Suntan Tattoo

My 'Something For Summer' creation and darn it, it's raining.



Thank goodness for Photoshop!



This is the wonderfully easy New Look pattern no 6375 in Tattoo fabric and honestly it's a cinch - with a choice of 5 necklines. You could run it up in a day. (Took me considerably longer due to my work/life imbalance..)
More pics and info here.

New shirts for summer!

Hey everybody!
It's been a while since I've posted... but then again it's been a while since I've had a chance to sew! Very excited about the 1940's style puff sleeves coming back lately, so I looked around for patterns that featured them and found New Look 6647 and Simplicity 4077, both of which have variations that are almost Victorian/Edwardian.
Here's my go at the New Look versions C and D (with pleated front from E). I'm a short size 14, but I made both shirts size 12 with size 8 length so they would be fitted. Bike and stick fabrics from Repro Depot. Buttons from Grandma :) click to enlarge:

Intro and McCalls 6908

Hi Everyone! It's my first post here so I thought I'd share my favorite vintage pattern. I inherited a lot of patterns from my grandma. Unfortunately she was a lot smaller than me but they still provide great inspiration.
I'm really fascinated by the sleeves on this one. You can see in the diagram below that the sleeve is a sort of set-in/raglan hybrid. The date on the pattern is 1963. It's so chic. I just love it.

Summer something

This is a little summer something I made to wear to work. The top is from vintage Simplicity 8380 (photo on my blog) and the bottom is a standard bottom I've been making for a while now- I've become quite adept at Frankensteining tops and bottoms together. The fabric is Denyse Schmidt. I love how its polka dots, but the colorway lends it all of the advantages (lengthening, slimming) of stripes. And I think the colors work well with my super-fair skin.

Pattern share update

Response to the pattern share idea has been great - we now have 7 members and a bunch of patterns posted. Fabulous. More welcome. Remember that you don't have to send your precious patterns through the post - tracing off a copy is just fine, even preferable, because there is no risk of damage, loss or ill-treatment. I'm not a collector (of patterns, anyway) so I don't mind not having the original rustling treasure itself, lovely though they are.


The site is here. Request to join the group through flickr if you're interested.

The Dress Dress

This is from Vogue 2267 http://http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V2267.htm?tab=vintage_vogue&page=3.

I found this fabric at JoAnn's on the novelty print rack. There was some from the same collection that had sewing instructions in the background but there wasn't enough of that. ::sniff:: You can't tell from the picture but this fabric has glitter all over it!!! Mom think's it's funny. Hmph.

Vintage Inspired

So, neither of these two garments are from vintage patterns, but they are both made from vintage/thrifted fabric which gives them a retro feel/look.


The minidress is a Built by Wendy pattern (with a few of my alterations) and the fabric is an old bedsheet I bought at a garage sale 5 years ago. It only cost me 50 cents. With its acid green colour, geometric print and mini length, this dress feels like something from the late 60s/early 70s. Now all I need are some white go-go boots!



The halter top is a Simplicity dress pattern that I shortened into a shirt. It has boning in the midriff at the back and sides so it fits really well and the back stays up perfectly. The fabric was a table cloth that I bought at a thrift store. The checked print reminded me of 50s-era summer clothes, and what's more 50s summer than a halter top?

Intro and an ORANGE dress

My name is Anna (on-a) but I go by Anan most of the time online. I'm the oldest of seven kids (five brothers one sister). I'm homeschooled and I live in IN.

I've been avidly sewing for about three years. Mostly projects for my selfish self. ;-p Lately I've been branching out and making outfits for my friends.

Here you see my latest creation...

I used Butterick 4513. I added the closeup so you're sure to see that the dress is *ORANGE*.

The black bias tape is on purpose but the belt was an "oops I don't have a big enough scrap of fabric". This is for a friend of mine who loves orange. I personally wouldn't ever wear this much orange.

I wanted to post pictures of the dress I made with dress fabric but it has a side zipper and I couldn't get it on the dress form... ::sigh::

Pattern share experiment

As promised, I've started up a pattern share library. It's a flickr group so nothing too flash, or even original - I note there are a few pattern & retro sewing pools already in existence.

