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

I have been plotting Easter dresses out, inspired by the bodice on an heirloom dress I saw on The Handmade Dress, but getting the right combination has been hard. That was an infant dress and I have a 2 year old and an 8 year old to work with. I have chosen white pique, a gift from Lory of the Diary of L, for the bodice and green/white eyelet for the skirt, bought from the Fabric and Notions Yahoo Group. I tried a lavender lace tape for the bodice embroidery background, not right, so I found a matching green and white gingham grosgrain today at Walmart, and think it looks better, so I need to remove the lavender. The concept is a lace/ribbon bow tacked down with embroidered flowers/vines entwined. I have about 5 weeks to get this done, we will see. I am starting with the oldest's since the baby always has something in the clothes storage to wear of hand-me-downs that are like new. I even have a brightly colored dress that would work in a pinch to match this green. (I think ...

You can see in the sidebar the link for the skirt I added for sale. Blogger won't upload the photo. I made this some time back and never wore it. I didn't have anything I liked to wear with it and it was a bit large for me. By then I had finished it and didn't feel like unripping, so I am offering it for sale. Yesterday, the baby and I were both feeling down, but I spent some time adjusting pants for her. She has short legs and lots of sets that the pants were too long, so I added elastic to the hems so they will stay up better, like warmups, but a little looser. Included in those were her favorite SpongeBob pajamas from Christmas. She was excited to finally wear them. Mending is not a favorite task so it tends to build up. It is a sunny cold day, sun is good, it may inspire me to finish something.

This time a few half sizes B35, a 1960's hat pattern, a 1939 Advance and a mail order version of a walkaway.

Have a few more patterns, some small sizes, some more recent Vogues in the 14-16-18 range. I am being very critical in the 80-90's patterns, things that are still attractive or mimic today's trends or are classics/basics. I also hope some of you give some thought to a quilting bee. I would definitely be interested. A picture of the broken dishes little quilt:

Cultivating Home has a book giveaway at http://cultivatinghome.blogspot.com/

Quilting bees. I have been checking out some on the internet. The only thing is many of them is that many revolve around the more modern approach of "wonky" blocks, which is fine, but not me. I like traditional, repro feedsack or civil war era fabrics. I like traditional blocks. What I am curious about is how many of you that read my blog are interested in something like that? A definition of a virtual bee from Oh Fransson blog: Virtual quilting bees take the collaborative aspect of a traditional quilting bee and put it to work over distance, using the Postal Service and the Internet. Most virtual quilting bees have 12 members and take place over one calendar year, with each member being responsible for coordinating one month. In advance of the month, the member whose turn it is prepares packages of fabric and instructions to send to each of the other participants. The other participants then create one or more blocks, which are returned to the sender. After receivi...

despite my having been sick now Mike is sick. I have begun hand quilting the Broken Dishes wallhanging. I am about 1/2 done with the interior blocks. I was going to machine quilt it but got cold feet. I wanted a primitive look with those wonderful colors. I have shelved the McCall blouse for a few days, need to work out some fit issues, it about fits, but not quite. I think in the double knit it will work but the woven, it's a bit confining. That could be me, though, as I wear mostly knit tops. I am constructing a NL jumper, bought the pattern at the thrift store for 10 cents, from 1995. Actually quite cute with princess lines on the bodice and an A-line skirt, which I lengthened about 4 inches. I am not used to above the knee skirts. I can always trim it later. I am using a bargain table microfiber from Hancocks, in a grey. I have the skirt about done. On another note, last night my oldest was saying her prayers and the baby echoed "Amen." Then they both star...

out the door. I have sold 7 patterns between Saturday and today, and continue to add more in small batches. With 4 kids, I can only be at the computer so long. The housework and cooking and laundry is enough to keep 3 people busy around here. I added a 50's pattern today, and have another 2 to add, these are larger bust sizes, 38 and 40. I am also handquilting in spurts today. I will take a photo this evening of the wall hanging made from scraps from the Dresden plate blocks. Thanks to Little Hunting Creek for directing Peter to the shop, and anyone else who has helped me out by purchasing or promoting. I love you bloggers, so supportive!