What Would Nancy Drew Wear?

Rockabilly Pattern Picks

2012-02-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

I've chosen two of the patterns I want for my Rockabilly Dream Wardrobe (sounds like I'm turning into a Barbie doll, haha!) from my stash.

This has been floating in my stash for awhile now. I adore everything about it, and plan to make view B, only with the contrast collar. The plan is to pair it with a navy circle skirt, but then what color to make the blouse? I was really struck (no pun intended) by this bowling pin fabric I saw at JoAnn fabrics. I try to avoid prints near my face, but I think if I did the yoke in this and the rest in the light same light blue color that would tone it down a bit.

Unfortunately this would not in any way be a stash busting project. While I want to stash bust, a lot of the fabrics I bought in my first few years of sewing are not appropriate weights or drapes for many of the projects I now want to sew!

The second pattern would also fulfill my Tie One On project. I already have one apron, but what if I want to cook with a friend when I'm moved out? Well, they'll need an apron too!

There exists only two records online of view 1 being made up. I think a periwinkle and purple floral, with green rick rack would be ideal. This fabric from Amazon is something like what I want. However, I'm trying to be frugal so I'll probably be shopping through old sheets for fabric for this project. I already have eyelet in my stash.

Rockabilly Dream Wardrobe

2012-02-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

I started my UFO for the Sew Weekly challenge this week, but apartment sitting and being sick for a week have left me with no energy to put the last sleeve on! In the meantime I've been occupying my thoughts with the rockabilly wardrobe I would like to make my next big undertaking. I've many patterns from the '40s and '50s that have languished while I've been improving my skills on other projects. So what do I need?

Perky Blouses! I seldom have luck with blouses - the whole gapping problem - and collared shirts tend to make my already short neck even shorter.

This PDF pattern from Mrs. Depew Vintage had a nice wide open collar. Plus it is only $5!

...and with that blouse I would need some full, breezy skirts.

This $8 pattern from Hela Q's Vintage Patterns would fit the bill nicely. Prints, solids, trims...there's a lot you could do with it! And of course I'll probably make another bandanna skirt (in red?). Come to think of it, I'd love to do it as a sew-along since it is easy and quick.

Of course, several sundress/bolero sets are a must! I have so many of these patterns.

These are all available at Various Oddities.

Now if I was truly a rockbilly gal, I would be drooling over this pattern up for sale on Ebay. And I am, but not with the intention of ever making and wearing such a garish outfit! It's like a band uniform gone awry.

January Sewing Summary Pt. 2: Is It Summer Yet? Skirt

2012-02-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

So we're pretty much a week into February, but since I've been sick all week I haven't been able to get around to finishing this series of posts. This was my quick and easy confidence boosting project to get my mind of my struggles with the Macaron and it has lived up to my expectations. Too bad I have to wait a few months to wear it.

SW Challenge: Down Under...sew something opposite your season (winter here!)

Pattern: Simplicity 2258 (2012)

Materials: JoAnn "Babysilk" 100% Polyester ($8.99), elastic ($2.29), thread ($1.08)

Time: 4-5 hours?

Cost: $12.36

Size: 14. For once, it fit exactly with just enough ease! I don't know if this is due to its more junior styling, but I also hemmed less than recommended and came out with a skirt just as short in the photo (about 2" above my knee) and lets face it, I shop in the petites section, so I'm a shorty!

Pros: For starters, it is definitely quick and definitely easy. I love how the pockets are constructed and the fact that it has them. The front tie hides the elastic waist and keeps it from being frumpy. It is a good young person's beginner pattern but just fun enough for a more advanced sewer as well. I challenges my hand sewing skills on attaching the ties so that you wouldn't see stitching.

Cons: I'm not in love with the silhouette, I prefer a fuller skirt to balance out my top heaviness, but that's not the pattern's fault at all. The only sad thing is my fabric doesn't make for a nice bow when I tie the ties, so I've just used a square knot.

Apprenticeship Ho! Plus Inspirational Links

2012-02-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Dear friends, I am very, very, VERY excited to tell you that I have gotten a wardrobe apprenticeship at a well-known theatre about an hour from my home in Rhode Island. I have been trying since my graduation (nearly two years ago) to get an internship or apprenticeship with very little luck. While I like working as a designer, I still have a lot to learn and now I have the opportunity!

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Unfortunately this means I will be even less likely to post in the next few months while I prepare to move and actually live independently. The only time I have not lived at home was the four months I lived in Quebec for my college study abroad. Therefore this is a new sort of venture for me and I am looking forward to improving my generally bad cooking and housekeeping skills.

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On top of preparation I am still working my part-time job, and several theatre and film jobs which started last week. So again, not a lot of opportunity to post here. What might help is that I have finally gotten a new camera battery! And of course I have so many things that I want to post about...the fact that I have physically run out of room for my 500+ pattern collection; images from my 1970s pattern catalogs, 1935 American Girl magazine, etc.; my own sewing and the sewing I've been doing at URI for Tartuffe.

Since I don't want to bore you entirely with my career ramblings, I'm leaving you with an assortment of inspirational links from this week.

1. Tie One On is a blog in similar style to the Sew Weekly except you get several months and all you make are aprons. I'd not been overly enthusiastic about aprons until I made one myself and I may allow myself to become obsessed! Their current theme is floral. Click here to see all the apron patterns over at the Vintage Pattern Wiki!

Source: Vintage Pattern Wiki

2. I stumbled across Truly Victorian Patterns by way of Patternreview.com and WOW. She sells patterns for Victorian garments from 1830-1909 and there are a lot to choose from! Best of all, most have photos of the patterns made up.

3. BurdaStyle has just put up this bolero pattern, which has a novice difficulty rating. At $5.40, it seems a steal!

4. The LA County Museum of Art has a set of free, downloadable historical mens patterns from 1700 to 1790. The images below are of the garments used to design the patterns and come from the LACMA website.

January Sewing Summary Pt. 1: Basketball and Bloomers

2012-01-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

I am attempting to finish up several projects before January is over, but I'd also like to report on my other sewing work. I figure doing a few posts at the end of the month will work out better than trying to post once a week.

Yesterday I successfully ran a bloomers-making workshop. We needed to sew ten pairs of bloomers for a game station at a local 100th Girl Scout Anniversary celebration, and we completed 99% of them (one needs a drawstring!)

I had about 7 volunteer sewists and they were all fantastic. Most of them needed very little direction and a few even improved out design! We used Simplicity 2514, a costume pattern.

My friend, Emily, and her boyfriend, Todd, dropped by for a visit and helped me with the drawstrings. Miss Ann must have some serious calves, because the bloomers did not stay up like they did on the pattern cover!

Skirt Cure

2012-01-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

I am still experiencing insecurity about proceeding with my macaron. It took me hours to put in half of a gusset and I'm questioning whether I was able to make one big enough to even make any difference. Bah!

So I am going to break one of my New Year's Resolutions (to finish what I've started before moving on to another project) and make up a hopefully quick and easy project that will boost my sewing confidence back up. Hopefully I will then be able to have two finished projects by the end of January. Really, it's just too cold to sew more than that. I picked this skirt and some sulfur-yellow peachskin from Joann.

The elastic waistband was a bit of a turn-off, but I like how the tie in view C covers it, and the various versions I saw on PatternReview.com convinced me it would work:

Isn't this cross between the shorts/skirt cute?

sewcountrychick.com

Macaron Sleeve Setbacks

2012-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

I have been working on and off with Colette's Macaron pattern for the past two weeks. I am having mixed results. I am going to make it come out wearable, because I love the fabrics I chose, but the sleeves are giving me a serious headache. As usual I can't lift my arms above my bust line, which is telling me that I need to figure out the source of this problem so I can always incorporate the solution into future patterns.

Any advice? Here are my observations on my problem:

1. This is happening when I sew patterns that are a size that otherwise fits me (although I am a petite in RTW).

2. Taking up the shoulders helps but that means redoing the neckline and neck facings and figuring out how to take length out of the sleeve cap.

3. It feels tight right under the armpit when I try to raise my arms.

4. I should probably be doing a FBA since I'm a D cup, but it has never been necessary on sleeveless garments I've made!

To Summarize...2 Years of WWNDW

2012-01-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

The Original Goal, Year 1 (Just for reference!)

3 of these were half completed. :(

What I Actually Made, Year 2

Status: UFO/Costume piece belonging to a theatre

Status: Keeper!

Status: Occasional wear (fitted at wrong time of the month, needs a lining)

Status: Donated (too big in waist)

Status: Keeper!

Status: To-fix pile

Status: Donated? Want to re-do in another color.

Status: Gone from my closet, was unflattering

Status: Want to re-do in less clingy jersey, but keeping

Status: Keeper!

Status: Will use 'til it falls apart, should probably make a winter one too!

Status: Neither the shirt nor the boy belong to me anymore. It is loved, but didn't get worn often

Status: To-fix pile? The washing machine ate the flowers

Status: Given to friend for pin-up costume, too small

Status: Well worn!

Status: Will probably get rid of

Status: To-fix pile (sleeves fit oddly)

Status: Loved and worn

Status: Keeper, wish I could figure out how to keep the darts from riding up

Status: Wear sometimes

Status: Keeper!

Status: Will probably give away to Mom

What I Refashioned, Year 2

(one 80's dress -> little girls' dress; one size 6 prom skirt -> 50's housewife skirt)

Knitting

Actually I made a second pair of these for my sister for Christmas, but never documented them, and a scarf for myself which I've been knitting since July, but don't yet have a photo of.

TOTALS

SEWN GARMENTS

Tops: 7 (28%)

Bottoms: 5 (20%)

Dresses: 7 (28%)

Costumes: 5 (20%)

Other: 1 (4%)

TOTAL: 25 (approximately 2/month)

REFASHIONED

Dresses: 2 (40%)

Costumes: 3 (60%)

TOTAL: 5 (.4/month)

KNIT

Headbands/Hats: 1 (20%)

Scarves: 2 (40%)

Mittens/Gloves: 2 (40%)

TOTAL: 5 (.4/month)

From Stash: 14

Not From Stash (Not including theatre work): 14

Surprisingly, I think I achieved my mental list of sewing goals for last year: work with fabrics other than cotton wovens, work from stash (I only did this 50% of the time), be fearless in trying different sorts of patterns and styles, do things the way they should be done, rather than taking shortcuts.

Vote For Me!

2011-12-29T06:11:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how busy I have been these last few weeks of 2011 - and I haven't even been sewing or costuming! Stay posted for a yearly roundup of sorts and anniversary giveaway after the 1st of the New Year.

What I really wanted to ask of you all is a small favor. I've been nominated for an award for my costume designs in the 2011 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! I would really, really appreciate it if you would take the time to vote for me online here: http://ct.broadwayworld.com/vote2011region.cfm?region=Connecticut

(under the name Allysa Opishinski)

You enter your email address in the box provided and then vote in each category. You can skip the other ones until you come to Costume Design or if you really want you could vote for anything that is by Hartford Children's Theatre, as that is where I work.

Voting ends on the 31st I believe, so this is my last chance for votes!

