Sew Exciting Mail!

I have just been on vintage pattern Cloud Nine lately, and I am not coming down any time soon!! I mentioned recently, when I posted about Myra's pajamas, that I had ordered the next size in our favorite pattern from a new to me vintage pattern site. Well, the order came today, and I just have to tell you all how impressed I am!

These are the two patterns I ordered. They were both an excellent price, particularly for their condition. They arrived carefully packaged and so quickly! I really wasn't expecting them until next week, and here they are!

While I am beyond thrilled to have Myra's PJ pattern to use for a few more years, I am really excited about the other pattern I ordered, Simplicity 4333. It is in truly amazing condition for a pattern of its age, and it will be my first unprinted pattern! I can't wait to sew it up. Isn't it adorable?!
So, the next time you are in the market for a vintage pattern (or even a modern one - she has an amazing selection of both), be sure to stop by Sew Exciting Needleworks. I know you'll be glad you did! I'm not affiliated, but I am a very satisfied customer.

Thrifting

I went to my favorite local thrift store a few days ago. It's one of the few places that I can take all three kids where they will all behave, mostly because I bribe them with the promise of any toy they want. Totally worth the three bucks (max) for a peaceful shopping experience. There always is a pattern or two that I come home with, but today was even better!

The pattern selection is generally mostly 80s dropped sleeve, oversize, shoulder padded scariness, but there are generally a few 60s or 70s patterns to pick through. Mostly they tend to be eight size 6 or size 42. Today they had three fun 70s patterns, all in my actual size. I also grabbed a modern pattern for Myra. At 50 cents each, it's even cheaper than a Joann sale, and this one was factory folded.

Could you guess that this one is my favorite? I love 70s maxi dresses ever so much. And this one has such a lovely basque waistline. I'm not sure how wearable it is though. It pretty much screams 70s boho flower child. We'll see if that stops me from making it.

Since the kids weren't whining yet, I stopped by the fabric area as well. Generally there isn't anything there, but today I picked up two pieces if soft, polka dot interlock. Myra declared them hers before they even hit the cart. I think they'll be perfect for a few Dolman tops.

But the most fun find were these metal zippers! I've never seen notions there before, and these were just thrown in a bin next to the patterns, so I think I got lucky. The colors of the zippers are pretty fun - all sherbet and citrus, which is very current. I'll have to hunt through my vintage patterns for a skirt pattern that will do them justice. The coral one is 20 inches long. I wonder if the exposed zipper trend is going to last much longer? That would be seriously amazing down the back of a dress in a neutral like black or khaki. Pop of color anyone?

I was pretty pleased with my haul, but a few days later I had some kid free shopping time, and I popped into another thrift shop that isn't so kid friendly and y'all, I hit the vintage pattern motherlode.

And get this - they are all my size!!! I may have squealed a bit when I started riffling through the pattern bin and realized what I was looking at.

Here are a couple of favorites. After a cursory examination of the haul, it looks like they were very well cared for. Although many are cut and some of the pattern envelopes are torn, they all look more or less intact. Woo-hoo!

Now, I admit that I went a little crazy, and some of these are not ever going to get sewn by me, so I've already put some up for sale in my Etsy shop, and once I've sorted through them and made sure they are intact, I'll pass on some of the love to you and have a little giveaway. So, let me know - any vintage styles you are particularly lusting for? These are mostly 60s and 70s with a sprinkling of late 50s.

Burda Magazine 10/2010-118A

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments on my Qiana maxi dress! It is definitely a new favorite and I know I'm going to wear it a lot.

I've been browsing through my patterns lately, with an eye toward one that would make the perfect gingham blouse. This one totally wasn't even on my radar, until I saw ManiMayor's  review on PR. Her version was so lovely, I knew I needed one of my own.

The pattern is from the 10/2010 issue of Burdastyle magazine. It has three different views in the magazine, each view with a different tie. It is a very basic blouse with little in the way of shaping, set in sleeves, and a bias bound, gathered neckline with a slit. The fabric I used is a stretch cotton from FabricMart. It reads as a gingham at a glance, but is actually an even plaid.

When I first put it on Sandra Dee, I thought I had a total wadder on my hands. It was seriously frumpy and sacklike. Fortunately, I had a belt lying around and popped it on. With some waist definition, I think it is pretty darn cute.

The only changes I made to the pattern were to the neckline. Several of the reviewers on PR mentioned that the slit was quite low, so I didn't even bother transferring the marking per the pattern. I just marked the slit where I wanted it while I was tissue fitting. Burda has you put the button on the inside, but I found a cute one that matched, so I sewed it on the outside instead.

For the tie, Burda's instructions called for the neckline to be finished with the bias strip, then for the tie to be topstitched on between the two shoulder seams. I didn't think this gave it a very nice finish, so I sandwiched the tie in between the neckline of the top and the bias strip and stitched them together to enclose the tie with the neckline. It looks very nice both inside and out.

The other major change I made was to make the tie significantly smaller. I cut the width in half and shortened the tie so that when tied in a bow, the ends fell at my waist. The original tie is really huge, and since my fabric already had a lot of body, it was really overwhelming. I think it would have worked in a softer, more draping fabric though.

It passes the sleeping baby test of comfort.

I had fun taking some pictures with different bottoms. I don't generally wear my tops tucked in, but this one has a good shape for it. The bottoms I paired it with are; McCalls 5592 white jeans, New Look 6816 silk pants, McCalls 3830 pencil skirt and black knit column skirt (pulled up to midi length). I'm kinda partial to the short black pencil skirt look myself. What do you think?

Simplicity 3503

Last summer, I made a couple of muslins of this pattern, but I was too scared to cut into my fabric, so it sat. But fabric is no good folded up in my sewing room (even if it is 40 year old irreplaceable fabric), so I pulled up my big girl pants and cut.

And I love my new dress!! The pattern is the much beloved Simplicity 3503. It was a best pattern over at PR in 2009, and as of this post, has 89 reviews, most of which are glowingly positive.

The fabric is Qiana, which is a nylon knit produced by DuPont that premiered in 1968. It was produced to replicate silk and is particularly known for it's use in 70s "disco" shirts although it was used in a wide variety of garments. It came from my mother's stash, although she will be quick to tell you that she did not buy this. It was given to her by my aunt who is known for her love of loud colors and prints.

Here is a closer shot of the print. The color looks pretty true to life on my monitor. It really is that bright. I love that little purple frog. He has some green friends scattered about as well. Despite this being a synthetic fiber, I actually found it pretty forgiving to sew. It pressed and eased well and wasn't too slippery to cut.

I did have to make quite a few alterations to get the fit I wanted. I raised the neckline about an inch in front and added some width as an FBA. I moved the shoulder gathers more toward the front of the bodice, so that the fullness was over my bust.

In back, I raised the neckline a lot - about 3 inches. As drafted, you'd need a backless bra to wear it. I wanted this to be an easy summer piece, so I didn't want to fuss with special underwear. With the back neckline raised, the tie becomes purely decorative, as it isn't needed to hold the shoulders up, but I do think it's cute, so I put it on.

The skirt and midriff band are perfect as drafted. It has pockets!! Love that. I had considered reducing or eliminating the front gathers, since they were a bit poufy in my first muslin, but the drape of the Qiana and the weight of the long skirt takes care of the pouf, and I find them very flattering. The skirt length was even perfect. I often find I need to lengthen Simplicity patterns, but this was just right. If you are taller than about 5'7" though, you may want some more length in the skirt.

Laugh all you want, Mom. I'm going to wear this ALL. THE. TIME. Now, anyone know where I can get my hands on some more Qiana?

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