Work on it Wednesday

Since my regular tv programs have ended for the summer I've been introduced to some shows I didn't know about. One is the television show Mad Men and I have been totally sucked in. Thus, I've also felt very nostalgic of late. Well, actually my nostalgia has manifested itself as a yen to sew up full skirts and prim little dresses. My mind is full of aprons, peter pan collars and pearls. I've been on the hunt for the suitable fabrics and patterns. I scored some awesome retro fabrics at the thrift store and can't wait to get stitching. I was thinking of something like this or this or even this one . I mean it's definitely a look right. Very feminine...yet maybe a little naughty too. I think it's the undergarments. All those slips, stockings with garters, gravity defying bras, I am just fascinated. Coming from a tshirt and jeans kind of gal, it's quite amusing really. So, my big plan for today is to sew up a dress. I've got my fabric washed and now I just need to get everything cut out and stitched up. Oh, and I get to break in my dress form. I'm super stoked! Groovy man!

Work on it Wednesday

Today I'm going to prep for my sew in that I have planned for when I go on vacation in a couple weeks. I'm going to pick out all the fabric, make sure it's washed and ready to go, cut or trace the patterns and fabric and get everything ready so that when I sit down to sew I can work efficiently. As I mentioned before I'm making the spring and summer stuff for O. & the boys. I will start with E. because although he remains reed thin, his legs are getting longer and he is due for some pants that don't show off what color socks he's wearing. I'll be using mostly patterns from Ottobre, KS and a couple vintage New Looks I have. I'm hopeful that the latest Ottobre issue will arrive in my mailbox before I begin since it's up on the website and usually the hard copy isn't too far behind that.

Some birthday threads

I made my girly a couple of things to wear for her birthday which is later this week. She also wants me to make her a backpack so we'll see if I have time to do that too.
Anywho, the skirt, is from two fat quarters picked up on sale at JA's. Serged, elastic waist band and a bit of rickrack along the bottom and you're in business. No pattern necessary. The other outfit is from the two Portabello Pixie patterns. The top is the Claire pattern, and while it's easy enough to sew, I despised the shirring. Next time I think I'll use lastin and zigzag it down to give me my gather. I don't know how long that shirring is going to hold up to my little birthday girl. The pants however are a keeper! Love how she designed them and the sizing is dead on...although I might add an inch or two next time so that they will last longer. O. loves them. The fabric is one of my favorite prints, Alexander Henry's birch blossom. So pretty and the other fabric from Chez Ami is a perfect coordinate.
I'll try and add some modeling shots later in the week when she gets to wear her new threads.


A simple skirt


Just a bit of rickrack to liven things up.




Shirred sleeve


The neck and shoulders shirred.

Out of the box

When it comes to clothing I'm not a risk taker. I'm a pretty plain, jeans and tshirt kind of girl. But, every once and awhile I see something that pulls me out of my little box. I saw these 3 corduroy coordinating prints at Hancocks awhile back and I knew just the pattern I'd use them for. I love the fabric. It's a bit crazy, a little retro and funky. Very nice hand, not too thick and great colors. I actually had cut this outfit out for O. at the beginning of the fall in a size 3. It just fit, as my girl has had a bit of a growth spurt and next time I'd be better off with the size 4. Anyway, I finished it last night and she tried it on. She loved it. I even broke out the old snap press and used snaps rather than buttons. Oh, and check out that top stitching. Which calls to mind that I need to read up a bit more on my camera features...I couldn't figure out how to do a real closeup without getting a really blurry picture...but you get the idea.

Vintage Love...everything old is new again

I love a classic design and I found it in this sweet little top from a 1972 Simplicity pattern. Remember I was talking about transitional weather clothes? Well this would look awesome with a turtleneck underneath and sweet little leggings. I absolutely adore this fabric. It's been curing in my stash for ages, it's Tracy Porter from Joann's and the hand of the fabric is just incredible, really a nice brushed cotton. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I only bought a yard at the time...I could kick myself. Oh well. Anyway, back to the tunic. Very sweet and I used some ribbon from a grab bag of ribbon I got at one of the Chez Ami sales. I think it looks pretty good...we'll just have to see how the ribbon holds up in the wash.