SW: Everything's Coming Up Roses

2011-12-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

I've pretty much accepted that I won't participate in basically the rest of the Sew Weekly challenges this year - December is just too hectic a month. But I am doing a big wardrobe culling and making a to-fix/finish list for myself. I'd like next year to be more about fixing and finishing projects that I've already started or for which I'd already bought fabric - stash busting WILL happen.

So when I had a little free time today I decided to kick-start my list with an easy one. This was intended to be my Think Pink sewing challenge and once I'd repaired my petticoat that was going to be my Spanish Harlem sewing challenge. I don't know why I procrastinated on this one so much, all it needed was to be shortened! I am lazy pants.

All I did was take a thrifted 1990s does 1920s dress that went to my ankles and shortened it a LOT. Then I washed and ironed it like crazy because it smelled a little funny. It's made of a lovely drapey rayon challis and with the petticoat it has a great soft 1960s dress feel to it. It is a little chilly now to wear it, but it will definitely get use in the spring.

As a side note I also attempted to repair my vintage fur shrug. After sewing it the stitches just ripped through the leather, so I tried hot glueing...I could see the original glue lines so I knew it was made in a similar way. Just apparently not with hot glue! It didn't work at all!

Scratch the Suit

2011-12-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

As usual, I cannot keep a sewing promise. I looked and looked for a suit pattern that I really loved and found something else instead. A two-piece dress that really, really screams Joan Holloway from the Etsy store allthepreciousthings. Love at first sight, I ordered it all the way from Australia.

I could see myself wearing a suit, just not long enough to count for anything! Blazers drive me up the wall, I only put up with my vintage plaid ones because, well, they are plaid.For some reason I just don't find them comfortable to wear at all.

Despite this change, I still want to thoroughly document the process behind making this. I am thinking a navy double knit with cream bow, and that is a fabric I have yet to use. Any tips anyone?

What else is on the sewing table? A printer cover for my Pop for Christmas, at his request. Also Simplicity 2180 in a quilter's cotton, possibly for something I have coming up on my social calendar. I loved Sarah and Debi's versions at the SW.

JoAnn had a spiffy print with keys all over it, but I don't think there was enough on the bolt, so I'm going in with pretty much NO fabric plan, eep! I'm wondering if I could ditch the zipper. After all, it has elastic in the back.

First Ladies Fashion

2011-12-08T05:23:00.000-08:00

If only exhibits like this came to RI, I might actually go to museums more often. Sigh. At least they have a flickr photostream I can access!

Don't those diagonal bodice darts look a lot like the ones on the Lisette pattern everyone's been making?

First Lady Edith Wilson

First Lady Grace Coolidge - love the flapper style, and that HUGE bow.

And my absolute favorite, Frances Cleveland's mix n' match set. The color green of that velvet is gorgeous.

Giveaway Winner

2011-12-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

The winner of the knitting PDF booklet is McVal of Sew Not My Day! Yay!

1960s Vintage Knitting PDF Giveaway

2011-11-26T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hooray! I'm actually making progress in my scans of my vintage knitting patterns. I just put this awesome PDF booklet from 1961 with 25 women's sweater patterns up in my Etsy store, for $10. So of course I will be giving one away! To enter, leave a comment below with either a link to your blog or your email (so that I can contact you in the event of winning!) before December 1st.

In other news, I've gotten a haircut. I've been long missing my bangs and went into the Fantastic Sams with an iconic image of Brigit Bardot in hand. I think it came out a little more Ally Sheedy, but I owe that to my hair color and the fact that I don't have time to put it up into a bouffant. You can see what I mean in these lovely photos from my 5 year high school reunion.

Note how in the first photo, my face is its normal color, having just arrived. Note in photo two, after a lovely sangria the rather, ahem, red glow I have! And yes, besides the girl who came in a Barbie neon pink dress I was the only one in a bright color.

Hey you, ya wanna buy some patterns?

2011-11-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

Glances around furtively and opens trench coat...

Just kidding! As some of you might remember I do volunteer work for the Commercial Pattern Archive. I'm in charge right now of selling our duplicate patterns - patterns that have been donated of which we already have a copy. We usually sell them to pattern vendors to help fund the project, but I thought it might be interesting to reach out to you guys and see if any of you were interested (or you could ask for Christmas?)
Here's how it works:
The director and I worked out what we think is a fair way to evenly distribute the patterns. For $36 (includes shipping and handling to the US), a box of 60 patterns can be purchased. They are not checked for completeness but we're not going to give anyone an empty envelope, either. Each box gets about: 6 patterns from the 1940s, 12 from the 1950s, 14 from the 1960s, 24 from the 1970s, 2 from the 80s. Out of these 60, 2 will be oversize (like Vogue Specials, etc.). If you are interested, please let me know by email: taponmyback@cox.net

In other news, Hairspray is up! As soon as I buy photos I will have them up. Unfortunately though, my amazing wardrobe assistant swallowed a pin this afternoon, so let's all keep her in our thoughts.

Can It Already Be Thursday?

2011-11-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

Apparently it can! Tonight is the official dress rehearsal for Hairspray and quite frankly, there is still a lot to be done, but overall everything is looking good. I still can't believe it! I wish I had pictures to show you, but they all came out super blurry.

I'm going to leave you with this very funny video by a team of french comedians. Most of their other clips have dialogue, but this one doesn't so anyone can appreciate it. The song is also very, very catchy. Or annoying, depending on how you look at it.

Quite frankly, after Hairspray is done, I'll just be happy to get back to the SW Challenges. For my "do-over" pattern I'm hoping to finally finish my corduroy vest and skirt set, since my original skirt came out too big and unflatteringly long.

SW: Pin Up

2011-11-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

Hey! I actually got a challenge done during Hairspray...because it will be in Hairspray! Underneath is my still unfinished lounge wear challenge garment so I guess you all get a sneak peek at that as well. I actually had to sew two of the peignoirs for Amber and Velma Von Tussle (the snobby, white, rich, mother-daughter duo), but for some reason the second one took me a lot longer than the first, go figure. Isn't it usually the other way around?

Actually, for awhile I was calling it Barbie's Graduation Gown, haha!

Pattern: Sew-Knit-N-Stretch #215 (1969)
Time: 8 hours-ish
100% polyester costume satin and marabou boas
It went together pretty fast, actually, because I just serged the whole thing together, except the neckline and the armbands. The marabou took a long time because I had to sew it on by hand, but it was worth it. All in all, a very awesome pattern!

Thinking Ahead: The Suit

2011-11-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

Of course, I am already dreaming of what I want to start sewing once Hairspray is finished. For the two job interviews I have had I dressed more business casual - a me-made pencil skirt with a conservative jersey top and low heels. However, I'd like to have a suit I can wear to interviews that I made just for me. Knowing that I might need to take a 4 hour bus ride to them, especially, because I can't be toting garment bags of sample work all over Boston and New York. So why not wear my big sample and then bring something smaller, like a hat and corset (also on the to-do list)?

This means a lot of research and culling through others blogs for tips and tutorials and what-not. For now, though, I'm going to have to be content sharing suit pattern images!

View 2 is a top contender, especially as I own this pattern! The peplum, the double-breasted style and the skirt with all the drape falling to the back? Love! Not that I wouldn't make some changes...lengthen the sleeves to half or 3/4, since the skirt is long and it will be winter when I am doing interviews. I would also open up the neckline, if I could.

Patterns Acquired

2011-11-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

Friends, time is running out for Hairspray costumes and with the lack of cooperation from certain places that I would like to rent from I needed a back-up plan. A back-up plan that unfortunately will involve MANY nights of sewing and crying, I think. So I bought these:

From HelaQ

The middle view, for shop assistants.

From mbchills

For Edna and Tracy's grand finale.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T06:10:00.000-07:00

Thank you, theatrical makeup class for the skills needed to produce this!

Patternday Is Here Again

2011-10-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't done one of these in ages, but the snow on the ground outside (yes, the snow!) put me in a giving mood, enough to go hunt you up some goodies. These are all from 1962 (the year in which Hairspray is set) and $5 or less.

$5, auntnonniesnest

$4.99, linbot1

$3.50, bethbunny

$5, treasurecoveally

$5, ArtheliasAttic

$4, elyse72

$5, pastpatterns

$3,75, sewbettyanddot

$5, Freshandswanky

$3, ChellesTreasure

$4.25, JennyJustJenny

SW: Sleepwear Progress

2011-10-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

So I've hit a tiny bump in my SW: Sleepwear challenge...JoAnn's ran out of the color of bias tape I was using. I was using leftovers I already had but needed more and alas, there was no more hot pink! All I have left are the sleeves, so it is very disappointing. Anyways, I am instead starting this project this afternoon, and I have to make two, not just one!

SW: A Hogwarts Halloween

2011-10-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

To preface this post, I need to say that I usually don't do Halloween. Not only am I tired after making costumes for other people, so that I don't feel like making my own, but I haven't been invited to a Halloween party in years.

This year, I was invited to 4. All on the same night!

I will be attending the one for which I received an invitation first, and it is conveniently Hogwarts themed! I already knew I was going to make a gown for King Richard's Faire this year and decided to combine the two costumes and go to the party as Rowena Ravenclaw.

Pattern: Butterick 4827, size 14 (2011)

Fabric: Crepe-textured polyester satin, the same fabric used for the purple 1940 gown I made for "Annie", from my stash

Notions: Trim, cording, sari fabric remnant from JoAnns - $25

Time: 3 days

Notes/Alterations: I loved sewing this, I really did. It took very little time to complete. I used my sloper to fit it initially but it was still really large in some areas, mainly the upper back. You can see below that I didn't do the lace-up back, it is loose enough to slip on over my head which I thought was more realistic than bothering with a zipper, which was my initial plan. I also had to cut the center back pieces in half across my waist, because I didn't have enough fabric otherwise. I didn't have enough for facings either, so I serged and then turned everything under once, since the trim on the neckline and sleeves over it is very stiff.

Pros: I love it! I think it came out beautifully for such a simple pattern. I barely needed the instructions and with all the princess seams it is easy to fit.

Cons: I think I could have made a smaller size, especially for the sleeve. I took in two inches on each sleeve seam! They were so baggy and awful originally. However, I think this affected the fit in the armsceye so my range of motion is slightly limited. The neckline also came out less of a scoop and more of a boatneck, but that was fine with me. The trim was the worst bit to work with, it had no give, so I had to box pleat it on the curves of the neckline. I don't know where they expect you to get medieval-looking stretchy trim! My only last complaint was that because the dress has an unlined train, some of my hemming came out and the serger threads are already fuzzy from dragging. This means I have to walk around holding my dress up.

I was really glad to do some stash-busting. I've been keeping better track of my spending and I have very much overspent myself on fabric this year. Although, after buying the trim and bag materials ($26ish) and flats ($12, Payless) to wear with the dress, it really wasn't necessarily so thrifty as I would have liked.

Wondering what I did with that cording and sari remnant? I made a bag for the Faire! Sadly it broke in the parking lot before we even made it in, but my sister taped it up and it held up all day, somehow!

Photos from the Faire...I went with my youngest sister, Laura, who had never been. She came up with her own costume, although it didn't involve sewing.

Hairspray Photo Shoot

2011-10-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

Now that my NYC post is done, I can move on to other posts. These photos are from the Hairspray photo shoot the other day. I didn't actually make the dresses they are sporting, my work that day was more of a stylist than a designer. My friend Linda did a fabulous job with the wigs and makeup, as usual.

