Handmade Vintage

I always used to assume one day I would make my own clothes. I knew I would probably never be good enough to make anything elaborate but simple dress or blouses or altered vintage clothing, that was my goal. A couple of years ago I finally took a basic sewing class and discovered I am utterly hopeless at it. I was always sewing things on backwards and couldn't draw a straight line to save my life. The teacher didn't know what to do with me. Of course, I did improve a little after a while but I didn't enjoy it like I always thought I would. Maybe my thwarted ambitions as a hobby seamstress are the reason I love carrying vintage handmade clothing in my shop. I always have an eye out for it when I go thrifting or to flea markets. Here are some of the handmade pieces I currently have for sale, some of which are beautifully hand-knit which is beyond amazing.

Vintage 1960s Hand-Knit Bubblegum Pink Cardigan with Floral Embroidery
Vintage Royal Blue Raw Silk Handmade Dirndl Dress
Vintage 1960s Orange Sherbet Hand-Knit Mohair Cardigan
Vintage Handmade Blue and White Checked Dirndl Dress
Vintage Handmade Navy Wool Dirndl Dress
Vintage Deep Red Hand-Knit Sweater With Gray Fleur di Lis

Shop Update: My Secret Garden

So summer is winding down and we are heading slowly into fall, but in my mind I seem to be in spring fever. This is partly because we didn't really have spring this year in Berlin, more like a long, especially cruel winter that one day turned into summer and then REALLY turned into summer in the form of a series of vicious heat waves. Sigh. Back when I lived in California I never imagined I would spend this much time talking about the weather....

Anyway, on a more cheerful note, take a look at some of the lovely floral prints I have recently added to my shop:


Vintage 1960s Mistress Mary Quite Contrary Black and Floral Dress


Vintage 1970s White Peasant Skirt With Red Mum Embroidery


Vintage 1960s or 1970s Orange Roses Trachten Skirt, a wool blend with gorgeous lace trim and black velvet detailing


Vintage 1970s Sheer White Dress, with black and white floral pattern and embroidery


Vintage 1960s Colorful Floral Jacket Blouse

Happy spring everyone, uh, I mean enjoy these final weeks of summer. ;)

Black and White With a Little Dusty Rose

It's been a pretty black and white week at Curious Knopf, though the weather in Berlin has improved dramatically. Here's a little fashion show of what I've been up to lately. Besides spending a lot of time out in the much missed sun, that is. :)




Black and white Snow White dress with lace detailing on the sleeves and skirt.


Blouse with crocheted sleeves and lace detailing. Gotta love that lace! ;)


Faux wrap dusty rose dress. This dress is so beautiful and feels so good against the skin. It's elegant with nice details and a wonderfully vibrant color. I'm truly in love with it, but it's just too small for me. Sniff.


And, last but not least, this 1950s day dress with a retro rick rack collar. Oh yeah!