Yea!

Since Anna is extending the sew from a modern reproduction pattern theme, I thought I might make Vogue 2903 in red velveteen for the holidays. It's not as if I have anywhere to wear this, but I might lay around the house in it, with a cigarette holder in one hand, and a martini in the the other. I don't smoke or drink either, but it's all about style, right?

Anyway, so this pattern calls for the following fabrics: Cotton Broadcloth, Shantung, Faille and Piqué. Do you think I can get away with velveteen?

I heard recently the Butterick retro patterns were discontinued. Bummer. I hope the Vintage Vogue are still around.

Theme Extension

I have decided that the theme of sewing a modern reproduction pattern will be extended until the end of January. I'm doing this because I know that we all went crazy and bought the patterns and that there are a lot of us who want to sew them, but what with the holidays etc we've just not had a chance yet.

I hope everyone has a great time preparing for the holidays but finds time to do a little sewing along the way! Please keep posting your finds and finished retro/vintage garments, I so love seeing what everyone is up to!

Anna

30's Repro Dress

I've almost finished this dress, from a Simplicity reprint pattern. I haven't hemmed the dress or sleeves yet, but I'm not sure I ever will, so I'm going ahead and posting. More details at my blog.

Happy sewing, everyone!

Sew Quiet

It's so quiet over here at Sew Retro. Everyone busy with the holidays? Any ideas for a December project?

Here's a link to my Kale Fantasy. It's a retro dress and shrug. I think I posted the dress here before.

trip down memory lane

I can't help it, I have to post this.

I am so tempted to buy this pattern just for nostalgia reasons. I did own this dress, the first time around. Very pale pink floral print seersucker. It was gorgeous and I loved it.

introduction

Hello, I've technically been a member here for wee bit of time, but have been neglectful of making an introductory post! But here I am today, armed with a photo of a vintage-esque handbag I made over the weekend...


I began working on Butterick 6582 http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B6582=x&TI=10002&page=7 over the weekend and made this bag, also from a Butterick pattern, out of the leftover fabric to match. It's some sort of poly made to look like a poor man's silk. All I've got left to do on the dress, I made the sheath version by the way, is to finish up the hem and do some other hand finishing bits. It was a very quick project and will make a lovely outfit for a themed Thanksgiving dinner. (and I believe that I can count that as my November Project of the Month?)

Anyhoo, my name is Caroline, I live right now in Atlanta. I've been sewing for about 17 years or so (I'm 28) and am beginning to feel fairly proficient. I wear a lot of actual vintage--both clothing and accessories, though I'd wear more clothing if I were thinner. I would also sew with actual vintage patterns if I thought I could find any to fit my size 14 figure, so I love all the reproduction and retro styled patterns out on the market now.

I prefer the Vogue patterns to the Butterick because I find they fit me better with less alterations, but I'm beginning to get the hang of altering the Butterick. Here's a not so great photo of my Butterick wrap dress:

Once I finish the teal dress for Thanksgiving, my next project will be Vogue 2402 http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2402=x&TI=20006&page=3 in a red and tan houndstooth print crepe. I bought a few more Vintage Vogue patterns on sale over the weekend, so I have plenty to do once I'm done with that one too...

No willpower

I just got notice from Janet at LanetzLiving

that the two patterns I ordered again have shipped.
I want to make a retro 50's wool dress this winter, and keep looking at the Retro pattern sites. No willpower at all.

Finally

Let's see, This months project is yet to be decided.
Sept project was something for the home? Or was that October project? Well, I finally finished something for the house, and it is a bit of a vintage project, in that it was cut out almost 18 months ago. I don't think dust ruffles have changes since at least the 20's,
So I present my pleated silk plaid dustruffle. (this was in honor of the new mattress we got, which was desperately needed) a week ago.
Pattern: None. I just cut the deck from muslin the size of the box springs, then hemmed and pleated panels to fit. Depth to the floor is 24"
fabric: silk plaid taffeta from The Fabric Co in Chesterfield MO Next up, the Fall Basic Wardrobe Piece (that was either the Sept or Oct project.)
This is truly a vintage project of mine. I cut this jacket out in 1986. Style was oversized boxy "wedge" shape, shoulders ala Linda Evans. (think Dynasty) I decided then to line this jacket, and treat it as if it were a tailored garment and not the "Very Easy Vogue" pattern it was written as.
All the particulars are on my blog, along with the info on the pants and the pencil skirt I made to go with. Thanks to Rebecca (fibermom on the sidebar here) to bringing such a concept as SWAP to my attention. I made this and was able to focus and complete it as well as companion garments, without getting sidetracked by other UFO's down in my dungeon, because I allowed myself just to concentrate on the SWAP. And I then wore it to Boston over a 4 day weekend, where it was perfect.
And I went fabric shopping in Boston. trouble.

OOP Vogue Pattern

Marji

Cowboy shirt

I finished this last month,but both computer and camera have been playing up.It's the first shirt ive made-but it sure won't be the last.Now Im practicing my "Nudie" style stitching,for some real hillbilly style.Im trying to find a source for cool press studs,anyone got any hints?Many thanks to my long suffering partner for wearing my creation in public.

Little Help

I can't seem to find this pattern. Even butterick.com says not found. :(

The November Theme

is:

Project sewn from a current “retro” pattern.

There's a ton of these about at the moment, I just found some more Butterick ones last night to add to my wish list, so I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

I will be hunting out a pattern and some fabric and joining in with this one after a short break from monthly theme sewing, hope there are lots of you who will be joining in too!

Anna

November Theme Vote

Added - I am going to give this just over another 12 hours to run and then I will call the winner from whatever votes we have. We're up over 80 members and there are just over 30 votes at the moment so please make your choice soon!

Here is the poll for the November theme, I hope there is something that you'd all like to have a go at!

What should the November theme be?
	Project from the 50's
	Project sewn from a modern retro re-released” pattern.
	A vintage pattern that will challenge your sewing skills.
Free polls from Pollhost.com

The December vote will be for a 2 month long theme that will run until the end of January, I'm sure we all have enough to do over the holiday season without adding a sewing challenge to the list!

As always if you think of a theme you'd like the group to try out email it to me at sewretro at gmail dot com and I will add it to my list!

Anna

from some time long ago...

I am not sure when this is really retro from (Victorian England? Some little schoolhouse somewhere?) but I'm pretty sure that is close enough. Had some mishaps with the lining, but looking pretty fine now. I would surely use a heavier fabric next time. The flannel is nice and soft, but not really weighty enough for the garment.



This was a diversion to keep my mind off of my exams (almost done!!). Soon I will be able to dive in to more involved projects....

until then, I remain your faithful

Villain

Big Fat Enabler Alert

If you don't live close to a JoAnns or Hancocks where they sell Vogue Patterns on sale about once a month at 75% off, or if you missed the sales recently, now is the time to order them directly from Vogue.









And, as amazing as it seems, I'm actually making progress in my sewing room and will have finished garments to post later this week.
Marji

Ladies, behold this beauty!

Bolero and Pencil Skirt

Just finished up this bolero and pencil skirt set:



no lining though as I find I'm horrible at that.

My take on this jacket:

Not quite finished.

I haven't finished my October project yet, but I did make a solid color skirt earlier in the month. It's a new pattern - Simplicity 4703 - and I used new fabric. Here's what it looks like:
It's my new favorite skirt, I've been wearing it several times a week! I'm really happy with the way it turned out (ignore the hem in the photo - I've fixed the lumpy parts now.) I took my time and made sure to undo any crappy stitching, and only had to put the zipper in twice!

Soon I'll have my October project done, which is a shortened version of View C: