Sew Retro: April 2008

Simplicity 3786

This is not a retro pattern but is a repoduction of one. The fabric is from Wal-Mart, 2.47 a yd.

I really enjoy reading and submitting pictures of my projects to this blog. It's so fun to see how all the patterns make up and to find other people who appreciate vintage styles.

To get to my point: I have an Etsy shop where I have crafts and vintage patterns. I'm trying to clear the vintage patterns out, though, and have started a new shop dedicated to vintage patterns and a few supplies. To hasten the clearing, I'd like to offer a special sale for readers of the Sew Retro blog.

All of the vintage patterns in my Butterfly Blue shop are Buy One, Get One Half Off. When you check out, put "Sew Retro BOGO" in the comments to seller section and do not pay immediately through Paypal. I will send you a revised invoice through Paypal with the appropriately adjusted amount. The half off pattern must be of equal or lesser value. The half off applies only to the purchase price, not shipping, although I will weigh the items and charge only actual postage in the revised invoice, which may be lower than the combined postage listed on Etsy.

A second option, for those of you who like surprises and living dangerously, is Buy One, get a FREE surprise pattern (in the same measurements as the pattern bought, unless requested otherwise). The free pattern will most likely be from the 1960's or 1970's (no 1980's, I promise), and will be from my large stash of patterns that I have not listed on Etsy yet. I will go through to make sure all the pieces are present. Put "Sew Retro Free Surprise" in the Notes to Seller at checkout, and pay as usual. If you have a particular hankering for a vintage bathrobe/housecoat pattern, put that in the "Notes to Seller" as well, because I have quite a supply of those in a range of sizes.

Hope this post isn't breaking any Sew Retro rules. I do usually try to keep blatant promotion of my shop out of my posts here.

This sale is good for as long as I have any patterns in my Butterfly Blue shop.

Summer Dresses

I've been busily sewing up my daughter's summer clothes recently. I think she's grown a foot since last summer. Here a few that I just finished.

First is a 1940s Advance pattern in size 4. I did view 1, the center dress, but omitted bias trim on the shoulder ruffles and used the rolled edge function on my serger instead. This pattern was a bit of a challenge, I don't enjoy using patterns this old. While I love the graphics and the wonderful clothing designs I don't enjoy deciphering the vague instructions. The dress has "issues" where the sides meet the skirt part. It's still a fun playdress, though. The fabric is Alexander Henry cotton woven.

Next is an undated Anne Adams mail order pattern, also in size 4. I adore this one, particularly the heart pocket. It was very simple and the instructions were straightforward. I love the shorts that go underneath, too. The fabrics are American Jane for Moda and Aunt Sukey's Choice.

Now if we could just get the weather to warm up a bit . . .

Thanks for looking!

Simplicity 3438

I recently finished this "sexy secretary" blouse (and am modeling it with my very un-sexy weekend pants). It doesn't photograph very well because of the spots, but it turned out better than I expected, even despite some bumps....

First off, the material is a sheer, silky mystery fabric that was nearly impossible to cut straight. Thankfully, I had way more than I needed, because I had to recut a few pieces.

The sewing wasn't much easier, and it took me a while to get just the right tension. It was pretty quick, though; it took two evenings, from cut to finish.

I sewed one of the sleeves on backwards; fortunately, the sleeves are plenty billowy, so you can't really tell. At this point, I'm not taking it apart!

I'm also disappointed that the bow isn't as wonderfully huge as on the package. Oh, well, maybe the next one I'll cut the bow twice as big :)

Simplicity 2959

This is my first summer sewing of 2008! It hit the upper 70s this weekend, which made me realize I either have to alter everything from last Summer, or start sewing new stuff. This is Simplicity 2959: I'd much rather sew new stuff!

Wrap Skirt

I have not had much time for personal sewing lately, but I did manage to get this wrap skirt finished on Friday (and then wore it out that night!).

It's from a 1950s McCall pattern, I made a dress from this same pattern several months ago.

