Adventures in Vintage Resales... fka adventures in baby-sewing

Received this one, beautiful, but a size 12 with B30? Who are these little people, anyways? I may make this work from another pattern the right size and morph the details. Red dress is still brewing on the dressform... Later that day... after going a little crazy with housework, kids, etc., I ignored everyone and put together the shorts for my daughter (camo butterfly), just lacking the elastic and hem. I need to change the threads to tan, which I used white inside and was too lazy to change then. Maybe tonight I can finish after our church festival meeting. Now time to feed kids, shower and get ready to go.

I have put the red dress to rest for a day or so. I am not happy with the neckline and already have it faced and understitched. I really need to hand baste the skirt on to the bodice instead of using pins as it just sticks out and makes me look huge, plus add at least the snaps in back so it closes instead of me holding it together. I may have to cut the neckline a little lower. Instead I worked on a blouse for my older daughter, a pretty lightweight cotton eyelet, white background with tiny pink roses and olive green leaves to go with olive pants my mom bought her. She refused to try it on, so I am at a standstill. I also have a romper (repeat pattern from last week) cut out for the baby in the eyelet, so they will kind of match. I have so much to sew and not enough time (actually I spend a lot of time in DH's office on the computer and chasing, feeding, etc., 4 kids). Maybe tonight I will put together the romper... more tomorrow...

Got the red bandanna wrap dress up to pinning the bodice and skirt together. Need to baste, try on and sew together, plus rework ties as I cannot get those darn things to turn right side out, too narrow. I am also thinking about making them blue. I also had to fudge a little as I blended the S2945 in 18 1/2 with the 16, so I made the facings in the 16, which means, of course, they were a little short, but shaped right, and of course, not enough fabric, so we made do. So the facing's seams at the shoulder are off from the bodice's, who is looking inside the dress? Am I getting graded? No, so if it works, just go on. It's already hemmed, so I should have it ready by tomorrow and have pictures. Then it's on to another adventure...

Working on a wrap dress using S5460 (pictured in earlier post) blended with my favorite S wrap used before (I don't look good in sleeveless) using a red vintage bandanna/floral cotton. Working around the kiddos, DH, and baby taking a nap in our bedroom, where the sewing machine is. Wonder how much will get done???

I found this pattern on Ebay (different size); isn't it neat?

Check out my ebay store, listings include: Finished a baby romper, B5439. Pattern is : http://www.butterick.com/item/B5439.htm?tab=infants_toddlers_children&page=6 Made out of tutti frutti plisse (about 5/8 yd), two buttons for $.75 and 3 snaps (did not have snap tape). Did it as newborn (she is 4 1/2 mos old) and it fits fine. I am trying to finish some items already put together for her as she is now the right size for the newborn patterns (it seems they are equivalent to a large 3-6 mo RTW). I am also working on things for me and other daughter, so I am trying to work as fast as I can with 4 kids around and another one who comes over some days, not being very successful. Have a good weekend; some of my pattern listings are auctions, so look at them this weekend.

I recently posted some things on my ebay store, S 4260, in a size 18, bust 36, for the low starting bid of $.99 plus shipping and a few others, such as vintage boxer shorts pattern for men and hippie vests. I have had a good morning, but the mail made it better... A Burda back issue, which are so hard to find for a reasonable price, to try it out, a flirty-skirty apron pattern, 3 yds of fabric, a few housedress type patterns, a kids pattern, and the half-size version of the one I listed today. I fit better into half-sizes. I have a huge box full of vintage patterns to list on ebay, when I get time, so check out my store, add yourself to the email generated for new listings, and check them out. Some of them are very unique from the little resale shop here in town that is closing shop.

Posting my black cherry dress "on" after Church today and my daughter's new green dress, from vintage S4969, sleeveless dress view, which I made slightly large so she can hopefully wear it through our long Texas summer and maybe next spring, out of Tutti Frutti plisse (I love sewing that stuff, it doesn't ravel easily, easy to wash & wear). The girls pattern was great, except I did not line it; I used purchased bias tape (wish I had used my own made tape). I need to move the ties down to the waistline as they are about 1/2" too high and ride up in the back. My photos were horrible using a timer for the first time and a 3 yr old trying to get into the action. The glare was bad, too, so many had to be discarded.

School being out for 2 kids and one still in private preschool and baby at home, what crazy days. On top of that, my 4 yr old (the disabled one) had strep this week with fever to 104 deg. Yuk! All while my husband's employer was in town for a few days. As you can imagine, I have not sewn much at all. I pinned a skirt to a bodice and gathered the threads up while we were up late one night talking, but that is as far as I got. I did mean to place photos of black cherries dress and here it is finished: I did not take one with me in it as I am not dressed this early, but wanted to post a photo. I also have a shot of the bodice of the Texas bluebonnet bodice, using the same pattern, which is a great vintage pattern to use, super easy even for me. All the dress is assembled, waiting for the skirt and bodice to be attached and finished up. I also have a plisse dress for my 6 year old (that's what I worked on last night) from a vintage pattern, more later.

I have been out of touch since school has let out, kids home, etc., but have been working on several items. As it is late, I will post some completed items soon. Received lots of stash, vintage and new patterns, so let's see what happens next.