Monday, April 26, 2010

The History of Aprons and introducing My Attic's Wardrobe...new sister store


Remember making an apron in Home Ec?
The History of Aprons

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wond
erful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow,

bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the menfolks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.


Vintage aprons for sale at my new sister store! My Attic's Wardrobe

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Bob Mackie...finally! Haviland and Limoges My Attic's Wardrobe..new store!

Bob Mackie Silk Beaded Evening Gown open link
Exquisitely sleek and, of course hand beaded, with faux pearls, silver bugle beads, and off white sequins set on flesh tone 100 % silk, this pre-worn gown is most gorgeous and sexy!
The rivelets of the “jewels” are in a flowing irregular pattern that completely covers the slim high collar and zippered tight full length sleeves.
A 26” slit on the right leg compliments all baring just the right amount of thigh!
All the jewels are in tact with the exception of the beads at the very top of the slit, that has been stressed and separated a bit. A seamstress will quickly be able to repair and reinforce this when you have it professionally cleaned, which of course you would want to do, since this is a pre-worn gown.
The measurements: The dress is a size 6
Lengths: Front: 55” (the front tapers up at the hem so it is a bit shorter in the front than the back). Back: 57” (slightly longer in the back). Sleeves: 22” lying flat 1 side. Slit 26”. Neck to slit 27”
Widths: Hip width lying flat: 17” 1 side. Breast width lying flat: 15” 1 side. Wrist width lying flat 3.5” 1 side.
Care instructions per the Bob Mackie Label: “100% silk. Do not wash. Do not dry clean. Professional spot cleaning only. Do not spray alchohol based products directly on garment such as: perfume, hair spray, deodorant, etc”
This gown will turn heads as you enter a room…imagine the 2 layered (a sheer silk on the opaque silk) flesh tone revealing only these sparkling rows of beads running up and down the slender body, while flashing a little leg as one steps, and dances... Wow!

Bob Mackie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Gordon Mackie (born March 24, 1940 in Monterey Park, California) is an American fashion designer, best known for his costuming for entertainment icons such as Cher, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Mitzi Gaynor. He was the costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show during its entire 11 year run and designed the costumes for the 1993 television adaptation of Gypsy.

Mackie is also known for his exclusive designs of dress for high-priced Barbie dolls.

Two of Mackie's best-remembered creations had a humorous event. While working on the The Carol Burnett Show, he designed a "curtain dress" (complete with a curtain rod across the shoulders) that Carol Burnett wore in the Went with the Wind parody. Mackie also designed the garish ensemble worn by Cher at the March 1986 Academy Awards: black stretch pants, a bejeweled loincloth, knee high boots, a black chainlink top, and a huge feathered Mohawk headdress that was one and a half times taller than her head. Introduced by Jane Fonda with the words, "Wait'll you see what's gonna come out here," Cher was appearing as a presenter after what many considered an Oscar snub (Cher was not nominated for her performance in Mask). "As you can see," said Cher, "I did receive my Academy booklet on how to dress like a serious actress."

Mackie is often called the sultan of sequins, or the rajah of rhinestones, known for his sparkling and imaginative costume designs. He has won nine Emmy Awards for his designs, and was thrice nominated for an Academy Award. He attended Pasadena City College and Chouinard Art Institute.

Mackie has said, "A woman who wears my clothes is not afraid to be noticed."

[edit] Notable Mackie clothing wearers
Some of the people who have worn Mackie's outfits include:

Cher
Carol Burnett
Mitzi Gaynor
Tina Turner
Whitney Houston
Diana Ross
Liza Minnelli
Toni Tennille
Ann-Margret
Bernadette Peters
Dottie West
Raquel Welch
Sylvie Vartan
Joan Collins
Diahann Carroll
Doris Duke
Judy Garland
Lucille Ball
Lynda Carter
The Jackson 5
Jada Pinkett Smith (at the 13th Screen Actors Guild Awards)
Barbra Streisand (in the films Funny Girl and Funny Lady)
Madonna (at the 1991 Academy Awards)
Goldie Hawn
Marie Osmond
Eva Longoria Parker (at the 2006 Golden Globes)
Charo
Elton John
Marlene Dietrich
Oprah Winfrey (at the 1986 Academy Awards)
Bette Midler
Sally Field (in film Smokey and the Bandit II)
Chita Rivera
RuPaul
Pia Zadora
Whoopi Goldberg (at the 1999 Academy Awards)
Sharon Stone (in the film Casino)
Brooke Shields (in the film Brenda Starr)
Anjelica Huston (on a cover of Vanity Fair)
Pink (for her Funhouse Tour)
Katy Perry (in her video for "Waking Up in Vegas")
Bart Simpson (in the episode "Burns' Heir")
Anne Baxter

Limoges Bawo & Dotter Elite Works Teacup Only open link

Replacement cup available in this beautiful black on gold pattern with lacey accents. It is in perfect condition no wear, chips cracks or crazing. High grade porcelain from Limoges France. This is the teacup ONLY.
It measures 3.75 x 2" and weighs 4 oz. Pattern unknown at this time.







Limoges Haviland & Co Gold Rim Saucer Only
open link. In perfect condition. The Gold is solid and brilliant. The mark reads “Haviland France” and “ Decorated by Haviland & Co. Limoges”. It measures 5.5” in diameter.
If you are needing a replacement for this lovely eggshell white saucer, now is your chance.

My Attic's Wardrobe...Grand Opening!
I have opened a new store! A new website called My Attic's Wardrobe . I have a huge amount of vintage and soon to be vintage clothing to post there, so you are seeing the first few additions. So stay tuned. Let me know what you think!

Well that's it for now...I am so pleased I finally was able to get some mannequins at a bargain!
if you are patient and just keep looking on Craig's list...you can find what you want. Thank you Craig!