Howdy!

Hi everyone! I just joined up!

I first learned about this group from a friend at work, and was amazed to find people as equally obsessed with vintage sewing as I am. I hope to post about projects I am working on in the future as well as get inspired by seeing your projects.

I inherited my love of sewing and art from my mother at a young age, she taught me to sew first by hand and then by machine when I was 10. My collection of vintage patterns started in 1988 when I picked up a few fabulous fifties dress patterns at the local thrift shop. I’ve continued shopping at thrift stores, estate sales, and antique malls over the years, and now my pattern collection numbers in the hundreds!

Although I have sewn many dresses from vintage patterns in the past, my work life in recent years has made it difficult to find the time. I currently work in the Sewing Machine industry, and though my job is not artistic by any means I do have some opportunities to stay creative. Last year I designed a vintage inspired apron class, and our national magazine ended up picking up the apron project – which was very exciting!

I’m in the process of remodeling my sewing room, and have plans to get back into it this Spring – I want a new summer wardrobe, and have been picking out some great patterns from my collection from the 1950’s and 60’s. I’ll post some pics of my summer wardrobe projects when I’m ready to get going.

Here’s looking forward to a year of great sewing!

-Erika

Change of Sew Retro Email Address

I can't be logged into the Sew Retro Gmail account and also logged into Blogger as my Blogger account uses a different Gmail address as it's login and it's driving me insane when I try to answer emails or add people to the blog as I keep getting logged out of both of them.

So, I have set up a new Sew Retro email account, the new address is sewretro@hotmail.com, I have changed the link on the sidebar to this address too.

Thanks

Anna

Which Challenge Was This Again?

This may have been the Novemeber Challenge extended to January, I'm not sure..
Make something from a 'current retro pattern' so - behold Simplicity Pattern No. 4044, 1940's suit. I've only managed to run up a pair of pants so far, and they are incredibly comfy!

I had to adjust the darts on the waistband as my waist isn't as narrow as the pattern, but they're a good fit. I was having a good old moan the other day about not being able to find any nice fabric locally. I'd really love to make the short sleeved pant suit for summer and will have to do a thorough fabric search, something with abstract flowers I think ;-)

These pants will be great for jiving in, I just need to make a few cotton shirts that tie at the waist now...

Newbie says hi! with pics!

Hi there!

Just introducing myself over here - my name is Bex, and i'm a vintage mad grrl living in Sydney, Australia. I'm passionate about knitting and sewing, especially from the era of 1938 - 1954. I just thought i'd share some pics with you - this is a suit i made from a Marian Martin pattern - circa early 1950s. I used stretch drill to give it the tight fit, without worrying about losing the shape (I had to enlarge it to fit a 41 in bust and big hips!)

And lastly, some satin tap-pants from 1932 (cant remember the brand - sorry!)

Newbie Here

Hello Everyone.

I am a new sewer to the group and I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I have my own blog called SewChat. I will be adding most of your blogs to my links list and I hope you will do the same and add my blog to your list.

I will be posting pictures of some of my completed projects, with notes, as soon as I can. I have a few pictures up now, as well as an introductory post. In the meantime I hope you will take a look at my pictures from Project Make .

Project Make was a "Project Runway" simulation that I participated in October- December 2006. I met with 4 other sewists on Sundays. We learned a new technique then we recieved our challenges. The first challenge was a skirt, the 2nd a Japanese inspired screen-printed tunic (we designed and screened all by ourselves!), the 3rd was a magazine inspired serged dress, the 4th was a designer collection handbag and the final challenge was a vintage fashion collection.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and my humble little sewing blog.

Kathryn

Discount Code for Mom's Patterns

Through the end of the month, I've been informed, if you use the code newyear10 you will receive 10% off your order at Mom's Patterns.

The link to the shop is in the sidebar.

End of public service announcement!

Anna

Skirt

I made this skirt with Vintage looking (have no idea if it is acually vintage) wool fabric. I will definitely need to wear a slip because I did not line it and it is somewhat itchy. I use the information from the book Sew U to make it.
I should have ironed it before I took pictures so the hem wouldn't be so noticeable.

Intro and my retro dress

Hello!
I've been reading along for quite a while, but finally decided to join the group so i can share my most recent sewing adventure with other retro fans.

My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was in middle school. She was an amazing seamstress, but i never really progressed beyond the basics. I made myself a lot of shorts and easy skirts in high school. I made a dress for a semi-formal dance in college, but that was a big sizing disaster. This is the most complicated thing i've evern sewn. These days I still quilt, but really want to start sewing more clothes for myself.

I had 3 fancy events to go to in one week, so i wanted a nice new dress. My friend and I dared ourselves to sew our own dresses in the week between christmas & new year's eve. ack! The pattern is Butterick 4919, the fabric is a silvery/purple cross-weavey thing. Faux silk that is silver in one light and shimmers purple when the angle changes. I was afraid it would be very slippery to sew, but luckily it wasn't. I put the 'wrong side' of the fabric out on the back so the wraps would be in a contrast color to the front of the dress. (easier seen when photos is taken with flash.)

