Hi everyone! I have continued the trend of being head-spinningly busy lately! I was hoping to get not one but two Vintage Knitting College posts written up this week, and have come up with a big, fat zero! We’re off to visit my mom and step-dad outside Washington, D.C. next week for Thanksgiving, so I’m hoping to have a bit of free time to work on at least one then.
In the meantime, I thought I’d alert you to a sale I found out about. Jitterbuggin is having a 30% off sale through Sunday!
When people talk about vintage vs. me-made vs. repro, such as Stephanie of The Girl With the Star-Spangled Heart did last week in this thoughtful post, my first thought in the repro category, with a few exceptions, isn’t the bigger companies that focus on repro or more frequently retro/pin-up-inspired (i.e. not actually trying to recreate a vintage style, but running with the feeling).
Instead, I first think of the seamstresses who sell in small online shops or Etsy, like Nudeedudee, Jitterbuggin and Allure Originals. Yes, you’ll likely pay more money for a custom or small run piece than you would with a large retro brand, but let’s face it—even some of those bigger brands are very pricey, and not even necessarily using quality materials or craftsmanship. (Stretch bengaline comes to mind… I’m not a fabric snob but good gracious, I hope I never wear that fabric again, I’ve done my time with it. lol)
When I’m able to, I like to support the smaller repro companies, who are sometimes a company of one! I just don’t sew enough to be able to bring to life everything I want to wear, and when I can’t find it vintage or would prefer a more longer-lasting alternative (for, say, a particular work piece that gets a ton of use and needs to be hard-wearing), I turn to gals like these. Instead of “me-made” I think of it as “she-made”. 😉 Plus it gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling to support an indie business, when I can put names to faces and have an ongoing relationship. It’s just something I’ve always liked to do when I can.
So when I saw Jitterbuggin was having a sale, I wanted to pass on the love. I have a few pieces from Kim, and I love them all. In fact now that I think about it, the red checked bow blouse in my blog header is from Jitterbuggin and damn if it’s not one of my favorite summer tops.
Pop on over to Jitterbuggin and take a peek around. Use the coupon code “Autumn Leaves” for 30% off through Sunday. I’ll leave you with a snap of my new favorite piece of hers, my green pinafore dress!
The green dress is the best. Very nice on you.
Good Week-end and Cheers from France
Big Mama Instropection.
Thanks for linking my blog and for sharing the sale! I’ve been wanting one of those pinafores for a while!
I just have to say, you are just so darn cute! Thank you for lovely posts that are fun to read and informative too. I do enjoy your blog so much! Jenny
Looks so lovely the new dress and the yellow knitting project! Greetings Annette
I’m in the DC area. Drop me a line if you are interested in getting some coffee!
Thanks for the alert!
I like that squirrel brooch!
Tasha Oh,
your photos are always so colorful, I love all these green and all the creations of jitterbug.
Deb
Getting around to catching up on blogs! Anyway, I agree about supporting the smaller companies, too. Though, I must admit I’ve been rather less-than-impressed on at least one occasion by a company that’s had so much praise from others but I felt the product I got was very ordinary and not worth the money I spent. But, these things happen and it hasn’t made me want to support independent businesses any less, at least! I love the green pinafore dress you’re wearing in that photo, too. 🙂
-Andi x
Um, is that a bakelite squirrel pin???? I’m overcome with jealousy… 😉
Thanks for the heads up! I love the smaller repro companies! They are just wonderful to work with and purchase from! Now off to go check out the Jitterbuggin sale!
Thanks for the notice! I love Jitterbuggin and Nudeedudee designs! Btw, I hope you have fun here in the DC area next week! If you need any suggestions regarding shops, dining, or entertainment, let me know! I hope you have fun too!
So tempted by these gorgeous clothes! They seem so well made and not like the rushed bad clothes you get in the shops! I think its great that you are supporting people with small etsy stores. I think you look gorgeous by the way, it definitely suits you! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.com/
Hurrah to supporting small businesses, and I’m a terrible fabric snob, it doesn’t have to be vintage but it has to be right, so many of the bigger repro brands just get it so wrong :o( I don’t think I could bear to wear stretch bengaline, it also would do nothing for my figure or lack thereof he he!
I think that green dress looks great on you! it’s like a grown up girl scout dress! Too bad I missed the sale!