Posted on October 17, 2011 at 3:07 pm, by Admin
in Category Sewing | Tags: House,IMPORTANT,Moving,Retro
Sew Retro is moving house! After 5 years on blogger, we’re carefully packing up our nicknacks and shipping them over to our swanky new home: WeSewRetro.com
Below are answers to some questions you may have about the move. You should check out our new digs by clicking here and register for your account by clicking here.
If you like to get your daily dose of sewing goodness through an RSS feed, subscribe to the new feed here before you forget!
Why are we moving?
We’re climbing up the property ladder a little. We’re still not in a mansion with an ocean view, but now our apartment has a cute little wrought iron balcony and higher ceilings.
How come there’s a “we” in the site name now?
Because we’re a community! Holla!
(…our first choice of address was already taken…there was much swearing and shaking of fists…)
How do I log in to the new site?
You have to register at the new site first, even if you have been posting on our blogger site.
I’m already a member of Sew Retro. Why do I have to register at the new site?
Sew Retro started way back in 2006, and some of our members have dropped off the edge of the blogosphere. Rather than import old accounts and broken links, we’re starting fresh and clean.
Don’t worry – all your old posts have been copied over to the new site and will be attributed to your account once you’ve registered there. This just keeps everything tidy.
Do I have to keep the same username?
No, you can register with whatever username you want. If you picked your current username while high on spray starch and feel that perhaps ‘NUMBER1SEWINGMOFO…WAAAAAASSSSUP!’ doesn’t have the desired level of gravitas, now is a perfect time to change it.
What happens when I register?
When you register you’ll first be taken to your new profile page. This is all entirely optional (hint: the important stuff is down at the bottom of the page) but I recommend changing your password, providing a link to your website and a short bio. Don’t forget to hit the save button at the very bottom of the page when you’re done.
Your new account will have just enough access to create your first post, except rather than seeing a ‘publish’ button it will say ‘submit for review’. The very first post anyone creates on
Sew Retro gets held in a moderation queue so we don’t get flooded by spammers, but as soon as that first post is approved any subsequent posts you make will appear on the site instantly.
Have the rules about what I can post changed?
Nope. Many of our members also run businesses selling vintage clothing or supplies, but we want to see what you’re sewing, not what you’re selling. Posts deemed to be advertisements will be subject to moderation. You are more than welcome to place a link to your shop in your profile. If you are interested in sponsoring a competition or a giveaway for the community, please contact me to discuss.
Do I have to have my own blog in order to post?
No, absolutely not. In fact, if you want to show off your retro sewing but don’t want the hassle or commitment of maintaining a website, Sew Retro is perfect for you. Every member gets an archive page (for example, see mine here) that you can use as a digital portfolio, so all your sewing awesomeness is up online (and getting a bunch of traffic) without much effort from you.
If you do have your own blog or website, just plug it into the ‘website’ field of your profile. This makes it appear magically on your posts and our members page, giving you plenty of opportunities to pick up new readers.
What are the cool things you want me to notice?
At the bottom of every post you make, the site puts a little box of info about you: your avatar, a brief bio, links to all your other Sew Retro posts and your own website if you have one. Like this:
So now when you see something you absolutely love, it’s a lot easier to find other things made by the same person.
Also, comments are now threaded so you can reply directly to a particular comment in a way that makes the conversations easy to follow.
We have lots of room to grow with the new site. If there’s a particular feature you’d like to see, let me know
Am I going to lose all my old posts?
No, in fact your old posts have already moved over to the new site automagically. All three thousand one hundred and ninety-seven of them. And all forty-one thousand three hundred and forty-four comments (….laaaaaate night). Once you register on the new site, I can reassign your old posts to your new account.
I’m nervous about using something other than blogger.
Don’t be – WordPress is really similar and if you have problems I’m here to help. The only thing that might trip you up a bit is which button to click when you want to add a picture to a post. So here’s a tip….this one:
I’ll be putting up a video tutorial shortly to help anyone struggling with registering and creating their first post.
I had a conniption when I thought the site might disappear. How can I help ensure the community I love carries on?
2. Spread the word. Tell your friends on facebook and twitter or post about Sew Retro on your blog
3. Show some love in the comments. It can be nerve-wracking putting your creations out there for people to see, particularly if you’re just starting out on your vintage sewing adventure. Ensure our members know you appreciate them by commenting on their work at the new site.
4. Show us what you’re working on!
I love it! / I hate it! / Can you…? / Why didn’t you…?
And finally…
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I will now collapse in a heap and have to be revived with copious amounts of tequila.
Much obliged,
Katherine
Sew Retro
Posted on April 3, 2011 at 12:23 pm, by Admin
in Category Sewing | Tags: 5032,Butterick,Retro
Today I finished the Butterick Retro 5032 pattern I’d been working on for a while.
I thought I’d make the yellow dress in a bright jewel colour, ala Joan Holloway, for work. I found a purple linen and knew it was meant to be.
I made mine a little shorter than the pattern intended but I’m happy overall. I might wear it to work tomorrow with a black cardigan and black fishnets!
Read more at Florals and Fairybread.
Sew Retro
Posted on March 13, 2011 at 8:23 pm, by Admin
in Category Sewing | Tags: Flat,Hair,Iron,Retro
Would you believe that this gorgeous retro hairstyle was done solely with a flat iron? I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t heard it from the stylist who created this look. After seeing this picture, I had to find out who did the hair (it was Christine at the midtown Vidal Sassoon, if you’re interested). I booked an appointment with Christine and adored her; in fact, she’s the one who suggested my new Bettie Page bangs. She also gave me a lesson on creating waves with a flat iron and it was a revelation.
I’ve always associated flat irons with very modern ideas about what hair should look like: poker-straight and flat. But, as Christine told me, just by changing the angle you hold the iron at, you can make curls and waves. She did it with complete ease; it was like magic. My attempts to recreate it on my own haven’t been quite as effortless, but I’m slowly catching on. (I’ve watched a couple YouTube tutorials since; take a look at this one and this one for curling techniques.) The key to getting the curled-under retro effect is to do all the curls in the same direction, so that they’re framing your face rather than flipping away from it.
My mind was blown a second time when I had lunch with the lovely Mena, who told me that some people do pin curls with a flat iron, by clamping the iron down on the curl. Have you ever heard of such a crazy thing?
As you can tell, this whole idea of flat iron styling is a new world to me. Am I completely out of it? Had you heard of these methods of getting retro hair? Please share any tips, ladies!
Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing
Melissa Mortenson from The Polkadot Chair shares a tutorial at the Riley Blake Designs blog showing how to make her Retro Traavel Bag. The boxy bag is made from laminated cotton, with contrast piping at the seams. Pockets on the …
