How to tie a 1940s turban

A while ago I came across this 1940s British Pathe video on tying turbans. I was hooked instantly. They seem to be seeing quite a revival right now, and with good reason: they're awesome.

I do them on days my hair is a mess, or just when it would seem to suit an outfit. I think they are great to sport poolside too! So take a look at the video clip if you have a chance, and the others that are related, they are really interesting! But here's my little interpretation :)

You will need all the things pictured above for this turban. You can always replace a pretty brooch or bunch of silk flowers for the hatpin though :)

If you have long hair, pin it up. 

Wrap the cotton headscarf around your head. This creates some volume, so the turban isn't flat, and acts as a gripping point between your hair and the silk scarves. 

Take the large silk scarf and fold it into a triangle. 

Place it on your head with the point at your back. Pin each side at your browline. 

Take the sides of the scarf and bring them right up, and tie once. The pins just placed at the side will act well to hold as you are folding. 

Tuck in the crown. 

Bring the tip of one of your floppy ears to the center, and use a bobby pin to hold in place. 

Same on the other side. 

Now take your small scarf and thread it through the knotted bit. 

Bring the ends to the center, just as with the other scarf. 

Pin the this scarf with the hatpin. 

Open up the loops. 

Fluff fluff fluff!

Tuck the back point under the first cotton scarf, it should hold well. 

Ta da! You are now effortlessly chic.

How to wash a wool sweater

Today I did a guest post on Casey's Elegant Musings about How to Wash a Wool Sweater!

Stop by and say hi!

How to tie a 40s headscarf

On Mondays post I got a few questions on how to tie a 40s headscarf, Rosie the Riveter style. So thanks to Twila Jean we got some pictures today to show you how. It's insanely easy, and great for lazy hair days, wearing over pin curls, or a fast 40s look!

You'll need a medium to large cotton headscarf. Silk is ok but slippery, so use with caution.

Fold it in half diagonally so you have a triangle.

Place the scarf over your shoulders, shawl style, with the point facing down.

Take the two ends on your shoulders...

...and tie them once on top of your head.

Pull the point of the scarf up to the top of your head and stuff your hair in the little pouch created.

Lay the point over the tied area.

Tie a knot over the point.

Tuck the open sections in, and the ties if you want.

Ta da!

How to shop for vintage (affordably).

I love to shop. Really I do. If I can shop I will shop, but not like other girls my age do. I hate the mall. And going to Urban Outfitters makes me feel un-hip :(
But vintage shopping is a whole other story. It's fabulous. However, sometimes it can be downright expensive. So here are some tips on finding vintage on a budget, it's a long post, but hopefully it will help you find a real gem! I've also added some places I shop for those of you who live in the area.

Antique malls
Antique malls have the potential to hold great and affordable vintage clothing that just involves a little digging and searching. Antique malls rather than shops have a better chance at having a good deal because of the great number of vendors all under one roof, they all have different methods of pricing and merchandise.Pretty much my thoughts on it are, antique shops either have ridiculously high prices, or absurdly low. Antique dealers generally don't deal in vintage clothing, but will pick up items once in a while at estate sales if they can. Since clothing is not their specialty then the value is either over estimated, or if luck is on your side, under priced. Sometimes these things are hidden in drawers or buried in baskets, I find the greatest treasures in the really crowded, undecorated booths.

I shop:

Camas Antiques
Old Town Antique Mall
Monticello Antiques
Stars and Splendid

Vintage Shops:
Vintage shops are of course where you are going to find the largest selection of vintage clothing. This does mean however, that you will come across clothing at its proper price. Vintage dealers and sellers know vintage and do their research, so finding a great deal will take some luck and effort. If there is a sale section you may have good luck there, sometimes something is on sale that simply needs seam reinforcement or a new set of buttons, so this is where being handy with a needle and thread comes in. There are deals to be had though, you just have to look though everything and be patient.
I don't mind a little damage when it comes to clothing, after all, it is very old, and probably wouldn't be sold in a vintage store is the damage was prominent. If an item has damage, such as a moth hole, or broken zipper, and it is not marked "as is" or "as found", then is is ok to point this out politely to the shop owner and ask if a discount can be given. Also sometimes suits or sets of things are sold separately and its perfectly fine to ask if a special price would be granted if you buy those things together.

I shop:

The Urban Eccentric
Magpie
Hatties vintage

Thrift Shops:
Thrift shops are the toughest places to find vintage, but when you do find it, it can be affordable. "Can be" and not "will" because a lot of second hand shops have gained popularity and raised their prices(especially the big ones, like Goodwill and Salvation Army). They also are realizing the value of vintage, and can price vintage things much higher than contemporary clothing. Usually sticking to local shops can yield good results, and going in more often means a better chance of finding something. I started going to my local thrift shop about a year ago, and I go a couple times a week. The volunteers there now know me and I've let the manager know that I am looking for vintage. Before I talked to her, they were just giving all the vintage clothing away to Goodwill! Now they know to save it because it does have value. So make friends and let them know what you are looking for :)
Buffalo Exchange and The Red Light are great for cheap vintage finds, plus you can trade in clothing for new stuff! A nice vintage dress will cost you about $15-$20.

