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

Excuse the mess, but we have a new top from B3070 my TNT modified shirt pattern from the 80's. I used a stashed brown knit crepe from Fabric.com, about 2 yrs old and made the freestyle ruffle from a mesh knit remnant from Hancock's. I made a strip the length of the fabric, pinked and ruffled it and added scattered gold and tan beads for effect. A most comfortable everyday shirt, by the way. I wore it twice this week already - in fact I was wearing it when I took this photo, took it off to put it on the dressform for a photo then put it back on.

Yeah, I did not want to take a photo of myself, too hard. It is resting on my desk chair. In the second you can see the added embellishments to utilize the puffs on the neck binding. For the record, this is my TNT, B3070, from the 1980's, traced and redrafted to fit me. I used two layers of mesh, which made it puff a bit in the front armpit area. This does not happen with regular knits, which makes me think it is the mesh and the two layers. I sewed them together and the neck and cap sleeve hems, left the sides free and hems are free and two lengths so the underlayer peeks out at the lower hem, both ruffle edged with zig zag.

This summer I bought a bit of Citrus Paisley Mesh from Ann (Gorgeous Fabrics) and cut out my B3070 TNT top, two layers as she recommends. Then I sewed the neckline and slightly stretched it out (oops!). I put it aside. It sat. Tonight with Mike & the oldest at the local football game, I worked on it again. I put a binding strip from the fabric. It puffed. I looked at it again. I am leaving the puffiness. Instead I will work with it and add some embellishments there to utilize the puffs. Tomorrow I will get batteries for the camera and take some pictures. BTW, that mesh is so pretty, the paisley in lime green and yellow. I know it's summery, but we live in So Texas, it's usually warm here.

The previously mentioned tops, The multicolored is from the 1980's B3070 modified to have some shape and a vneck. The black and white is from S4176, my first time to make it as a knit. I have made it before, last summer, in a stretch faille, but the pleats look too billowy and the bodice was short. This time I added 2" to the bodice, used the shorter lower skirt and used a cotton knit. I also eliminated the facings and used a black rib to bind the neck. I tried it on several days ago and liked the outcome. Today was finishing up, threads to the inside, etc. I also put twin rows for the bottom hems on both, not a twin needle, just two rows lined up. I am scared to buy a twin needle, too technical for me. Just sew slowly and used steam a seam first. Now which do I wear tonight with black capris?

Free pattern, stash busting, a 1967 (good year) McCall, #8865, size 18, bust 38, a great little A line dress with an unusual neckline. Sort of funnelled with a button near the neck to appear like the center panel is buttoned down at the neck. Kind of looks like some of the Vogues from recent issues. Enter your name by posting a comment (make sure there is an email or blog link) about how you would make this dress and post a comment on your blog about the giveaway. I will draw and post by Monday morning. I am finishing 2 tops for me right now, had some dress disappointments and also working on other items. I will try to post one top later as I plan on using it tonight.

A preliminary photo of the Sweetest Little Dress, you can see my embroidery is not the world's greatest, but it will suffice. This is my new TNT, the white top in the lower left, you can't tell, but it is really a box top. I curved the sides in and created a little kimono-type sleeve (like the little dress has) and made a gently sloped v-neck, no facing. It is out of my last piece of epaisse knit crepe from fabric.com. That stuff is so cool to work with. I hope they carry it again soon. I will buy many pieces of it. This is a cool top to work with, 1 yard of 60" wide, works better with knits, you can just turn under the neck, hems with steam a seam then topstitch down. I made it in an evening around kids' baths, etc. BTW, the wet spot on the bed cover is from the baby's wet head after bath, nothing else! My DH just got home, so I will end this one, good night!