Cars & Crafts

DB and I have been dating for just over two years. There are several things he's taught me to appreciate since we've been together. The foremost being craftsmanship of days gone by -- old houses that, when you look at them really closely, reveal fantastic details that are oh-so-subtle. Another is the form of old furniture (sometimes it really is worth reupholstering). And obviously, old crappe.

But the thing I've learned to appreciate that has had the most impact on me is cars. Specifically, antique cars. Just looking at antique cars is pleasing. The curve of a fender, the line of its profile, the HUGE headlights. Think Roaring 20s, Grapes of Wrath, The Great Gatsby.

DB has an antique car. Several of them, truth be told, that he inherited from his grandpa. His pride and joy is an old pre-WWII independent grandpa restored in 1966. Do you realize the sheer number of independent auto makers in the early 1900s? Pre-DB, I had no clue.

People, the Liberty:




When we take her out, we try to dress the part. So yay, vintage shopping! Which is, by far, a HECK of a lot more fun that shopping for everyday wear. This is the first of my three (so far) car dresses. Found at a local vintage store that is no longer around. Not vintage 20s but close enough with all the little pleats and the drop waist and the general sack-like fit:


Dress #2 was found at a vintage store in Detroit. They don't have a website so you don't get a link. Again, not vintage 20s attire (60s maybe?) but it worked:



And here's where the craft portion of this post comes in. I made car dress #3. The pattern wasn't confusing but since I'm not one who regularly sews it took me forever to figure out how to attach the collar.It's more of a day dress than a flapper-wannabe. I call it my "Green dress (but not a real green dress, that's cruel)" dress.


(The blue car next to Liberty is a 1918 Mitchell. Pretty car - and it has a trunk! Also, the third car pictured on this page is unbelievable. Just gorgeous.)

DB is looking for knickers and an argyle sweater with matching socks. I've got a different pattern I'm going to try my hand at. Jeez, we're dorks. But we have fun.

DB will, one day, try his hand at a restoration. Or at least a partial one. There's something to be said about barn condition. We're thinking we'll get this Liberty (a 1922) running, make sure it's structurally sound, put some seats in it, and hit the road. Screw paint!

Of course, we'll have to get all the bird crap off it, first.