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

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45440187/vintage-pattern-mail-order-9205-bust-42 Just listed along with some others...

I was rereading an older post by Gertie (you all know who she is) about refashioning. This has been an item I debate back and forth, refashioning. My opinion is refashions should look as good as an originally sewn item from new cloth, not just to do it for refashion's sake. A few ideas for men or women's shirts, say out of broadcloth or cottons, could be: 1. a muslin 2. baby clothes 3. an older child's shirt 4. A man's to a woman's shirt if there is enough yardage to make it work 5. My new fave - make bias tape out of the back of a shirt. Imagine how cool that would be out of a plaid for a quilt or facings. 6. A woman's camisole - think pintucked or lacy out of a white shirt Post some of yours, I am curious to see what transpires. Edited to add: I just got an email about McCall's Summer line. What a rehashing of previous styles! Nothing really inspiring to me, so I guess that's a good thing, nothing out there to buy. Infact everything seems really...

Don't you just love this one? The purple one is what I envision, maybe in purple or maybe in a coral linen. I received it today in the mail off ebay. At a 38B, seems to be ok on top, just need to add on the sides, CF and reduce darts to enlarge the waist. I bought 5 yds of lightweight preshrunk muslin today, I am muslining it as soon as I get a chance, use it for the lining if I use linen. I will underline it rather than face it. It is really a cute one. I also have some 1940 ones on their way. I have been pattern surfing for bargains. I will be inspired soon, no A/C in the house is a killer in Texas when you are used to it. It is on target to be fixed tomorrow. No A/C since Saturday evening :( The natives are restless... :0

Well, the taxes were out on time, we had no power yesterday due to the thunder and lightning, so I have no real progress on Sunday Dress #2, which is pink cotton and pink printed lawn. This was also inspired by the Handmade Dress blog, but is my interpretation as a dress. She used batiste and a Liberty Target scarf for a layered effect on the skirt and top, her indie patterns that are so cute. Mine is from a vintage dress pattern but a narrower gathered skirt. No sewing yet today as the kids are wild. Probably not until Monday at this rate. I have been considering some future things for the store, may start on some things this week, skirts, maybe an apron or two. Of course, my sewing ADD may strike and nothing gets done.

Yes, I finally bought my Turbo Tax basic today, have the numbers about ready to plug in and review the damage. I *detest* tax time. I am not going to get further into it, then I would be getting into politics, which I rarely do here. That is why I choose to sew, quilt, etc. I need a creative outlet for the stress, vent to you guys and girls about life, somewhat. I don't buy clothes very often for us, just what I am not willing to make. I make tops, PJ's, skirts, dresses, things to sell, refashion, whatever I get time to do. Now, on a happier note, while buying aforesaid Turbo Tax, I also picked up two Simplicity "simple" patterns from the $2 racks at WalMart plus some $2/yd knits. They weren't bad. One is red with black and the other brown with cream and pink polka dots. I also got a yard of green gingham, two button cards, red thread. I have also ordered a used copy from alibris on ebay the Coffin Shirtmaking book. I am trying my hand at shirts for Mi...

McCall's 5616, bought either last summer or summer before, for the oldest. I wanted her to have a big girl-styled dress without being too grown-up. Used a cotton for the body and black broadcloth for yoke and hem band. Made size 10. Only thing is I am having a heck of a time with zippers right now, shifting. I had to put this in twice. I did lapped as it was white and there are so many colors involved. It called for 16", but it only made it to the bottom of the yoke, so I stopped it there and have only closed the yoke back with hook and eye. Her hair is long, no one will notice. I hope it fits, it should as I just used a McCalls 10 for Easter. I never tried it on her after I put the bodice together. My mistake. She got some cute slides in white last night that should work well with this. If it fits her well, I may make another one in plisse or seersucker. She needs 3 summer dresses for church so that she can rotate them. I never make more than that - they will n...

http://www.knitivity.com/ Check out this guy's yarn. I saw this on another blog, Eema-le, and loved the firefly, that's the kids' school colors. When I have some money in the budget, I am getting some for scarves.

Well, maybe not corporate, just liked the saying... I have decided to use a RTW dress that was my oldest's, used once for photos. It's a sweet pink with white collar and balloon appliques on the collar. I have too much noise and stress with the kids home to concentrate, I will finish it for the May crowning at church and they can wear them together then. I also went shopping, found me a dress for $23 on sale at Bealls, ITY knit in red, very similar to the Perfect Knit Dress by McCalls 5974, the short sleeved one, but it has a knotted insert around the neckline. Originally $68, which I never would have paid that price, it's not that special, but it fits and looks usable for any number of occasions. I also got shoes and a new purse, the old warbag needs retiring. I lack the hand finishing on the oldest's dress, but plan to get it done tonight. If I do not post again, have a Happy Easter, fun with the kids, etc.

The oldest's dress is complete except for handsewing lining some inside to the seam allowances and to the zipper. The zipper is in, thank you very much, without too much issue. Just clean-up. I still had everything in pieces on Monday afternoon, so most has been done over the past few days, with a 2 year old into EVERYTHING. I had one sick all last week with tonsillitis, so not much was done at all. The youngest's dress has a ways to go, it's similar, but slight differences, same fabrics. White pique on the bodice, white broadcloth sash and bodice lining, green cotton eyelet with broadcloth lining on the skirt and a front inset band of pique under eyelet. Bodice is hand embroidered and has a hand stitched ribbon bow appliqued onto the pique. This was a big job for me, so I am happy I am this far. Now back to the baby's dress... I am staying away from the computer so I can get done :).