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

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...

Simplicity 3918, now OOP, is great. The pink/brown leopard is an earlier attempt, wearable, pre-serger. The gold/black one was made today, first time to really use the new serger. It took minutes to assemble. I am still a little green at the rolled hem, so the neckline has spots in the point a little heavy. I tried covering it with beads. I am not sure about them. I may take them off and try another layout of them. I am also running elastic thread by hand under the loops on the wrong side to slightly cinch the low neckline in a bit so I don't flash everyone. Overall, I liked it. I am ready to try another to refine the serger usage. Also, I am a little puffy today, but photos always make me seem heavier than I really am. Tomorrow, I will post some photos of some earlier things sewn, before the blog and a list of finished items, resolutions (mostly sewing) and ufo's I want to finish once spring returns.

Well, presents are opened, kids are playing, baby is napping. What a day. As promised, photos of the dresses: I hope you all are having a great day, now time for birthday cake in a bit when my parents come by.

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.

I didn't post yesterday as I was busy! Baby's dress is finished with the exception of a bow in the back. Oldest's lacks the finishing of the zipper and that area of lining hand tacked down plus a bow or other suitable ornamentation in back. Do not use the McCall 5742, the bodice looks nothing like the photo in the length, it comes up higher than the photo. As I mentioned before, the bodice is actually a sqaure yoke, weird sleeve caps and a lower bodice. I blended the yoke and bodice into one and only eliminated seam allowances. Overlaying the original and my copies they are the same length and shape as finished. They musta lengthened it for the model, but my oldest usually fit well in an 8. The back length is approximate to the stated number on the envelope, so it's not that it's too short. Just misrepresented in the photo. The taffeta really makes the skirt stand out, too, so be ready for that. Oh well, she loves it and said it's a princess dress. ...

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.