leftovers and outtakes

I've been keeping my eye out this summer for vintage clothing pieces to use in my small quilts. I hadn't had much luck until one fine day out thrifting with Jen, and then - bingo. All in one bag labeled - amazingly enough - 'vintage clothing pieces'. Well, then. Inside, I found a beautiful collection of just that - nothing entirely in one piece - all cut up already, which made it far less guilt-inducing for me to cut them up some more. There are some old, old pieces in here - lace, lots of undergarments, nightshirts, christening gowns - oh, lots of good stuff. Perhaps it's silly how much I treasure these old, leftover and discarded bits of oldness. But I do. And I've been waiting for the opportunity to use them.

And then this weekend, I did a quick photo shoot for a quilt project in book two.  I had a very specific vintage sort of look in mind for Adelaide - my willing model (I pay my models in ice cream and kisses, by the way, and they haven't complained yet).

With only 20 minutes to spare before needing to rush out the door (that sunset light is creeping up on me these days!), I remembered these clothing pieces. I dug around for one leg of a woman's lace-edged undergarment (bloomers, I think, or maybe pantalettes) and with a quick snip and an elastic waistband added, I got just the look I was going for. (And yes, she's still wearing that vintage top - the one that sparked six months of smock making - now as a shirt).

In the end, I didn't end up even having Adelaide in the shot I got for the book (she still got paid - heavy on the kisses). But that didn't stop me from snapping away with her on the beach anyway. Babies. Beach. Vintage clothes. You know how I am. How could I stop myself?

Comments

[lee]

Her whole outfit is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

[heather]

charming! it's hard to resist a little one in a lace trimmed skirt. perhaps she'd like some bloomers to go beneath? a little more digging in the box might produce material for a pair. emily made her first pair (http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/homeschool/2007/10/every-girl-need.html), now she'd like a few in flannel, for winter you know. ;)

welcome back, amanda!

[heather]

sorry, peek here...hopefully.

http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/homeschool/2007/10/every-girl-need.html

;)

[tamara]

I'm in fits of envy over the thrifting goodness over there!
Most of the op-shops (opportunity shops/aka thrift stores) in our area are combed relentlessly. It's truly a divine sign if something worthy turns up and you're there first! Well done on the manifestation of that bag - even labelled especially with what you were looking for!!

[sarah]

Gosh she's getting so big already! The skirt is beautiful.

[Melissa!]

What a magical find - a bag, really?!
I never come across such a find! Lucky girl you!

[Sue]

Wonderful!
Yesterday I thrifted a few vintage silk women's dresses that I have a vision for. I think they will make wonderful holiday dresses or full skirts for my 6 yr old - once I figure out how to "re-purpose them! I just look at the fabric and I can't help dreaming up the options that are out there.

[jen j-m]

i knew you'd make something wonderful with that bag o'goodies.
the light in these pictures is so gorgeous - i say it was worth all of that rushing around.
xo

[Jen]

So sweet!

[Eren]

Love that running barefoot shot...so great! Looking forward to what you are mking with the rest of the pieces. I have some that I rescued, but no idea what to do with them. I just couldnt stand seeing them in the FREE box at a yard sale.

[Qalballah]

Gah! This is so cruel Amanda! Quilts. Photo shoots. Beaches. AND WE CAN'T SEE ANY OF IT. Makes me want to WEEP!!

[Mama Urchin]

That adorable little A.

[Suzanne]

Oh you lucky gal finding a bag like that! I often go to this auction house once monthly and while everyone is bidding on expensive furniture and such I am just waiting to seize the box of old linens and clothes--a true sickness I think...LOL! Can't wait to see what you make:-)

[Angel]

Oh my goodness, you have the best thrift shops in the country in your town!

[Julie]

What a find! It's wonderful that they are being re purposed. I always find it almost sad that these beautiful things (like christening gowns, etc.) aren't kept in a family and handed down. They are such treasures and one can't help but imagine where they came from, who owned them and why they were discarded.

[Lisa {milkshake}]

What sweet photos. Makes me wish I had a beach nearby!

[julia]

beautiful shots.

[Meredith]

Oh my goodness. What a lovely little babe in her vintage ensemble. I cannot WAIT for your books, Amanda!

[Angel Jem]

She just looks so at home on the beach... and so cute in the ensemble! Red & white.... my favourite colours!

