Anatomy of a Garment

[Lauren]

Something that I find most interesting about the vintage garments is the construction and detailing. So here's a thread to show us the detailing you love in your collection! Up close shots of seams, buttons, pockets, etc- whether you're a seamstress looking for inspiration or just an avid lover of vintage, I think it might be fun to share!
I'll start it off.
Fur coat from the late 30's

Cording around an early plastic button for the only closure on this coat

Built in sleeve section which has elastic for the wrist in order to keep out the wind, as viewed from the bottom of the sleeves, and inside out.

Pleating on the sleeve lining to accommodate the large shoulder pad ridge

Interior pocket with feather stitching
From a late 30's evening gown

Stitching on the yoke with detailing of the piping which matches the sleeves for contrast

Handstitched hem on the tulip sleeves

Let's see yours!

 

[Sunny]

Ooh, what a great idea for a thread! I have several things that I want to put up, as soon as I can take pictures. Like a white pleated skirt that may be part of a tennis or middy outfit... there's some really neat details to it!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

It just so happens . . .

. . . that i have one of the Baroness's jackets in bits today. (need to re-form two waist darts that someone had unpicked. [Sigh, a man's work is never done :eusa_booh ])

here's the jacket. Lovely purple & beige herringbone with great self-fabric doughnut buttons. The flap for the other faux pocket is missing.

it's interesting - when one is used to men's jackets - that womens jackets have so little interfacing. This one has only a little (black) in the skirt and a bit off cotton wool padding at the pocket area.

I really like this pleat. We see them sometimes in sports wear for men, but on the back - the action back. This one is clearly for bust allowance and some mobility, i guess.

bk

 

[Lauren]

What a beautiful jacket! I adore the buttons and it's so interesting about the interfacing! Were there originally two flaps? It was a late 30's thing to only do one.

Fun fun.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

There were definitely two flaps. The old stitch line is still visible. It had been removed, we think, to let out the darts to add some waist allowance (it'sa small'un!), and the job was never finished, but the flap was lost.

This suit (there is a skirt with the jacket) came from VBO. The baroness was dithering because of a couple of moth holes - which i will be darning. The fabric is so busy that the darns will never be visible) until i shouted at her to buy buy buy. $7.99 if i remember aright.

bk

 

[Lauren]

Wow! What a steal! It's such a lovely suit, and the color is beautiful and pretty rare.

 

[Feraud]

This is a very interesting thread. I know a little about men's suit construction and even less about women's.
I appreciate the pictures and will check periodically to see if there are additional pictures and construction insights.

 

[Nashoba]

Lauren: Those pieces are beautiful!

BK: That suit is also beautiful!

so many pretty things...so little time...
I'm always amazed at the details in vintage and the lack of them in clothing today. I'll have to dig the camera out of the suitcase and take some pictures of some of the pieces that I inherited from my husband's grandmother. Her clothes were amazing and the details on some of them are just exquisite! I wish that much attention to detail was still applied to clothing today

 

[ohairas]

GREAT thread! Lauren the coat is amazing. Details on the inside of garments awe me as much as the outside. The difference in today's clothing is shocking... one of the many reasons I hate to pay full price for anything!

BK, beautiful suit. Luckily there isn't any fading where the other flap had been, at least I don't see any from the photo. The color IS splendid, as others said! A steal indeed. I wonder if women's jackets don't have as much interfacing because there are usually more sections/pleats/ect. We want as little bulk as possible! But again, I have seen some garments in desperate need of the extra support.

I just picked up a 30's dress this weekend and just the way it's cut around the bust/waist is so cool.

These types of details are another reason I REALLY wanted that embroidered dress in the "one that got away" thread!
Nikki

 

[Paisley]

One thing I wish more ladies jackets had is inside pockets.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Here's a pic of one of those self fabric buttons:

bk