Edna Turnblad (Matt), me and Tracy Turnblad (Tori - you may remember her from Pinkalicious)

Guess what I am sitting in? A vintage car! We used one in the shoot, and I got to ride it to the location. Good thing I had my retro sunglasses!

New York, A Little Late

2011-10-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

So I am finally pulling back into the swing of things, especially after a successful Hairspray photo shoot yesterday. Fabulous dresses of sequins and marabou, towering hairdos and a vintage car! But that will have to wait for tomorrow, because today I am doing my long overdo NYC Sew Weekly Meetup Post.

Disclaimer: Some of these photos are not mine, they belong to other bloggers who went to the meet-up.

On September 30th, 2011 I got up at 4 in the morning to catch a bus to meet a bunch of people I have never met before and a few whose blogs I'd not even read. This was after a week of email problems resulting in me getting the final details the day before and also freaking out about what to wear.

"But I didn't actually make it, I just altered it! It doesn't count!"

"So don't wear it. Wear this."

"Yes, but it doesn't exactly match the theme."

"So?!"

Thank goodness Oona decided for me and that was that. We actually arrived early in NYC and so I was at the restaurant first where I met the very chic Nettie of Sown Brooklyn. We stood around a little awkwardly, making small talk. By the way, it is very strange to introduce oneself under a name that one only uses for blogging. Just saying.

Meg, Me and Nettie

Then everyone seemed to show up at once! Including Mena's (founder of the Sew Weekly) daughter, Penelope, who really is the cutest thing you've ever seen. And of course Mena had made an amazing vintage dress as usual. Plus, I finally got to ask her how she manages to never put in zippers! Cindy of Crafter by Night was sewing on buttons on her way over, having made the Colette Patterns dress with all the buttons. We were all very impressed, particularly those of us who avoid buttons, because they mean buttonholes! Christine of DaughterFish was also chic (she and Nettie both wore boots, which in my mind = chic) in a cranberry colored wool skirt. When I saw one in the thrift store this week, I remembered how good hers looked and bought it immediately!

Christine, Cindy and Mena

Lunch at El Centro was so good, especially after that long ride. And Sangria! My absolute favorite.

Vicki, Christine, Cindy, Mena, Oona, Debi, Meg, Me and Nettie

Vicki of Another Sewing Scientist came all the way from Montreal via bus, so after that I couldn't complain about my own bus ride. Her Pendrell blouse was darling, I thought the fabric was Lily Pulitzer, but no, they were pillowcases. Love it! And really? A sewing scientist? She is living in my dream world, where I actually went for a degree in Atrophysics or Marine Biology and sew on the side. For fun, because I can actually afford it, you know.

Me getting a little overexcited, Oona and Vicki

And Oona, Debi and Meg? Are there words to describe how amazing it was to meet them? Not in my vocabulary. Meeting Debi, who feels like my comrade-in-blogging (we started blogging about the same time), was great. I admire her sewing and style so much. Meg, who felt like an instant friend the second we met. And Oona is the funkiest gal I've ever met. By the way Oona, watch out, because I'm looking for internships and work in NYC. From there we went to a mini-park to do a pattern swap (which I suggested, in my effort to get rid of my get-rid-of pattern pile that had been growing.)

Oona, Christine and Me

Look at all these cool patterns! At first we all hung back, not wanting to be thought of as greedy by the other swappers. But once we got swapping, that was that.

Me and Puu of Puu's Door of Time (also, her envious red corduroy pants)

Mena took the more comfortable route and took a seat with the patterns

What did I end up with? Sadly no 1978 or 1979 to complete my Sewing Through the Decades: 1970s - I always want to abbreviate that but STD looks bad!

Then we finally went in search of fabric! Huzzah! This involved a lot of maneuvering, because we made for a big group and sometimes left people behind at the stoplights.

I was told Peter of MPB would be showing up for this so at this point I was constantly looking around for him. Even my mom loves reading his blog! I count him among my sewing idols/celebrities. It was so exciting! And he didn't inspect my hem, something we were all fearing. We didn't want to be branded on his blog as the girl with the wonky hem.

Peter and I

Our first stop was Paron fabrics, where I found some things I liked, then put them back because I was unsure, then went to get them again and couldn't find them. Beautiful silks, poplins, etc. Oh well. I ended up with a really spiffy purple microfiber that feels like a very thin polished cotton, $7/yd.

The group. Check out how weird my ruffles were looking at this point!

Next stop, Chic fabrics. I must have bought the rest of my fabric there because I remember my tote bag being overflowing by our next stop, which was coffee. At Chic I bought 3 yards apiece of these knits in the photo, because they were $4/yd, not the $14/yd JoAnn charges for their not very pretty knits. The gold and blue one has permanent pleats in it. I also purchased wool coating which will be discussed further down in the post.

I don't even know how someone took this photo. Were they on a ladder?

Finally, coffee time! Or tea if you are me. We went to the delicious Dean and Deluca's which was right across from the bus station. I got to talk to Peter for a moment, but really everyone else wanted Peter-time too, so we had to limit ourselves.

Debi, Puu and Oona

Me, Oona and Cindy

Meg, Mena and Nettie

Nettie and Vicki

After all that, it was off to the notions stores! It was hard not to buy a zipper taller than myself, but really, when am I going to sew a sleeping bag?

Now I wished I had gone in this store, as well as Spandex World, since I am doing Hairspray.

My last purchase was at Tinsel Trading Company, which would have been bigger if I had any millinery projects lined up. Instead I ended up with two blue suede leaf cut-outs to go with my wool, which was $10/yd. I had been planning a wool capelet to use with my elk antler buttons, but now I'm thinking a belted jacket with the leaves on the lapels might get worn more.

Then it was time to say goodbye. My bus would leave soon, and as tempting as it was to stay, I couldn't afford another ticket, not after all that fabric shopping. So I made everyone take photos with me.

I was a little tired by this one, forgive my expression. I was sad to be missing out on dinner!

SW: Sleepwear

2011-10-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

I actually did sew something for last week's challenge, Broadway/Musicals but I may wait to post it until the Halloween challenge because it was sort of a two-for-one. Unless I find time to make the cape to go with it, which I doubt. I actually suggested this week's theme, sleepwear! So of course I feel obligated to participate. However, when I unpacked my winter clothing last week I found I couldn't even fit all my pajamas into their space! I finally got matching pajama sets last year AND a granny nightgown for Christmas instead of just bottoms and old t-shirts so I have overload on pajamas.

What to do?

1. Robes - already have one. Could make a summer one, but it is going into winter right now, so no.

2. Granny Nightgown - I have loads of granny nightgown patterns, but I don't really wear the one I already have. It is VERY drafty and I tend to get twisted up in it when sleeping.

3. Sweatpants - Have 'em already!

4. Slips - This was a big possibility, as I really need a half-slip AND a new full slip, but I don't think you could count them as sleep/lounge wear. Also, I need to wait for another NYC trip to buy silk. I refuse to wear polyester slips, yuck!

Then, fate brought me to this gem on Etsy! I know I said no to nightgowns, but a shortie nightgown could be fun! Usually I avoid them because they are designer with gather OVER the bust and when you are at all busty that is always bad.

Of course, I'd need to make some matching bloomers (or what they considered panties back then) and that adorable matching robe! Good thing I just got some eyelet super cheap at the thrift store. If only I can find some equally cheap fabric, and some time!

P.S. - Even though I haven't finished the 1970s for Sewing Through the Decades, I think I want to make my way backward through all the years. Since the 1960s come next, the fact that this is from 1969 is perfect.

EDIT
I had to buy a peignoir robe pattern for Hairspray (looks like I'll be sewing a lot of sleepwear, apparently) and since the seller also had this OTHER, busty-friendly 1969 sleepwear pattern, I had to get it. Let's face it, non-granny nightgowns and non-teen styled shortie patterns are hard to find. Menswear inspired pajamas haven't changed enough to bother buying a vintage pattern (although of course I have several).
Ladies, this is dangerous. I may end up with even MORE pajamas.

Hard-To-Find Shoes - A Brief Essay

2011-10-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

Being of the very averagely foot-sized demographic of 7.5, I never thought about the fact that some people can't buy their shoes at a store. Then I was tasked with finding size 14 womens shoes for a man. Yes, I am deep in costuming for Hairspray at this point and the things I need to find are getting more and more odd. First, a "buty pant". Next, the largest bra I could find at Wal-Mart. Hairdresser's capes that can be worn as dresses. And yes, these very hard-to-find shoes. You would think I was costuming Priscilla, Queen of the Desert!

I finally found them, not on Payless.com, not on Zappos.com or even on Amazon.com. I found them on Sears.com! Who would have thought that Sears carries a whole line of shoes also to be found in online drag queen boutiques?

Sadly, they didn't have both the sizes I needed, but I traced them to another site, janetscloset.com. Besides the fact that Bordello makes up to size 14 as well as regular sizes, they make some really cute shoes...Funtasma was a cute brand that popped up a lot as well.

P.S. - I did eventually find them on Amazon as well and 6pm.com carries larger sizes too.

A Bad Week

2011-10-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

Going to New York to meet all the Sew Weekly group was amazing and I will eventually get a post up but right now I have no will to do so.

Unfortunately I ended my 4 year relationship with my college boyfriend the next morning and it has de-prioritized everything but sleeping and crying a lot and going to work when I absolutely must. I'm not going to go into details because this isn't necessarily a personal blog but I needed to explain why I don't know when I'll next be posting or sewing.

This Always Happens To Me

2011-09-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this by saying that I am the sort of person who shows up for events on the wrong day. I tried to go to a Doris Duke exhibit, but failed to notice they don't run it on Sundays, for example. Stuff like that.

I am going to the Sew Weekly meet-up in NYC tomorrow. There were email problems so I only got the details last night. I also didn't figure out that A Rose in Spanish Harlem was the theme until then as well. It was listed as a theme, but that theme is not actually until next week. I don't like when they sew a week ahead!

My Spanish Harlem challenge plans revolved around chopping off a very long hem on a '90s rayon rose print dress and repairing my petticoat. Together they look AWESOME. But it isn't something I've actually made, just altered. For NYC I was going to wear my I Am Not An Actress Dress or the Peacock Dress, for a few reasons:

1. It will be on the warm and sunny side that day.

2. I have shoes that match AND that I can walk a pretty good distance in.

3. I made it, I like the way I look in it and I think my sewing skills really come through on them.

However, the first is more Star Trek than Spanish Harlem and the second, well, is just not Spanish Harlem either. I have fretted about this all morning. Sewing something isn't an option - I'm not the sort of person who can make something in a day because I want quality in my sewn garments. I want a perfect fit, linings, hand-finishes, self-bias edgings, etc. Plus I have no money for new fabric.

What to DO?!

47 Feathers To Go

2011-09-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Obviously, I didn't end up sewing a Gatsby project for SW. I'm too busy with theatre sewing and didn't have a picnic to attend. I did, however, remember to get a photo of one of my few SSS days I've done. I also wore a scarf I made one day, but didn't feel a photo was necessary.

