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

This is the walkaway dress, a 1950's dress that you wrap to the front. From the internet: In 1952, Butterick Pattern Co experienced a phenomenon it had not known since the 'Garibaldi Suit' of the late 1860's. They released pattern #6015, and dubbed it the 'walk-away' dress, because it was so easy you could "Start it after breakfast... walk-away in it for luncheon!". It's simple yet flattering wrap design and easy construction were what made it so popular. You can see a link in this blog about someone's pitfalls with the B4790. I thought m y new pattern could resolve the issues of the two types of skirts, straight in front and full circle in back.

I received this in the mail today, S5449, a different version to the walkaway dress from the 1960's. I have read reviews of the B4790 that have mixed results, some love it, some have problems with fit and the bigger back skirt pulling and gaping with that skinny front skirt. Now I do not fit a pattern on me out of the envelope, so that worried me. And I have considered making it, alot. So when I saw this on etsy, I jumped at it. There is a larger or smaller version on ebay, too. This is kind of small for me, but I would rather size up a bit than down. This way the skirt should be around the right length. What I liked is both front and back skirts are the same width (approx.) so better coverage is possible and it looks like it could wrap to the front if you make it that way. Plus it uses ties to close the wrap. I am not fond of the button look on the walkaway for me. This is on the "things to do soon" list, so I will post about it soon, I hope.

We have had 2 bible schools, library activities and other things this week. Plus my daughter's birthday is Friday, the party on Saturday and inlaws on Sunday. Try to clean house with 4 kids and you are already so far behind on cleaning that you have a massive overhaul to do... For instance, I was in the office and heard "clinking" noises, my 4 yo in the sugar bowl and had opened the coffee grounds to investigate them. Why??? Just because... And I had just cleaned counters again and mopped the floor. Now they're arguing... Well, they may or may not resolve it on their own. How the baby sleeps, I have no idea. You may have to peel me up from the floor since this is one of those weeks...

KID MD, who needs to contact me with her address!

I have a few patterns listed for sale on etsy, one I wanted to spotlight, the McCall Western Shirt and bra. I think this is cool since there are A-B-C cup sizes in the 32 bra pattern. The shirt has variations, but I like the Western Shirt version. At $3.99, it is a good price being complete, folded, etc. and the envelope is in fair condition. My shipping is reasonable at under $2.00 for US shipping. International, we can research for the best price. I have four patterns at my shop, myrayeretsky, on etsy at this link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23781936 Check them out, I want to close this store out and put everything on one, LadybugDuds.

my oldest has her 8th birthday next week on Friday, we have vacation bible school Monday through Friday, her "kids" party on Saturday and my in-laws coming for the day on Sunday. I have 3 cakes to make for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So, instead, I am making up cakes and freezing them without icing them, just wrapping them tightly and putting them back into the pans for safety. How to make a Hannah Montana cake without red (blue or purple) icing colors... I will figure that out later this week. After last night's debacle of the seams not matching, I am a little gunshy of big prints for me. I may just work on a solid rayon jersey tshirt for me. I did finish a skirt from OOP S4138, view E. I need to PR it later and take a picture. Simple flared out of a rayon crinkle with elastic waist. Not much to write home about there. We have a lot of work to do before next weekend...

After one reader comment, I decided to scrap it for now as a UFO. I bagged and tagged it. I love the fabric but have no budget to order more right now, so I will either hold off until I do or search stash for a suitable fabric to use the yoke, which is a mottled terra cotta that matched. I will probably end up buying more of the print, recut and try again, but not today. On to another cut out item...

This is McCall 5356, Crafty tunic, will probably look like a muumuu on me. My dilemma is CB seam. I thought I cut them matching, I guess I did not (I cut this out late night about a week ago.) Should I proceed? There is no more fabric, so recutting is not an option. Or is the not-matching too much? This makes me so frustrated. Any opinions???

A different twist today, a men's shirt! Sized chest 46, neck 17, sleeve length 35, waist 42, 4 variations, recommended for knits (cotton knits, double knits), but also makeable with cottons (broadcloth, oxford, flannel, madras, chambray, gingham or even voile and batiste). Think of this as an adventure for your loved one. This envelope came to me sealed in a plastic bag like a vacuum sealed bag, and has never been opened by me, but the original flap seal on the pattern is open. The pattern feels like it has been kept intact, very uniform in feeling it through the envelope, maybe its still factory folded. How do you picture it? Leave me a comment and link on your blog, for an entry, to be drawn by Monday morning.

