Sleeveless in the City Dress

This was my second version of Butterick 5454. I wanted something super comfortable – but still cute – to wear this summer while I am traveling. I wanted a dress that I could wear with flip-flips during the day, and heels during the night.

I loved the colour of the jersey and knew it would be perfect for just such a dress! This time around I added 2 inches to the front of the bodice pieces, so that I would have a little more coverage than my long-sleeved version and again, I opted not to sew down the pleats on the skirt. I also opted out of the short-sleeve version of the pattern and instead added just enough around the armhole for seam allowances.

I’m really happy with how it turned out! I think this will be perfect for just throwing on (maybe even as a bathing suit cover up) and just throwing in the suitcase. Here’s to a carefree summer! Thanks to Denis Duquette for the fabulous photos!

Resolution Intervention

So, there were some New Year’s resolutions, mainly to use the supplies of all kinds around my house, be they cooking, crafting or sewing. Uhm, yeah. January was great, February went well, but between March and April, any focus I had on that petered out. I think it’s time to reflect, adapt my expectations, and move on with the new plan.

Here’s what I did (and didn’t) accomplish:

1. I got rid of about 75% of my scrapbooking supplies. That felt really good, and they went to friend who was delighted to get them. I have been printing out more of my photos, thanks to using Instagram (you can follow me here). They are just too fun to stay on my laptop!

2. I have been consistently using my fabric and pattern stash. That’s going well.

3. I keep trying out recipes I find online, instead of the ones in my pretty cookbooks. Fail.

4. I haven’t worn a single vintage item. I think it’s time to admit that my look has evolved away from 1950′s day-dresses. I love vintage, but I’m ready to break-up with my collection. I just haven’t decided what to do with them yet.

The new plan:

1. I have gone through my cookbooks and selected enough recipes to try out 3 new dishes a week for the next 6 weeks. That way I can shop for groceries with them in mind and have a more specific goal.

2. I bought more alphabet letter stickers (I like Thickers).  When I went through my supplies, I discovered how hard it was to actually spell any page titles without any vowels. This should help, but I’m also going to set a goal of 2 pages per week.

3. Fabric/patterns. Keep on it! I’m doing the Colette Pattern Challenge, so that should also help me make a more cohesive wardrobe.

Really, this is a plan for persistence – I’m working on it!

Vintage bow-blouse dress pattern

A great find from a vintage/thrift/charity shop expedition this past weekend. I love all the options, although I don’t think I’ll be making the top in quite such a busy print. Bows and stripes and dots – oh my!

Resolution Report Card: February

February is always a tough month for me, and I suspect I’m not alone in that. This year I was either sick with the flu or in rehearsal for most of the time. This meant I was constantly wearing either pajamas or yoga pants and eating mostly chicken soup and toast. So, that’s a no for sporting vintage clothing and cooking fun new recipes. I did however, put together some scrapbook pages that are making me very happy. It’s been really fun to dig through my old photographs. Also, I am close to finishing up not one, but two dresses using old or leftover fabric!

I’ve decided to accept that some months are going to be better than others and focus on not giving up. I’ve got ‘new recipe’ cookies in the oven as I write this and March is my birthday month, so things are looking up!

Confused as to what my resolutions actually are? Get the details here.

Antique Pin Cushion

Isn’t it gorgeous? This delightful little oddity was my favourite Christmas present (thanks mom!).  Growing up, we had a pencil-sharpener shaped like a globe and this really reminds me of it. Problem is, I love it so much that now I want more!

Altering history: family vintage

 

My mom only saved a few items of clothing from when she was young, but wow, the things she did save are amazing. They are the clothes I always get compliments on. How about those high-waisted pants?

The problem is that despite the fact that these are hand-me-downs from my mother (and grandmother), they don’t always fit. Apparently I am shorter, smaller, but curvier than they were at the time. Which is fine, it just makes things a little more complicated. It feels wrong to alter items that have been handed down in my family. But If I don’t wear them, who will?

The green skirt was originally a full-length maxi skirt (that may require a post of its own. It was quite the transformation). The trousers need to lose about 4 inches off the bottom, and the dress – while lovely in the photo – is big and frumpy on. I think I might make it a mini-dress, or maybe a wiggle dress.

I know I will just need to ignore the little voice that will whisper, don’t ruin it. Ugh. Sewing anxiety.

 

Vintage Vogue Knitting 1963

What you need is an alpaca

Handsome is as handsome does

A friend of mine recently dropped off a vintage “knitting magazine” for me, confusing my hobbies (I would love to feel comfortable knitting and it is much more portable than sewing). It’s actually the Vogue Knitting Book from Fall/Winter 1963! Amazing that it found its way to me! The ads alone provide plenty of entertainment (see above), but there are also some really great patterns in there, complete with instructions.

Vintage Circus Pin-up

It’s a collision of many wonderful things. I love her feathered skirt too.

Image: “breathless moment” by Gil Elvgren.  Found on the flickr stream of Anne T. Boleyn.