Sewing and Tailoring for Men and Boys

Sewing For Men and Boys

Simplicity's How-to-Book of illustrated Sewing Techniques and Wardrobe Guide is a great resource for tailoring men's clothing.

Available NOW in the NYAM Modern Vintage ETSY store!

Sewing for Men, the idea I found a bit intimidating at first. I noticed that guides for tailoring for men are few and far between. So, I get excited when I find vintage books that lay out all the details for tailoring for men.

I read in another sewing book that sewing men's clothing is not much different and considered easier because women have more body contours. So, that made me feel a bit less intimidated!  YaY! 

 Here is a closer look at this RARE How-To-Book for tailoring for men and boys. ENJOY! 

This book is loaded with details on bow ties, belt loops, shirts, collars, pockets, tailored jackets, cuffs, waistbands, alterations, inner fabrics...and more! 

The styles were sophisticated and the tailoring impeccable!  The inner fabrics are definitely the difference when tailoring! It's EVERYTHING! 

How to make and tie bow tie is a must for any man! 

Traditional tailoring of men's jackets. Every details of the inner layers to the outer layers and including how to properly fit a men's jacket.

Collars of mens shirt must be impeccable and sharp! 

Cuffs are sure to get much attention with a great pair  cuff links! 

I have this book in my personal collection and feel a bit more confident about sewing mens clothes. But, I admit I will start slow with making a shirt and see how it goes! 

I found an awesome vintage shirt pattern for men that will be my first men's garment! 

What is it? A Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Model 201-2

In the land of "StANkONia", I was chatting with another "Nerdy Seamstress" that marveled over the durability and quality of a Singer 201-2.

What is it?

Singer Sewing Machine Trademark and Serial Number

After a bit of research and being in much need of a heavy duty sewing machine, I decided I wanted to add one to my collection. 

So, let the "sewing machine hunt begin". I've searched mountain high and valley low to find this master piece. Mountains high, literally, covered with pouring rains, muddy roads, cows, goats, horses, and water springs! I admit, there are places in the land of "StANkoNia" that I've never knew existed and somehow they had exactly what I was searching for. 

Why is it so special? 

Vintage Singer Sewing Machine 201-2 

Serial Number AF444711 

Manufactured 1941 by The Singer Manufacturing Company

This machine was produced for 20 years and still is considered one of the best sewing machines Singer 

ever manufactured.

I plan to sew denim jeans and the stitching quality of this machine will be perfect! Although, you can sew fabrics as delicate silk or as ridged as bridled cow hide leather! 

Now, I will unveil my treasure... in all it's glory! ENJOY!

Horizontal rotary hook, the thread tension and the lever to lower and raise the foot. Notice the scrolling details on the end cover! 

Reverse and Adjustable Stitch Length Lever. You can also see the white light switch to the right! 

The Singer Light. Notice the white light switch on the front right to turn the power on the machine! 

 The thread spool pin. Notice the decorated base.

Electric Motor (Potted) on the back and the bobbin threading wheel on the front. Notice, no belts are used to drive the machine.

The Motor Drives the Machine with Spiral Gears

Feeddogs can be adjusted for free motion quilting! 

70 Years Later it still RUNS like NEW! Notice how quiet the machine runs...listen! 

The next time I blog about this fantastic piece of machinery, I will be working on a new pair of denim jeans! 

Antique Mall Adventures

While treasure hunting in the land of "StAnKOnia" for a vintage sewing machine, I discovered the most amazing Antique Mall. Although, I didn't find the sewing machine I was looking for here, I thought I'd share the experience as inspiration for you Modern Vintage fashion lovers!

I never before been to an Antique Mall so this was a pleasant surprise! It was like walking through a time capsule of the decades! Everything you could ever want from any era!

I walked past these vintage collections and couldn't resist to capture the moment. Needless to say, I saw so many beautiful pieces but, I wouldn't know where to put them. So, I decided on the photos! 

ENJOY! 

Vintage Jet Magazines on the dining table and the green lamp on the buffet server was a show stopper! 

The "ANTIQUETASTIC" lamp! 

The bird house in the living room definitely screams 1960's.

The dining chairs were so retro with the flowered vinyl covers screaming RETRO!

I love this chair, although I think it was made a couple of decades or more before the 1960's era! 

The living room of a retro house completely with the mustard tweed lounge chair.

Now, I am not sure if this is a Genie or not but I did rub the lamp 3 times. Needless to say, nothing happened!
MeKa-LeKa-Hi-MeKa-HiNy-HO!

I love the color of the TV, it's so RETRO! 

This chair screams Modern Vintage! I have this very style of chair and sofa in leather and I love it! 

Haute Couture Techniques in New Vogue Sewing Book

My latest review is for the New Vogue Sewing Book circa 1963. This is the first time I discovered Haute Couture Techniques in a publication. WOW!

An entire Courturiers Supplement including:

Profiles of Famed Couturiers
Construction of a Paris Original
Fashions from Paris-Rome
Haute Couture Techniques
French Glossary

New Vogue Sewing Book will remain in my personal collection, for sure! ENJOY!

Dorothy Moore's Pattern Drafting & Dressmaking Book

A GREAT GUIDE to learn the PATTERN DRAFTING TECHNIQUES! 

Dorothy Moore's Pattern Drafting and Dressmaking book provides a look into the 1970's fashion and will guide you to drafting your own pattern including skirts, shirts, pants, tops, overblouse, dresses, sleeves, collars, coats, suits, bathing suits, men's sport shirts, and children's clothes. Dorothy Moore teaches the "Oriental Method" of pattern drafting.

"I have found that fitting is the most valuable asset a person can learn from this pattern drafting course" ~ Dorothy Moore

RARE! NOW AVAILABLE in NYAM Modern Vintage ETSY store! Vintage Pattern Drafting based on the Japanese Method by Dorothy Moore 1968, Pattern Drafting and Dressmaking.

NYAM Modern Vintage by Afia Cayee'