The other day the Vogues were on sale for $5.75, I think, and I flipped through, trying to find what I have been desiring, something with a waist, cap sleeves, smaller skirt. I think this might do the trick, so I bought it, and received it in two days. I am going to try to work a muslin of this one this weekend, to see if it works. The suggested fabrics are satin, linen, wool crepe, yeah, right, in 100 degree weather. I think my muslin will be a light cotton and broadcloth lining. Now what do I have that will work? I need to give it some thought. I am in search of a dress that is current to be a TNT, something that doesn't fade with time. Vintage is great, but I want something that can be now, too. Wish me luck...

nancysoffice Congrats, and I will email you for your address.

Today's freebie is B5173 in a size 16, B 38, W 29, H 40. A semi-fitted slightly A-line dress with optional sleeves, a slightly standing neckline with a front slit. Some of the Vogue patterns with the funnel neckline from the past year remind me of this look. No date, I would give it late 1960's, suitable for linen, pique, broadcloth, synthetics, brocade, gabardine, lightweight wool. I would also include double/stable knits (probably included in synthetics). An economical pattern, it looks like you can make it with 2.25 yds of 45" wide or 2 yds of 54" wide plus a bit of interfacing. Also need a 22" zipper and hooks/eyes, optional seam binding. Leave a comment with your name and how to contact you. Also please link this giveaway to your blog! I will post a winner Monday morning. Have a nice weekend, I hope we all get well soon, 2 kids and myself have had a summer cold and congestion.

Amanda L Woade, who has already been asked to send me her address. She is fast and furious at her blog www.theyeartwentyfifty.blogspot.com. The girl's got it going on!

Yesterday was our 18th anniversary. I started the post, but didn't get to finish or upload photos. My kids are covered up due to privacy. We were 23 at the time of our wedding, so you can do the math. We actually went out Friday when we could get a sitter. I won't bore ya'll with the usual sentiments, but have enjoyed being with him, good or bad. On the sewing front, he was gone Saturday making some extra money working for a friend, so I was able to mock up in a cotton remnant Simplicity 4138, view E. It came out cute in the daisy print, but mathmatically it doesn't add up. I have up to size 16 on mine, I measure about an 18 in waist/hips, so I added some to CF and CB and took smaller SA all around. That sucker is huge! And being cotton, doesn't really drape, so I remade another version in a rayon crepe, adding only a little bit to CF/CB and keeping normal SA's. The rayon crepe is softer and drapier. I have some rayon jersey that I can make my B3070...

Thanks to Julia, this award. I am glad to see someone likes it! Since it has to be blogs I recently started following (I may not officially have it "followed", but have a bookmark or in my blogroll) I will pass it on to: 1. http://stitcheryfriend.blogspot.com/ 2. http://colourbynumber.blogspot.com/ 3. http://when-ladies-dressed.blogspot.com/ 4. http://angelaandersondesigns.blogspot.com/ 5. http://amandasadventuresinsewing.blogspot.com/ 6. http://catsandcalico.blogspot.com/ 7. http://thevintagehousewife.blogspot.com/ There are probably more, but this is the best I could do. The intention of this award is to pass it on to 5 or more blogs you have recently started following. You should then comment on their post to let them know they are awarded and then link to their blogs from yours.

Two Half-Size Slenderettes patterns up for grabs, both size 14 1/2, which equates to B35, W29, H39 and designed for a woman with a fuller figure with a height of approx. 5'3" and under. I would bet these are maybe late 50's or early '60's, no date given. I am petite and love half-sizes, but these are 4" under my bust size, and am too lazy to size them up since I have many others closer to my size to work up over the next couple of years. Plus raglan sleeves are not attractive on me nor are button fronts, esp. all the way up. So leave a comment on how you envision these, it is one random drawing to be held Sunday night. Also link back on your blog and include a way to contact you (blog or email).

Amidst all the other projects going on in my sewing station, I chose to cut this one out of the butterfly fabric to make a quick sleeveless top for my oldest to wear tonight with tan colored capris. She is going to spend a few days with the grandparents now that school is out and they were going to a neighborhood dinner gathering tonight (she doesn't know, so my mom is springing this one on her when she gets there in a bit). All her tops are "worn" so I got busy, cranked it out in spurts starting at 6:30 am and finishing at 4 pm. I did the sleeveless view, only a band of ecru cluny lace at the waist, and eliminated facings, opting to line the upper bodice in ecru broadcloth. (I hate facings and interfacing if it can be eliminated, I will) I machine sewed it at the neck then marked, clipped and hand sewed the armholes before doing side seams. The trick with this blouse (I have made it before) is to flat construct it, at least for me it is. So, do shoulder seams, add...

I found this on Bek/Red Chocolate's site (she's in my Sew Craft Blog group) and decided to play. Here's what happens: ~I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people who comment on this post. ~I have 365 days to do it in… ~What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well: ~you must have a blog ~and before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Just cut and paste this one if you like, which I did!

Busy 91! Please contact me for your mailing info! Congrats!