I found the pattern instructions easy to follow, until i needed to join the bodice to skirt. Then I was lost. I hadn't realized from the drawings the way the wrap is constructed - no side seams! Once this was worked that out, it wasn't very complicated to finish. There are no darts designed in the front of the bodice, so i had to add some to allow for my chestiness. I was initially wary of the shape of the dress since i don't have that 50's silhouette... but I can definitely say the weird construction makes it really flattering for a variety of body shapes! I cut the crinoline out of a thrift store bridesmaid dress to wear underneath and give the skirt a little more body.

The good news is, we both finished our dresses! (I am so incredibly impressed with myself, i'm not sure my friends truly appreciate the accomplishment. hehe.) I probably would have never finished it if she weren't helping me pin and fit. I learned a ton of new sewing techniques, and am eager to dig through my patterns and start something new!

- Dharia

Vintage Vogue 2934 (1950 Jacket)

This is from a current Vintage Vogue pattern (2934) for a 1950's jacket. The jacket is actually quite simple to make, however it is a bit time consuming as the lining is entirely hand sewn. The fabric flower was made from scraps of vintage kimono and a wool blend felt. The instructions from Threads magazine #128.


It was a fun project to work on. This one is black wool with a lilac satin lining. I plan on looking for a beautiful piece of velvet or silk to make another one to have one hand for "special" occasions.

Scallop dress

I posted this days ago but for some reason the images were not showing.



Made using this pattern, stretch linen and vintage buttons.

Apron

This apron was made using a vintage pattern I bought from Lanetz Living and vintage kitchen fabric. I made the half apron version. I found that the instructions were difficult to understand at first because they are much different than a modern pattern. I varied the pattern a little but like the results.

Looking forward to Sewing Retro

So I've been watching the goings on here at Sew Retro for awhile. It has inspired me to clean up my sewing room, organize my patterns and fabric, and to get sewing. I've been collecting vintage patterns for years, mostly because I love the look of them, but now thanks to all of you I am actually planning on how I can use them.

There was a discussion back in the fall about retro-inspired Simplicity 4047, with some very impressive results; so, the next time Simplicity patterns were on sale at the local fabric store I picked it up.

I've started the long version of the pencil skirt in some eggplant worsted wool that was given to me when my yoga teacher moved away. I opted to put in an invisible zipper for a cleaner look and I'm pretty happy with it (it was my first invisible zipper and as you can maybe see, it's pretty much invisible). All I've left to finish on the skirt is the lining and hem. It is a very simple pattern with a beautiful kick pleat. I'm planning on making this retro looking jacket to go with it in this Chinese brocade.

This eggplant configuration is actually a test for a version in this -- the skirt in this beautiful blue/camel tweed wool and the Simplicity jacket in this beautiful blue Melton wool with this gorgeous camel satin lining .

I was also going to try making this vintage McCalls 5571 (1960) blouse pattern in some gold silk that I inherited from my grandmother. I was going to make view C, without the little bows. I thought it would work well with the skirt and coat.

I will get sewing and post my progression.

Move to Beta Blogger

I moved the blog over to the beta version of Blogger about a week or so ago now. I didn't realise that it may cause problems for some people trying to post, I apologise if you've had any issues.

If you need another invitiation to join in order to be able to post please drop me an email at sewretro at gmail dot com and I will get you one sent out.

Sorry again!

Anna

New Pattern Site

I have just added a link to the sidebar for Out of the Ashes Collectibles which is another online source for sewing patterns as well as other vintage craft patterns (crochet, knitting etc). You can find the store online here.

Anna

A Retro Inspired Jacket from McCall's 5243

I've been lurking here for quite some time and love seeing all of your creations. I guess its time I came forward and shared some of my retro sewing. I mostly collect retro patterns and even though I have good intentions, I rarely get around to actually sewing them up.

This particular pattern (McCall's 5243) isn't marketed as a Vintage or Retro sewing pattern, but it sure reminds me of an early 60s design. The cropped jacket and sleeve lengths and the beautiful face-framing collar.

I completed this jacket the other day and after writing a review and posting it to my blog, lsaspacey reminded me to post it here! (Thanks lsaspacey!)

I used a home dec brocade that I found in the remnant bin at a Joann's store and lined it with a polyester navy blue lining that I had in my stash.

More details are on my blog as well a complete review at PatternReview.

Party Dress Sequel: Office Dress from the same pattern

So this is the dress I mentioned in the prior post. I decided on a straight skirt with some front pleats (instead of darts - pretty common in 50s and 60s patterns). The dress in worsted wool, and the houndstooth inset is wool flannel (I also made a shirtdress from the houndstooth - see sewinginthecity.blogspot.com). I'm not usually this productive, but I had the week off and I just broke off a 2-year live-in relationship for some pretty hard reasons, so lets just say I needed (and got) some sewing therapy this past week.