Anyways, take yourself over here for a look around. I've listed some of my own patterns to start with and written some loose guidelines for the group. If you think you'd like to be involved, you'll need to have a flickr account, and you'll need to drop me a line (either through flickr channels or try livebirdblog_at_gmail_dot_com) and I'll invite you to join the group. A disclaimer - this is all a little experimental and it may fall flat. Or it may be a fabulous resource for us all!

Comments, hints, suggestions very welcome.

Hi there and hello

Hi all! I'm Ashley, and I'm new to SewRetro, but I have been lurking for quite some time. My vintage pattern obsession started when I became interested in vintage clothing in high school (around the time I started sewing). I found that truly neat vintage was hard to find at a decent price and in the right size. So when a kind aunt unloaded a box of her old mid-1960s patterns on me, I suddenly found myself with a way to recreate the past! Been hooked ever since.

This particular pattern is from Dewittco.com. Note the flower petal collar! I'm going to make the sleeveless version in a powder-blue double-knit synthetic. If it actually turns out (I'm new to knits) I'll post a picture!

Another sundress

I have been very slow on the sewing lately, but here's finally a new garment!
I've made another sundress for my daughter, using my own tutorial (you can find it here). The dress is made from two straight pieces of fabric, only with a little shaping for the arms. It is gathered with elastic at the top. The edging around the arms continues into two ties on each shoulder. You can use bias binding, but I just used two straight double-folded strips of the dress fabric. Since it's seersucker it's flexible.
This time I didn't refashion an old garment, it's from all new material. I love the fabric, which is a Japanese import from Reprodepot. I think it's very seventies and wild and trippy. The colours aren't quite as acidic in RL.
More photos here.

A rayon dress and cotton blouse

Last Saturday I set aside some time to do some sewing for myself. I made a dress from the cool 1940s blue Bemberg rayon that I bought at a local antique shop several months ago (5 yards for $10) and the pattern came from ebay. The fabric is soft and cool, perfect for Summer. The top I made from some fabric that came from my Grandmother. I don't know how old the fabric is, but it does have an older washed-out kind of look, which I really liked. I made the outline shape by copying another blouse that I had. The fabric was a small piece, so I ended up with a seam down the middle. I trimmed the seam with pink piping to make the seam a little better looking. I added the green ribbon to the waist to give it a little more shape too.




Bye for now, Carol

Another introduction

I've been watching this blog for quite a while now. Such wonderful projects! Seems like a burst of activity recently too.

I have a nearly one year old daughter so my sewing opportunities are rare and wonderful these days. I guess that means that more than ever I should make rare and wonderful things?! Anyway I've been collecting some old patterns, and snatching time to sew every now and again, plus I started a blog of my own, so I decided it was time to join you all.

I actually accepted my invite to the group nearly a week ago but I got sidetracked by knitting, and my husband giving me a new computer as an early birthday present (transferring files and the weekend kept me away from the computer and now I'm so behind!).

Clearly I may not post here all that regularly. So until next time, here are some things I've already made as a start.

These are pinafores that sew up really quickly -- one pattern piece and some binding and ties. I'm planning to try making a reversible one next -- no binding and two garments in one!

This is from one of several patterns I got from momspatterns. It's Simplicity 4018.

The pinafore is pictured on the two children at bottom right.

I'm also working on the dress in views one and two at the top of the pattern. It was supposed to be my daughter's Easter dress but I didn't have time to finish and now I just want to finish it before she's too big to fit into it! Perhaps for her birthday? I'll post a picture when it's done.

Summer Sumtin In Progress

I am making Butterick 4512 (I have such a thing for these re-released vintage patterns) Out of an adorable Michael Miller print that I got 40% off at Fabric Depot a couple months ago.

And by making... well... I've cut out the bodice... so that counts for something right?

I'm hoping to finish it by July 14th for my cousin's wedding. It's more complicated than anything I've done in years, what with the lining and the zipper and all. I'll let you all know how badly I mess it up.

My First Summer Item

Just completed my first official "summer sumthin" item and it is also a first in two other respects ... Maudella and sleeves.

