Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Easy DIY - Vintage Tie Belt




I haven't posted anything in a looong time.  I've been busy with family, business...life in general and more specifically, this little life.


Ooooh!  Isn't she the cutest?  This is my little granddaughter Elizabeth Mae.  We call her Mae.  She is almost seven weeks old and I can't get enough of her!  I could sit and stare at her, smell her and nibble on her cheeks all day long. 


Ok, enough staring, smelling and nibbling.  I will post more pictures later (you've been warned!), but the purpose of my post today is a DIY.  This is one that I have been asked to post several times.  This DIY is easy-peasy!  Years ago, I sold these tie belts at a local craft fair.



Now, I know that some male member of your family has a load of ties gathering dust in the back of their closet.  If not, your local thrift store has racks and racks of them, in every color, pattern and style imaginable.  I love this belt because it's adjustable, colorful and has vintage appeal with a twist.  Menswear is definitely making a comeback this fall and this is a great way to incorporate menswear into your everyday look.

Okay, let's get to it.  Here's what you will need.


  • a tie
  • a buckle
  • scissors
  • needle and thread
  • a straight pin
  • measuring tape


Before you do anything, take your measurements.  Measure around your waist or hips, wherever the belt will sit.  Add 4.5" to allow for the knot and the end you are sewing onto the buckle.  Add another several inches for the drop.  That is how far you want the end to hang down.  I usually prefer 8" but you can make it shorter or longer.  Confused?  It's simple.

Waist - 30" (or your waist size)
Knot - 4.5"
Drop - 8"
TOTAL - 42.5" (and yes, I used my fingers to add that up)

This is how much necktie you will need.  They come in varying lengths so make sure there's enough material to work.


1.  Snip off the end of the tie at the desired length.  I love the colors in this vintage Lanvin tie.  Too pretty not to be seen!


2.  Fold the fabric through the buckle.  I took the buckle off of an old belt and then used pliers to yank off that little metal thingy that goes through the hole in the belt, but you can buy a simple D-ring or a more elaborate buckle at your local fabric shop.


3.  Fold the fabric under itself and pin it in place.  Make sure the back of the buckle lines up with the back of the tie before you start sewing!




4.  With your handy-dandy needle and thread, stitch along the sides and end of the fabric, as shown.  To make it more secure you will want your stitches closer together than shown in the picture.


Voila!  You are done!  Want to know how to tie it in the knot as shown above?  Read on.



Put the belt around your waist

Place the end of the tie into the buckle and pull it up, with the wrong side facing out.  Tighten it on your waist.


Bring the tie back over and into the buckle, pulling straight down.


Adjust the knot.  Ta Da!


Make one (or two or three) for yourself and a few for your friends!

LOVE VINTAGE?  Check out the Jenny and Pearl etsy shop here.

LOVE T-SHIRTS?  Check out the Jenny and Pearl Copious shop here.

LOVE DIY?  Check out this simple jewelry storage solution.




Friday, May 11, 2012

$WIN$ Show Us Your Vintage Style Contest


I was going to wait until the Jenny and Pearl Facebook page hit 300 'likes', but we're at 297 as I'm writing this and I'm impatient plus I'm listing so many cute things that I'm dying for you to see (a few of which are in my previous post).  I thought I would celebrate and award some lucky winner with a $50 store credit for Jenny and Pearl.  Good towards anything in the shop.




Of course, you want to win!   So... follow these 4 easy steps.

1.  'Like' the Jenny and Pearl Facebook page - easy, peasy lemon-squeezy!

2.  Post a picture of you, or someone you love, in their vintage best on the Jenny and Pearl FB page.  In the interest of fair play, here are a few pictures of my own to get the ball rolling.



Here I am with my brother, a menacing Santa and my sister (attempting to wink at the camera).  We are making it happen in the 60's.  My mother clearly had a thing for kids in stripes and short hair!




Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!  Welcome to the 70's and our mini version of the Brady's, starring mom as Carol, Karen as Marsha, Kathy as Cindy, dad as Mike and Karl as Greg.  Groovy!



Oh the 80's - bigger hair and even bigger shoulder pads!
I'm the one on the left with the poodle hair (don't be jealous!) holding my daughter Ashley.  Next to me is my sister-in-law Shelley, Veronica, Anita (my mom) and Kathy (my sister).

Get the idea?  If you haven't survived several decades like me, post a current photo of you rocking vintage style or raid your mother's photo shoe box (I know that's where they're stored) for your family's vintage best.

3.  Wander on over to the Jenny and Pearl etsy shop, pick out the one thing you would like best (or two, or three) and mention your favorite find below your picture.

4.  Spread the love.  The picture with the most 'likes' on our Facebook page wins!  Share the picture on your own FB page to get your friends to help.

I know I've made this sound complicated, but it's really this easy.
1. Like
2. Post
3. Comment
4. Share

Do you really want to win?  Then, share your post with friends and family and beg them to vote for your picture.  I know you're not above begging.

Good luck!

**Winner will be announced Monday, May 21**

*** Congratulations to our winner, Kathy!  She chose this adorable skirt as her prize.


Thanks to everyone who bravely participated and showed us their vintage best!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Summer Fashion

I have been a busy girl lately. Shopping my heart out (I know...pity me), prepping clothes, and finally, assembling a great team to shoot all this cute stuff to put in my shop, Jenny and Pearl.

black and white hawaiian caftan

Last weekend we got together and these pictures are some of the results of that photo shoot.


80s patterned sweatshirt, high-waisted denim shorts and cross-body bag

Summer is definitely on the horizon (or already here, depending on where you live), and these clothes are sure to get you in the summer spirit!

There was a certain theme that emerged...

spring flowers circle skirt dress

color...




60s mod bleeker street dress

 Color...




bright flowered 60s angel sleeve dress

  ...and MORE color!



patterned secretary blouse and apple green wrap skirt 
So, whether your look is conservative...



floral multi-color maxi dress, suede feather purse, floppy hat
 or NOT...



mint green rockabilly dress and mint green rockabilly shirt
If you like colors that pop..



80s sheer black and gold top

...or just a bit of sparkle...

I know you will find something you love at Jenny and Pearl Vintage.

Please keep in mind, not everything shown here has been listed yet. After all, I'm only one person  - well, three actually, if you count my alter egos Jenny AND Pearl.  If you see something you like and you can't find it yet in my shop, just contact me and I can give you the specifics so you can snatch it up before anybody else does!

Thanks again to my top-notch team. Photographer - Jazmin of Jazmin Lane Photography

Stylist - Lauren Ashley Or

Models - Natalie Contreras, Rachel Rutledge, Kathy Kohler, Jenna Duncanson and...



black pearl button western shirt
...my reluctant, yet willing son-in-law Daniel Or!

And to my sweet husband Steve, who managed to pull together all the necessary equipment, just in the nick of time.  I couldn't have done it without all of you!