All posts by Dottie

The Retro Round Up:: Yay for Applique!

If there is one thing that we know and love at the ole ModernKiddo headquarters, it is a good applique  on a piece of vintage children clothing. So I have picked out some of my favorites to share with you.  Enjoy!

Set your little girlie up for crafty success with this cutie patootie pink number!  From Etsy seller, Vintage Jane.

I love this red three spotted cow.  To cute for words! From Etsy seller, June Reverie.

I love the sassy little stork carrying “baby” on these overalls. Tee hee! From Etsy seller, Fuzzymama, who just uploaded a ton of goodies to her Etsy shop.

This little giraffe comes bearing flowers. From Etsy seller, Lishyloo!

Which came first–the chicken or the egg? Who cares when you can wear this cutie of a skirt! From Etsy seller, Diaphanous Vintage.

Check out this little French gingham piggie!  So sweet! From Etsy seller, Pretty Tidy Vintage.

Ruffles AND applique? Why the heck not!  From Etsy seller, RetroResurrection.

Sometimes, you just need a little bit of applique–like a snappy little seahorse on a sweater! From Etsy seller, Sweet Shop Vintage.

Sometimes just the applique is enough.  Get this sweet patch to add to your kiddos coat to simply tell it like it is. From Etsy seller, Antiques Galore Gal.

Or make your own 100 percent! The applique is included in the pattern. Sweet! From Etsy seller, Paula’s Sew Nice.

Happy Monday, folks!

Retro Round Up: Kitty Love

Hi friends!  I spent this weekend sick as a dog, banished to the back room with nothing but the TV and my good old kitty, Minnow, who is acting as my nursemaid. So, in her honor, I dedicate this week’s round up of vintage cuteness to all things kitty! Enjoy, my friends!

Meow! From Etsy seller, This and That Cape Cod.

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Who doesn’t need a pair of Garfield suspenders? From Etsy seller Robyn’s Nest.

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I love this little sweet vintage barrette.  Darling kitty witty! From Etsy seller, Rosebud Cottage.

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Check out this sweet tom cat  shirt with the fluffy ruffly bits. So darling. From Etsy seller, Oh Sydney.

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Who wouldn’t want to choo choo choose this great kitty train conductor wall hanging? From Etsy seller, Lulu Marigold.

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Lions are kitties too and they are all over these amazing pants! From Etsy seller, Vintarthromodern Kiddos.

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Who doesn’t love a kitty on a bib wearing a snappy little bow? From Etsy seller, Lovesick Vintage.

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Here is one my favorite kitty books when I was a child, but it is a heartbreaker!  Written by Bruce Waber of Lyle the Crocodile fame. From Etsy seller, Kishke Lovely.

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And then there is the Queen of all kitties, Hello Kitty!  Check out this sweet vintage Hello Kitty tin plates, cake and stove set. From Etsy seller, Moon Parade.

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Who doesn’t love a good Steiff stuffed toy? Well, I do and I particularly love this little startled cutie cat! From Etsy seller, Steiff Phyndz.

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Happy Monday, folks!

 

Retro Round Up:: Wooly Warmth

As a knitter, fall is the season that my knitting needles sing their siren song leading me to the closest yarn shop where I immediately drop a ton of cash on some pretty pretty wool to make something cozy.  But I found sometimes, it is easier to buy than put my poor RSI pooped hands through knitting the whole thing. And also, a shorter wait to get the product!  I found these knitted bits of cuteness on Etsy and wanted to share with you!

The detail on this dress skirt is so darling. From Etsy seller, The Robot Parade.

These socks rock! From Etsy seller, Simply Elegant Vintage.

This little Nordic sweater is too adorable for words.  I love the little hearts at the edge. From Etsy seller, Vintage & Diamonds.

These remind me of a pair of mittens my Mom gave to me a kid–little green alligator mittens. But these are pretty darn cute. From Etsy seller, Closet Queens.

Oh man, this darling little sweater is killing me. THAT PATTERN! From Etsy seller, Le Petit Market.

How much is that doggie on the sweater? From Etsy seller 1 Iota.

WHOA!  I want this in my size! From Etsy seller, Bombshells & Babes.

School time! From Etsy seller, Maybel57.

Or for you knittin’ kittens out there, I would like to offer you this. I know, right? From Etsy seller, Antiques Galore Gal.

Or you could teach your kiddo how to knit and call it a day. Circle of life my friends! From Etsy seller, Chemin des Muguets.

 

Retro Round Up:: Fall for All.

I think this was the weekend that Fall fell.  It definitely feels like Autumn.  You just want to cozy up at night with an extra layer of wool next to your skin.  And you smell the wood fires if you walk about your neighborhood at night.  It is one of the reasons why I particularly enjoyed rustling up this week’s bounty of vintage cozy goodness. Enjoy!

I remember this dolly when I was a little girl, playing with it in my doctor’s office. From Etsy seller, Magpie and Hen.

This train wall art filled with vintage Disney characters is too charming for words! From Etsy seller, 1 Sweet Dream Vintage.

This little knitted top is just so sweet and cozy at the same time. From Etsy seller, Gentlefolk.

Oh, if only I could cram the Peach into this darling darling little dressie. And would you look at that little belt buckle? LOVE! From Etsy seller, Little Mitten Vintage.

This sweet turtleneck was made for jumping in piles of leaves. I love it! Thanks for posting, Lishyloo!

How about this darling thermal onesie to keep your widdle one cozy. And the mushrooms are too cute too.  From Etsy seller, Pretty Penny Vintage.

Hammer and stripes go together! From Etsy seller, Sweet Shop Vintage.

This sweet seventies dress  is just so autumnal to me.  I love it! From Etsy seller, the Apple Bobber.

Of course, autumn and plaid go together, so this coat is perfect! From Etsy Peppermint & Cocoa.

It’s All for Fall.  From Etsy seller, Exceedingly Well Read Vintage Books.

Happy Monday, folks!

 

Help sewing mamas! How do you get your kiddo to actually WEAR the clothes you sew for them?

I love to sew.  There is something quite wonderful about sewing something for your daughter.  When I was pregnant, I hoarded vintage children’s patterns like a crazy person.  Oh, the darling cute vintage adorableness that I was going to swath my sweet child in! Quick and cute patterns that were a great training ground for trying out different sewing techniques that I would later try on myself.  Every year I would start out with a long list of projects for my girl.  But by the time I finished making these sweet little skirts, dresses etc, she would barely be able to fit in them. Sigh, that growing child thing can be such a bummer.

I did have a few bits of success.  A skirt here:

A sweater there:

A crazy orange princess dress that nearly drove me to drink:

But then I decided to get real and make her this little bit of cuteness:

Out of this super cute fabric I bought and the result. THIS!  Gorgeous isn’t it?  I mean, c’mon. I LOVE it so!

But does she? Nope. Not even close. I got her to approve the fabric and the pattern but actually getting her to wear it? NO DICE.  She started to cry when I asked her to put it on. Like big wet tears and a complete temper tantrum as I tried to cram her into this blasted little smock. Even promises of candy and watching all the Peppa Pig AND Sofia the First AND Olivia for the rest of the night couldn’t make her wear it.

So, I ask you fellow sewers out there—how the heck do you get your kids to wear the clothes you slave over? Seriously? Any tips, tricks, or suggestions?

Help a sewing mama out!