Unboxing a 1930s Wedding Dress from a Dead Lady's INSANE Sewing Stash

So guys fun fact, this is actually the first video I filmed in our new apartment (n January!) and I'm so happy to finely share this lady's insane sewing stash with you as I have been using so much from it. The wedding dresses (both the 1930's and 1950's ones) have now been put into temporary storage to be recreated later and the rest of it has been sorted into my boxes or rehomed with some very appreciative friends as I'll admit there was a bit much there, even for me! I cant tell you all how much I enjoyed this unboxing and how much I need to say thankyou to the woman who gifted me her dead mother, grandmother and sisters things.
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[@rosehanchar4162]

I am so glad that this lady's stash which contained so many of her treasures has been bought by someone who appreciates it so much. It was like watching you at Christmas time.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

It felt like Christmas and it wasn't even brought. The lady gave it all to me for free and I am so grateful for it!

[@baidykle1]

Wow what a treasure! And that tiara, so beautiful and special. The vintage wedding dresses. Just everything, seems to be absolutely special.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

It really does, not sure I'll ever be able to part with them!

[@otakelblanchemanor0659]

What an amazing find!! First , I have to say, the tiara bought tears to my eyes! How beautiful and to me an heirloom!! I could leave a lengthy comment ... so much to ohhh and ahhh about but I will say; wear the things that you can! Fur and all!! Honor them! I'm 65 and have realized...Why put things into a box and not enjoy them? Or saving them for a 'special' occasion? Everyday we have is special and a gift!! Do not wait! Now my mom would roll in her grave, God Bless her, but many years ago I boxed up all my flatware and replaced it with the family silver that I had been given decades ago. This was the silver that only came out on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.. I now use it everyday! Fabulous FB market place find!!

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I have definitely been wearing a lot of the dresses and honestly am so sad that I changed jobs and unfortunately they don't meet the dress requirements for where I am now. Still there there if I need them and I'm making an effort to put them on when I know I'm filming KZbin videos :)

[@altaroberts5105]

I just received a similar gift. As for animal fur - there's nothing you can do for the animal. All you can do is repect and enjoy the gift they passed away for.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Thanks and I agree, especially when it's that old!

[@missilotze2985]

Im so jealous of the glove stash

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Haha it is a very nice collection!

[@sewcute_sewvintage]

Me too!

[@BYBabbra]

Now that is what you call a haul. Love those wedding dresses, the one form the 50s was my favourite along with that handmade crown. To aquire so many patterns in one go is such a lucky gain. Looking forward to some vintage sewing videos. When you first opened that big chest I was expecting the remains of a bear or something, so very glad it was material and sundries.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Haha me to! And honestly I only showed about 1/3rd of the fabric I got out of the dam thing, it was such a great box (when I got down to the big usable pieces anyway lol)

[@BookCat18]

Wow what a dress!

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

It really is!

[@joycleckley2881]

I do love and adore vintage patterns. You can sell me those kiddie patterns. Those wedding gowns are GORGEOUS to a new level. And the gloves. In the 1940 and 1950s women wore gloves everywhere out of the house, even to grocery shop. 😅. That narrow fabric is before the 1960's I believe if not older. Those furs are amazing too.....

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

For the moment I have packed the patterns into storage untill we get a bigger house however I'll be having a big sort out of both those and my other ones when I finally move to see what I no longer want to keep

[@sarah-the-dog-lover]

Make your reception dress! I made 3 for mine which was excessive but 2 dresses is a good number!(I’m adventures of Sarah and Em) I’m going to have to finish this later but I can’t wait! What a haul

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I actually already have a reception dress planned as well! So silly I brought a wedding dress as I got told by my family not to make my own but I've had the same idea living on my head for about five years now and so all that's left is making a pattern and buying the fabric!!! (Also I loved all your outfits!)

[@sarah-the-dog-lover]

@@AnnabelleAndBensAntics make it and then see what they think! Or just go with it because it's your wedding!

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

@@sarah-the-dog-lover at this point I've stopped caring, it's my wedding and I know what I want to wear for it lol even if it's a bit 'weird' lol Only problem is I know where I need to buy the fabric from... And I might need to get on a plane to go get it (which to be fair is cheaper then buying it here or online)

[@Doctor_Al]

Well, that was quite a joy ride. Nice score.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Thankyou!

[@felinetherapy4782]

What a amazing haul! Esp love the green plaid dress. I think its fine to wear vintage and better than letting them rot away stored somewhere.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Yere I reckon why let them go to waist, may as well enjoy them while we can!

[@liav4102]

The kitten clown fabric would make such a fun quirky bag lining

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I know! Thi K it's going to end up in a patchwork quilt though....