[Ruth]

I love seeing children in handmade or vintage clothes and especially one as pretty as A. Lovely photos and I too can't wait for the book. And I might try the auction house for vintage linens - great idea Suzanne!

[Libby]

So sweet. Love it that she is still wearing white, barefoot, and running at the beach!! It was hard for me to leave summer behind-- this helps.

[Alicia G.]

Love those bloomers on your babe. So sweet. Sunset light is the best -- even if it's happening at like 5 p.m. these days.

[megan]

isn't it amazing the joy it brings to see our kids in the special clothes that we've made? i am the exact same way!

[Stefani]

I didn't think it could get better than baby toes in the sand... but baby toes in the sand topped by vintage, well that might do it!

[Grace]

Adelaide! You are *so* cute!

Gorgeous post!

[kendra]

What beautiful photographs and model, of course. You are such a creative thinker...bloomer leg into skirt! Genious!

[bee]

Hey soulemama,
nice to have you back - to be honest soulepapa's seems to write really well, but slighlty too sophisticated English for me it seems - I only vaguely understood what he was writing about !!!
I love your blog, it is like checking a friend's place and grab energy.
I just spent the week-end in Paris and discover this beautiful shop, I thought you would like it too : thecollection.fr

[Nessie Noodle]

you are such and inspiration! your photos your craft and the adorable kids that help keep you going- this is why I come back to your blog again and again.

thanks for sharing all this goodness with us!

[shandy]

perfect! It's as if the bag was just waiting for you! I have been looking for Christmas piano music all summer and then I found a new thrift store, and what do you know? Three books of music!! I was ecstatic! The pics are so adorable and are reminding me to get the camera OUT! My little one just started walking and I am so enchanted with her new skill, that I haven't gotten a shot.

[beki]

Gosh, she sure has grown! What a doll!!

[Jayne]

How lovely! I just came across your blog from a friend's recommendation. It's a coincidence that we have the same surname (well, it's my husband's family) as it's not very common!

[katie]

what a great idea. I am glad you found the pieces you were looking for. It is always so exciting when something comes together, it makes my heart skip a beat! Can't wait to see the project in book two! I don't know if you ever make your way north, but there is a great antique shop in brunswick, called cabot mill antiques. My sister has purchased a ton of vintage clothing and sheets there. Everything is very clean!

[Rubyellen]

You are such a beautiful artist!!! I admire all your works...

[vickie]

I LOVE this look, want to do it for my sweetie, thanks!!!

[camerashymomma]

beautiful! and what a perfect setting, beach babes and vintage!

[joy]

this is the way beach photos should be taken:) I love that skirt you fashioned:)

[amy]

The reason I adore yr blog is bc you treasure things
time
old things
family
You and my gran would run away together
very uplifting to see passion
explode

[freefalling]

She's such a little sweet pea.
And she has the most beautiful name.

[emilyruth]

oh my goodness...what a sweetie:)...i love all of those vintage clothes too...i have a sweet little dress just waiting for my little girlie to get a bit bigger...can't wait...

[suzie sews]

just lovely

[Diane]

Such beauty in those leftovers. You must have been thrilled with the results. And of course, the process is always good too!
Adelaide is such a cutie...

[miguette]

Those pictures are just darling! And I am now in love with the name 'Adelaide'.

[susaninfrance]

wow--Amazing finds! and Adorable cutie in that wonderful skirt-thanks for the ideas!! I've got a box full of old nightshirts and lacy aprons from the 1800s from france, now i know what i should be doing with them!!

[Christina]

I love that little outfit you put together for her!!! SO sweet. I probably would have done the same thing with that piece of vintage bloomer :)

[Steph]

What great photos!! That last one is so cute!!

[Angela]

That skirt is absolutely divine, and what great finds!

[robin]

I feel the same way you do about those old, precious treasures that you find at random thrift stores or yard sales. The photo shoot? Beautiful...<3

[Linda]

So adorable!

[Irene]

Hello,
I am so pleased to have found you! I have just pre-ordered your book form Amazon, and in parallel I was following links and accidenatlly (or not...) I came to your page!
I so much admire you ladies who are redefining modern womanhood. A big thank you and I look forward to receinving your book.

[Veronica TM]

absolutely gorgeous, the idea, the skirt, the photos and the model.