Twin Frox

Egged on by the incredibly prolific Moggy, I tried out New Look 6557 not once but twice. Usual alterations - many inches of extra bodice and hem length. The first is a light vintage seersucker with polka dots, the second is matchy-matchy with the bolero I made and posted about a week or two ago. Not only that but it's my first ever attempt at piping, inspired by Nora and her amazing black frock with fierce jungle beasts all over it. Please enjoy my awkward modelling poses.

Egads, is this a great pattern. It's been stinking hot round here lately and I've not worn anything else. I love that they look a bit haltery at the front but are cunningly conventional in back.

And the funniest thing was when I put on the matchy-matchy bolero/frock combo, my beloved said "You look like you were made from a kit." Excellent.

Merry Christmas

Well, although they were finished at the very last hour, they are spectacular! The gold one came off the ironing board and 15 minutes later, we were sitting in a pew at church. . .

For many years, I made matching dresses for my girls. These mostly consisted of cotton, and on occasion I'd use maybe a velveteen. But they're growing up now, all young women, and a suitable fabric was required.

Although I did use Vogue 2903, I made some adjustments. This pattern is totally wacko with the way the sleeve and arm and yoke and shoulder section work. After a muslin to just try it out, I ditched the sleeves and adjusted the yoke. I also added a lining so as to finish off the armholes. On the hem, I simply turned it up about 1/2" to the outside and stitched, and then covered that with a black velvet ribbon. The fabric is a poly tafetta with gold embroidery and a basic black rayon velvet from JoAnn's. The lining, notions, and velvet ribbon trim all came from WalMart.

And believe it or not, they all loved the fact that they matched. I feel much better about all these weddings I have ahead of me now. . .

Viva Frida Retro Pinny

Well I can't say I've made my way to big girl dresses yet, but I am finding great satisfaction with the kiddie set. A while back I made this little pinafore to celebrate my friend's daughter's first tooth, first ponytails, first glorious year on our planet.

I made it from this easy peasy '70s pattern:

The buttons are vintage, too. They're nothing special, but for some reason I've come to adore them and am saving the last for something for myself. Who knows what. Maybe a pinafore to hang on the wall?

I hope my bolero doesn't *ahem* unRavel

One bolero is not enough. You need two.

But wait. See what I've done here? It's the SAME bolero. Reversible. It rocks my world.

It's Simplicity Retro 3728 made in a blue cotton drill and slightly stretchy cotton print.

Don't kill me for the awful title pun.

intro and "no buts" dress

Hi all, my name is Nora and I'm blogless. But I have been enjoying the posts on this blog for quite awhile. I'm an acupuncturist, a knitter, and am teaching myself to sew, so needles are my life (learning to fence is next).

I decided to give this pattern, which I've had for awhile, a whirl:


I thought was pretty far beyond my capacities (I've never attempted piping before, and was worried about the sleeve trim and midriff shaping); plus the measurements were 34-26.5-36, and mine are more like 36-29-39...but magically, it fits!

Of course I'm not as attenuated as the figures on the envelope, but who is, really? This dress is SO comfortable. There's a tie in the back, and pockets, so it's like wearing an apron, in a good way. Here's a detail of the midriff and the fabric (I have no idea what year it's from, but it's vintage cotton - and pardon the weird "stain" by the armpit, it's not really there, it's just on the photo somehow):


I planned to do an FBA, but forgot, and didn't have enough fabric to try again, so the top of the midriff is about 1 inch too high. Oops; but it's not too obvious (or uncomfortable). I also had to add a CF seam because my fabric wasn't wide enough to cut it on the fold (so the fabric isn't matched there). Oh, and the sleeves were way too puffy. Luckily, due to my bleary-eyed late night sewing, I attached the first sleeve inside-out, and had to take it out anyway; so I wildly just shaved about an inch off the top of the sleeve cap. Somehow, it worked. Beginner's mind I guess. I'll definitely make it again, it's so comfy and works great with a cardigan too.

My Christmas Dress

Here's the dress I made for the offic Christmas party that happened today.

It's a mixture of

• Simplicity 3673, : The skirt and waist area
• 3774 : The upper part of the bodice
• and Vogue 2903. : The sleeves

I made it from this green linen that had been waiting in my stash since last Spring. It was 50% off but still $5 a yrd, so I was saving it for something special. 3673 and 2904 are repros while 3774 is one of my favorite pattern tops, I've used it three times so far.

Here's a closer view of the bodice. t was actually a lot of fun to make the pleats and I've a coworker who has also sewed and she complimented my even pleats :)

Brown Skirt

Started as a thrifted pattern and pile of polyester...



... ends up being a new work skirt.

(More details at Nadia's Crafting Adventures.)

A Sew Retro Flickr Group?

There are two different Sew Retro-related groups on Flickr.
Is there any way they can be combined into just one?

Sew Retro Pictures - 17 months old
Sew Retro pattern swap and share - 6 months

Leopard spots!

Not a vintage pattern, and supereasy, so not even a "no more buts", but I thought other lovers of all things retro-50s would appreciate the swishtail pencil in leopard spot babywhale corduroy (from fabric.com). Its vogue 8317. So easy I made two on sunday afternoon (both lined) - this one, and one in black wool gabardine.

I've been sewing quite a bit recently (I need new winter clothes), so take a look at my blog sewinginthecity.blogspot.com