[@karendavis3697]

The “paint brush” is actually for sewing. The pencil part is used to draw things like darts on your fabric and the brush part was used to brush off (erase) the marks off the fabric. I’m 70 and I still have a marker like that.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I have literally never heard of or seen these before and now I am trying to dig it out to try!

[@michaelafarrell7833]

Oh my gosh! Wow, you talk way too much! Neat haul.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

@@michaelafarrell7833 thankyou?

[@kelliecorum5427]

Is it not a typewriter eraser? It sure looks like one!

[@joycleckley2881]

I had 1 for home ec in the 1970's, sure do wish I could find another.

[@neicie64]

I believe the pencil with the brush type end is used for marking notches and such on your material and the brush end it to remove the marks made

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Ohhhh I didn't even think of that! Thankyou!!!

[@daxxydog5777]

There are some nice quilting scraps in there.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

There definitely is and I already made one quilt using them!

[@nancybecker1173]

Amazing haul!

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

It definitely is! Thankyou ❤️

[@refashionrose9499]

Love this video 😊 The pencil and paint brush is actually a chalk marker for putting pattern marks on your fabric the “paint brush” is for removing the chalk. You brush the fabric with it 😊

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I am now looking for it again to try it out as I had no idea lol!

[@kelliecorum5427]

❤ TFS, i love it all!

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Thank you! 🤗

[@Avotts]

When my great granmother passed I ended up with a few of her things, Her hair comb and her sunday shoes. I used them till they totally fell apart. I think the periwinkle fringed thing was quite cute on you. The dress with the tiered black patterened skirt and black top. If you remove the top and use that nice black and white and blus border fabric to make it longer...it would make a nive tiered skirt for you.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

That's so nice!

[@sewcute_sewvintage]

I think we need another video of just the patterns

[@Kinnesan]

I think you should wear what you like and feel good in. The gloves are beautiful and the wedding dresses too. It is a shame they only live in a box. Someone should see them and wear them again!

[@Kinnesan]

Add the purple gloves with the pencil skirt...

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Agreed a lot of people have asked me to incorporate the dresses into my wedding so I will see what I can do though I do want to make my own dress for the ceremony

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Haha that would be a look!

[@winwinmyfriend4727]

That over skirt would've technically been worn over cigarette pants lol❤.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Haha I will have to try that look!

[@asurya8797]

Aaaaa lucky youuuuuuu❤

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I know! Think I used all my luck up though as I haven't gotten anything since :(

[@1020bronwyn]

Currently I wear styles from 1920 thru to early 1950s and would have loved to have gotten so many gloves!

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Oh it sounds like you have an amazing wardrobe!

[@leahzaloudek6978]

i would LOVE to see some of those vogue dresses made. And you definitely need a green plaid dress that fits right on top. Can this one be altered? It really does suit you~

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

It is in my alteration pile and don't worry I have plans for those patterns (and my vintage sewing machine collection!)

[@nickegger5096]

Let me start by saying that I'm thrilled to see you back and posting. I didn't realize how much I had missed your energy. This is a magnificent stash and a fun video. I love that Ben seems to be both dismayed by your buying habits and encourage them at the same time. (Mine are similar, hope i can find a guy as cute and indulgent some day) Now, random thoughts in no particular order: Hessian sacks were used for hooked rug backing, yarn or wool strips. The pink pencil is what my mother called a marking pencil. Its chalk, and the brush is to 'erase'. Most of the furs were collars or stoles. They would piece the furs, sometimes. I have a mink stole that's four feet long. One head and four feet lol. An heirloom. Why not wear ALL the wedding gowns? One for the rehearsal, one for the ceremony, one for the reception, one for the morning after brunch? Or something like that lol. You could dye the 50s gown, if it won't come clean. Maybe Stephanie Canada would help date some of the patterns? Love from Ohio, USA

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Thankyou so much! I think I am going to make my own wedding and reception dresses however I definitely think I need to incorporate these somehow so maybe a seperate photo session with them or something would also be fun! And yes Ben sends the most mixed messages when it comes to my dragon like hoarding behaviour of sewing machines and supplies lol. As for the fur it dosnt seem to have any visible piercing or seams on the back, how would they have attached it together? I'm intrigued...

[@nickegger5096]

@@AnnabelleAndBensAntics I look forward to seeing whatever you create for yourself. I'm sure it will be just as lovely. As for the fur, I don't know much, myself. I've been told that a good furrier can piece hide without visible seams on top. At least with enough knap. I have one stole that is individual pelts linked by a chain. Each with its head feet and tail. They were my great- great grandmother's. I find them a bit morbid, but also fascinating. I'd love to know more, but as you mentioned...it's a touchy subject lol

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

@@nickegger5096 I think I'm going to have to look into how they do that.... Seems like it could be a transferable skill!

