The Tour

Want a look at my new sewing room?  Want to hear me confess how I'm somewhat of a FAILURE when it comes to UFO's?  Well, here you go:

I promise, I promise, I promise I will finish those projects and put up photos just to prove it.

Yeah, well, we'll see . . .

Butterick 6072

I am literally sewing through my stash of unfinished projects right now.  Last night I picked up something I'd cut out for Mia.  I'd originally done it in another fabric, but that just didn't work.  The previous fabric had been a rayon challis -- this fabric is a lightweight crepe du chine.  I didn't hold out much hope that it would fit or be wanted by any of the girls.  Mia had turned up her nose at the previous rayon version and said it didn't fit quite right.  Fail.

So I finished this one up regardless and brought it out to Makaela.  I couldn't believe it.  She loved it!  It looks great on her, too!  Pleasant surprises all around -- so here's the pattern and the finished dress on her.  Yet another reason to finish a project.

I actually made this pattern for myself to wear to a wedding in 1978.  

But I am quite certain I never looked this good in it -- 

Groan . . .

Just when I thought I was finished with this endless collection of patterns that I have . . . I see this hiding under the iron.

Sigh.

I need to go to Patternaholics Anonymous.

Butterick 4790, The Walkaway Dress

After a quick look through Google images, I was surprised to see just how popular this dress is!  Makaela saw the pattern and immediately loved it.  She and I thought initially it would be a good first project for her -- but that went by the wayside pretty quickly.

So I finished it for her.  I will say this -- the closures are a pain to get lined up properly and hand sewn.  I used 3 oversized snaps and 3 hooks & eyes in the front, and another hook & eye in the back.  But the rest is a breeze.  I lined the whole thing, and bound the hem in bias tape as well as the sides (which the pattern calls for).  We also flared the skirt of the sheath, and were pleasantly surprised when it gave the skirt some oomph without having to have a petticoat.

It turned out beautifully.  She is much happier about it than she appears in these photos!

And Speaking of Vintage . . .

I ran across this video from 1948.  Very entertaining!  I have to say, though, my home-ec class was never this detailed -- I mean, I learned to sew, but it was more like the peasant top she's wearing!  Thank God for modern patterns and new techniques!

Vintage!

I'm currently working on a Vogue Vintage pattern.  Almost done -- except that I want covered buttons and I only have 3 (need 6).  There's some hand sewing with this, and I do hate hand sewing!  But I think it will be worth it.  It's part of working through my UFO's -- things I've had in my stash and just haven't taken time to finish.  I'm committed on this one, though.  I've heard Angela Kane say "always finish a project."  Good advice.

This particular pattern says "average" for the sewing skills, but I think it's a little more advanced.  If I make it again, I think I'll use a very light cotton, like a Liberty, with a soft hand.  There are so many gathers in the skirt that even a quilting cotton is a bit heavy.

This is from the 1956-57 Original Design, and I believe Vogue still has it, although it's a clearance pattern at this point:

Speaking of patterns, I'm still organizing.  Just when I thought I was done -- I ran across the 40+ that I got at our local Salvation Army.  Sign.

Back to it!  I have sewing to do!  : ) 

The Organizing Patterns Video

Me, organizing my patterns, live and in person: