When Is A Scarf Not A Scarf?

Today there are 96,012 listings for vintage scarves on Etsy.  Without the 'vintage' filter, there are thousands more.  There's so much more competition now than when I began in 2008.  A major problem are all the off-shore "handmade" scaves and blatant fake designer scarves that Etsy turns a blind eye to.  I don't have nearly the success that I once did, but it's a category I love and I can't help myself.

My friend Sunny of Luna Junction Vintage works her model's ass off with styling her garments and accessories.  She has inspired me to *attempt* to style my scarves in different ways to be more eye-catching.

For this extra long scarf,  I used a brooch as a scarf clip.  I gathered the scarf loosely and arranged the brooch at the shoulder being careful to not put holes in the silk fabric.


Then I played around with draping the scarf and came up with several more different looks.

  

This small Burmel scarf has a zebra theme.  

I folded it and threaded it through the pin back of another brooch and really like the effect.

Then I intertwined the scarf with a string of white beads and came up with a couple of different looks.

This large square Christian Dior scarf became a knotted belt.

A long, colorful Perry Ellis scarf became a sash.

An oversized square polyester scarf became an obi belt.

These are several more attempts at making necklaces.

Lastly, my attempt to turn a really large square scarf into a halter top.  I think I may need more practice!

A scarf doesn't have to be a boring piece of fabric that you stuff in a drawer and forget about.  It's one of those wonderful things that can be re-used, re-purposed, re-styled, re-imagined, and re-invigorated.

How Vera Neumann's Scarves Came To Be

In the early 1940s shortly after they married, Vera Neumann's husband George encouraged her to transfer her artwork to fabric with the idea of using the fabric for home decor.  Together they built their first silk screen that was so small it fit on the top of their dining room table.  This led to the launching of a small printing company which they named Printex.  Table napkins and placemats were small items that were easily produced on the small silk screen.  Since they transferred the designs from Vera's original paintings with her signature on them, that's how her signed textiles began.

The war effort dried up easy access to the linen and cotton fabric that they used and during one of Vera's searches, she found excess parachute silk in an Army surplus store.  This parachute silk became her new canvas and her silk scarf business was born.  Once again her signed artwork was used for the scarf designs and this was the beginning of the 'signature' scarf.

Her first scarf was sold to Lord & Taylor in 1947.  The first designs were simple and monochromatic.  Many of the scarves featured allover designs of a single object.  One of Vera's favorite motifs was botanicals; leaves, ferns, and other flora that captivated her imagination as a child.

Her earliest scarves were also smaller, almost handkerchief sized, than her later scarves as they were still using a small screen print.

Having a love for estate sales, I've managed to collect several of her earlier scarves.  The green scarf with the leaf design is one of her earliest, I believe, which may date from the late 40s to early 50s.  The scarf doesn't have the handrolled hem that her Japanese scarves do.  Instead the fabric has stitching almost like a satin stitch around the edges of the scarf.  The attached tag also says the scarf is designed and handscreened in USA.  

No matter what the subject matter, I love Vera scarves!  I'm happy that they're still easy to find...and collect.

  

Thinking About Scarves

The heyday of my wearing scarves was during the 70s and 80s. I bought an Echo scarf from Suzanne's Boutique in Myrtle Square Mall, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in the mid-70s and wore it to shreds. Literally.

Let me digress for a moment.

The south was a place of hair curlers (hair rollers, if you will), Saturday evening 'sets' at the beauty shop that would be worn all week, and LOTS of hair spray. We also prided ourselves on long zippers down the backs of our polyester minidresses. They were so easy to step into and one wouldn't get one's hair mussed. That was a big no-no. Looking at some of the cast iron 'dos from the 70s, I was hard pressed to determine how a woman could keep her hair from being mussed during, ahem, shall we say, the joys of marital bliss. I mean, the hair, mounds of it piled on top on one's head, didn't move. That was always a conundrum. If one was unlucky enough to have a pull-on article of clothing, where one had to gasp! Pull it over one's head, that was a problem waiting to be solved.

Enter the silk scarf.

The scarf had to be finely woven silk, not twill; it had to be slick. One would gently drape the scarf over one's head and catch the corners under the chin. Manuvering and blinded by the scarf, one would gently slide the garment over one's head and quickly whisk the scarf away. Voila! Successful dressing without mussing the hair.

Back to my point.

This is how I wore out the Echo scarf. After wearing it around the collars of countless blouses, it was regulated to its greatest cause: that of keeping my hair from getting mussed. It was a lovely scarf, colorful with flowers and paisleys on a creamy background. It was also expensive; the most expensive scarf I ever bought retail. It lived a good life until one day I took a critical look at it and laid it to rest in my vanity trashcan. To this day I use its successor, a nondescript silk scarf purchased from the low rent district of Belks department store back in the day when it had a bargain area. It's held together much better than the lovely Echo scarf, perhaps because of its peasant roots in NOT having a logo. I don't slip too many things over my head anymore, but the scarf is lovingly folded in my top drawer, a place of honor and duty when called upon.

