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

Christmas dresses for the girls - the oldest's is a blend of 2 McCalls patterns and the youngest's from an OOP McCalls that is 60's style A line with two bows at the end of the shoulder pleats. I used black velvet and red shantung texture backed satin.

Photos of my almost complete Christmas dress from S3237 from 1950, can be seen in the Vintage Pattern wikipedia http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Simplicity_3237 since my copy's envelope is in awful shape. It's modeled after the blue one, but I chose a drapey woven, bought a few years ago, it may be rayon blend, has slight stretch, with superimposed "flocked" abstract flowers. You can see where I chose to embellish the central bodice with gunmetal shade bugle and seed beads, following the flower lines. I bought a stretch elastic belt in black, the only one I could find, so hopefully it works. I have some high pumps with a mary jane strap, so hopefully it will all work. I lined the bodice with the anti-cling poly stuff from Hancocks, handsewing the two together at the waist seam. I had to take a stab at easing it in at the gathers since I opted not to do running stitches on it, thought it might be too thin to do it. All I lack is the zipper and hem.

I have been sewing alot lately. I had booths in two craft shows, table runners, crayon rolls, other items. Did pretty well, too, for church related shows. I am now finishing my holiday dress from a vintage Simplicity and attempting to make a little wrap from a McCalls pattern with the free HP wrap on Fabric.com as its inspiration for the opening/drape. Not really sure about it at this point. We have a K of C dinner this weekend so I got to finish tomorrow. Next up, holiday dresses for the girls. The baby is easy, just a straight size 2 overall, but she is thin and long waisted. Her height is 36", she has a B to W of 10" and needs a 15" skirt to fall under the knees. In comparison, the oldest at 9 is 54" tall, needs a B to W of 13", I think (the paper I wrote on is in the kitchen). So I will post more later - we're going Christmas shopping this morning while the kids are in school :)

Today is our 19th anniversary, we were so young (23) then. And hope we have many more together, my dear husband.

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 :).

Got a red velvet jumper this morning for the oldest, have white long sleeve shirt and a similar red velvet jumper in the hand me downs for the baby with it's white shirt. We are good to go. Sometimes sewing just doesn't work out! I am emailing Fabric.com to tell them about the designer techno taffeta being heavy and awful to work with. Maybe they will give a credit :) Pictures should be taken tonight at my mom's, those who are my FB friends can see them once I post them. I do not post their faces to my blog since it is too public. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Tomorrow is my 42nd birthday, I see a little more gray in the hair, a few more wrinkles, well earned in this life. Ya'll have a great Christmas, celebrate the coming of our Lord for those who are Christian, and for those who are not, enjoy your holidays.

OK, I have been working on special orders, those are almost done, and the dresses for the girls. After putting most of the older girl's dress together, it is TOO. MUCH. GREEN. I love green, but whoa! So, all morning long, ideas percolated in the brain. I still needed to cut out the baby's dress (yeah, I know Christmas eve is 4 days away!). So, plan B has commenced. I have cut up a stretch velvet black dress I used to wear, it still looked new. That is my bodice for the two. I am putting the baby's together now. I think I will like this better and no lining for the bodice being stretch velvet. I will cut bias facings or shaped facings and be done with it. Now her sleeves are little cap sleeves that are lined, that's ok. Makes getting the sleeves in easy, using a knit. I need to make sure the waist area is interfaced with strips though, because the taffeta is kinda heavy. More later!

I did not get on my camera a photo of my dress, but my friend at the dinner did, so when she emails them to me, I will post it unless I wear it again before that. I am up to my knees in green taffeta for the Christmas dresses. Plus I have 2 special order aprons to make and a baby onesie/blanket set to make before Christmas. I think I am up to about 21 followers. I wonder how many more I can get by 12/31!

Thanksgiving Day, should be interesting at mom's house. I am thankful though, for my husband of 18 years, we have spent 23 holidays as a couple, even though some apart when he was in the service. He is always there for me, the kids, through thick and thin. I am also thankful for the kids, those here and in heaven, even though they can try the patience of a saint, and I am no saint! Also, thanks to you guys who read this blog and give encouragement and help!

Simplicity 4253, 2nd version, in cotton, fully lined and skirt lining is white broadcloth, trimmed with lace to be a petticoat. Lacey floral trim is hand-applied at the waistline. She is sitting with child #3. A photo of the back of my daughter's Easter Dress from S4253. This was from the church egg hunt this morning. I am so ready to move on to something else. I am going back to trying to find a TNT shirt pattern, a good dress for first communion for me and some quilting and other small things to get a feeling of satisfaction. First though, tax deadline in 3 days, so you may not hear much from me.

Now that the pink plisse dress is done and there are some more in other combinations to come, but not now. Easter is a week away and I need to finish my Fuji dress and something for the oldest daughter. The baby has a variety of hand-me-downs from the oldest to choose from that are in excellent shape, so no worry there. The boys already have their clothes, but I need to finish mine and C's. C's will be a cotton dress of violet bouquets on a watercolor background with a hint of iridescence. It is a 1948-ish pattern from Simplicity, cap sleeve with a circle skirt and will have a lining on the skirt and is underlined on the bodice, using the same technique learned from Summerset on her skirt. I do want the skirt lining separate, not underlined, to act as a petticoat. I hope it will look good. I was going to line the skirt on mine, but have decided not to as I have lost enough weight to use one of my slips now. I couldn't wear them before as they were too tight and cou...

