How to Sew a Vintage Winter Wardrobe Virtually for Free

To sew a capsule wardrobe on a budget nothing beats transforming thrifted clothes with 1940s Make Do and Mend advice!
Using vintage sewing techniques we can transform today's thrifted clothes into desirable garments we want to wear.
While much space in charity shops and thrift stores is taken up with fast fashion clothes in cheap fabrics, sensible (often seen as frumpy) pure wool tweed skirts languish.
I show you the original Make Do and Mend sourcebook of ideas so that we can plan a tweed and plaid capsule wardrobe.
What is more I am joined by the queen of vintage who tells us how to style tweed to look glamorous and chic!
If you enjoyed this video and would like to support my channel, please consider buying me a cup of coffee:
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Thank you for watching my videos and supporting me. It is always very much appreciated.
Samantha x

[@ariettasvintagelife]

I love the concept of make do and mend, and it couldn't be more relevant now with the need for sustainable living! Your stash of fabric and thrifted clothes is fantastic, you can do so much with those and I'm sure you will create beautiful things. Thank you for another inspiring video full of creative ideas! 🥰❤

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much Arietta. Yes, I’m always seeing decluttering videos with people dropping off bags and bags of clothes to charity shops. The charity shops are groaning under the weight of it all. Lots gets parcelled up and sent abroad but lots is unsaleable and destined for landfill. People don’t realise. Thank you so much always for your support. 💗💐

[@rowanhughes8682]

Straight away, on the ideas for tweed front, I thought of Vivienne Westwood. Mismatching fabrics would look terrific together, so slim down one of the skirts to a pencil shape (with some cheeky pleats or frills in the kick pleat at the back, bustle optional 😂) paired with a waistcoat and capelet of mismatched tweeds. Think like colour blocking BUT tweed blocking!!! Oh it's a 'thing' I'm sure of it 👍🏻 🐸🦝 Ernest Shepard would be proud. Another fun and jolly episode, Samantha 😊 Yes, you most definitely will be that old woman in a cottage filled to the rafters with haberdashery 😂

[@Samanthalovestosew]

But can I carry it off do you think?! 😂 I can envisage what you mean though and shall channel my inner Vivienne Westwood! I love your description of the back of the skirt, now that’s very inspiring! I fear I’m not too far off being that old lady 😆 Thank you very much Rowan 💖💐

[@rowanhughes8682]

@@Samanthalovestosew Well, I don't think go the whole Viv look, way too 80s! 😅 but tweed blocking could be a way to go 👍🏻 After all, you are a trend setting influencer 🌟 🌟 🌟

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@rowanhughes8682 I am a trend setting influencer, that’s true 🤣 I have a responsibility to the legions of fashionistas just waiting to be guided by moi!!! 😂

[@iansaunders6983]

Over the last few weeks I have really appreciated your depth of involvement in all things vintage. Not sure whether I call it hardcore, this is probably more a reflection on me. You have a way of making things interesting and entertaining for someone like me. I know your kindred spirits from the vintage scene will love your videos. I see it was another late night. Hope you are well.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much Ian. Yes I keep dithering about whether to go fortnightly. Then thinking if I can just get ahead and include the odd smaller project I’d be ok. We will see! I have a real affinity with the make do and mend spirit (that might be influenced by a mother who comes from Yorkshire and doesn’t believe in wasting anything!) Early night for me tonight - I’ve rather struggled through today!

[@jessicastorey1838]

Toad in his driving clothes made me smile so much! “Poot poot, went the motorcar!” A much more dashing look than the washer woman get up. 😂 I’m looking forward to seeing what you make out of all that wool!! I’ve done hats and handbags out of thrift store bits that had moth nibbles to cut around. My latest scrap wool fabric was made up in my new favorite weskit. I love the idea you shared of making a capelet. I have a small piece of lovely green wool that I’ve been dying to use but there just isn’t enough for something with sleeves.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oh I’m very pleased you appreciate Toad. I’d love to cut a dash in a motorcar like his! I’m wondering if what you call a weskit is the same thing as what we in the UK call a waistcoat. I imagine it must be. I definitely want to make one of those, perhaps with a matching cap like Toad’s (though I’ll leave off the goggles 😆) Green wool for a capelet sounds lovely - I hope you find a way around the sleeve issue. I’ve been making a 20s dress from a moth nibbled Liberty wool scarf. There are so many holes that, if I cut around them, there wouldn’t be anything left! I’m going for a dress anyway. Will just need to wear a slip underneath so people can’t see through the holes!!

[@josepineka5345]

Omg... Samantha, I love the tiles in your bathroom ❤! The book is amazing, what a great find! I'd totally look forward to see you in that hooded cape 😍

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Ah the hooded cape! It is cute! I’m glad you love the Wind in the Willows tiles in the bathroom too 🐸 Yes, I’m thrilled to have a copy of the original Make Do and Mend book. It really is full of useful advice too! Thank you very much for watching and supporting me 💗💐

[@laurazeman]

Hi Samantha! I absolutely love the clothing illustrations in that book. What a fun, resourceful book to own! ❤ Oh my goodness... "If you haven't a small waistline and wearing a skirt makes you look like a pillow tied in the middle..." 🤣🤣 I got such a good chuckle out of that description. I'm afraid, I do know what they mean! 🤣 The cape and matching cap is a great idea. A waistcoat could be cute too. And you know me... I'm always a fan of a new bolero any day lol. I can't wait to see what you do. Old ladies with cottages full of haberdasheries and fabrics sounds like good friends to me 😂. 🩷 I aspire to be that. 😂 That Toad and Badger mural is the cutest thing ever. I'm quite envious lol😊 🐸 🦡 Thank you for sharing!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