I'm hoping it helps me get through the next month or two of pregnancy before I'm really ready for maternity clothes.

Apron for the Man

Just finished a black linen apron for a nephew based on the man's apron in this 1968 Simplicity Pattern # 7974

Changed the stitching detail at the top of the pocket - used a Jean Muir style hem stitch and made the ties on the bias rather than length of grain.

More of a story on my blog. But these are the basics.

And here is the completed apron to be shipped out to the nephew.

Oh yes, I ought to say, am new to posting here, though have been reading and adding comments for a few weeks. Make lots of hats and aprons from vintage patterns. And pleased to find other enthusiasts. Thanks for including me in this blogging group.

Shirtdress in Japanese fabric

I just this minute finished this zip-front shirtdress from McCalls 2666, a 70s pattern. Ah, a bike ride and a finished frock! What a lovely weekend it has been!

I modified the pattern slightly, putting in an invisible zip, leaving out the front skirt pleat and making three quarter sleeves.

The fabric is a cotton print, bought on Moggy's and my recent trip to Japan. As they say in the classics, worn with purchased belt.

More details of this frock (and fabric shopping in Japan!) on the blog.

Sewing deadline

I am the type of person who needs a deadline to work against (which is why I just finished my taxes today.) When I have an event to get a project done for, no problem, I start early and work diligently until it is done. But in absence of any looming drop-dead date, my sewing projects just linger, and linger. So I am going to use this group to hold me accountable to finishing this project.

This piece of fabric is vintage Hawaiian print feedsack from my stash. I bought it at a flea market. The pattern isn't vintage, but it is typical of the type of garment that might have been made from chicken linen. (I wrote an entire chapter in my graduate thesis on feedsacks.)

I am moving in just 3 weeks, and I am NOT going to pack an UFO. My goal is to have finished product before the end of April... INCLUDING doing the buttonholes (which I despise doing.)
Can I do it?

Oh, and it will be sewn on my circa 1958 Elna Supermatic (green one with knee bar), a hand-me-down from my mother. If I get this done I am going to treat myself to a NEW MACHINE (gasp!), paid for with that tax refund. Any recommendations on machines?

I love 2 Sew

Made by Andrea Micheloni

jSimplicity4047

Posing in the garden......

Spring has sprung and I'm a poseur so here is my Butterick 4512, MUCH modified in the bodice, did ladies in the 50s have an extra pair of bosoms under each arm and necks like tree trunks?

Thank you to the pink broom for set dressing.

All I need now is to make a petticoat, and to find somewhere to wear the frock!

I used a cotton lycra drill, I hung the frock over night, waiting for the bias to drop, it did'nt, so I washed the frock and re hung it, the hem just stayed level, how marvelous was that :-)

vintage dresses make me stand up straight and be a lady

I made both the dress and cropped jacket of this lovely 1959 Simplicity pattern. With a nipped in waist and soft pleats I have to stand up straight and hold my stomach in to show the dress off in all its glory, but it's so worth it......

I did make the matching belt as shown on the pattern envelope, but the print was too busy for it too be noticeable, so instead I've worn it here with a plain belt. I think this is the first time I've ever made all the pieces of a pattern.

More details can be seen on my blog.

Hello from London!

Hi everyone,
I'm another person obsessed with vintage fashions (mainly 30s and 40s).
At the moment, I'm sewing this dress, but it's taking a a while as I keep fitting between other projects!
Hope to speak to you all soon
Issie
The solemn cat

Heading down to Vegas

My friends Alison, Villanovababy, Peek Photography and I are heading down to Las Vegas tonight for a few lovely days at VLV11. I hope to see some of you there! This year, I promise to take more photos of people and pretty dresses, if not fewer photos of hot rods and kustoms. What can I say? I’m a gal who loves chrome. And fenders. And running boards...