My earliest scarf recollection is a chiffon kerchief tied around my older sister's ponytail. She had dark auburn hair and wore her hair in a ponytail along with rolled up dungarees and white poodle socks that she twisted around her ankles. There was always a brilliant scarf in her hair. She must have had dozens of those filmy chiffon squares. They were small, maybe 12 inches square and were like a breath on a breeze. There were also times when she folded one on the diagonal and tied it around her neck with a sweater set. In my little girl's 5-year-old mind, she looked like a movie star to me.

Years later when Mama and I were cleaning out her attic, we ran across those scarves, mottled and stiff with age. We were in a cleaning frenzy, and they didn't survive our scourge, but they remain in my memories, bright, young, and happy.

It Was 'Wind Song'

Herman took one last swipe at the whitewall tire and threw the rag in the bucket. 

The ’57 Bel Air was a great car, dependable in every way.  Dreamy thoughts of that white ‘60 Impala down at Palmetto Chevrolet came to mind and he just couldn’t get the long sleek lines of that fine automobile out of his head.

He’d just drive by again…one last time…to take one last look…before someone bought that white beauty off the lot…

~~*~~ 

What did Daddy always say?  “Good intentions paved the road to hell.” 

~~*~~

 

“Honey, come look!  I got this little bottle of perfume when I went to the car place…  I bet it’ll smell real good on you!”

Betty peeked out the window, “Herman, there’s a strange car in the driveway.” 

~~*~~ 

During the 1950s and 1960s, it was a big deal when the new car styles came out in September.  It was tradition to go to Palmetto Chevrolet in Conway, South Carolina, to see the new cars and it was tradition to get one of the little crown-shaped bottles of Wind Song perfume that they gave away.  That's my first experience with the classic fragrance that was created in 1953.  I wore it in high school and would revisit it over the years when I felt nostalgic for that slightly green floral scent.  The bottles were very pretty to sit on the dresser with their golden liquid inside and the pale green color of the creme perfume.  Alas, the regal crown-shaped bottles gave way to a generic glass container and they no longer have the charm that they once did.

Say Hello To My Little Friend

I was trying to photograph a pretty brooch for a friend and very carefully laid it on a hydrangea bloom.  This little guy wasn't a photobomb, but he's irresistibly cute.  In the second picture, you can (barely) see him soaking up some major rays in my hydrangea bush.

Can you see him?  There he is....12:00 high!

He was running fast; running behind.  He glanced at his watch.  1:30 PM.  No wonder he was hungry.  He’d stop at the country store up the road and get a carton of milk and a box of powdered sugar donuts.  He needed to use the phone anyway.

The sun was in his eyes and he reached up and put the visor down.  Absent-mindedly, he slapped his left breast pocket, took out the pack of cigarettes, shook one into his mouth and held it between his front teeth.  He barely slowed down as he drove off the main road, spraying the gravel in front of Cartrette's store.  He parked, grabbed his clipboard, and unfolded himself from the low slung car, throwing the cigarette as he did so.  The older man threw up his hand as the younger one sauntered in. 

“Well, hey.  You back here agin this week?”

“Yeah, gotta look at a wreck off 521.”  He looked at the name on his clipboard.  “Can I use your phone?  You know Wendell Coffey?”

“Course I do," he pointed in the direction of the highway.

"Next right, then the second left.  Dirt road.  Pretty bad ruts after this rain. You gonna have to drive real careful!”

The young man reached for the phone, dialed the number, and spoke briefly.  

The old man looked out the door at the white car parked on the gravel.  “Son, you like them things, don’t you?”

The younger man sat the milk and donuts on the counter, dug his wallet out of the back pocket of his old Levis, and laid a $5.00 bill on the counter.  He smiled real big.  “Yeah.  Nothing better than fixing one up.  Don’t want to put too much in ‘em though."  He laughed, "Can’t make any money if I do.”

The old man kept staring out the door at the white car.  “Ya know, J. D. Winkler's got one ‘a them things.  Had it a long time out under his barn shed.  Well, it belonged to his boy.  He got drafted.  Viet Nam.  He got killed..."  His voice trailed off, remembering.

"One day Wendell just up and drove that car under the tobacco barn shed, locked it up, threw some old tobacco sheets over it, and it’s been there ever’ since.”

“That's just too bad.  What'd it look like?”

“Can't remember too good.  Only saw it a time or two.  Had one 'a them funny looking back winders.”

The younger man's eyes squinted, his excitement rising.  

“Where is it?”

