Hi again, friends! I’ve been cleaning, organizing, and trashing today like nobody’s business, and I spent yesterday afternoon going through my closet. It feels GREAT to go through all my stuff and pare it down to essentials (or at least essential-to-me’s!). I’ve got a big heap ‘o’ clothes all bagged up for Goodwill, stacks of books to list on BookMooch, toiletries to donate to homeless shelters, and games for senior citizens’ centers. Whew! But one thing that I’ve noticed is that I’m very reticent to Goodwill vintage clothing that just doesn’t work for me. Do you guys have this problem? I don’t do a whole lot of shopping, but when I do, it’s often on eBay or Etsy and sometimes the items just don’t flatter you, but you can’t tell until it’s already arrived. So I was thinking that I finally need to part with a few of these things, but I want to make sure they go to someone who will value them, and who better than you fancy friends?! So, if anyone wants them, I have a couple of things up for grabs:
First off, I have three 60’s era silk scarves. I bought them from an online estate auction a while ago, and dude, I just don’t accessorize! I don’t know how and I just don’t do it, but I’m sure that someone out there can use or repurpose them creatively! Interestingly, these belonged to a fairly low-profile French actress– I can’t remember her name, but she was in one of Elvis’s lesser-known movies– and when she died in New Orleans, her fabulous wardrobe went up for sale.
Red scarf with purple flowers
This is rectangular (it’s folded in half in the photo) and is 11″ x 34″ with print only on one side.
Black, tan, and red plaid scarf
This guy is 20″ x 20″ and the plaid is printed on both sides.
This one is 26″ x 26″, and the print is on both sides. It’s kind of chiffon-y, and there’s a slight snag/hole that you can see towards the right.
Red wool-blend shirt dress
This dress is super cute, but doesn’t quite fit me right. It’s a wool blend, mostly red, with flecks of metallic gold running through the fabric. There’s a snap front and stretchy smocking on the front, and ties at the waist.
Up close and personal
The measurements are:
bust: 34″ (there’s quite a bit of stretch here, though, from the smocking)
waist: 29.5″
hips: 37″
length: 36″
Salmon pink! Donkeys! Cross stitch!
This is a handmade (!) dress in a medium-weight cotton with a linen-y feel to it. It’s embellished with cross stitch and embroidery. The color is so deep and pretty!
I can’t imagine taking the time to add so much embellishment to a handmade dress! Do any of you guys do that? Andrea did a great job with her Skirt of Many Stitches this summer– check it out if you haven’t seen it yet!
Sleeve detail
Measurements for the Pink Donkey Extravaganza:
bust: up to 42″ (but can definitely accommodate much smaller measurements– the drawstring around the empire waistline can tighten to gather up the bodice)
hip: up to 44″
length: 36″
Not sure if anybody would like any of these goofy things, but if you would, leave a comment telling me what you like! If more than one person wants something, I’ll draw a winner at random. Let’s cut this off by Monday at 6PM EST so I can get these packed up and out of my apartment! Oh, and international shipping is fine!
Oh, one last thing– does anybody use Singer class 66 bobbins? I have a 4-pack that I purchased when I first started sewing and didn’t realize that they weren’t the proper size for my machine. Let me know if you could use those, too! I guess I would prefer to ship those only to the U.S. since any further than that, the postage probably costs way more than the bobbins do!
Ginger Makes... 
OMG I want that cross-stitch dress! Ahhhh are those tassels hanging off the arms & front? Pick me pick me pick me! lol
LikeLike
Black tassels on purple cords– awesome, no??
LikeLike
Wow, I can’t believe you are giving this stuff away! I would take any one of the scarves, but I must confess, the very first one is my favorite…
LikeLike
These items are so nice! And youn American girls are so generous, we do not have such a sewing community here in France!
I really like your red scarf with purple flowers, I hope I am the only one ;).
My email is : mariefur@hotmail.fr
Thank you for your sweet blog !
