Wednesday, September 24, 2008

It's all Carolyn's Fault


That's right. OK, she didn't hold a gun to my head, but she's been going on about all of her great vintage patterns and we're seeing the great things she is making. Then... she goes and posts LINKS to the vintage sites so that we just HAVE to go and visit. Well, one visit was not enough. I have been going back to some of these vintage sites numerous times. Not only that, Carolyn ALSO mentioned that some of these sights have FREE shipping when you buy 3 or more. So of course, I had to buy 3!







OK, I can't totally blame it on Carolyn. About 10 years ago I made this dress from a vintage reproduction pattern. I love this dress. Now, mind you, I was AT LEAST 10 pounds thinner when I made this dress, so now it is way too tight. I'm also noticing that my arms are looking pretty chunky in this picture - that stress eating is beginning to show! Also, I don't think I had the slightest inkling about FBA when I made this, so it is also very tight in the bust. But, all in all, I do love this dress. I have kept it all these years and do wear it occasionally. Of course, I will be losing 10 pounds before I wear it again!

One of the things I love about this dress is the full, full skirt and longer length. I also like the fitted waist and detail at the collar and sleeves. THese are the same elements that attracted me to these vintage patterns


This was the first pattern I picked out. What I really like about it, aside from the overall silhouette, is the detail at the neck and sleeve. I love the little bands on the second view and those little dots are buttons. I would love to make this dress.














Again, I like the overall silhouette on this dress, but I also find the neckline interesting. It has a 4 gore skirt rather than 6 as above, so it will hang a little differently.















I really like both versions of this dress. I think the boat neckline on the second view, along with the "rock-a-billie" full skirt looks really cool. I can also totally see myself wearing the first version, also known as a "wiggle dress." I really like the look of the collar on this one and the raglan sleeves.

I've been so wanting to sew lately, but school has been overwhelming. Just too many meetings and things taking up our time - yet they keep giving us more to do! I was planning on doing some sewing this evening, but I was just so beat when I got home that all I could do is sit on the bed with my feet up (good thing I have a laptop :-) )




But I am working on a dress. It doesn't look like much at this stage, but I am making it from New Look 6587. Here is just a little teaser of what is to come. I am sewing several rows of ribbon around the bottom, so that's what I am working on now. I'm hoping that the contrast on the bodice is going to work out by tying it in with the same skirt fabric for the collar and sleeve cap. I was hoping on finishing this this weekend, but it looks like I'll probably be at school working on progress reports. I'm also still working on my 1945 jacket. I need to hand sew the sleeve and bottom hems and then cut out and assemble the lining. It won't be too long (I hope) before I can actually wear a jacket again. It's been kind of nice wearing little sweaters in the morning.

11 comments:

Elaray said...

So far, I've been able to resist the urge to look at vintage patterns. But, I LOVE that dress. You and Carolyn are becoming dangerous enablers!!!

Little Hunting Creek said...

I love vintage patterns, and those are so pretty I can see how you could not resist.

Alexandra said...

Great patterns! I especially like the wiggle dress.
You look great in that vintage dress. The neckline on it is very interesting. Don't you find that vintage patterns have so many more cool details than today's patterns?

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Ummm, I don't think I can take credit for this! *LOL* It is a trickle down effect - first Summerset and then Shannon were both using them and showing them on their blogs...so that's how I got started! I just felt it necessary to share the love! *LOL* Have you tried "Out of the Ashes" and have you used the coupon?

Summerset said...

Carolyn beat me to it, but I was going to take partial responsibility for Carolyn's vintage pattern buying! You did get some great patterns.

Birgitte said...

You are so rockabilly and I'm totally digging it! You have the perfect shape for this design, so go ahead, stack up on those vintage gems and build a closet large enough to hold the new wardrobe :)) Fabulous!!

Meg said...

Ditto what Elaray said. You guys quit being enablers!

Marji said...

Great patterns. I just love the details built into some of the older patterns that I don't see in many of todays patterns.

Anonymous said...

Very nice.
You seem to be a very dedicated teacher.
It was 103 here yesterday, you're lucky you could wear a sweater in the morning. Can't wait to turn the A/C OFF! It's almost October for pete sakes!

Linda T said...

I LOVE vintage patterns too. I got on a real buying jag about 2 years ago. I have so many to "make up" and I still buy them fairly often. The one you are wearing is very pretty. I can't tell from the photo that it is too tight, but I feel you pain about those extra 10 lbs. I'd like to get rid of 10 myself!

Linda L said...

Love the dress and love the new vintage patterns. I started buying vintage due to Gigi's enabling but Carolyn has definitely taken up the enabling where Gigi left off!