Belted the dress as despite the a-line being beautiful, on a fuller figure than the slim/flat model it did look quite quite silly - most especially from the back! The fabric is a beautiful quality vintage cotton, from ebay (where else!).

Hoping to have some more summer items in the near future, depends how this job hunting malarky goes and therefore the available time I have to stave away boredom.

Happy Sewing everyone :D

Mail call

I just love opening the mailbox and seeing a manilla envelope! This is what my bubble manilla contained today. Which one to start with???

I think perhaps the top right in a polka dot or gingham for around the house.

Happy Sewing! ~Missy in Michigan

The one that got away

Sometimes you have an idea in your head of exactly what you want to make. I have a wedding to attend in a few months and a few metres of pale yellow brocade and I know exactly what I want to make from it. A 50s slim-skirted frock with an interesting neckline.

What, just like this eBay auction?

Well, yes.

But I missed it. I just can't pay the huge prices that so many patterns go for. I said in a previous post that I'm interested in setting up a loose open-source pattern sharing kinda thing. I'm working on it.. will keep you all posted.

I've sewn two vintage patterns in the last week and will post them soon too.

I Can't Wait For This To Arrive!!

When I saw this wonderful Butterick pattern in someones Etsy store I just had to have.

Since I can't wait to make it I think I will start sewing dress number 3 from my first post. It's been cut out and ready to sew for at least a month and a half.

Here is a reminder of what they looked like:

http://sewretro.blogspot.com/2007/04/let-me-introduce-myself.html

Hello from Kitty

Hello fellow vintage sewers! I'm Kitty and I live in Sydney, Australia. My blogging partner-in-crime, Moggy, has just joined as well (see her post with the 'poker dog' dress below).

I love sewing vintage and vintage-inspired dresses, trawling ebay for patterns and online quiltshops for fabrics. I have been knitting for just over 2 years and can see a vintage cardigan/top addiction in my future.

Here is a recent project. I bought the pattern on ebay with the intention of making it in grey wool. I tested the pattern in grey stretch denim and decided I liked it just as it was.

Lovely to be here. I love checking out what everyone is sewing.

Men's Pyjamas

I finished off my second summer project last night, I'm very proud of myself as this is the first time in ages that I've managed to finish a project, let alone 2 of them for a theme!

The pattern I used was this one:



Again there is no copyright date on this pattern, not even on the instructions, but I'm thinking it's the 50's again. I adore the styling on the pattern, that last cigarette whilst setting your alarm clock, fabulous!

So this is the finished product, I had to promise my DH that I would cut his head off in the photograph before I posted it!



The fabric is a thick cheeseclothy feel fabric that I got from my local fabric shop very cheaply. I've had it sitting about with the pattern since the end of last summer so it was about time I made them really! The buttons feel like shell and are from my Great Aunt's button collection, DH did ask for green buttons but as I didn't have any that went very well with the fabric and a trip to the fabric shop would cost a lot more money than just 4 buttons I decided to use what was to hand!

Things I love about this pattern are the facings around the bottom of the shorts legs, they're not hemmed but faced and that amuses me no end for some reason! I also like the facing on the back (forgot to take a picture of it) which is sewn around and makes it look pretty professional. It all went together really easily, the only changes I made were to ignore the top button and buttonhole (we're not adverse to necks being shown in this house!) and to do a casing for the elastic rather than just sewing it right onto the fabric as the pattern called for. I did this for 2 reasons, the first being that the thought of elastic rubbing against your skin all night made me a bit itchy and didn't seem comfortable and the second being that my sewing machine does not enjoy sewing elastic like that, I've had to have the timing fixed before after attempting it and as it's not under guarantee anymore I won't risk it!

DH wore the pyjamas last night and said they were really comfortable, they are a bit too big for him, he probably needs the medium rather than the large size and if I ever find a medium pj pattern from this era I will buy it for him, until then he will have to make do with these!

A query

Hi ladies, my second post and already I am asking questions lol. I have a quick query, whilst I have been waiting for the bias to 'drop' on my WIP (pics on my blog - Amber) I decided I'd like to make the same dress again but in an oriental satin, something a little dressier for when I go out - BUT having never come across bias tape before and winging it a little I was wondering if it is possible to use ribbon instead of the tape? sorry if its a dumb question but if you dont ask you'll never know right? thanks in advance

Hello there. What a delight to see so many fellow vintage sewers... sewers of vintage clothes... you know what I mean.

