Christmas Haul

Well, we're mostly unpacked and the epic laundry pile is slowly getting done, so I thought I take a moment and share some of the fun things I brought home to my sewing room.

Under the tree, I found some really fun sewing and knitting books. I've already read through the LBD book, and it is really fun. The book doesn't include patterns - rather, you draft your own shoulder princess seam sloper and then adapt it to make 3 classic LBD styles, a sleeveless sheath, a flowing classic wrap dress and a slinky strapless number. As a bonus, there are instructions for a simple cropped jacket and a hat to complete your look. Super fun! The Famous Frocks book does include patterns for knockoffs of 10 classic iconic looks - From Marilyn's white halter number to Jackie O's classic sheath. Each pattern also includes instructions for a variation for each pattern. I'm also excited to have Brave New Knits, which I got for my sister last year, and liked so much I put it on my own wish list.

But there was more fun stuff that wasn't under the tree!

Mom did a bit of de-stashing, and she gave me her Burdas as well as an assortment of Sew News, Vogue Pattern Magazine and a few other pretties. The Burdas are mostly from the mid-2000s, and they are all full of things I'd like to make. Front and center is the 03/2009 issue that I have been on the hunt for. It's in German, but since Burda instructions are incomprehensible anyway, I'm probably better off without them. And it's fun to see the advertisements in the German issue.

But I saved the best for last... Mom gave me two boxes of patterns, spanning three decades and all sizes, ages and genders represented. Many of them have sentimental value for me, since Mom made most of my clothes in those days, so some of my favorites are still here.

But this one might be the most epic. I made the skirt from this pattern in my Home Economics class in the 8th grade. The rest of the class worked on Tee shirts and PJ pants while I sewed up my 5 pocket jeans skirt. Good times. I made it out of hot pink denim with a blue paisley pattern printed on it. It was, to use the vernacular of the age, totally rad. I wish it was still around. I'd love to peek inside to see how well it was sewn. I remember loving it very much.