Hi everyone. I'm new to Sew Retro, so I'm introducing myself. My name is Holly and I have a blog called Whipstitch where I talk about my sewing and knitting and crocheting and life in general. I've been on a retro sewing kick lately, especially because I'm hoping to join a rockabilly band (I just auditioned yesterday) and will need vintage looking clothes to wear for that. I recently fininished a couple pairs of retro style capri pants, which I'll take pictures of and post later on, and I'm almost done with a cherry-print halter dress. I also have a knitted shrug from a 1952 pattern in process, and a black eyelet dress from a Vintage Vogue pattern that is giving me fits on the collar and facing (I just had to rip it all out and start again, argh!), so I hope I actually can manage to get that one done.
Anyway hello, and I'm happy to be here.
Coquette Blouse (1928) by Eva Dress
I read a review of this pattern at the Pattern Review site and fell in love with it. I of course had to order the pattern. I did so and also ordered a 1950's style blouse pattern and a 1945 skirt pattern which I hope to make in the near future. I had to make several fitting adjustments as regretfully I am a little larger than the measurements for this blouse. All turned out I well I think. Those adjustments included full bust adjustment, adding width to waist and lengthening the top by 2 inches.
Here are two photos of the blouse, tucked and untucked.
It was a great experience using some sewing techniques that were different from my usual ones. The fitting adjustments were also a great opportunity to learn more about adjusting patterns to make them fit(successfully). This is a blouse for the upcoming spring season. You can read more about the making of this blouse at Danvillegirl Sewing Diary. Now that I have the fit down, I plan to make at least two more.
Hi from Texas
Thanks for inviting me to join your group. I have been visiting for some time. It is a favorite part of my day. I have been sewing since around the time I was in 6th grade. My mother taught me to sew. She was a wonderful seamstress. She would give me embroideries and small projects to sew. Since I was the oldest of 8 children and 4 years older than the next one after me, I think she used this as a way to keep me occupied. I took sewing in 7th grade in junior high-- I just read Linda's introduction-- so you know I am also 50+. I have always been a nostalgic sort of person. When I was a teenager in the 60's, my favorite retro period was the 40's. When we had retro days at school, we wore 50's clothes. Later, I thoroughly loved the 20's and 30's. I loved to see the clothes my grandmothers, my aunts and my mom wore in those days. Now, it's a hoot to see the clothes I wore as a young woman as today's retro fashions. I sewed many of those original retro patterns you see on ebay. One of my favorite movies is The Way We Were because of Barbara Streisand's wardrobe.
Through the years, sewing became such a hectic process to finish some project for a specific purpose--costumes, holidays, proms, etc.--that I virtually gave it up in recent years. Since I retired from teaching in 2002, I've had more time to devote to my needlework and sewing. I have bought several vintage patterns, too. I'd like to do more sewing again, especially vintage inspired fashions for myself, my daughters and granddaughter. So thanks again. I'm looking forward to a pleasurable and challenging experience. Your website has really inspired me.
Norma
Through the years, sewing became such a hectic process to finish some project for a specific purpose--costumes, holidays, proms, etc.--that I virtually gave it up in recent years. Since I retired from teaching in 2002, I've had more time to devote to my needlework and sewing. I have bought several vintage patterns, too. I'd like to do more sewing again, especially vintage inspired fashions for myself, my daughters and granddaughter. So thanks again. I'm looking forward to a pleasurable and challenging experience. Your website has really inspired me.
Norma
Newbie
Thank you for allowing me to join your blog. I have visited frequently over the past few months. Just a little about myself-I am a native of Virginia. I have been sewing since junior high, which should tell you a little about my age, since I don't think they use that term anymore. I got the sewing "gene" from my grandmother. I have a few of her patterns, that would definitely qualify as vintage or retro. I am 50+ years old, some might would label me as an"antique" or "vintage" or "retro".
I have started a collection of vintage patterns, acquired mostly from eBay. I am enjoying reading this blog and seeing the creations made by so many. I will post later about my recent sewing accomplishment of a 1928 style blouse using a replica of the original pattern. Again thank you for allowing me to be a part of your blog. Linda L.
I have started a collection of vintage patterns, acquired mostly from eBay. I am enjoying reading this blog and seeing the creations made by so many. I will post later about my recent sewing accomplishment of a 1928 style blouse using a replica of the original pattern. Again thank you for allowing me to be a part of your blog. Linda L.
Hello from Caroline...
How exciting to find this group... I've been sewing for years, learnt the basics from my Mum, and built on those skills myself. I mostly sew skirts and dresses, and was recently gifted a whole stash of amazing Vogue Couturier patterns from the 60s, including several very high-end Mod styles. I'm looking forward to having a go at those, but right now am working on a very retro Burda WOF 1950s party dress, in a sweet raw silk embroidered with flowers. I'm also sewing a 1970s cocktail dress for my sister, from a pattern she had drafted from a vintage dress. Does this count?
Personal? I live in LA, but my roots are in England, I work in the media, and hope to move back to the UK at some point soon.
Personal? I live in LA, but my roots are in England, I work in the media, and hope to move back to the UK at some point soon.
One Sticky Dress
Me again! Here is my latest number, a little wrap dress that I finished up last night. The pattern is not too bad (the collar was a little counterintuitive, but worked in the end), but let me tell you that I will probably never be working with silk noil again. It is like dust/string/fuzz glue! No thanks.