Well, Mike has been ok for a fewe days now, I am still working on the baby's jumper, slow since I just don't feel energetic these days. I am not sick, just not totally over the crud I had a few weeks ago, still coughing somewhat. Kids are fine, now, too. The jumper should be finished today, just hemming and small details. For Valentines Day, the kids and I are making brownies for dessert, so that's coming up in a few hours. We may go for a drive into town for a frappucino, kids and all. I have several items cut out on my tables, but no desire to work on them much. Hopefully, I will be better soon.

I am with Lory, no resolutions, only goals for 2009. 1. Work on better fitting of clothes for me. 2. Make about 1/2 of the clothes for the girls. 3. Make a 40's vintage dress and finish the brown one. 4. Try a 50's or 60's dress (step outside the box). 5. A real challenge, a 30's pattern. 6. Learn how to serge better and master more functions on my Bernina. 7. Bound buttonholes/a lightweight jacket or short coat using them. 8. Finish some ufo's and use them or give them away as presents (kids clothes) 9. Become more organized in the home and in sewing. Now for the review of finished items: Before this blog and PR and may or may not have photos: 1. Blue paisley skirt and blue/green floral skirt, using "Sew What, Skirts" as a guide: The paisley is ok, the floral needs adjustment as it is too large in the hips and looks sloppy. Both are basic A-line with elastic waists. After the blog: For me: 1. Black cherries dress from a vintage Simplicity wrap dress S39...

We read this out loud for the 1st time tonight. We went to Mass, to see the baby's godparents and to grandparents house for some Christmas cheer. Tomorrow is presents with the kids. The dresses were a hit. The girls got lots of compliments at church, esp. the oldest, who rarely wants to dress up. Momma is through with the Santa work, so good night to all.

Red dress (oldest's) is partially completed. Sleeves still need elastic and finishing, needs velvet waist band, ruffle and hem, zipper and inside finishing. You can see baby's brown dress and diaper cover, dress is waiting for hem and lining hem. It is pressed into place and pinned. I won't waste daylight time on it today. One booboo is a side seam on the skirt was a little off, and I did not compensate in the back gathers so the zipper twists a bit. I am adding a bow with tails via snaps to camoflauge. Too late to fix it now! Let's see if my mom notices, I bet she will! I am sure I will hear about it. I still think it's a good job for my 3rd zipper ever inserted, and all by hand (the zipper). DH took the oldest two to shop at the stores for my birthday present, #3 is at preschool and baby is napping. I need to take advantage of the quiet. Also, SC Bloggers, if I do not comment on your blogs, do not worry, my focus is on these dresses, housework, cooking,...

I am now at this stage: Baby's dress is "put together", sleeves have elastic, needs the ribbon sash sew down, closig the lining at the waist, back closure, hem and diaper cover needs elastic. Oldest's dress is being basted together at the waist/bodice juncture, needs elastic on sleeves, waist ribbon sash, closing the lining at the waist, back closure, hems. Do we think we can do it by Wednesday? I do, it is mostly hand sewing at this point, the kids are cooperating better today than yesterday. Yesterday was BAD! Today the weather cooled off, the house is cool, so they are clustered in the den watching tv and playing. The little one is napping. Bean soup is on the stove, cooking. We will be having soup, biscuits and who knows what else. More later or tomorrow.

I am still working on this one's dress; look at the booboo... Somehow, when attaching bodice and skirt together, the taffeta folded into the seam and was stitched down. I did not discover this until the seam was trimmed... After undoing the area and unfolding it, I discovered the small slits cut into the bodice. Luckily they will be covered by velvet ribbon and lined on the inside. So, here comes fusible interfacing patches! They are now patched and are being hidden by the ribbon that is hand tacked down. I really need to get some small scissors for trimming seam allowances. I am too dangerous with shears for small work. I have parts of the oldest's dress cut out, she will be out of school for holidays after tomorrow, so I should have her around to entertain the little one and for her fittings. I should be able to pull this off, but not much else, esp. since we have to go shopping for her today. She is the last of the gifts for the kids.

Weekend giveaway winners: Vogue: Marta Butterick:Joelle Please comment or email me for your physical address so I can mail these! On the sewing homefront, started assembling baby's taffeta dress and lining, stopped when I put to pieces together on the lining that should not have been together (all that black fabric and thread got to me!) so I may work on it some more after dinner. I did move my machines, form and current projects into the dining room, part of our reorganizing. We still have a lot more to do, but the breakfast room looks better. The 4' x 8' train landscape is now in the den, where my sons can enjoy it more. (It is a landscaped HO gauge) Now I need to bring the cutting table into the DR, cleared off though.

Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we have the baby's jumper done, still working on the 7 year old's jumper. This is the baby's, based on the NL pattern used for the bandanna jumper, enlarged to a medium and graded to a large on the side bodice seams, made from cotton baby cord from Hancock's with simple poly/cotton broadcloth lining, substituted hand snaps in the back, closed the skirt seam in the back and added a braid and velvet ribbon trim by hand. In fact, I do alot by hand for better control now. It's not perfect, being I procrastinated and had to rush, but it's ok. Now for the oldest's jumper, using OOP B6286, same fabric, lining and trim. As discussed before, I had to "back into" a lining, for lack of a better word, since the bias facings did not work. I machine inserted the lining at the neck, pressed, clipped, then clipped, turned and pressed the armhole facings and still am slipstitching them closed. I do not topstitching as I think...