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

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...

Cake was well received by everyone, which I am happy about. I had never seen, tasted or heard of this cake. So for it to go well, a huge success. Pants were fine for the party as it was at a local rustic eatery. I worked at it and lost enough quick weight to fit into them fine and hemmed them yesterday. I was planning on sewing today on the girls' things but have 2 sick with colds and was so tired and sore, I took a nap instead. Maybe this evening...

Gosh, the clothes are awful... and more awful... Some of the items at Bealls were even frumpier, if that is possible, or just too revealing. Some of them just made me look heavier than I really am, esp. those of a matte jersey type with the long full skirts. I felt like I had a weight on me. I did get a nice short tunic top that the yoke was an enhanced lace and slacks, which I am not sure about since they feel a little tight in the waist and need hemming, even though they are petites. I also got several clearance tops. The baby had enough of shopping and let everyone in the store know about her displeasure. I know that's why we sew (or try to), but I just don't have the time to complete something. I am working on cakes now. The plan is a half sheet cake made of 4 9x13 cakes, 2 on bottom, 2 on top. This is the recipe in case anyone is interested in trying it: Mexican Wedding Cake (Watch your Weight cake) 2 c sugar 2 eggs 1 20 oz can of crushed pineapple 2 c flour 2 t...

I got frustrated yesterday, screwed up the hem on vintage S1541, got worried for time, cut out and sewed together S2929 (new pattern). FRUMP GIRL dress on me. Could have been the fabric, sleeves were too long for me, I don't know. That is the one time my husband has said get that thing off asap and we are going shopping for Saturday. Kinda of bummed me out yesterday evening, so much I did not even crochet or anything. So let's see what Bealls has in stock today for going out clothes. I do not want to go to Victoria. PS: No Photos of this one, none whatsoever, it was too bad on me. I did post a review on PR, using the cover of the pattern for a photo, it is the view on the right model, or the lower illustration in yellow.

Made fondant roses and flowers for the cake for the anniversary party this weekend. I am not good at the icing roses, so I usually sculpt them from fondant. These are tinted rose and yellow and coated with pearl dust in pink and gold. I have full roses, rosebuds and cut-out daisy-like flowers. I also have green leaves. When I ice and decorate, these will be placed on top with icing vines and additional leaves. I will post a photo of the completed cake on Saturday. No sewing today, maybe tonight after kids are all bathed and in bed. Gotta finish the dress...

I worked on hand sewing on the brown/tan 40's dress, I need it for this weekend! Slipstitching facings, hand-inserting a zipper. I am afraid to machine-sew a zipper, why I don't know. I am awaiting my new shoes to go with the dress from Mod Cloth.com. Ballerina flats in distressed brown with zipper findings for bows. Should be funky enough to have a more modern look. Or I may use my new heels. I wanted to make a wrap, but found out my suede jacket fits me now, so that will have to work. It is brown, so color matches. Got the retro butterick today in the mail. I am chomping to start it but must keep focused... Pictures of the brown dress, at least on a hanger or dress form tomorrow.

Had to take the oldest to the doctor today, which ended up being strep throat. We made it to Hancocks for a piece of black velveteen so mom can lengthen a jumper for her from last winter, just an extra church dress. Real cute from Bealls, with scotty dogs on red and black. We also bought royal blue crepe and lining for the butterick featured above. I may use this for Christmas, the cap sleeve version, rather than the Advance I had bought, for time sake. I have a couple of ideas to dress up the midriff. Maybe... Also found more baby cord on clearance, dotted swiss in blue and white and several usable remnants for tops. Plus Maxi-lock serger thread! So plan on finishing Thanksgiving dresses tomorrow or Wednesday. Also have a cake to make/decorate for hire for a 50th anniversary. Will be an interesting week!