[@nickegger5096]

@@AnnabelleAndBensAntics if I were to take a guess, I'd say they were very good at seaming in the old fashioned sense. Material is RST and then whip/overcast stitched, thru the selvedge. When opened it will lay flat. Idk if that makes sense. But it was the common way to join widths of linen for sheets and such. Until looms got wide enough, anyway

[@sewcute_sewvintage]

You should take good pictures of the scrap fabric and create a online book of midcentury mod prints. It would be a great resource for people wanting to do reproductions. Maybe someone would recreate them on a fabric printing service. I loved seeing the vintage furs. I think the first two are rabbit.

[@weegardenhomestead805]

The pencil with paintbrush is chalk for marking fabric and the brush is to erase it.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I am now looking for it so I can try this!

[@heidilupnaav9830]

Could that white roll from the bag with the fur, be the stuff you can put in the lower hem of a dress to give it a little weight and keep it down? Just a guess, as I couldn't really see it properly.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

So I actually was watching a random cosplay video today and think I figured out what the tape is. The name escapes but it is for hemming light fabrics!

[@paulawing2502]

The roll is belting, used to interface fabric belts to match a dress.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Thankyou! I may have to try and make some belts if that's the case!

[@Fyreflyy1]

You should male a patchwork dress or skirt with all the scraps

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I have already made a quilt (video coming soon) and need to make one more before the rest can be used for patchwork clothing!

[@nancylefebvre2266]

The multicolour skein is for darning socks or sweaters

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I think vintage animal fur is totally reasonable because it's not like you can prevent that animal from being harvested for their fur. I would never support new furs but I feel like the animal already had its life taken so to not honor it would be worse.

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Ben's reaction was 😂😂😂

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

10:52 it's GORGEOUS

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

39:17 OMFG that pencil skirt is INCREDIBLE on your figure!!!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I'm in bed, cuddled up with a cuppa tea and a sleeping cat and I may have dozed off for a bit between the last two comments. 😅

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

41:16 I love this dress!

[@Avotts]

i liked the 1950 dress pensil & paint brush....NO I think it is a typewriter eraser and brush...sometimes used to clean the machines.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Oh interesting. I do actually own a typewriter so maybe I will try it

[@cynthiadugan858]

❤❤❤

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Thankyou! ❤️

[@1020bronwyn]

The 2nd real fur collar looks like either coyote but it's not very fluffy, or rabbit, marmot or a cousin to mink?

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Someone else also suggested chinchilla. I may have to see if there's a cheap DNA test or something I can do to quell my curiosity

[@karendavis3697]

Could the orange over skirt actually be an apron? Just turn it around.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I mean I suppose it could be, but a see through organza seems like an odd choice for an apron....

[@liav4102]

@@AnnabelleAndBensAnticsnot if you are a 1950s hostess lol maybe as part of a 50s Halloween costume?

[@KandyLamb]

@@AnnabelleAndBensAntics hostess aprons were often organza. they were pretty, not practical.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

@@KandyLamb oh ok in that case maybe.....

[@daxxydog5777]

I agree. I remember seeing those in the 60s. I had one at one time that came from my MIL. but I don’t know what happened to it.

[@lindacarlotti333]

chinchilla? Using some of the long 12 inch fabric maybe a ruffle skirt?

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Oh I hadn't thought of that... Maybe!

[@1020bronwyn]

The black fur is probably mink

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

That seems to be the consensus. Wonder if there is a test I can do to check...

[@mlatham23]

The yarn that is wound really tight needs to be rewound losely to let it relax. It isn't good to wind it that tight

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I have actually gifted it to a friend who does a lot more yarn craft than me so I will pass this on :)

[@jeanlee1911]

name the dress maker mannequins Lucy and Ethel. ( from I love Lucy)??

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Haha that's not a bad idea

[@galiam.6676]

In my experience, antique fabrics do not hold up to washing. They fall apart. It's a shame.

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I've been using a lot of this fabric since I got it in January and though a few pieces were definitely worse for wear a lot of it has turned out lovely!

[@janetmaffy5375]

Or as an apron

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Maybe :)

[@Catsface99]

The 1950s was NOT 80 years ago!!! I am 66 and I was born in the 1950s!!

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

I mean 1950 was 74 years ago, I suppose in the moment I just rounded up :)

[@annhamilton2060]

Please use the scraps in some creative way as there is never a piece of fabric that is too small to be used ❤

[@AnnabelleAndBensAntics]

Don't worry I cut it out the video but I was actually putting them all into a box which has already been used to make one patchwork quilt (video coming soon) and I'll be making a second before the end of the year!