Good old Simplicity 2373, my hippie pants! Worn earlier in the week while working on Simplicity 2364, my crazy faux-greek top. It remains unfinished, for now because I have more pressing sewing issues to deal with. Namely this:

My arch-nemesis, Simplicity 2531. Really, if you are a mom and want to impress, make your kid this for Halloween. You could try and make a whole set for your family as suggested by the pattern cover, but you would probably sooner eat your sewing machine.

The above photo is my progress since last night. So far I have made 33 of the 80 feathers required. My shoulder is killing me, despite my use of my new rotary cutter (thank god for that birthday present!) My fingers hurt from clipping and I actually had to do a bunch of hand sewing because the layers of fleece got too thick to shove through my machine.

Also, the crotch is mysteriously at floor level. Hm.

Also, the lovely Tine of Sew On Trend gave me a Versatile Blogger Award!

The rules after accepting the Versatile Blogger Award are:

1. Thank the person who gave the award and link back to them in your post

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Pass this award along to recently discovered blogs

1. I have two really cute little sisters. Well, not so little anymore, but you know.

2. My latest obsession is knit dresses. I bought two at Savers the other day. Maybe I'll make a few when I have time!

3. I used to play the french horn and the trumpet and considered a music minor.

4. Every day I learn that I know less and less about sewing than I thought I did.

5. My drinks of choice are Woodchuck Hard Cider and sangria.

6. I wish I had ballet flats in every color, I wear them all the time.

7. I can't wait for winter and Christmas! I'm already daydreaming about snow and cookie baking and presents.

I would like to pass this award on to:

Stephanie at The Girl With the Star Spangled Heart

Alessa of Farbenfreude

Meg of Meg the Grand

The Costume From Hell

2011-09-13T06:02:00.000-07:00

The giant bluebird costume base and lining have been cut out. OK, so maybe I am exaggerating an eensy weensy bit when I call this pattern such a title.

I mean, so far it has been pretty straightforward. The body is made of fleece, so no fitting nor finishing edges. There aren't even any zippers, just velcro and a button. Plus, I don't have to make the hood or treat bag.

What's my problem, you ask?

I have yet to cut out or sew any of the 160 feather pieces. Oh, and it means I'll be sewing View D of this Simplicity 2364 instead of making a gorgeous Gatsby dress. They didn't even have the color I wanted, so I had to buy white. I will be a bar-hopping Grecian-wannabe. It does serve some purpose, however - I am running out of clothes that I can wear to go out to bars and restaurants after Othello shows. Since I almost never go out, this has never been a problem with my wardrobe before!

On the Lookout For Knit Tops

2011-09-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

I lost my Simplicity 2364. Not my pattern, but my actual shirt that I made from it. Sad, because I think it is the only knit top I've sewn. Of course, now I have the excuse to make a new one! I want to make several knit tops because that is mostly what I wear to my jobs. The dress codes range from business casual to whatever you want. I've already got this one on my Fall Essentials Sew-Along plan.

Then, this morning I found a McCalls pattern (6435) that I actually like as well!

I like the illustrated versions better than their mock-ups, which seem a little 90's skanky to me. Monochromatic cutesy pink or black mesh...hm, which would I choose?

The real problem is that JoAnns knit fabric selection is not very good. It has some OK plain colors, but they are $14.99 a yard! I found some really nice combinations on Fabric.com for much cheaper, and that fit in with my Fall Palette.

OK, orange didn't actually make the cut, but it is one of my favorite colors. Sadly, it has to be just the right carroty orange to look good with my pinky-yellow complexion.

Egads, prints on prints? I may be taking a cue from Oona's style.

Do you have any knit top patterns that you love? I'd love to pick up some more.

Fall Sewing-Along With Some Shakespeare on the Side

2011-09-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I've pretty much fallen to the wayside after 4 days of SSS. I didn't even take photos of two of the days. The weather has been crazy with cold and rain one day and then 80 degrees with humidity the next. But it has still served its purpose: helping me figure out what I need to sew. I drew up my Fall Sewing Plan before I knew there would be a Fall Essentials Sew-along, so that was très convenient.

Because I've got two plays going on at once, I don't see anymore sewing for myself happening until after September, and even then not much until November because I have a production of Hairspray going up! I just have to accept this and not dream so much about patterns and fabric.

1. Simplicity 5804 - COMPLETED

But, I want to make one in chocolate brown corduroy too, to match a vest I made.

2. Simplicity 2852 - a little bit 70s, a little bit medieval-hippie. A little bit easy, 'cause it's a knit!

3. McCalls 5764 - I bought some amazing (not to mention expensive!) buttons made from elk antlers while I was in Wyoming and I'm hoping to find some fabric to match for this cape.

4. Simplicity 3850 - I desperately need some me-made pants that don't look like they belong to a hippie-pirate from the '60s. These should be a stashbust, too, with some grey stretchy twill.

That's all folks, because there's no time for anything else and I need basics.

I am, however, going to give you a little sneak peek at the costumes I've been working on for Othello. And, if you feel so inclined, we've got a Kickstarter page (complete with video clips) going so that the actors can hopefully get paid. They've really been working hard and deserve it. EVERY BIT COUNTS, so please, please donate.

Recognize those sparkly disco shoes?

SW: That 70s Sew

2011-09-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

First, I'd really like to thank Debi for interviewing me as part of the Sewing Through the Decades challenge that she and Sarah are hosting. Now I can cross "be interviewed" off my bucket list!

Next, this post is a little late due to the fact that Hurricane Irene came in and messed up my sewing plans! I was in the middle of finishing my skirt for the 70s Sew Weekly Challenge (we need more of those, I think) when the power went out. We lost electricity, phone and running water for most of the week but since my family is the type that wishes they got to be on Pioneer House, we really enjoyed it. We did, however, have a few sad days where it seemed my sister's cat had either run away or gotten eaten by coyotes, but four days later he came back!

Once we got power back I was finally bale to finish my skirt, which I have dubbed the Velma Dinkley skirt.

From velmadinkley.com

My darling boyfriend had bought me some abstract keyboard print fabric in brown tones, but I wanted to make sure I had the fit right, so when I started this project two years ago, I made a muslin out of a brick red fabric with khaki flowers and dotted waves. When I returned to the project last week, I realized the keyboard fabric wouldn't show off the pleats well, so I decided to finish the muslin.

Obviously, I don't have the bangs or the knee socks or even my own glasses on. I looked high and low for a pair but they were not to be found!

Fabric: From my mom's stash, a lightweight home decorator's polished (slightly shiny) cotton (free)

Pattern: Simplicity 5804 (1973) View 1

Notions: Zipper ($1.30?), grosgrain ribbon (free)

Time: Unsure...

Total Cost: $1.30

Changes Made: I had to chop several inches off each side to get it to fit right. All the darts and lengths where the pleats were sewn down were shortened by four to two inches. Instead of a waistband, I decided to try a grosgrain ribbon facing. I will never make a waistband again! I am so short-waisted that the bulk of even a very skinny waistband was too much. The ribbon facing also makes a tucked-in top look much neater, to me.

Pros: It fits me so well! More proof that I should always make a muslin. It could also double as being from the 1940s, since I left it longer.

Cons: It needs a slip or lining because the pleats stick to my legs and each other.

I love how well the pleats hang! I would highly recommend this pattern. Now I just need to make one in plaid for myself.

SW: Skipping School

2011-09-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

That's right, I'm skipping out on the "school" aspect of the week's Sew Weekly challenge, as much as it pains me. I imagined kilts, capes and 40s jumpers, all in lovely, wooly plaids. Totally inappropriate, weather wise. Now, I don't live in Cali like Mena does. I don't live in the South either! I live in New England, which you would think would be with the program come September 1st, but no, we get Indian Summer until October. Therefore, any such items sewn would not work for SSS '11. So I took a UFO I had sewn last year for SSS, then finished in Spring but never posted. Yeah, I'm doing a lot of cheating on my SW lately.

The fabric is an amazingly light cotton-type plaid, and look how well I matched up those chevrons! The back doesn't look as nice, as I had to cut it all in one piece because I was stash-busting and just didn't have enough fabric.

Since I couldn't do a real autumn-school theme, I went for some good old California Dreaming...I used a pattern from 1976 and pretended that I was attending college on the sunny West Coast.

Fabric: Free, cotton?

Pattern: Simplicity 7377 (1976)

Notions: Vintage zipper ($0.69)

Time: Unsure...

Total Cost: 69 cents!

Pros: It is plaid? I love plaid!

Cons: The back looks unflattering because I couldn't re-do the chevrons. It also is too long despite a lot of hemming and the waistband is too big, so I've been wearing it safety-pinned.

However, the sides also match up amazingly well, which was good, because I planned it that way. Look at that! You can't even tell there is a side seam! And, since you couldn't see it in the photos, here is my awesome necklace. SSS '11 is off to a good start!

If I Only Had a Decade

2011-08-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, this week is 70s week over at the SW! FINALLY! My project is fairly tame in comparison to some that have already been put up. I did take a looksee in one of my 70s Simplicity Home Catalogs and did some pretend shopping. Let's see what I "bought", eh?

Wild West Trip: Part 2

2011-08-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

I present proof to you that it was, indeed, below freezing the previous night that we spent in a tent.

Breakfast time!

My aunt, playing at naturalist with our flower field guide.

The dandelions there are seriously huge.

Next stop, Loon Lake!

Wild West Trip: Part 1

2011-08-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am back from Wyoming! I am breaking this up into multiple posts because there are quite a few photos. A quick summary: for 4 days my aunt and I went on the Grand Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventure (which I highly recommend) and then we spent several days in Jackson, WY and the national parks of Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

Here comes the wagon train!

My aunt and I.

The authentic tipi range tents we slept in.

Our guide, Jeff, and crew member, Miranda, doing Horses For Dummies.

A warning from a bear.

Buddy, the luckiest dog in the world. He spends his days running in the mountains and getting dirty.

Hiking at 9000 ft.

Cowboy songs, poetry and jokes.

SESA 2: The Conclusion

2011-08-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

Before I could start a post about Fall Essentials Sew Along, I obviously needed to write this very overdue post.
So at the time, I thought I had sewn a lot of stuff. And I guess I did, but not as much as I has hoped (who does?) But technically it was 8 weeks worth of SW projects, so not too bad. I didn't stash-bust (2/7) as much as I had hoped, but I did find more affordable fabric options overall. I also tried a lot of new things: very silky fabric, knits, trims, menswear and pants!
Categories fulfilled: Clam diggers & co (1), Sundress (2), Tees Tunics and Blouses (3). Categories I Made Up: Menswear (1), Bags (1)
P.S. - I still have no photos of the shirt I made for my dad, be patient!

Simplicity 2418
Really, the best dress a girl could ask for.

New Look 6895

I love it, but the neckline is WAY too low. As in, I could possibly be arrested for it. So, still working on it.

Simplicity 2364

Love the pattern, don't love the colors of the fabric, but it was a stashbust, so oh well.

Colette 0003

Another stashbust. The linen was too heavy in the end for the weather, but it will be nice in autumn.

Butterick 4022 (1974)

This I wear frequently, which is good because the fabric was a tad on the expensive side, for me.

