sewing

Everything at Once

Hello readers. I apologize for the inconsistent postings as of late. My schedules has been thrown a bit off track ever since my fiance had his knee surgery. He’s in his ‘recovery’ stage which means he’s home. . . 24/7. . . for another 3-4 weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I love having him around, but because he’s home, I want to spend as much time with him as possible, therefore my blogging schedule, as well as all of my other responsibilities, have fallen to the wayside. I’m trying my hardest to get back on track though, so please bear with me.

My family is currently going through my grandparents’ house and finding lots of really neat things. Some of the latest finds for me included my grandmother’s button stash, and some of her costume jewelry, namely some clip on earrings circa ~1930-1960. I can’t wait to show those off in her jewelry box! I also have a basket full of scarves that I have been meaning to get to as well as some of hers and her family’s vintage clothing that I snagged. All in due time, if I can keep up with everything else that is happening lately.

In sewing news, I have two quilts that I am currently working on. The first is from Tula Pink’s new line “Plume” for Moda. I am using her pattern called “Spiked Punch” and am just starting to cut out the fabric. One thing that I really enjoy about this pattern is that it uses a jelly roll, so there is minimal strip cutting besides the background pieces. Pictures to come soon, I promise! The second quilt I am working on is from Michael Miller’s line “Flora & Fauna”. The colorways I am working with include the hot pink and lime green fabrics. Yum! I adore these colors and can’t wait to see how it turns out.

In clothing news, I’m working on a jacket pattern from Favorite Things. The exterior is being made from a burgundy corduroy and the lining is a teal cotton/silk blend. It’s going rather quickly, but the directions in this pattern are assuming the maker knows a lot about garment construction. It doesn’t say anything about how to finish the front double-breasted closure and it doesn’t tell you to sew on the buttons. . . (I know, that is pretty self-explanatory, but still. . .)

I also completed my Sencha blouse from Colette Patterns. I am so proud of myself! I used up some of my stash fabric to make it and it turned out great! I think I may need to tinker with the pattern a bit to get a better fit, but I am thrilled to have made my first ever, wardrobe worthy, piece of clothing. I’ll have pictures up soon, but to visualize, I made the blouse from a cotton chambray. The fabric used pink threads on the crosswise grain and yellow threads on the lengthwise grain to make an orange-y color. It is quite darling, although I would like to make another Sencha in blue polka dot, green, red, and black and white polka dot. . . maybe in a few other solids too. . . oh boy, the possibilities! ^_^

Any who, my Aunt and I just finished making my wedding invitations, R.S.V.P.’s, and thank you cards. They turned out beautiful! I can’t wait to use them! I’m afraid that I will have to make more, but can’t wait to get started on them again. It was a blast!

So, all in all, everything is kind of happening at once and it feels a bit overwhelming to say the least. Hopefully I will be able to get back on track and back into a routine. I’m hoping to have another VPS up soon, and maybe some other great things!

Advertisement
Clothing · patterns · sewing · Vintage

VPS: Advance 5057

Advance 5057
Dress
Size: 16
Bust: 34
Hip: 37
Copyright: Unknown – Late 40’s? 

Info: 

This pattern has no description printed on the envelope, or in the instructions. There are no printed lines, or words on the pieces. There are letters stamped out of circles on each one. This pattern does include instructions for making a fabric belt. 

 

 

I really like this dress. The color is so elegant, and the full skirt. . . well you know how I feel about full skirts. Yum. ^_^ I like both sleeve versions but would say that the 3/4 length sleeves are my favorite. I also like that this pattern includes instructions for making a belt. Can’t wait to give this one a go someday.

Clothing · patterns · sewing · Vintage

VPS: Butterick 7455

Butterick 7455
Blouse & Jumper/Skirt
Size: 14
Bust: 32
Copyright: Unknown – 1950’s Info: 

Blouse with wing collar and cuffs, buttoned front. Princess style jumper with
gored skirt. Can be worn with or without blouse. Standout, gored skirt. 

  


 

The possibilities with this pattern are adorable! Offering three different pieces to mix and match and add to any wardrobe. Blouse with Jumper, Blouse with Skirt, or Jumper alone. This is such an adorable jumper, I hope I learn to resize very soon so that I can try my hand at this pattern! ^_^ 

Clothing · patterns · sewing · Vintage

VPS: Advance 4913

Advance 4913
Skirt and Jacket
Size: 14
Bust: 32
Waist: 26 1/2
Copyright: Unknown – Late 40’s?

Info:
This pattern has no description printed on the envelope, or in the
instructions. There are no printed lines, or words on the pieces. There are
letters stamped out of circles on each one.

 

 

I love this pattern. There is something “business-like” about it. The skirt looks full and the jacket looks powerful. I love the double-breasted closure on the jacket, and the option to have a contrast color on the collar and cuff makes it looks really snazzy.

Clothing · sewing · Tutorial/How To · Vintage

Handmade Crinoline in Progress

As I was looking around at some sewing blogs online, I saw a Crinoline tutorial from Gertie. I loved this idea so much that I decided to make one, even though I don’t have any skirts or dresses to wear it with. . .yet. My goal is to make a dress, or a few, to wear instead of my norm, jeans and a sweatshirt. 

I started with: 

One yard white cotton sateen 

One yard white organza 

One yard 1/4″ elastic 

One spool of Gutermann polyester thread 

The materials cost me around $13.00 total, not bad for a handmade undergarment. 

I took my measurements, and cut two rectangles. The width was the widest part of my body, (the hips), and the length was where I wanted to actual ‘slip’ part to come to, I used Gertie’s measurement of about 12″. I added a few too many inches, thinking that I would be allowing adequate room in the hips if I didn’t want the slip part to be skin tight. After sewing in the elastic, I discovered that the waist was too large, so I had to safety pin a pleat into the front. I will be making another crinoline, but will definitely be making a few adjustments so that it fits correctly at the waist. I have a short torso, so it makes it difficult to find clothing and sew patterns that fit correctly. I’m still trying to figure out how to tailor them to my size. 

Here are a few pictures of the slip in progress, and by progress I mean I still have one layer of organza to sew to the bottom. It turned out well so far. I figured these pictures weren’t too risque to show. I even dressed it up with some heels! ^_^ Enjoy. 

Crinoline
Added a pink bow made out of stitched ribbon at the top of the pleat.

 

Crinoline
Still have one more layer of organza to go. . .