Butterick 4427

Now that Halloween is over I had a chance to make a dress. I was pretty excited to try something a little different so I chose a decade I haven't worked in yet - the 1940's.

The pattern is from 1948. While I am trying to make sleeved items, since it is almost winter and all, I had to chose the shorter sleeved version of this dress. With the shorter sleeves there is a chance I will wear it. Honestly, as I was assembling it I made a mental note that it looked it's best with no sleeves at all and I will need to revisit it this summer.

Another thing that I skipped with this dress - shoulder pads. I know they were huge (he he he) in the 40's but, I am short, like really, really short. They make me look like a box with ankles. I was worried, however, that the shoulders would slump really badly without them but, actually they turned out great. I am not sure where you would have fit the pads in.

Without further ado -

The pattern -

The front -

The back -

My first Victory Rolls. Not perfect by far but, yay for trying new things -

And yes that is the same belt seen here and here. I love that belt. Skinny white belts for everyone!

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facelift for the blog

Like the new digs? I was so sick of the orange swirls!!!

Stay tuned for a new dress - well an old dress, in new fabric.

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good cause

I was contacted recently by a couple of friends to see if I wanted to donate an apron for the silent auction and dinner, "Our Grey Matters." I was so happy to be asked and even more happy to have the coordinator excited to have one of my aprons. This is a very important cause to me as my daughter needed neurological care from Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and a very close friend was a patient of the leading surgeon.


Here are the pictures of the apron!

Other side -

This is an apron inspired by my husbands grandmother's vintage apron (c.1950). I chose some yummy fall colors to hopefully inspire delicious fall feasts! 

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style 1729

I made a dress! About time!!

This pattern is from Great Britain. There isn't a date on it but I am guessing it is early 60's.

Very simple and very fun! I wanted to make it in a very basic print so I chose navy with white polka dots. Probably not the best choice. It ended looking a little like a granny dress from 1988. Also it is supposed to have a belt at the dropped waist but I could not make that look good. However without any belt, it looked like maternity attire gone wrong. So I just threw it around my middle. Not too bad.

The pattern -

The Dress - 

Same belt from this post.

Want a closer look at the groovy things behind me?

The yarn art was my grandma's and the mood lamp I got on etsy from String Theory Knits.

All in all it wasn't a complete waste of time. I actually really like the idea of the pattern but it needs some tweaking to be something super wearable. Man, it felt good to make a dress again though!!

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embroider me happy

I was doing my bi-monthly Paws-n-Claws (a local thrift store) cruise when I came across the find to end all finds.

That's right an half finished vintage apron!! The embroidery hoop was still attached!!!

I imagine the wonderful woman died, probably in some very bittersweet way, before she could finish it,  (there could be a more boring store that involves arthritis but I am romantic) and now it is my duty to make sure this apron is finished and loved!

Details -

***** Remember when I used to sew dresses?! I still do!! Watch for next week, I have a pattern from across the pond.*****

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crochet passé mccall's style

My Aunt found an awesome book of crochet patterns at an Estate Sale. I think she even scored it for free!! The copyright dates range from1956 - 1970. So awesome.

I was going to crochet up a poncho for myself but I got a little bored with it and made it for Cora instead. I also skipped the fringe. If I ever get quick enough to make one for myself I am totally not skipping the fringe. It is just so cheesy. I love it.

The book -

The original pattern - 

The finished product -

Yeah, I am pretty sure I need make one of these for myself. It is just so silly and cute. 

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butterick 6492

Fall is here. Well, not officially, but it has hit the PNW, so a cardigan seemed appropriate. I had a little trouble with sizing this one. I took in the bust but I also took in the waist which was a mistake. The button holes also gave me hell, which sort of surprised me. So the fact that they are crooked was a little upsetting.

Truth be told, I will not be wearing the adorable cardigan much. It is so tight in the waist that I had to wear a corset to get it on. That is why you can't see my face in these pics....it was turning blue.

The pattern (c.1953) -

Front -

Back - 

I love the sleeve detail -

And to prove that it is a functional piece of clothing - 

Not too bad for my first time working with this fabric. I actually really enjoyed this little project and learned a few things for next time.

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