I like to wear dresses and have what is best described as a vintage figure (y'know, having an actual waist and hips) so I love the way the clothes fit.

I have been collecting and sewing patterns for years - sadly gone are the days when you could count on picking up all sorts of delights from opshops (thrift stores to our United States friends) although it doesn't stop me looking. I have still not decided if eBay is great or evil - far too many temptations.

I live in Melbourne, Australia, which is not bad for fabric shops, but the lure of internet shops (especially for all those great quilting fabrics) proves too much sometimes. Here is a 1950s shirtdress made from Dogs Playing Poker quilting fabric.

I share a blog that's a kind of virtual sewing circle with my sewing buddy interstate.

New Kid

Hi all. *waves*

I'm Lexy. Mostly knitter, occaisional sewer.

My boyfriend's parents just gave me his grandmother's Singer 348 (circa 1967 I believe) which is seen on my blog here. It is so blue and beautiful and in terrific shape. While I had not touched a sewing machine in years I immediately made this Retro Butterick pattern out of a navy crepe with white bias tape. It's not great... my hemming skills could use some practice and I need to re-learn a little patience, but I love it and the circle skirt hides my poor hemming skillZ :) Hopefully I'll learn lot's from all you more prolific types (I have already while stalking the blog)

I have pictures but haven't uploaded them yet. I will post once I do. It is an absolutely adorable dress, I'm in love.

Next up I have two more Retro Butterick patterns: This one in a pink with green and white dots, I hope to finish it in time for my cousin's wedding in July. Then this one (the shorter v) in RED for the opening of Carmen at Portland Opera in September.

I'm sure I'll come crying to you with stupid questions requiring lot's of help, because that's how I am.

Introduction

Hi, I'm Michelle. I have a blog that talks about using vintage sewing patterns in the modern world. I have been researching and sewing vintage fashions for over 20 years and I own the website that sells original vintage sewing patterns: Patterns from the Past. (It is listed as Old Patterns on this blogs links area). I mainly sew vintage patterns for my vintage dancing events.

I have been noticing all the full skirts out there this season and hope to make a skirt for my upcoming trip to the ever fashionable Montreal. I've gotta dig through my backstock and see what I have that is in my size. It has gotta be pretty quick since the trip is over the 4th of July! Do people still wear wrap skirts?? I've got a bunch of them and they are quick!

Besides working on some "regular" clothing. I am also working on re-creating a 1920's Girl Scout leader uniform. I'm searching for a 100% cotton bottom weight twill in just the right shade of khaki. I am a member of the historical museum at my Girl Scout council - so I have access to original of this uniform and I just help discover a vintage sewing pattern that matches it's design. I'm working with Past Patterns this summer to help them get this pattern into production.

-Michelle

Newbie, too!

Another hello from a newbie.
I have been sewing for years, but have decided that this year I'm going to work on improving my skills. I have been reading Sew Retro for a while and I find all of the beautiful clothes here such an inspiration!
Thanks for inviting me to join. I should have a picture to post soon.

Hi, time to introduce myself!

I've been reading here for long enough now so its time I said hi! My name is Amber, I am a mum of 2 boys and am nestled away in the South Wales valleys. I haven't been sewing long but am keen to learn and progress and finally do something with the fabric mountain I have been hoarding. I am working on Butterick's B4790 at the moment, seemed like a nice easy starter and the ones I've seen on here look so lovely. Thank you all for the inspiration.

Newby

Hello Everyone,

My name is Kelly and here is my blog if you would like to check it out. I have been checking this blog out for quite some time. I am so inspired by all of you and am so happy that I am now a member too. I have not been able to do much sewing. We are very short staffed at work so I have been working 6 days a week plus overtime. I had 152 hours on my last check.. I sure am tired :) , but that is the tourist season in Alaska. Have a great day.

Fabric in New York?

I'm going to be in New York (mostly Manhattan and Brooklyn) for a weekend at the end of the month and I was wondering if anyone had tips on good places to score (hopefully cheap) fabric, vintage or not.