Simplicity 2373

Even though I don't wear them a lot, because they are hard to match to, they were a very good first pants pattern. All my hard work on the alterations will go towards some good basic pants for autumn.

Simplicity 2381

Absolutely the most useful item I have ever made. I use it every single day!

That's a LOT of Pink!

2011-08-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

I apologize, clearly I have been too much out of the loop. While taking a walk today I decided to bring up the idea of a Fall Essentials Sew Along to Ali at Wardrobe, ReImagined. I even thought I would be so ambitious as to offer to host it if she was too busy.

Note image on the right hand side!

Apparently this has already been done. At least I can participate in it by sewing for my ALL TIME FAVORITE SEASON :)

Anyways, I've been spending all my time putting together costumes for Othello, which included making a wedding dress from t-shirts, which was nixed in the end. I had to take a break on Tuesday, however, for the promo photo shoot for Pinkalicious.

We, aka, me, Linda the makeup/wig stylist, Tori aka Pinkalicious and Chris aka Peter had a delightful time.

Ryan, our awesome director, made a cupcake out of clay, so there was a lot of Dreidl, Dreidl singing going on.

It is so pink it is blinding!

Bonus! You actually get to see me with my hair done up pretty.

It's A Party!

2011-08-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Yep, Happy Birthday to Oona, happy birthday to me (today), and apparently many others!

First stop, on my birthday train was dinner at Cuban Revolution with Daddy-Opi. It is in an old mill complex.

Since it is late 1950s/early 1960s themed, I wore my best shift dress, by Yves Cossette Depeche Mode (tried to research that company, with no luck). I got it at Savers for under $10 and it is 100% linen and lined!

All the art was done by a local artist and they played Cuban music.

Then, last night I had a bonfire with some of my amies - my best friend, my best friend from first grade (with whom I later attended uni), my neighbour/fellow girl scout in high school, and a girl I met at uni while doing costuming. And my sisters! We made marshmallows and dough girls. Bonfires are big in New England summers.

Today we finished it off by going to Newport. We intended to see a Doris Duke sports clothes exhibit, but it is only open on Saturdays! So we moseyed on over to the Cliff Walk (beautiful and free).

The big reveal! My birthday dress! I made it way back in May out of my favorite, Simplicity 2418 (a top and tunic, but I lengthened it into a dress). Read more on it at Burdastyle.

We played in the hedges and climbed some trees.

Then, a little window shopping was done and Jason bought me a new addition to my animal costume jewelry collection, from Bedazzled. I highly recommend it, all the jewelry was under $24.

Isn't he cute?

Finally we got to Flo's, for dinner, which made Jason very happy. He doesn't like shopping, but he likes food! Drew Barrymore once ate there, but more importantly it was delicious.

Last stop was Purgatory Chasm, made by the devil when he chopped a maiden's head in half. Yeah, that's Rhode Island for you!

Happy Birthday to Me and Othello Stuff

2011-08-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

So yes, my birthday is on Friday. Feel free to send gifts and money ;) Also, Oona is hosting a virtual birthday party of her own that day, so go check it out. I already went out for my birthday dinner with my dad to Cuban Revolution, which I highly recommend. There are two in Rhode Island and one in North Carolina (it doesn't make sense to me either). It is themed to have an air of 1950s Cuba, which means I finally got to have an Egg Cream. Yumyum! Plus I saw a lady actually dressed up as Marilyn Monroe.

I am both sad and happy that I will continue to be swamped with theatre stuff for the rest of the month. It is nice to have work and hang out with people I like and make cool things for them but that leaves very little time to make cool things for me (such as my Gatsby dress, ahem, ahem). On top of that I'm not even here for two weeks because I'm away on vacation! This means I've been hard at work on my Othello renderings. While still set in modern day Cyprus, it is meant to be somewhat timeless and placeless, if that makes sense. All my costume collages were made using the fantastic Polyvore.

Last, but not least, I spent 6 hours yesterday embroidering the handkerchief that is the cause of all the trouble in Othello. I was lucky that it was a napkin, with a design already embroidered on it, which I went over in color. I was unlucky in that my embroidery hoop screw is missing and I had no embroidery floss, only plain thread. If anyone blows their nose in it, I will be very angry, because it is now about a $300 handkerchief!

Pinkalicous Progress

2011-07-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is how the Pinkalicious pink fairy princess dress has progressed. Camp finally ended today, so the sewing will be a bit quicker now, not to mention my August 9th deadline. It is coming along better than I expected, hooray!

PatternReview.com Featured Member

2011-07-26T17:33:00.001-07:00

Today I am a featured member on the patternreview.com website! That means that if you go there are scroll down, on the right hand side you will see my picture with a link to my profile. Neat, huh? Pattern Review is possibly the site I visit the most in regards to sewing, so I was pretty excited!
That reminds me, I took advantage of JoAnns Butterick sale last weekend and picked these up:

I am dying to make the women's medieval dress as I want to go to a Renaissance Faire this fall, but I doubt that I have the time.

Peter Rendering

2011-07-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

I know, not quite as exciting as a pink fairy princess costume!
Sadly, camp is leaving me much more tired than I anticipated. Last night I went to bed at nine and got up at six - that's nine hours of sleep, which for me is a LOT. I actually woke up around 4:30 because I had gone through a cycle of sleep. Anywho, I had intended to work on the Pinkalicious costume, bits and pieces wise throughout the week but I think it will get crammed into Friday and Sunday. So keep an eye out!

Pinkalicious Progress: Pink Stinks

2011-07-14T05:49:00.000-07:00

As you know I am on semi-hiatus here during July. However, I have started doing renderings for "Pinkalicious" the musical. I have learned three things.

1. Being someone who strongly dislikes pinks makes it very hard to buy pink fabric.

2. Most pink fabric that is not silk or cotton has a sort of grey dingy quality if you look closely.

3. Pink is THE HARDEST COLOR to represent truly in a drawing/painting.

As evidence, I present my pink fairy princess rendering:

This is highly photoshopped and will forever remain my least favorite rendering. I own two shades of pink paint and ONE pink colored pencil. None in the shade I needed. Therefore I tried to mix them and ended up with purply pinks, dingy peach pinks and fuschia. I even tried to use a pink highlighter but that was a huge mistake. I even couldn't get the silhouette quite right. It was supposed to look like this:

Plus this:

WeLoveColors Unitard, $56

The other rendering I managed to finish was of Pinkalicious first outfit in the book.

This one is better, but still photoshopped because my scanner is broken. Therefore I had to photograph it and it was oddly dark at the top. I hope to make this out of one of those '90s maternity look sack dresses, if I can find one. When you actually need one, the thrift stores don't have any in stock.

The only other item of interest for today is I remembered my friend took this photo of me in my groovy 1970s pants that I sewed a few weeks ago. I am holding an invisible martini, by the way, because I am a classy 1970s society lady. Made from Simplicity 2373.

Semi-Hiatus and MishMash

2011-07-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I didn't see it before: in the knitting/crocheting world, the cowl has become the modern poncho! Don't believe me? Take a look at this cowl on sale for Etsy and see what you think.

From Megans Menagerie

Anyways, the real point of this post, besides showing you a lovely piece of crochet work is to declare a sort of summer hiatus here at WWNDW. It is that time of year, where, despite my yen to begin fall sewing, the heat literally takes the wind out of my sails. We don't have air conditioning and New England summers can be brutally hot and humid. I'll probably do a bit here and there sewing and craftwise but nothing that will substantiate to a whole project, I imagine.

In a week I begin work at camp, which will leave me absolutely exhausted by 5 in the afternoon when I am done with my final camp duty of bus monitor. As for the first week of August, not only is it my birthday on the 5th, but I begin work costuming two shows simultaneously, something I have not yet done. One, "Pinkalicious", is a musical based on a kids' book and the other is "Othello", which I hope needs no explanation. So while the rest of you will be making cute plaid wool skirts and the like I will be worrying myself over costumes, because the last two weeks of August will be spent on vacation (Yay!). To summarize, I will post very little the rest of June, and any posts in August will probably be costuming stuff, you know, renderings and such. And there will be knitting! Because once it is too hot to sew, knitting becomes my final crafty outlet besides the occasional drawing. Didn't know that I'm an artist too? Here's proof! This was a gift to my old hairdresser. It belongs to me, don't steal it.

Now that I've rambled on for a million years, I'm going to ramble on some more. For one thing, the final Harry Potter comes out NEXT WEEK! I'm really sad it is in the summer because it is too hot for a costume, or to even knit anything like I did last time. I am knitting, as I said before, Lion Brand's "Mixed Message Scarf". I finally learned cables and I'm glad I did because they're so stupidly easy. I'd love to start a cardigan or sweater because I got a 6 skeins of Caron Country for 97 cents apiece the other day but I can't find a pattern that works for me. It stinks that everything is made for circular needles nowadays because I don't like the generic ones and the all metal ones are expensive.

Sewing Through the Decades: That 70s Blog

2011-07-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

After sewing my Gypsy Caravan Pants, I think I may be ready to move on out of the 1970s and into another decade. It may just be all the Cherry Ames nursing novels and Rick Brant science adventures, but if my recent pattern purchases are any indication I may be meandering into the 1940s. Fear not, those who were in favor of the Gunne Sax dress. I will make one, but for the moment, my purse is shot and a fitted bodice will be much better in September weather.

I very much wanted to participate in the Sewing Through the Decades Challenge, hosted by Debi and Sarah, but when they first started it I felt that I couldn't pick just one decade and I didn't want to do one from each decade either. I unwittingly have half completed the 1970s as a decade!
1970

Sadly, I retired this dress because of my poor fabric choice: flannel. It was too hot for spring and stockings clung to the hem in the winter. It also grew a bit shapeless. I got it in a smaller size recently and maybe I'll try it again soon. I also have a whole 'nother one cut out and half-sewn from last September!
1971

I'll have to get photos, but I made the bloomers, or as they call them, panties, from this pattern 3 times. Once for myself, two as gifts. My sister made the left view in lavender polka dot, her first sewing project ever. Brings a tear to my eye.
bloomers/regency dress

My first foray into regency-inspiration.
1972

For the MPB Men's Shirt Sewalong.

1974

I love this dress and pattern! It takes only 3 hours to make, therefore I have already made it twice. Expect a red one for the fall, tee-hee.
1976

Again, I have no photographic evidence of making this. I gave it away to my sister because it was a bit on the stiff side.
1977

Also retired these shorts, after they shrunk in the wash :(

As for filling in the blanks...I own no 1978 or 1979 patterns, boo. But I can fill in the other two years easily. I already have patterns and fabrics for both!
1973

Not only do I have the fabric for this, I even have a muslin molding in the back of my closet somewhere! It is basically ready to go!
1975

I have LOADS of patterns from 1975 and 1976, but since I already have the fabric (and it is in my fall sewing plan) to make this one I will probably stick to this one for now.

In addition, I have some "bonus projects" planned...including a quilted bag and maybe a quilted skirt from my 1970s quilting books. My dad's birthday present is also from a 1970s pattern and will be done by next week. Basically, I just can't get enough of the 70s.

Simplicity 2011 Early Autumn Patterns

2011-06-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

Or, what I will be buying during the next JoAnn Pattern sale, which is practically upon us!

Pretty much buying this for the cardigan pattern!