That description of a pillow tied in the middle leapt out at me. There was something awfully familiar about the picture it conjured up (I might have seen it in the mirror 😂) I am so lucky to have this book. I’ve seen parts of it reproduced but not the whole thing and it’s a real gem. So many ideas … I definitely need to start sewing and stop looking at my pile of wool clothes in a baffled kind of way! I’m very pleased you like my Badger and Toad mural too. As for the haberdashery filled cottages of all the old ladies around me - I’ve found where I belong!! 😆 Thank you for watching Laura 💖

[@alenamoss8146]

Samantha, you are so creative and beautiful. Thank you to Mars, I admire her style so much. Great inspiration:)

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oh thank you very much, that’s so lovely to hear! I’m a great admirer of Mars’s style too, and she’s such a warm and kind person 💐

[@asheraucoin]

You're so wonderful to do this for all of us! Exciting! An Adventure in style! Love it 💖

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I’m just so pleased when someone enjoys it and wants to watch! Thank you very much for your kind and morale boosting comment! 💗💐

[@asheraucoin]

Your videos make me smile! From the talks with your sweet border collies in attendance to being educated as to cutting patterns. It truly helps me and I am sure others in feeling as if we are cared for. Big hug to you!@@Samanthalovestosew

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@asheraucoin That’s so kind of you to say. You totally made my day! The dogs send big licks!

[@forfang39]

So interesting and informative ❣️✨And so lovely to get advice from Mars Dilbert 🙌🏼🤩

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you so much Katrine 💕 And I’m really pleased you enjoyed Mars’s advice too. I love tweed but it does need a little styling to look more fun! 💖

[@lenorerhodes8110]

What a lovely pile of tweed you have Samantha. I know anything you decide to make will be beautiful. When I was in the UK in 2018 my SIL and I stayed in some beautiful country pubs. I remember seeing beautiful tweed cushions. I bought some tweed over there to make some when I got home but it’s still sitting in my stash. I must pull it out. I think you can never go past a tweed jacket that looks as good when wearing jeans / pants or a more formal outfit. I’m excited to see what you decide to make. Xxxx❤️😆

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much Lenore. It’s interesting that you’re thinking of tweed cushions. There’s a textile artist whose name escapes me who makes the most wonderful tweed and wool appliqué cushions. As I like to make tapestry cushions I already have cushions everywhere! But I thought I might employ similar techniques to make a fun tweed bag of some kind with an appliqué creature on it - probably a Scottie dog or a rabbit knowing me! Thank you for watching another episode! 💗💐xxxx

[@lenorerhodes8110]

A bag sounds perfect. Xx ❤️🌺

[@LostinTimeWithKatie]

Oh my goodness is that a Wind in the Willows scene on the tile in your bathroom? 😱Samantha you are just the most magical person I swear. Anyways, that make do and mend book has some great tips! Interesting to see how resourceful they were in the 40's. I also loved the style tips from your fabulous guest.💕

[@Samanthalovestosew]

It is Katie! I always loved that cover from a vintage Wind in the Willows book (I know you’d appreciate it too!) I found a company that print any picture you like onto tiles. I also found a young designer creating leafy and floral designs for vinyl flooring and she designed a Wind in the Willows floor for me with pond, water lilies and signs pointing to the different homes. (I can tell my family think I’ve lost the plot 😂!) Thank you very much for watching once again, it is much appreciated 🌸🌺💐

[@killerkitschvintagelizzie]

Your videos are always so much fun! They always pick up my mood and inspire me!!!! ❤❤❤

[@Samanthalovestosew]

That’s so lovely to know! You’re very kind! Thank you very much Lizzie ❤️xxx

[@karinbaird2499]

Thank you for the inspiration ❤️💐❤️

[@Samanthalovestosew]

You’re so welcome and thank you very much for coming back to watch another episode! 💗💐💕

[@mele9952]

I love Mars tips and i thought maybe you could make a pretty waist coat out of one fo your bright blue skirts. Oh and I love the idea of making tassels!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oh that is a good idea - a bright blue waistcoat would be very cute. And tassels could be fun to make. I’ll check my book to see how they were used. Thank you very much (and I’m glad you enjoyed Mars’s tips too)! 💐

[@joyofthings]

I love the tiles can you still get them.xx🐝🐝

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I’m thrilled that someone else loves them. I bought them from a company called Unique Tiles (in the UK). You just supply them with the image you want (mine was from the front cover of Wind in the Willows) and the measurements you want! 💕🌸xx

[@karinjcollstrup7360]

I would love to be able to bye clothes larger then my size in a charityshop, but being a 2xl and 186cm tall that seldom happens. Not even the mens-suits are usually a size I could cut down....😅

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I guess there are some advantages to my dwarf-ish stature!! Mind you I really want dresses. Perhaps the answer for both of us lies in combining two garments into one (though it’s surprisingly tricky to see good combinations!) 😆🎀

[@karinjcollstrup7360]

I am looking forward to see your take on this - maybe I will get inspired.