1865 Bodice Update

So, I stared at the three bodice patterns I have in my possession and decided I don't like any of them for what I want to make.  It sucks, especially when I'm on a deadline.  Yes, I have plenty of time before the weekend of September 17 but, I want this finished well ahead of time with enough time to crank out another dress if I feel so inclined.  The upside is that I already have the fabric for the other dress and can start on that while I wait on the pattern for the blue dress to come in.

Fabric Choice

Thank You to everyone who dropped by and left your votes.  It came down to #3 and #4 in the end.  The blue is the best choice, a little thinner than I liked but I can just add a second layer, possibly to make the skirt look tiered, with the gold edge acting as the hem.  I want the dress to be a surprise under the tree for Christmas.

Be sure and check out my other recent posts, I want to start a "Design Your Own Purse Pattern" challenge.

Vintage Tween Fashion

I want to make this dress for my daughter but I can't decide which fabric, help me out.  There are 4 choices, three are quilting cottons, the blue with gold edging is cotton also (I'm guessing) but it is much thinner and has a nicer hand than the other three.  Drop your votes in the comment box with the number of the fabric you're voting for. 
Fabric 1: blue floral print quilting cotton with the background having a slightly blue tint to it

 Fabric 2: white gingham

 Fabric 3: pink quilting cotton with multi-colored flowers...kinda funky

 Fabric 4: turquoise blue with gold trim on one selvage only.

Alexis' Dress

I'm taking a break from my Vogue Dress for now.  Yesterday I worked on a dress for my daughter, Alexis.  I'm very happy with the way it turned out.  I used a McCall's pattern from 1959, #5264, for a simple dress.  My daughter is VERY petite for her age, she will be 10 in July, this pattern is a size 7, I did not grade this pattern in any way and it fit perfectly with a little extra room to move.  I swear I DO feed my children very well and they are kept clean and healthy, shortness just runs in the family.  I used the cherry fabric I ended up with a few weeks back.  She has a cherry printed headband that she is wearing in her hair that you can't see very well in the photo.  Of course being herself, she added her own touches to the ensemble with the tights.  I will be making a crinoline for her out of white organza and possibly satin(?), I'll have to see what I have in my stash for the yoke and slip portion.  I should begin work on the crinoline tonight or tomorrow.  She and her brother were clowning around so I decided to use the time for a photo op for my personal collection.  We are also introducing Alley, the Australian Cattle Dog and perpetual puppy. 

A Previous Finished Project

Yeah, it's filler, I like to think of it as seamstress porn.  Here's a project I finished a few weeks ago.  It's a Simplicity Project Runway Pattern that I made with some quilter's cotton from Hobby Lobby.  With my curves, I have to have a belt with this dress.  I have some extra fabric that I'm gonna make a simple belt with.  The only question left with this one is which shoes would look good with it.  The darker color is actually a brown with strong purple undertones to it.  

Update on My Vogue Project

I've got most of the pieces cut out. I ran out of fabric and have to go after more this weekend. The ladies at the fabric store near my home were kind enough to call around and find it for me when they were short on the amount I needed.

My Latest Project

Here's my current project, it's laying out on my kitchen table as I'm typing this.  I'm making the short sleeve view with the pictured fabric.  I will post pictures as I make progress.

Look What I Found

I found this one tucked into a metal box in a closet about an hour away from home.  It's a 1964.

Just Because Pattern Giveaway!

Here's a selection of four patterns in varying sizes. I rescues most of these from a box full of water on an outdoor shelf at a small antique store in town. There is some mildew damage to the covers but the patterns themselves seem in good shape. I have dried and aired them out as much as possible. I'm hoping someone will enjoy them.

Rules of the contest: This will be a totally random drawing. All comments must be listed by midnight Central time on April 18. I will draw in the morning of the 19th and post the winner. The winner can then contact me through email for mailing information.

I will refer to the patterns as 1-5 in descending order.

Pattern one: W-23", McCall's Junior/Teen Skirt in three versions. Some mildew damage to cover with one corner torn and missing. There is a torn area in the middle of the instructions that causes a few holes that are identical in four or five places throughout the instructions. There is very little information missing from these holes. The pattern is uncut and still factory folded.

Pattern two: size 12, Misses' Coat or Jacket and Dress. There is no actual envelope for this pattern. There is a cutout that hugs the pattern with a picture of the completed pattern. The pattern is complete and still factory folded.

Pattern three: Jr. Petite, size 7jp, bust 32". Simplicity Junior Petites' Suit. This is another pattern that I rescued from a box of water. There is mildew damage to the envelope , one side is split but it still holds the pattern well. There is mildew damage to the instructions but they are still readable. The pattern is cut and neatly folded. It is UNCHECKED.

Pattern four: size 11, bust 31 1/2". McCall's Misses' and Junior Dress in Two lengths. Mildew damage to the envelope with a torn flap. Minor damage to the instructions. The instructions are still readable. The pattern is cut and neatly folded. It is UNCHECKED.

Pattern five: petite, size 6-8, waist 23-24". Simplicity Misses' Jiffy Front Wrap Skirt. Envelope is in great shape with wear and tear. Pattern is cut and neatly folded. It is UNCHECKED.

What a Dress

Here's an interesting pattern.  Too many bow for me but the one in the bottom left corner is great.  Not too much, not too little.  I think I ended up with this one in a trade.  

Hi, Hello, How Ya Doin?

Just introducing myself. My name is Rebecca, I love the vintage patterns and I love sewing. I'll be gradually building my "About" page and this blog. You've probably heard it said that "Rome wasn't built in a day". Not that I'm comparing my blog to the greatness of Rome, it's just that my computer stupidity paired with my slow pace makes for things to take time. I'm hoping to pick up a few people who are intrested in some of the things I am and get some discussions going. Comments are welcome and appreciated, suggestions are also.
I have been sewing for about nine years but still consider myself an amateur. I'm very critical of my sewing skills and think there is always room for improvement. I'm no fashion expert, I have my own particular taste that is maybe a bit on the eccentric side. I enjoy sewing for my daughter alot. She benefits regularly from my time in front of the machine. I hope to one day sew her wedding dress for her and all of my work will move me in that direction. Even better, since she now has her first sewing machine is that we get to work on it together.
I will be posting all sorts of stuff here from vintage patterns that range from childrens to mens to dresses and pajamas. I will try to bring in links from sites that I have found helpful or that I enjoy looking at. Someone else out there shares my sense of interest. It is a dreary day here and the perfect time to start this while I'm looking out the window at the rain and flowers. Hope to see you here!