I am curious to see how good the "petite" option on this is, especially with the different cup sizes.

I very much like the cowl neck/wrap bodice version of this, but I can't understand why it isn't made for knits. Boo.

I can't decide whether or not I like the velvet cardigan in the bottom view. Part of me thinks ooh, ren-fair and medieval-ness and the other part just questions my fashion inspiration completely.

Just in case there is ever a musical about bellydancers. There probably is and I just haven't yet heard of it.

The rest of these are not new patterns, but ones I need to stock up on for costuming purposes.

Hooray for Victorian and Steampunk! I love the first one, it is droolworthy.

I approve of anything pirate-y. It really is awesome that they are making more historic mens' costume patterns.

I really like these colonial patterns. I've got some bicentennial vintage ones, but they're either very complicated or much too simplified. Of course, there are about 50 other costume patterns that I really should pick up, but I think the limit is 10 per person!

MMJune: 14-19

2011-06-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

MMJune photo taking has not been going well. My family was getting a little cranky, so I took hardly any photos this week. I'm also only just over my cold, so I wasn't always up for it either.

14 June

The Outfit: Dress - Simplicity 2591
Worn to work.

Pros: The fit is heavenly. So much so that I could go sans brassiere if I wanted, probably due to the underlining, making it somewhat corset-like. We had a cold snap for a few days (I even had to dig out a pair of tights) so this worked well. Also, pockets are good, and it pairs up cutely with a peasant blouse for a Sound of Music dirndly look.

Cons: It really is more of a cool weather dress and probably won't be worn again until October. I also may have made it too fitted, as it rubs a little in the armpits.

15 June

The Outfit: Jacket - Simplicity 2223, Dress - purchased and don't remember the brand, Sandals - Payless, Necklace - Peyote Bird, Watch - Fossil.

Pros: This dress has probably saved this jacket, which, despite the heavy-weight cloth, is really more of a summer jacket. I imagined a dress just like this would be good with it, to bring out it's historical feeling without being too over the top and voila, one appeared and I bought it! How serendipitous. I even got a compliment on the outfit from a complete stranger.
Cons: I still don't love the jacket. I need to fiddle with the peplum a bit as it is too full for my taste. I think I will eliminate the back pleat. Also, the irony of the dress is that alone, to my costuming eye it looks an awful lot like underwear from the 1800s. Which is really neat, but then I feel like I'm wearing my underwear about!

Bonus Outfit: Apron - Advance 7878 (1956)
Pros: I am actually wearing this apron a lot more than I thought. I don't cook often, but when I do I don't want to get dirty, so out comes the apron! Plus, it was recycled from a very bad apron-dress I made that was a total fail. And again, pockets! So useful!
Cons: None!
16 June

Pattern: Simplicity 2381 (2011)

Fabric: Quilter's Cotton from JoAnn ($11)

Notions: 3 packs of 1/2" bias tape in seafoam green ($6)
Time: Probably around 10-15 hours...it was a lot of bias tape!
Pros: It filled my need for a new bag, as my tote bag had hit the dust, and it also fulfilled my wish for something with a Gunne Sax feel. I love the bag it is very cute and very sturdy. The tall and not-wide design keep everything organized. Plus, it is just the right size for a standard notebook! At points the reason behind the construction was unclear but in the end it all came together.
Cons: The first irksome thing in making this bag was not only did I buy 1/2" bias tape instead of the 1/4" it called for (an honest mistake), was that instead of the 1 package it called for I used three! It would have taken four if I had done the shoulder ties (they looked too big and poked my face). This meant lots of return trips to JoAnn. I also left out the inner pocket. Next, it instructs you to use fusible interfacing on all the outside pieces. This makes it sturdy, but it caused my fabric to pucker all over! It goes with the shabby look of the bag, so it was OK this time. It was also hard working with such big pieces of interfacing. They never came out exactly right and often made a fat wrinkle that was hard to get out.

17 June

Sorry kids, you'll have to wait for tomorrow for this one! To give you a hint, I went to see Pirates 4 and had to wear them safety pinned shut because I couldn't finish them in time. I was literally hemming them as my parents were getting into the car for the movie. They're 60s/70s inspired, and just a little psychedelic.

18 June

The Outfit: Top - Simplicity 2364

Yay for re-cycling...photos. This one is getting worn to work a lot, I think because in my mind it looks and feels more RTW and modern (probably due to what I am now calling The Knit Factor) than most of my clothing and, well, I work in a clothing store. Not that that stops me from wearing crazy clothes as well, but sometimes I like to blend in a little bit.

19 June

The Outfit: Top - Simplicity 7811

This is yet another re-cycled photo. I really don't wear it any other way, though, except I change the shorts. It still needs some tweaking, in my eye, although it has become my go-to for days when I am not working because I don't care if I get it a little dirty.

It was great - the sun is back without all the humidity and I'm no longer sick! Is your June feeling as June-ish as mine?

Vintage Stitches: New Patterns for Sale

2011-06-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Besides re-listing my 1960s Veil Cap Repro patterns, I have begun listing some vintage patterns in my Etsy Shop, Vintage Stitches. Since my scanner is broken and I have to take all the pictures with my camera instead, it is taking a little long than I would like so keep checking back. I also plan on listing some dress repros from the 1930s.

By the way, if anyone has made one of my veil cap patterns and has photos, please let me know!

A Little Addicted: Quilting Books and Some Reefer Madness

2011-06-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

If you glance at my bookshelf, you'll find it is kind of hodge podge. If you're a sewist, you will probably skip right to that section, conveniently at shoulder level. Then you will probably notice that about half of my "sewing" books are actually quilting books! Gasp, the horror!

I actually don't quilt. At least not yet, and if you don't count the t-shirt quilts I have made. But there are definite plans to start. I have 5 quilting books so far, ironically all from around the 1970s when quilting re-emerged as a popular art form.

Left: amazon.com Right: And Sew It Goes blog

This is the first one I owned, and completely by accident. My mother found it one day and asked if I wanted it. It is THE best quilting book I own, mostly because it is a biography of the title group with patterns included on the side. It is a fantastic read about how they influenced the re-popularization of quilting. Of course, the one thing I really want to make from it is one of the several quilted skirt patterns.

I acquired this one yesterday at Savers. It is mostly traditional quilts, with 77 projects in total. I picked it up mostly for the "unusual" quilting projects they put in the back.

Also bought at Savers yesterday was this hilarious novelty. You can make anything from a crazy quilt tie for your man (look out, Jason!) to a nap quilt shaped like a tree. This one is good if you like ugly, crazy 1970s ephemera.

These two I bought at separate times...anyone know if there are any more in the series? These are both good for crazy home decorating. Think bright multi-colored comforters, zoo-themed sleeping bags, butterfly appliques and a couple of traditional quilts as well.

On that note, I leave you with a clip from "Reefer Madness", possibly my favorite musical ever. Set in the 1930s, Jimmy Harper is helping his girlfriend Mary Lane how to read Shakespeare. Because when a guy wants to woo a girl, he needs the right language!

MMJ: Days 8-13

2011-06-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

I've been bad about posting my photos daily, and I even missed one day's photo but at the same time I am doing better at Me-Made-Month than ever! Go figure. I also have yet to put up my Summer Essentials SewAlong list, but I'm making better headway than last year!

I am super excited because today is shopping day at JoAnns! I'm limiting myself to one trip a week because gas prices although even once a week seems somewhat lavish in writing. I need to pick up bias tape and thread to finish trimming Simplicity 2381 (lower left view). My own 99 cent tote bag I bought in Quebec at the Gap has pretty much bitten the dust. Luckily, Gutermann threads are on sale!

I want to also find some printed cotton for my Gunne Sax dress, and they had a giant stripe cotton that I was thinking of making into some pants. Since I am lacking in bottoms now for MMJune, having somewhat cured my tops problem, I'm hoping to make 3 more bottoms, probably one skirt, one pair of pants and another Ruby. But enough blathering, and onto my Me-Made-June photos. I apologize, because it is a REALLY long winded post, but I promise it is worth reading! Why? Because it includes A&W, near wardrobe malfunctions and a run in between cheese dip and a white trench coat (that I was wearing).

Day 8: top - Colette 003, shorts - Bill Blass, necklace - handmade by my best friend, flip flops - Old Navy.

I started out with my more 1920s ensemble of cream skirt and Sorbetto top for doing some sewing, but then switched to this because my mother took us to the beach for a picnic, seeing as how temperatures had gone above 90. It was in a historic district of Wickford, but check out the modern cement monstrosity behind my head! It is actually a house, not some weird building.

Pros: Is a good casual-dressy top, this beach look I did not like as much. No sleeves, so good in the heat.

Cons: Has not magically lost it's boxiness.

Day 9: shorts - Burdastyle Ruby

This is the day I didn't get to take a photo because I worked 9:30-5 and then had to drive to Gloucester for CPR training from 6-9. I was late because I stopped at the A&W for supper and they were swamped, with only two workers. Never mind that it is an old-fashioned car-hop setup. So I risked life and limb through lightning, thinking that if I ordered at the window I might get my burger sooner. We'd been having some crazy thunder storms from the heat and I drove right into one, so I snapped this photo.

Day 10: top - New Look 6895, capris - Talbots Petite, necklace - Wet Seal.

Worn to work, after making pleats in the neckline on top of my shoulders to pull up the neckline. However, I still had to safety-pin it to my bra straps to prevent wardrobe malfunctions.

Pros: So light and cool! Also, I love the femininity of the neck ruffle. Can dress it up or down.

Cons: The armsceye is cut high, which means unfortunate sweat stains will happen. Also, see above note on safety-pinnage.

Day 11: top - Simplicity 2364, Jason's top - Bugatchi

My middle sister and I end up accidentally matching quite frequently, but it happens from time to time with my boyfriend as well, so when he showed up in a crazy striped shirt as well, he had to be included in the photo. Worn to work, only this time I paired it with grey pants and green converse.

Pros: Can be worn in hot or cool weather (it dropped down to the 60s).

Cons: The colors aren't ideal on me...they are a little too neutral and close to my skin tone.

Day 12: dress - Butterick 4022 (1974), cherry necklace - gift, shoes - Nine West.

Worn to my first ever Tonys (the theatre awards) party! I sewed it the morning of in 3 hours (although I didn't hem it yet). I made it specifically to go with the crazy silver sparkle disco shoes. I made this previously without the hood, and I have to say I didn't think I would love the hood as it closes up the neckline but I was wrong. It goes great with converse for a sportier look.

Scary story - I brought cheese dip to the party in a casserole dish wrapped in a towel and some Woodchuck hard cider. I balanced the cheese dip on my hip only to find that when I got up to the party, it had tipped and leaked onion-stinky cheese grease ALL OVER the front of my WHITE Calvin Klein trench coat and a tiny spot had leaked through onto my dress!

Pros: I love the hood and the comfort of knit fabric.

Cons: Because I chose a cotton-rayon blend, this version requires some serious undergarments - girdley underpants AND a slip.

Day 13: top - Simplicity 2415 (2010), pajamas - Mudd, necklace - Peyote Bird.

This was what I did after work! I was so tired from the party, as my usual bedtime is around 9:45 and I didn't go to bed until 2am both Saturday and Sunday night. Plus, I've got a touch of a cold. Boo.