I’m gonna keep on the run
I’m gonna have me some fun
If it costs me my very last dime
If I wind up broke, well
I’ll always remember that I had a swingin’ time

I’m gonna give it ev’rything I’ve got
Lady Luck please let the dice stay hot
Let me shoot a seven with ev’ry shot
Viva Las Vegas,
Viva Las Vegas,
Viva, Viva Las Vegas

Introductions

Hi Everybody

I'm Katrina and it is great to be invited to join you equally vintage obsessed people. I've been sewing for well over 20 years and I doubt if I'll ever be able to accept the 80s as vintage, because that's when I was a teenager.

This is my latest vintage purchase (I have an ebay addiction)

I have every intention of inflicting this vintage design on my husband, but when I will actually get around to sewing it is anyones guess.

I am currently sewing Simplicity 3673. I love all the darts under the bust, as I hope it will give me the illusion of a waist. When I finish it I will be sure to post a picture.

I've loved looking at all your retro creations and hope to share some of mine with you.

Under the Heading Vintage Style

Hey Everyone!
Just thought I'd share one of my latest finished projects. Not quite retro, not quite vintage but it's got style. Vintage Style!

This is Butterick B1577. I used a crisp mid weight printed cotton with those fantastic retro styled flowers! The cotton print is actually navy blue rather than black as I originally thought. So the contrast fabric is a navy poplin. I cut and sewed this in one day. I had to make a couple modifications as I didn't have enough navy fabric or enough lining. I changed the neck tie to half the width it should have been. Which turned out great as there isn't all that bulk at the neck. The lining I had to piece together in 2 pieces for the front. I didn't have enough fabric to cut it on the fold. I love it! I am going to get a lot of use out of this pattern for summer dresses. Started and finished April 5th, 2008

Flip That

Hi! I am new to this blog, but not so new to sewing. I sew regularly and have made everything from dolls to dresses. Glad to find you all here!

I had a problem with uploading my picture which has to be common. When I upload the picture it flips unless it is wider than it is tall. I am sure others have experienced this unfortunate phenomenon. If you have the solution please reply to my post!

Wedding Dress Craziness!

Hi guys!

I havent posted much before, but here is the wedding dress I made my best friend (she's on the right, i'm on the left).

I made a tonne of adjustments (the pattern was heaps small), took out some of the skirt 'poof' and changed the neckline somewhat. Here's the inspiration.

I made my dress too, but it was a Burda pattern, not retro at all! Bex - www.subversivelesbiananarchicknitter.blogspot.com

Simplicity pattern 4047

Hi everyone, I've just finished sewing this blouse, Simplicity 4047. Someone else had also made it and I liked it so much I decided to make one for myself. I love the fabric, and it fits really well. It's not letting me post a picture.

Caught Up`

Once again I've just caught up adding new members to the sidebar and inviting all those who have emailed me.

Life has me all over the place at the moment so I seem to only get to this once a month, sorry for the delay!

As always, if you have posted and I've not added you to the sidebar email me the date of your intro post and I'll get on it next time I update the list.

Thanks to everyone for posting such great entries and wanting to be a part of the site!

Anna

Double whammy

Hi all. First up I have an astoundingly loud barbeque shirt I stitched up for my feller from Style 1226, a 1970s body shirt pattern. As you might expect, the collar is enormous. It's unclear whether or not he'll have the chutzpah to wear this in public, but with gentle encouragement, I think he might. I think it's perfectly reasonable to consider your loved ones as walking mannequins pleading to be adorned, don't you?

I'm going to inflict the same pattern on my brother for his birthday. I'd post a picture of the awesome pattern cover art but I can't actually locate it in the sewing room chaos at present.

Next up is a vintage dress that I bought recently even though it's terribly, irreperably stained and worn, plus much too short for me. It was only five bucks.

I thought I'd run it past you all, dear SewRetro experts, about the prospect of carefully disassembling it and using it as a pattern because I just love all that crazy pleating in the bust and at the back (which I didn't photograph, sorry) there is a splendid fishtail skirt. Anyone got any advice? Is this absolute folly?

Hippie Skirt

I just posted this free pattern on my blog, if anyone is interested. The instructions are actually printed here, but pretty hard to read, so I retyped them over at The Hem Line.