by mops Moderator 03 May 2023

Sometimes saving a dress seems to make sense. Just recently it did.


My elder daughter discovered a dress I made in 1963. I saved it as I thought it would one day be nice to use the cotton in a quilt. Well, she tried it on and kept it. See picture 1

In 1998 I sewed a skirt and jacket for my younger daughter. She kept it and her daughter wore the jacket to a party last Sunday. See picture 2

Don't you love it to see things have a second life?

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by anitapatch 12 May 2023

I like when cloths get a second life. Good done

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by arisann 11 May 2023

I loved this, you are great sewer. Love both outfits! so special they liked to wear what you made... Long ago I made a mlitary dress for my daughter, it took 15 yards of fabric was so beautiful at that time but now so outdated looking compared to what is worn today. But I keep the dress because it took me so long to make it was a feat! Sewing takes so much time, I am glad to hear your fam sees the worth of your efforts!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

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getEdited - SELECT
by lidiad edited 08 May 2023

That's wonderful, Martine. I had a couple of dresses similar to yours but with different print and colours. Year later I made one for myself with the help of a Burda pattern. When I was a teenager my mother showed me a skirt-trouser she made for herself many years before and it looked brand new. It looked like a skirt but it was made in such a way to allow her to ride a bike and keep her modesty. That time women didn't wear trousers. It fitted me perfectly and I was thrilled to wear it a couple of times only as I kept growing and it didn't fit well anymore. Is your granddaughter the same little girl we saw in a photo here in Cute years ago? She is a beautiful, tall, young lady now. Thanks for the memories......
Hugs, Lidia

2 comments
mops by mops 10 May 2023

Much to my mum's delight who never wore trousers in her life we were not allowed to wear them at school. It had to cycle to school, which took about half an hour or so and nylon stockings weren't exactly warming. In summer it was not easy to keep the full circle skirts and petticoats down. Some of my classmates used clothespins to weigh them down. Happy 50s!
Yes, it might be the same granddaughter. She turned 14 last monday and is about an inch taller than I am.
Hugs, Martine

lidiad by lidiad edited 10 May 2023

Thanks for the information about the skirt. Now I understand why my mother's skirt-trousers was heavy, I think it was made of heavy gabardine. I have never learned to cycle and didn't have the necessity either, that's why I didn't know that the wind effect was the reason for selecting that fabric. Hugs, Lidia

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by peafarm 08 May 2023

How wonderful is that. Dress fabric is gorgeous. It fits her well and looks great. I wished I had lots of things I made in the past but only kept some things which I can wear again too. Imagine that, lol.

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by gerryvb 08 May 2023

it's great !!

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by pennifold 08 May 2023

Both of these are lovely Martine. Your sewing is fabulous. Love Chris

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by basketkase 07 May 2023

Both are absolutely lovely, Martine...

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by sewpam 04 May 2023

Those clothes were worth keeping. stylish then and now. Both daughter and granddaughter look great. Now I wish I kept some of my own clothes that I made.

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by Tu2ml 03 May 2023

A sweet story - 3 generations of sewists resurrecting/recycling handmade garments. Both pieces look great, and by the beautiful smiles on their faces, they look very happy to be wearing your creations. Good on you. Very well done.

1 comment
mops by mops 04 May 2023

Thank you for your nice words.

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by noah 03 May 2023

Sound like a plan we should think about .I am good to take stuff to the good will store .The dress is beautiful xxx

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mops by mops 04 May 2023

I do a lot of recycling and donate often. These items were used as they are. Not the slightest alteration needed. And that surprised me the most.

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by dailylaundry 03 May 2023

Love this post! I too have kept a few things I have made over the years. Your daughter looks wonderful in the dress and your granddaughter has a great sense of style - your jacket is perfect with her outfit!! Thanks for sharing this!! Hugs, Laura

1 comment
mops by mops 04 May 2023

Thank you. Trends come and go and some come back again.

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by graceandham 03 May 2023

They both look "smashing".

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mops by mops 04 May 2023

They'll love to hear that.

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by dragonflyer 03 May 2023

Well, that is such a great surprise and both of your "models" wear them well!

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mops by mops 04 May 2023

Thank you.

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by 02kar Moderator 03 May 2023

I love this story. It's so heartwarming to see children and grandchildren appreciating the fashions of our era. Both your daughter and granddaughter look so beautiful in the articles you made with such love so many years ago.

1 comment
mops by mops 03 May 2023

I am so glad the jacket looks so pretty. It took ages to make all the piped buttonholes for the black ribbon. Don't know if I would have the patience to do that now.

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by toogie 03 May 2023

Wow! I love the fact that you kept them all these years, the shift dress colors are marvelous and the fact that she could still fit in something she wore in 1963 is AMAZING! I wish I could!!!!
By the way, the ‘ girls’ are beautiful!

1 comment
mops by mops 03 May 2023

Thanks Toogie. I made the dress for myself in 1963, my daughter was born 5 years later. Wouldn't it be nice if it still fitted me - and no batwings to hide.

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by sebsews 03 May 2023

Both are lovely! Love seeing they have been kept and put to good use.

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mops by mops 03 May 2023

Thank you.

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by asterixsew Moderator 03 May 2023

Yes it is lovely when another and different generation wear something we have made in the long gone past. My daughters wore the bridesmaid dress from my wedding. A smocked vyella dress and a grand daughter also wore it. The eldest grand daughter is currently wearing a fleece jacket made for her mum's 10th birthday.
We are of a generation that made garments with care and love and its lovely to see your two great pictures showing that

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mops by mops 03 May 2023

Fortunately my daughters both love to sew. The granddaughter in the picture sews since she was 6 years old. I am so glad they do.

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