Gunne Sax Inspired

2011-06-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

After sewing all week with quilter's cotton in regency-inspired stripes and roses and mauve paisley I have been thinking a LOT about those lovely prairie/regency/pioneer/peasant style dresses so popular at the end of the 1970s. Maybe someday, I will find these in my size.

*All images are from the Vintage Pattern Wiki unless noted*

Own it! And in my size.

Also just bought this one today. I already own it in a size 8, which didn't do me much good.

From pastpatterns

Free Asymetrical 1950s Pattern

2011-06-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

Seriously, the lovely blogger over at Neu4bauer has digitalized this amazing 1950s pattern. Go forth and download!

Need more convincing? Cat-und-Kascha already made it up.

MMJ Day 7: Bon Giorno!

2011-06-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

Went all the way to Rhode Island's own Little Italy (better known as Federal Hill) for today's photo. Dress: Simplicity 2360

Pros: It is sheer fabric, so it is good in hot weather, but it is also polyester, so it reaches a point where it is not so good in hot weather! Still super-flattering and comfortable, though, while still looking like something right out of a fashion magazine.

Cons: The polyester thing. Also, the shoulders are a tad too tall and wide, so there is slippage.

Ketchup

2011-06-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

Lame title, right? But so true! There is much to catch up on, and luckily I have been keeping notes. First, MMJune photos, with some Make and Mend notes. To see the original posts for these garments, use the list o' links on the right.

Day 1: top - Simplicity 2415, shorts - Simplicity 2654

Necklace is handmade by a Canadian artist from recycled 19th c. beads.

Day 2: skirt is self-drafted bandana skirt, top is Ralph Lauren, Fossil watch.

*M&M: Finally attached all the snaps!

Day 3: top - Simplicity 7811 (1970s), shorts are American Eagle, Isaac Mizrahi sunglasses.

*M&M: Shortened the sleeves to make it more flattering, although they still look like mushroom tops!

Day 4: (recycled MMM photo) dress - Simplicity 7385 (1976).

Day 6: dress - Simplicity 2209.

*M&M: Finally just sewed the darn darts down, as they kept pulling up in the front. They still pull up, but not as badly.

Now on to 7/7 Tops Challenge. Urgh, it ended so, so badly. New Look 6895, easy as it may have looked, was not easy in any way. For crying out loud, there weren't even any darts! The fabric I chose probably didn't help.

Pattern: New Look 6895 ($2.99?)

Fabric: The burn test I did points to 100% polyester, but it feels like silk. It weighs nothing and I could probably crumple it up into one fist, sizewise. It is sheerish in the light. My sister described it as "like wearing a shirt made of smoke". ($3.98)

Notions: One hook and eye.

Time: Too much. Probably between 10 and 15 hours.

Pros: It really is lovely to wear and the fabric, once in a completed garment, is amazing! It goes well with a lot of other things I own. I also could do French seams, which saved me some hand-sewing.

Cons: The fabric was a nightmare to sew. Slippery, fraying and I was terrified I would burn it (the burn test resulted in a knob of plastic). The neckline is WAY to low and therefore the flounce couldn't gather as much. This was because they wrote the pattern so that you would be adjusting the neckline to the length of a bias strip, included in the pattern pieces. Dumb! Rather than measure by that, I adjusted it on myself. It later un-gathered itself in the process of being sewed.

The flounce was its own house of horrors. First I tried to use my 1/4" hem foot to hem the edge. No go, it was all sorts of wonky. Then I tried doing it by hand. Wrong again! I ended up cutting out two more and just sewing them together and turning them inside out. This worked OK, except that the grain must have been different on the second one because when I gathered it they gathered wildly differently. One had teensy little gathers, the other big ugly gnarly gathers.

Did I mention the flounce has a gap in the middle and they meet about 3/4" off center!?

Also, all that bias binding meant hours of hand sewing.

At least the back looks good.

The Nub and Gist: I am done with 7/7 Tops for the time being. Maybe if this last one had gone better, I could have carried on. However, for having worked pretty much twice the hours I usually do at my job this week due to other people's absences, 3 tops is good enough for me. It broke me out of a little rut and got me sewing some things I don't usually sew.

What's next? Maybe a new tote bag. I bought some fabric to make one today. Of course, I also spied some marvelously groovy fabric that I want to make some pants out of, once it goes on sale. C'est la vie couturiste, n'est-ce pas? And as they say on Ghost Hunters, on to the next!

Grfargfrag

2011-06-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

I have lost my camera cable.

Also, my butt has been whooped by New Look 6895, view D.

Will update on the 7/7 Tops, and MMJune AND Summer Essentials SA as soon as cable is found.

Over and out, a bientot!

7 Tops: Number 2

2011-05-31T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here they are, the photos of Simplicity 2364. They're not the best shots, but by the time I got home today the light wasn't particularly good.

Pattern: Simplicity 2364 $.99

Fabric: Polyester? sweater knit (Walmart), cotton knit jersey (JoAnns). Both were from my stash. $0

Notions: None

Time: 3 hoursish

Cost: $.99

This will definitely be made again. It took almost no time to make and it was plenty cool to wear today. It was already in the mid 80s yesterday. I paired it with this skirt, which had wallowed, unworn in my sister's closet for a few years. Best of all, no hemming required with the knits!

I'll be doing both Tuesday and Wednesday's shirts tomorrow as I have the day off!

Soon, I Promise!

2011-05-31T05:36:00.000-07:00

I literally finished my second top a half an hour ago, and now I have to run off to work (yes, I am wearing newly-made top). Therefore I have not yet had time to take any photos! I do love it though, I hope to make a second one. I made view C, the two-tone version. I will get photos today, I promise!

Seven Tops in Seven Days or Why I Won't Sew the Perfect Summer Dress

2011-05-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

My sister rather rudely awakened me to the fact that MMJune starts on WEDNESDAY! I thought it at least didn't start until the weekend. Of course, I also wrote that it was 2008 on a bank deposit slip last week. Just saying. I'm not really on top of things. Anyways, I realized I have a large problem. The SW challenge this week is to make "The Perfect Summer Dress". I have my perfect summer dress pattern, from 1935. I don't have fabric for it and I really don't need another dress for MMJune.

I need tops. Badly. I have 5, but one is flannel and one is a little too much on the vintage side to wear to work. Boo! So I decided to do a 7/7 challenge, like Mena did on the SW, only I would do it with tops instead of dresses. I kick-started it with Colette Patterns new free pattern, "Sorbetto". This is actually also my first time sewing with a Colette Pattern!

Can you tell I'm in love with it? It is reminiscent of a simple edwardian shirtwaist with the center pleat detail, but my colors and the drape of the linen fabric made mine feel more late 1920s/early 1930s, so I styled it to that era (I need a longer chain of pearls).

Pattern: Colette Patterns' "Sorbetto" $0

Fabric: Silver sparkly linen, leftover from the "Meh" dress. I didn't even really have a yardage, just scraps from my scrap box. $0

Notions: Bias tape (JoAnns $1.25?), blue braid trim (Lorraine Fabrics $.99), crochet trim (JoAnns, purchased for another project).

Time: Approximately 6 hours...all that trim meant a LOT of pinning!

Cost: $3, roughly!

This pattern was delightful to sew! I can see why the Colette Patterns are so popular. They are very well-drafted/written. I did, however, alter it slightly. I had to take it in at the armpits and up a smidge in the back shoulder seams but those are my usual alterations. I also added some darts to the back to give it more shape.

I think I am going to make it again as a pajama top, with their free bloomer pattern, only out of white muslin and do it properly edwardian feeling. I do want to make my other summer pajamas but I haven't found the right fabric yet.

On another note, I went swimming today, to celebrate the holiday weekend! Then my sister and I got lost in the trails for about an hour and came out in someone's back yard.

But back to the sewing...

How am I planning on accomplishing my seven tops? Well, JoAnns is conveniently having a 5 for $5 Simplicity sale at the moment, so I snagged up several patterns, including a full price New Look. I did my PatternReview.com research before going. After, my sister and I headed off to Lorraine Fabrics to the $1.99/yd bargain loft for sufficient top making fabric. I would have loved to stashbust, but back when I was buying up my stash I had little knowledge of what is appropriate for garment construction, so most of it isn't. Approximately $40 spent and hopefully well invested!

See you tomorrow!

SW: Embellish This!

2011-05-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

I was not as adventurous in my embellishment as I could have been, but even this was going outside my comfort zone. For me, embellishment is frequently an afterthought that generally ends badly.

I had just received this pattern in the mail and knew it would be perfect...minimal time to sew the garment and then I could expend my energy on embellishment.

Pattern: Butterick 4022 (est. 1974) $4.24

Fabric: Navy knit, 100%cotton, from an old sheet left at our beach house.

Notions: Ribbon from RTW garment, felt from old craft projects, piping from old sewing projects.

Time: Approx. 4 hours

Cost: $4.24, for the pattern.

I really like this pattern. It is flattering and it feels like a "Sew and Go" pattern. After all, this might be the first SW challenge where I wasn't finishing on Sunday! I obviously omitted the hood this time 'round but I do want to make a hooded version as well. Possibly in red!

I had a few snags, of course. I cut one of the front pieces (there is a front center seam) on the wrong side of the fabric and had just enough to cut a second. I also managed the sew the piping on so that it joined in the front. Brilliant. That was the most frustrating of my mistakes but it was still minimal. The flowers were easy enough...I used a Martha Stewart tutorial I saw in an old magazine. They are teal, light blue and grey. The best part is that it is flattering, comfortable AND work wearable. A total winner!

Embellishment Ideas

2011-05-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

In case you're looking for some inspiration for this week's SW challenge (like myself) I put together a list of ideas and tutorials.
My all-time favorite embellishment is probably embroidery, even though I'm not very good at it. My favorite source for free vintage transfers is floresita of "Feeling Stitchy"'s flickr photostream.

Grosgrain has a whole month's worth of embellishment tutorials.

Burdastyle is also a good source for inspiration and tutorials.
Fray Trim Tutorial

Freeform Felt Appliques Tutorial

YoYo Tutorial

Threads is also a fount of embellishment tutorials. Tired of the same old rosettes? Make a chrysanthemum!

Fabric braid is fun, but this ribbon braid looks ten times more professional.

Rock some studs, like on this 1940s cape.

Weave some celtic knot trim, or form it into pockets!

Last, but not least, make some prairie points!

image from diaryofaquilter.com

SW: RWB Conclusion

2011-05-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

Even though I previously wrote a whole post about making a R/W/B skirt for this week's SW challenge, I went a completely different route (of course...will I ever stick to a sewing plan?) Being very pressed for time and trying really hard to stick to my fabric stash-busting, I went ahead and made Simplicity 2211, aka the Lisette "Market Dress".

Fabric: Brick red and navy poplin print, called "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" by Twins Seven Seven, Boston, MA ($0 - snatched it up when the costume shop de-stashed). Navy broadcloth ($2.24, JoAnn)

Pattern: Simplicity 2211, modern ($1.99).

Notions: Etched shell buttons ($4, JoAnn)

Time Duration: Est. 6 hours.

Total Cost: $8.23

Review on PatternReview.