I shop:

Discovery shop
William Temple Thrift Store
Buffalo Exchange
The Red Light

Estate Sales and Yard Sales:
Now, these do take some work, patience, and a sense of adventure, but the results can be incredible. An estate sale is when a person passes away and their entire estate it open to the public for purchase. This will often include clothing, but be warned: The competition can be brutal. This is the place where dealers get their best items, and if you want the best stuff you'll have to probably get up early, stand in line for an hour or so, and take what you can before anyone else. I love it, but then again I am competitive :)
A yard sale or garage sale is simply when someone is cleaning out their house and sells it in their yard or garage. Sometimes this includes vintage clothing, but you will have the best chance of finding something in older neighborhoods where residents have lived a long time and may be cleaning out their attic.

Check your local paper, craigslist, ask around, or keep an eye out for signs.

Good luck!

How to do rag curls

When searching the web for rag curl directions, I came across creepy child beauty pageant blogs that said "cut some fabric, wet your hair, roll it up, tie it".

Do that and you will cry from the result.

After quite a while of doing rag curls on myself from chin length hair, to past shoulder length, I can show you the the the little things to know only learned from trial and error. So here is the correct way to do rag curls.

You will need:
Strips of cotton fabric. Around 2" X 5" works well.
A comb.
Mousse or something similar.
A brush.



1. Wet hair. I take night showers, so that's easy, but sticking your head under a faucet could be just fine. Make sure your hair is evenly wet, then pat it with a towel.

2. Brush hair out smooth, with the comb part your hair where you want it, I've only ever done it parted down the middle.

3. With the comb separate a front section of hair. I prefer softer curls, so I take about a fingers width of hair. For tighter curls take a bit less. For a retro look make sure and take the section from about eyebrow level, not from the top of your head.

4. Take a rag and roll the section of hair from bottom to top, not super tight, then it wont dry. Tie the rag under the curl.



5. VERY IMPORTANT. Repeat on the other side. Going back and fourth from side to side traveling to the back. If you do one side at a time, your curls will turn our uneven, due to one side drying while the other side is being set. Then you will be sad.

6. Finish the back, I usually do two layers for extra volume.



7. Sleep on it. Or if you are doing this in the morning and plan on it being done in the evening, a cotton kerchief is a cute look for going out during the day, or a pretty little mesh cap for around the house.



8. When you wake up gently untie the rags. Take a brush and brush though all the curls, it will look pretty fluffy.

9. Take a dollop of mousse, rub your hands together and distribute all over your hair, smoothing the curls out.



Ta da!

How to monogram

Monogramming is quite the lost art for lady's, along with other needlework skills once taught in school. Unless you have a grandmother skilled in monogramming, you'll have to go to an embroidery shop and have someone stick it under a machine to stitch your initials perfectly and unlovingly. Or. You could do it yourself. And at first it will be terribly uneven and you will have knots and loose stitches and tight stitches, and you may poke your finger. But when you are finished you will feel so accomplished. Because you have created something so uniquely you. Made by you, designed by you, and with your very own initials. And you will look at it and it will be your quirky, terrible, awesome monogram.
Weeks ago I did my first monogram on a pair of gloves. I did a cursive "S" one one, and and "R" on the other. This time I decided to try the art deco approach and do a three letter monogram in a circular shape. The sharp straight lettering was much easier to accomplish than the curves of the glove lettering, and can start out by simply tracing a jar lid, or box lid if you want it the also popular diamond shape. However I will provide lettering for cursive:

Click to enlarge.

Traditionally the order of lettering is set as follows: Your last initial is the largest and in the middle. First initial is smaller and on the left, and middle initial also smaller and on the right. I decided to get a little ahead of myself and use Sam's last name instead of my own, so that would be "Solanah Raquel Cornell" and makes the monogram "sCr". So there's the two letter approach I used on my gloves, three letters on my jacket lapel, or go the Lavern way and have a little mystery with one letter.

You will need: Something to monogram. I wouldn't recommend gloves if you are not familiar with a needle and thread, but a shirt, cotton scarf, or anything with an open back and no stretch will do fine. Small sewing needle. Embroidery floss. Pencil (not pen, no pens around clothes!). Paper. Tracing paper. A couple of pins.


1. Draw out your initials. Practice until you get the correct size you want and how you want it to look. 1-1.5" tall works well for the middle letter, and about 3/4 of that for the outer ones.

2. Place the tracing paper on the main letter and trace. Do the same with the two outer initials making sure you trace them where you want, slightly overlapping.

3. Place the paper on the object you intend to embroider and pin down.

4. Cut a length of embroidery floss about 15" (38 cm) long, and split two threads from the floss. You will use only two threads at a time.


5. Pin the tracing paper to the area you intend to monogram. Stitch through the fabric and the paper on the outline using a back stitch


6. Once you have stitched the entire outline, carefully tear away all of the paper.



7. Using a satin stitch, start to embroider the middle letter, stitching just outside of the outline.


7. Once you have finished the big letter, move on to the smaller ones if you have them.


8. You are done! Congratulations! Pretty please send me pictures :)

The back is cool too.