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting! 🙂
LikeLike
I’d love that first scarf! Gorgeous!
LikeLike
Isn’t cleaning things up and getting organized just awesome? (This coming form a control freak of course!). As it happens, scarves are my go to accessory and I really like the first one, so if no one else is interested please sign me up. Thanks for the give away!
LikeLike
I feel sooooo much better (and I’m the opposite of a control freak– things usually just spiral out of control around me!)! I’m so excited to make a little headway with the massive unorganization ’round these parts!
LikeLike
This is such a fantastic idea, Ginger! I love that wool dress – seems like I’m the only one! I also love the yellow scarf. I collect vintage scarves, although I mostly collect Vera Neumann. And I do wear them regularly!
I’m looking forward to seeing the “after” pictures of your sewing space. Happy cleaning!
LikeLike
Seems like everyone wants the red scarf, and alas I’m in that camp too!
I read your post, Ginger, and then promptly went into fantasy mode imagining myself as a french actress, with smoldering eyes & fantastic bangs wearing that red scarf. It’s matching my fantasy red heels, and blowing ever so in the light Autumnal Paris Breeze (my fantasies never take place in Winter)….
LikeLike
Heeheehee– I have a pair of fantasy red heels, too! I’m usually wearing them in my head while I’m sipping coffee at outdoor cafes, or if I’m feeling saucy, while I Vespa my way around Rome! 🙂
LikeLike
I think everyone needs to have fantasy red heels! And YES to the Vespa & Roma! I haven’t even been to Rome, but why let that stand in the way of a good fantasy! ( I have seen Roman Holiday which is surely good enough)
LikeLike
Heehee, I think all my knowledge of Rome is from Roman Holiday, too! If it’s half as fun as that movie, we’d have a blast there!
LikeLike
I know exactly what you mean, wanting to make sure your vintage finds get to a place they’ll really be appreciated. I did a giveaway for a vintage pattern recently (although the winner never claimed her prize, so I think I’m going to have to do it again) for the same reason. I didn’t want it, but I wanted its new owner to really love it. I’m far from being the only one here, but I would love that red and purple scarf too. I wear scarves all the time!
LikeLike
Oh, I love the plaid scarf! As much as I don’t want to think about it winter is coming to NZ and it screams gorgeous to me! I keep thinking that I need to host a giveaway soon but my stash isn’t big enough yet! Very kind of you to offer these!
LikeLike
Oh I would love the red scarf with purple design. I’m quite into scarves and that one’s a beaut!
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
LikeLike
WOW. That cross stitch dress is out of control! I would love to win it!
LikeLike
Are you kidding? This stuff is AWESOME! (Capitals = excitement, not yelling). I would love, love, love the Red scarf with purple flowers, or the Black, tan, and red plaid scarf, or the yellow scarf, or the cross-stich dress! Amazing 🙂 x
LikeLike
Lovely stuff – I like all of it but sadly the red dress would be too small for me. The scarves are gorgeous, esepcially the yellow trim one and the cross stitch dress is so sweet. Have a good weekend. 🙂
LikeLike
Okay, I would love the red wool shirtdress! I’m a sucker for a shirtdress and I’m amazed that this one is almost my measurements exactly.
Thanks for hosting the giveaway and sharing your vintage finds with us! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway ! If I were lucky enough I would LOVE the first floral scarf or the plaid scarf 🙂 x
LikeLike
I can picture wearing your awesome yellow scarf with my white mod tunic dress! I’m also liking the purple leaves scarf. I’ve got my fingers crossed!
LikeLike
Damn!! I missed this! 😦
LikeLike
Oh man, bummer! Next time! I really like to host giveaways! 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: A bit of yarn, anyone? | Stitch Parade
How did I not see this?! Those scarves are divine!!! And that embroidery. Ah, well…
LikeLike
Aww man, hate it when that happens! I’ll host another giveaway soon! 🙂
LikeLike