Basically, I love this dress! Everyone should invest in copies of the Lisette patterns. The only reason that it was a bumpy ride was because I usually was working on it late at night, when I was quite tired.

The pros: it will be great for MMJune, the main fabric came from my stash, no closures and it got all that Gidget inspiration out of my system in a GOOD way - I watched every episode last week after renting it from the library. It is also actually very flattering for a shift dress.

The cons: I didn't realize that the fabric was a mirror image when I started cutting. So after cutting the front out I re-cut it in the middle of the fabric, and therefore had to cut the back in two pieces. This made me sad, but the print covers it up well enough. I used the original front piece for the sleeves. I also didn't really do alterations, so I can't lift my arms above my head!

Alterations: I cut a size 12, instead of my usual 14 because there is a lot of ease. I also didn't use the arm flounce pattern piece because I knew they would look oversized and cheesy oan me. I drafted my own out of 3" by 45" pieces of fabric, which I folded in half and gathered. This way the ruffles are more soft.

On a side note, I managed to finish knitting this headband last week for a friend as a thank you. It is called the Blue Leaf Headband and you can get it for free on Ravelry. This is the second one I've made and they're kind of addicting, since they only take about 2 days (maybe three hours total) to make. I made this one in Bamboo Ewe by Stitch Nation, which made a narrower band than my previous one.

What's next? Well, for the Sew Weekly we've got to embellish something! I just got two new patterns in the mail...Butterick 4022, a 1970s hooded knit dress and McCall 9480, pajamas from the 1960s. I've got my eye on the dress because I've already got the fabric and since it will be quick to whip up, I can spend my time on the embellishment aspect. On the other hand, I really need to make some summer PJs for MMJune. My flannel ones will probably be just too hot halfway through.

SW: Red, White amd Blue

2011-05-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

From http://adventures-of-the-blackgang.tumblr.com/

The SW challenge for this week is to make something red, white and blue. Because, you know, just about everything I've ever made and even most of my RTW clothes are in that color scheme, you think this would be an easy-peasy challenge for me. In reality, I'm having a hard time coming up with a project! There are just too many possibilities. I originally wanted to make something out of some lovely nautical fabric I picked up at JoAnns but after going through my patterns about a bajillion times and not really finding anything I wanted to make it out of, that idea went out the window.

Then I thought of this pattern. I'm still trying to a)use patterns I already own b)use fabrics I already own c)make more separates and d)make things I can use for MMJune.

I would make the skirt and I'd love to make the jacket but I don't think I have the time this week for both.

I figure I can make the skirt from blue or red broadcloth and then make the contrasting wedge out of white and either red or blue to make it look like a nautical pennant. I know I have some scraps in all those colors, but I don't know if I have enough for the main body of the skirt (the back is solid color).

In an ideal world I would also make a Lisette market blouse out of white swiss dot (with yellow dots maybe?) and the view 1 jacket out of a light blue knit with the white rick rack "shark's teeth" trim.

The Vintage Pattern Wiki: Doing Your Part

2011-05-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

I love the VPW and so do many vintage sewists. So I feel it is our duty to put up the projects we've completed on the wikipages for other sewists to see. After all, how many times do we wish we could have seen a pattern made up before we had a go at it ourselves? So I beg of you, take the time this week to upload one or two of your creations.

Here are some of my favorite make-ups of vintage patterns that you can find on the VPW.

(All photos are from the VPW)

And I think this one takes the cake!

Happy Birthday Shirt For Mom

2011-05-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

I've done it again! Made Simplicity 2418, that is. This is my fifth time around sewing it, and I've got a sixth on the way for myself only I lengthened it into a dress.

I finished the seams a little differently...just whipstitched without picking into the shirt itself but other than that I constructed it the same as my own. She picked out the fabric at JoAnn's and it works great with the pattern because it is a tad stiffer than the two fabrics I've used in my own.

On a more depressing note, I've done my right thumb in with all the handstitching and knitting I've been doing and so I probably won't be getting around to making my Sew Weekly Challenge project this week. Never mind that the sewing gods were pulling it all together for me! I was going to make the infamous Butterick 4790 (walk-away dress) and even found 6 yards of gorgeous quilter's cotton by M'Liss at Savers for $4.99...I had previously bought some fabric from the same collection a few years ago for about $9.99/yd from the JoAnns.

I've also got some Built By Wendy pants on the sewing table and a 1970s UFO that would also serve for the SW challenge if I really felt like it.
Also, for those of you not participating in the Sew Weekly Sewing Circle, I forgot to post this dress!

The challenge was to make a dress to match a hat we own! I was very excited for this one, especially as I had started the dress a few weeks before. It matches the pillbox that I also happen to have made! It is fully underlined in the bodice and has a free-standing lining in the skirt. I omitted the facings and opted to bias bind the edges since the underlining acted like a facing anyways.

Fabric: Thrifted sheet and scraps from another sheet for the lining ($2.99)
Pattern: Simplicity 2209, Lisette "Passport" Dress ($1.99)
Notions: Zipper, thrifted ($.69)
Time: Not sure, I basically drafted the bodice front from scratch using my own sloper, and that took ages!

SW: Jean and Johnny Skirt

2011-05-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

Ah, children's books. I still read them! That made this week's Sew Weekly challenge tough because we were supposed to use a kids book to inspire our project. For some reason I wasn't really feeling that inspired by anything on my own bookshelf, although I briefly considered something piratey because I loved Tenggren's
"Pirates, Ships and Sailors". Some other possible inspirations were "Jenny and the Cat Club", "Poppleton", "Blueberries for Sal" and of course, Nancy Drew herself. In the end I settled on what is really a young adult book, but my library has it in the kids room, so oh well!

I love the few teen books that Beverly Cleary wrote and I hadn't read this one until a few months ago. There is a great summary on the blog Daughter Number Three (the quote is from that post). When I read this book, it opens with Jean and her sister doing chores and Jean thinking about the skirt she is wearing. "The girls make all of their own clothes, while their mother works Saturdays at a fabric store (I'll bet in part to get a discount on fabric). The idea of buying a ready-made dress is a dream that finally comes true in the course of the story." She is cranky because she didn't take time to match the plaid on the sides, whereas she admires her sisters thrift and creativity at having made a skirt out of bandanas.

That image really stuck with me, as I had made a baby quilt out of bandanas (see above) at one point and I loved the idea. I had been wanting to make this since then and now I had the opportunity to do so! I love it, even though I'm not usually big on dirndl skirts, and it will be perfect for MMJune!

Fabric: 5 bandanas from Wal-Mart - 4 for the skirt, 1 for the waistband ($5)

Pattern: None, used waistband from my Chrissy Snow shorts.

Notions: Sew-on snaps.

Time Duration: Approx. 2 hours.

Total Cost: $5!

My 1950s Patterns Pt. 1

2011-05-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

In honor of the royal wedding, and Miss Middleton's fabulous 1950s style gown, I'm going to post up my 1950s patterns. The first one is practically a dead ringer...so when I get married I can have the same dress! Which ones would you make?

Catching Up: Kidding Around Dress and Me-Made-June

2011-05-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy that I never got my photos up here for the Sew Weekly "Kidding Around" challenge. I don't love them...it was windy so it was hard to get good pictures. I want to re-do them before I put it up on Burdastyle.

I used the popular Simplicity 2591, which I have had in my stash for awhile. I used my slopers to alter it (although I accidentally forgot to add seam allowance in the back, thinking it was a side zipper! Because of how I altered it, the boatneck wasn't really there anymore, so I made it a scoop neck. It fits like a glove and I love the pockets. My one complaint? I added height to the bottom of the armholes and now they are a little tight and chafe.

I took the top photo at the same benches where my original inspiration photo was taken. The second was taken at my Grammy's house.

I bought the fabric because it reminded me of these crazy animal prints I wore as a child (see photo above - those are bunnies in clothes). This specific purple dress, which I still have, was made by my Grammy. I kept with the jumper style and lined the pockets with purple fabric to match the original dress.

In these next two, you can see the underlined bodice/pocket facings. I underlined to stabilize the quilter's cotton. In itself, q.c. is pretty stiff, but I wanted it to be super structured. I also managed to use up some old scraps in the process! I had planned to add a skirt lining later, but it is poofy enough on its own and I don't need it in place of a slip during warm weather. So...I skipped it!

My vintage zipper! Got it for $.69 at Savers.

I was beginning to wonder if Me-Made-May was happening...well it isn't, but Me-Made-June is! I'm very excited because I think the Sew Weekly challenges are going to help me out a lot in preparation.
'I, Lisette of WWNDW, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-June '11. I endeavour to wear
one handmade item each day for the duration of June 2011'

Sew Weekly Challenge: TV Time

2011-04-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

So for the last week of April, the challenge was to sew something based on a TV Character. I had so many ideas, so, so many. Mork and Mindy, Star Trek, Alias...I even had the pattern and fabric all ready to go for a Mork and Mindy dress but changed my mind because I'm pressed for time, what with my show going up next week. So, Three's Company won out, with Chrissy Snow being my specific inspiration.

The pattern (ironically also promoted by a TV star):

I'd already made the top twice and so this time around I made up the shorts.

Fabric: Cotton broadcloth (shorts), old pillowcase (shirt), quilter's cotton (yoke of shirt)

Pattern: McCall's 5526, 1977 ($1.5)

Cost: About $5

Time: Approx. 4 hours for each

Pros: This pattern is super easy to make and very cute, for such a small amount of fabric (only 7/8 yd for the shorts!) The only closure is the fly front zipper and a button, which I replaced with a plain old snap. I'd never done a fly-front, and I have to say it was SO much easier than I expected! These are the ultimate pin-up style shorts, ladies, so if you need to make a pair, buy this pattern.

Cons: You almost can't sit in the shorts (no wearing ease here!), whereas the top is rather boxy in its roominess. You also should wear the shorts with control-top nylons (as seen in my photos) or a girdle if you're not built like Mary-Ann on Gilligan's Island. The lack of give in the shorts may be because I had to interline them and the fabric has NO stretch. I'd like to try making the pants in some stretchy twill I've got just to see. Lastly, the waistband instructions are most odd. I ignored them and had to re-do it a couple of times but it all worked out in the end.

My Modern Patterns

2011-04-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

WIP!

Sew Weekly Challenge: Kidding Around

2011-04-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

I joined the Sew Weekly Sewing Circle awhile ago, and have been trying to keep up, even if I don't always sew the challenges. This week's challenge, however, has piqued my interest! You have to make something inspired by a childhood outfit. Now, I grew up in the lovely age of Laura Ashley and Mary Engelbreit so I've got LOTS of interesting outfits to choose from!

L to R: My cousin, Emily, Me, my Grammy.

However, I was thinking of using this one as an inspiration because I already own fabric that had reminded me of this dress ages ago, and I had wanted to make a dress out of it! Plus, I believe the original was made by either my grammy or my aunt. Want another matchy matchy set? You got it! Only this time it'll be Emily's and my younger sisters in our hand-me-down school dresses!

More, you say? You got it! These are all the photos I've got that are already on my computer of me as a young un' (for reference I was born in 1988).

I rather like the last one. I insisted that that was obviously how one wore one's hats...why would you put the bow in back where it could not be seen?