“Right down the road where you going.  Couple a houses down.  Y’ought to stop in there and ask him about it.  Tell 'im to let you see it.  Tell 'im I told you about it.  Don't think he'd mind.”

“Mr. Ben, you just made my day!  You keep that change.”

He picked up his milk and donuts and hurried to his car.  He got in, worn corduroy Levis sliding easily on the red leather seat.  He opened the carton of milk and set it between his legs.  He opened the box of donuts and popped one into his mouth, a trace of white sugar falling onto the front of his shirt.  He looked over at his clip board, started his car and drove onto the highway.   

To be continued...

What I Found Today

Today was one of those spur-of-the-moment kind of days.  My aunt hasn't been feeling well and I wanted to go see how she was doing.  That thought was followed with 'why don't I drive to  Allsbrook and check out the thrift store there.'  That thought was followed by 'why don't I drive on into Loris and have lunch at the Coffee Shop'.  Excellent plan, so I donned jeans, my Catalina Island tee shirt, my Lilly Pulitzer Keds, and headed out the door.  The Master's Table located in the Allsbrook community raises money to provide groceries for needy families and I feel good spending my money there.  Treasure hunting was excellent and the catches of the day were:

A beautiful pair of Daniel Green ivory brocade slippers.  Aren't they lovely?  The best thing about them, other than their delicate femininity is that they are made in the USA!  Alas, they are too narrow for me, otherwise they would be mine.  When I find such a pretty example of American craftsmanship, it saddens me to remember that we don't make such anymore.  That's an unbelievable shame and one of the reasons that I love vintage and all the things made by heritage American companies.

A great selection of belts include a thin gold mesh one, a simple chain link belt with a ball on one end, a gray linen with white polka dots shaped belt with a bow by Ginnie Johansen (made in the USA), a multicolor cord and leather belt by Anne Klein for Calderon, a navy faux snake-skin leather belt with a pewter buckle and fittings by CIA (made in the USA), and a very neat coin and chain link belt.

I was starving as I drove into Loris and found a park right in front of my destination, the Loris Coffee Shop, which has been on Main Street forever.  When you order your sweet iced tea, they don't just bring a measly glass.  No, dear heart, they bring the pitcher, too!  I wanted fried chicken (I was craving it), so loaded up my plate with the yummiest country cooking this side of my aunties' houses.  Let me show you what I had:

Isn't that the most delicious thing you've seen all day?  Mmmmm fried chicken, new potatoes, cole slaw, candied yams, mac 'n' cheese, and hush puppies.  There was dessert, by I wasn't interested in that.  Anyway, if I don't eat dessert before a meal, I'm not much interested in it.  Whether or not I went back for seconds is a mystery that shall remain unsolved.

I stopped by the family cemetery and took some pictures on the way to my aunt's house.  She wasn't expecting me, but she was happy to see me.  Unfortunately, she isn't doing well, but let's hope the antibiotics she's on will help.

Yes, it was a very good day.

Snoozing On Vintage Sheets

My favorite sections in a thrift store are lingerie, clothing, accessories, and linens.  There's nothing more exciting than finding a Vera scarf, tea towel, or sheet.  I like to work on 'categories' and have just washed my current collection of vintage linens.  I'll be working on getting them in my shop, but thought you might like to take a first peek!

Fieldcrest Perfection:  love the orange, yellow, and green florals in this 1970s twin sheet.  The yellow polka dot border adds a great touch.

Mohawk percale:  I'm a big fan of the classic pink, white, and green color combination of Lilly Pulitzer and love the watercolor prints of Vera Neumann.  Although this isn't a designer sheet, I love the daisy pattern in this color combo.  Wouldn't this be darling in a little girl's bedroom?

Whenever I find Vera linens, it's a good day!  This set of vintage Vera for Burlington pillowcases is all abloom with springtime crocuses (croci?)

Love, love, love the pink on blue color combination on this vintage Marimekko by Dan River sheet.  I found an entire double set, but alas, the elastic in the fitted sheet has seen its better days.  Why did I never learn to sew?

This Walt Disney sheet has certainly been well-loved, but has some life left in it!  It's covered in scenes of Dumbo at the circus, circus animals, and a friendly train.

Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and Charley Brown!  Need I say more?

I can't tell you how much fun I've had collecting these linens.  But if you love vintage as much as I do, I'm sure you know!

Country Living Fair in Stone Mountain, Georgia

My birthday trip took place the weekend before my actual birthday. The ripped page from Country Living magazine that was on my refrigerator was put to use this October unlike last year's ripped out page. The weather was gorgeous and the show was so well done and should be a destination for everyone interested in vintage, crafts, repurposed items, art, and every beautiful thing inbetween. I hope you enjoy these pictures and will be inspired to go to the Country Living fair next year in Ohio, Georgia, or Texas.

Shauna Robinson of Happy Chair