Did you know . . .

that McCall Patterns has a website where you can download free patterns?  Check this out:

McCalls Downloads

Enjoy!

Pattern Envy

You know, I don't buy patterns like I used to do.

(just couldn't bring myself to end that last sentence with a preposition)

I don't buy them for 2 reasons:  1-I have a ton of patterns already, and 2-the basics of tops and bottoms never change that much.

HOWEVER.

Remember that little black sundress I tried to make for the Bug and was a near fail?  I tried and tried to find more of that fabric, and finally found it.  So while I was in Raleigh yesterday, I ran into JoAnns for a quick look and got 2 more yards of it.  Plus interfacing.  And then I noticed --

McCalls patterns were $1.99, and Vogue was $3.99!

How could I resist?

So I quickly flipped through the catalog -- I really only need the first few pages for what's new -- and decided on a couple.  Some were gone, which was unfortunate.  But they were all McCalls and what I really wanted was the Vogue -- so here's what I got!

Vogue 1044

This was for me-- it's a Vintage Vogue that takes yards and yards of fabric.  But so pretty, and hopefully I can make it up.  Barbie likes it too.

Vogue 1178

This is an Anna Sui, and I loved the ruffles and tiers for my girls.  Maybe even me if I cut it a bit longer--

Vogue 1182

This is a Kay Unger/New York, and I loved the lines of it.  It says it needs to be made up in a satin or shantung, but I think you could probably get away with a lightweight linen.  I have a couple of things in the stash that I may try.  I think JB would look like a million bucks in this.

McCalls P355 or 6168

This caught my eye because Barbie has a cute 3/4 sleeve sweater she got recently at Gap, and it looks a lot like the views to the right.  I love the idea of the sweater with a belt.  I think maybe some sort of lightweight knit would work here, even a sweater knit.  

And lastly, McCalls 5138

Honestly, I wouldn't have gotten this one if it hadn't been $1.99.  But it's a classic white shirt, with cute lines.  I liked the sleeve variations.  I probably should have gone with a shirt with a collar + stand, whereas this is just a flat collar.  But I probably have a couple of shirts in my pattern collection already that are just that: a basic button-down with a stand-collar.  

Classic, tunic-length white shirts seem to be all the rage right now.  I love that look; I swear my uniform since I was about 8 has always been a white shirt and pair of jeans.  Add a big wide hip-slung belt and a cute pair of boots, and you're ready for fall 2010.

What have you been buying?  Made anything lately?  Put it on your blog or Flickr, and link it up in your comment below!  Like I always have heard (and still hear) from my girls:  "I wanna see!  I wanna see!"

xoxoxox

Patterns on Sale!

I got this email yesterday from Sewing Patterns.com

They have a couple of great features -- downloadable patterns and "make any pattern your size" -- check them out!  Sale ends today, so hurry --




xoxox

Easter 2009

I Hate It When This Happens.

I'm frustrated.

I've made and almost finished -- done but for the hems -- three of the girls Easter dresses. I used McCalls 5618 for three, and am using Simplicity 2886 for the other two.

So I'm humming right along, thinking I would make the bodices of the Simplicity dresses (view C, with the spaghetti straps) seamless in the front, instead of doing a center front seam. Somehow a center front seam in a bodice just doesn't look right to me when it's a closed front. Putting the pattern piece on the fold makes more sense.

EXCEPT WITH THIS PARTICULAR PATTERN. It was a hassle getting the top band onto the bodice piece, and now it's laying funny. There's a curve to the top that makes it lay 3-dimensionally -- probably great for fit but it just isn't right! I'm going to have to redo both bodices.

Dang. I hate that.

So today I'm behind a bit, and have to get moving to get them done. Once again I don't get a dress -- which is typical, and certainly not unexpected.

Back to the drawing board. Literally.

xoxox