Thanks,
Jordan

Child's Shirt

I finished off the first of my summer projects yesterday, a shirt for my 4 year old using this pattern.



It's Simplicity 2049, there's no date on it but I'm thinking 50's maybe? I'd love to know where I can find out dates of patterns if anyone can point me to a good source! Despite the cover being in very bad shape all the pieces are intact and none were ripped until my clumsy hands got onto the collar piece....

This is the finished shirt from the front:



and from the back:



Details I love inclue the really pointy collar and the yoke at the back. The only changes I made were to not face the yoke (did't have enough fabric!) and to skip the very top button which would have been on the folded down parts of the collar and instead add it to the bottom of the shirt. I think the design intends for the shirt to be tucked in as the buttons stop quite high, but we don't do tucking in around here.

The fabric is a Timeless Treasures one, I got just under a yard of it from someone who was clearing out their stash so I only paid postage on it. My son claimed the fabric as soon as it came into the house (it was intended for him anyway!) and said that he liked the pattern when I showed it to him. I love the way that he accepts my making clothes for him as being nothing unusal and that already he's giving me input on what he wants and what fabrics he wants me to use, we have pyjama and t-shirt fabric picked out waiting to go that he chose out of the stash himself! He wore the shirt today and we all liked the way it looked and it seemed quite cool on what was a very hot day.

Next up are pyjamas for my husband from the same period, they're waiting to be cut out but it's too hot to think still so I will do it tomorrow!

Anna

What Goes Around, Comes Around

In fashion it is so true that good ideas come around more than once. Check out these dresses from Bottega Veneta's 2007 Spring Collection (pictures courtesy of style.com):

Now, check out this pattern from c. 1962!:

Here's my take on this style, inspired either by BV or a vintage pattern, take your pick!:

The color isn't the same as the BV, only because the BV color while lovely, is a bit bland for me. I also added beads at every smocking stitch, because I love beads and it makes the dress a bit more special. To see more pictures and to read about the construction and inner details of the dress, visit my blog, Pins and Needles.

1940s sundress for work

This is one of my new attempts to reconcile "retro fun" with "work appropriate"! Its a red polka dot sundress, but I made a simple cotton huck little jacket to workify it. Sadly my photographer cut out my vintage 50s open toe pumps! More pictures of the sundress in its natural state and the pattern i used on my blog (click "ariel" on the right hand column!)

Vintage Advance trial run

How great is this collar detail??? This is a trial run for the Advance vintage pattern below. More pics here including some amazing hairsticks from my friend. Off to put some buttons on my newest dress :-)

Missy in Michigan

I just love dresses from the 40's and 50's, especially shirtwaist dresses. This is one of several I purchased from ebay. I like this style because it's comfortable and easy for everyday wear. I made this up in a cute button fabric to wear while running my craft booth this summer.

This is the one I'm planning on doing up next in Moda's Summer in the City line...plaid contrast for collar and pockets.

Missy in Michigan

Skirt Mod

Hi, it's Nadia from Nadia's Crafting Adventures, reporting in on my sewing progress.


happy Nadia in a new skirt

I made this wrap around skirt from Simplicity pattern 7876, from 1977. The pattern was very simple, as the skirt was cut from one pattern piece and the waistband is just three rectangles. The hardest part about this skirt was hemming the curved hem, but I made life easy and used a hemming foot. It tucks the fabric twice and then it gets sewn. Easy peasy! Visible hem, but a sturdy one -- perfect for sportswear like this.

For fabric, I used a woven polyester, bought new. It hangs well and is very light and drapey. Great for throwing in the washing machine after a picnic in the park.


chopped skirt!

My blog readers and I thought that the hem cut my legs in an unflattering place, the widest part of my calf, so I decided to hack it up to midknee.


new skirt length

Here is the skirt in its new length. I like it more in its new length and I wear it more often.

This mod has made me look at all my vintage patterns in a new light; if one little cut made this a whole new skirt, what else could could be modernized?

Take a look in your pattern stash -- there could be something that could get a whole new life by taking off a bow, adding a belt, altering sleeve length, changing the neckline, etc, etc.