After months of relishing everyone's projects and posting comments as The New Professor Mentor, I thought I should join the party as a full-fledged member of Sew Retro. Thank you to Anna for the invitation.
I started collecting vintage patterns about 15 years or so ago when I went to an estate sale and bought a box of dusty old patterns for $1.00. I was hooked. When I graduated with my doctorate in 2000, I wanted something really special to wear under my academic regalia and so I attempted to make a dress from a 1940's unprinted pattern. Unfortunately, my skill level and the amount of time I had to make the dress didn't match and I ended up having to buy something to wear. But I was hooked. And I've continued to buy vintage patterns. I think I have a little over 100 now, probably more.
For the next six years, I didn't really have much time to sew but a little over a year ago, a friend's blog (Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) caused me to reassess my sewing priorities. I started my Grandma's Sewing Cabinet podcast and have tried to sew more.
A couple of months ago, I ventured into the land of full-time self-employment. As I was visualizing my perfect day, I noticed that I was wearing lots of vintage or vintage inspired clothing. I also made sure that sewing time has a high priority in my schedule.
So, here I am! I joined the vintage sewing contest at pattern review and I'm in the process of rebuilding my wardrobe so that I look like Donna Reed while I work at home and Jackie O when I run a workshop or attend conferences.
Current projects:
Reissued Simplicity jumper out of lightweight denim: http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=3673
I had to lengthen the bodice by 6 inches to get over my 36DDD bust. My husband is a little concerned that the jumper will emphasize my generous bust a little too much. But then, with MacGuffies (as he calls them) this size, everything seems to emphasize them!
And this delectable "wiggle dress" from Out of the Ashes: http://www.risingfeenix.com/inc/sdetail/9097
Oh, I collect vintage cookbooks, too!
Best,
Julie-Ann
Grandma's Sewing Cabinet
I started collecting vintage patterns about 15 years or so ago when I went to an estate sale and bought a box of dusty old patterns for $1.00. I was hooked. When I graduated with my doctorate in 2000, I wanted something really special to wear under my academic regalia and so I attempted to make a dress from a 1940's unprinted pattern. Unfortunately, my skill level and the amount of time I had to make the dress didn't match and I ended up having to buy something to wear. But I was hooked. And I've continued to buy vintage patterns. I think I have a little over 100 now, probably more.
For the next six years, I didn't really have much time to sew but a little over a year ago, a friend's blog (Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) caused me to reassess my sewing priorities. I started my Grandma's Sewing Cabinet podcast and have tried to sew more.
A couple of months ago, I ventured into the land of full-time self-employment. As I was visualizing my perfect day, I noticed that I was wearing lots of vintage or vintage inspired clothing. I also made sure that sewing time has a high priority in my schedule.
So, here I am! I joined the vintage sewing contest at pattern review and I'm in the process of rebuilding my wardrobe so that I look like Donna Reed while I work at home and Jackie O when I run a workshop or attend conferences.
Current projects:
Reissued Simplicity jumper out of lightweight denim: http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=3673
I had to lengthen the bodice by 6 inches to get over my 36DDD bust. My husband is a little concerned that the jumper will emphasize my generous bust a little too much. But then, with MacGuffies (as he calls them) this size, everything seems to emphasize them!
And this delectable "wiggle dress" from Out of the Ashes: http://www.risingfeenix.com/inc/sdetail/9097
Oh, I collect vintage cookbooks, too!
Best,
Julie-Ann
Grandma's Sewing Cabinet