Thanks to my inaccurate estimations, I ran out of black and made the rest in cream noil. I don't mind so much, though. Happy accident or fate?? You be the judge!
ttfn
Villain
Thanks to my inaccurate estimations, I ran out of black and made the rest in cream noil. I don't mind so much, though. Happy accident or fate?? You be the judge!
ttfn
Villain
Not Another Mod Dress!
Ok, so it actually is another mod dress. Pretty simple, this one. Thought I would jazz it up with some crazy swirly fabric that my mom and I picked out over xmas. The pattern is an old Simplicity 8686 that I got at Lanetz Living. Love them! Will the dressmaking madness ever end?! No, probably not...
ttfn
Villain
ttfn
Villain
Presents and projects
I wish I could say that I made the jacket with the Singer machine, but the jacket was actually finished last month and I only got the machine a few days ago. The jacket is Simplicity 4047, made in aquamarine velvet, with a taupe lining. I made it to go with a gold-coloured lace wiggle dress I bought awhile ago.
The Singer was a birthday present from my roommate. It's serial number dates it back to 1930, and it still works! She also got me a couple boxes of attachments, but they haven't arrived yet. I'm really hoping they will include the 'Ruffler' foot. I'm thinking that I'll test out the machine on the shirt from the same pattern set.
Introduction
Hey yall, my name is Sheila and I'm a newbie here. I'm getting back into sewing and right now my first project is sewing some vintage style aprons. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and hope to pick up some creative ideas, tips and tricks for retro sewing. Sheila, from South TX
February/March Theme!
So, as you may have gathered the themes will now run for 2 months, this should give us all a bit more time to get projects thought up and made up!
The theme for February and March is:
A project sewn for the coming season.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you all cook up!
Me? I've got a nightdress pattern I want to have a go at with some groovy pink guitar fabric, hopefully it will see the light of day before the end of March!
Happy sewing!
Anna
The theme for February and March is:
A project sewn for the coming season.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you all cook up!
Me? I've got a nightdress pattern I want to have a go at with some groovy pink guitar fabric, hopefully it will see the light of day before the end of March!
Happy sewing!
Anna
New Poll
** Please cast your vote! I like to have at least half the members vote before I call a winner so let your opinon be heard! **
Sorry, sorry, of course I meant FEBRUARY/MARCH project! My son was up all night unwell and the braincells aren't functioning today! :o)
Sorry, sorry, of course I meant FEBRUARY/MARCH project! My son was up all night unwell and the braincells aren't functioning today! :o)
Dec/Jan Project
I know this was supposed to be a vintage remake pattern but I didn't have the fabric for the one that I have and I really liked this dress. I am proud of the way it turned out and can't wait to wear it. I am thinking about making a navy colored jacket to go with it. I am still looking for a white buckle before I permanently sew the belt. Does anyone else have trouble finding belt buckles? The fabric is a vintage remake I picked up at JoAnn's.
Sale Sale!!!
I know this post is a bit late for us sewers on the east coast but.. I thought I would put the information out there anyway. Hancock Fabrics has all of thier McCall's patterns on sale for $.99 and the vogue patterns are on sale for $3.88. I think these prices are good until Wednesday. They have a coupon in the circular for an additional 10% off of your entire purchase (including sale items) that is good for today 2/4/07 only. I just got back and I cleaned up on vogue patterns.
The Sixties!
Finally I have made something retro again! I have still been making dresses, but most have been on the modern side of things.
This is a Simplicity reissue(3833) that just came out for spring. I was so excited to see it that I didn't even wait for it to go on sale (gasp!). I just wish it was even remotely warm enough here to wear it! Soon though, right? Isn't that what the groundhog said?
Villain
Another newbie introduction
Hi everyone,
A long-time Sew Retro stalker/voyeur (I mean admirer), I decided that I should join and contribute instead of just getting jealous of other people's pretty things.
My grandma taught me to sew when I was five, but I didn't start making real garments until I was in high school. For the last few years, my sewing skills have mostly been used to alter thrift store finds, but this past fall I decided to stop buying clothes altogether and make everything (except shoes - who wants homemade shoes?).
Besides sewing, I knit and cook and am determined to learn some embroidery stitches.
Outside of my crafty life, I'm involved in progressive politics, currently the student movement in Montreal.
-Jordan
A long-time Sew Retro stalker/voyeur (I mean admirer), I decided that I should join and contribute instead of just getting jealous of other people's pretty things.
My grandma taught me to sew when I was five, but I didn't start making real garments until I was in high school. For the last few years, my sewing skills have mostly been used to alter thrift store finds, but this past fall I decided to stop buying clothes altogether and make everything (except shoes - who wants homemade shoes?).
Besides sewing, I knit and cook and am determined to learn some embroidery stitches.
Outside of my crafty life, I'm involved in progressive politics, currently the student movement in Montreal.
-Jordan
Quick Poll
** I'm bumping this to the top as we have almost 90 members and not even half have voted yet. PLEASE let me know what you think and what you want to happen so I'm not stumbling around in the dark here! Thanks! **
I've noticed that the monthly themes don't seem to be inspiring a lot of projects, I don't know if this is because I'm not doing a good job at picking themes for you to vote on or whether you'd all prefer just to make what you want so you don't bother with the theme!
To this end could you all please vote in this quick poll so we can see whether or not to vote for a theme for February.
Thanks very much!
Anna
I've noticed that the monthly themes don't seem to be inspiring a lot of projects, I don't know if this is because I'm not doing a good job at picking themes for you to vote on or whether you'd all prefer just to make what you want so you don't bother with the theme!
To this end could you all please vote in this quick poll so we can see whether or not to vote for a theme for February.
Thanks very much!
Anna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)