But what else can I say? we have new items up in our Past Perfect Vintage Etsy shop. And they are vintage. So there you have it. The proverbial contradiction in terms. The classic oxymoron. But I will soldier on and show you the goodies:First, a beautiful cream crepe gown c. 1938 - 40 with a zipper front, gold studs

Vintage Spadea Designer Patterns make a Showing!

We just came into a cache of great vintage patterns. And I am such a vintage sewing nerd that I am almost as thrilled as when I found a Fath and a Traina-Norell last week. That's a post for another day. These Spadea patterns are a bit a rare. Well, rare may be a bit strong, but certainly harder to come by than Simplicity. Which we also got a few of. Plus some very nice Vogue patterns. More about

Two from the 50s: Cardigan & Cape

If I ever own a detective agency, that's what I will call it: Cardigan & Cape, Private Detectives, Our Discretion is Assured. Or perhaps an import business: Cardigan & Cape, Inc., Exotic Silks and Indian Teas. Or maybe a boutique dealing exclusively in outerwear for the damp climate: Cardigan & Cape, Co., Tailors in Fine Woolens. Until then, let us refocus on this colorful late 1950s hand

Baby Needs Even More Pairs of Shoes!

I do recall my father smiling and singing out 'baby need s anew pair of shoes' before raising the bet at the family poker game. It made me laugh then. But now - of course. More Shoes. Sounds perfectly normal. Now if I had inherited my mother's foot size, these would be mine, all mine. But sadly for my life in relation to vintage shoes, she did not. The first pair up - a gorgeous and classic pair

Edwardian Lovelies

The Edwardian Era has so much appeal. My pet theory is that , while distant to us now in fashion and way of everyday life, we can still relate to it because photography was so popular that many of us have family photos from this era. Depending upon our own ages, these are fashions our grandparents could have worn. Indeed, my own grandmother did. In other words, people I knew well once wore these

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses & Some Are Red

It's time for wool. Even though it was 72 degrees today, as soon as the sun went down, the temps dropped fast and it was very cool. And next week the highs here will be in the low 60s and 50s. I can get out my fall clothes at long last.I must say I am really, truly ready. And I am into wool this year, even though I am allergic to it. Camisoles, T-shirts, turtlenecks - I have vowed I will do

Now Arrived at Past Perfect!

The new hats are here! The new hats are here! I apologize for the excitement, but it's been a long haul this autumn. And this week has been the pat off. The website is updated, the big new porch will be done tomorrow, and we have achieved our weight loss goal. Like I said, a big, big week. So now we bring you new inventory.Let's start with the hats. First , a great little Sally Victor velvet

Coming Soon to a Vintage Website Near You

It has been the season of catch up here at Past Perfect Vintage. We have spent Volumes of time getting the fall leaves up and building a new porch. A few more studs and some siding, and it would have been another room on the house. All worthwhile endeavors, but they eat up the time. Preparing wonderful vintage clothes for the website has actually felt like playing hooky! When a trip to the