Yesterday I decided to document my vintage patterns, in the hope that it would stop me from buying really similar ones over and over again. I tend to get obsessed with certain styles you see, namely from the 1940s. This exercise made me realise just how much sewing I need to get through...

Anyway, I also thought it would be nice to share them with others, as they are far too beautiful for my eyes only!
1940s Patterns:


1950s Patterns:


1960s Patterns:


Monday, June 28, 2010

Following interest from Tasia and Lily, I decided to post a tutorial on making felt roses, which helped to distract me from the major fitting issues I'm having with Vogue 5510!

To make these lovely accessories, you will need some felt or some pre-shrunk wool (I used an old jumper that I washed at a really high temperature). You can use other fabrics too, although many of them are prone to fraying.

Step 1: Cut out 7 circles of fabric, approximately 7cm in diameter.


Step 2: Cut each circle in half, to make 14 semi-circles. Using a gathering stitch, sew half way along the straight edge of one petal. Then overlap the next petal and stitch through both layers until you are half-way along the next petal. Carry on until you've used all petals and stitch right to the end of the last petal.


Step 3: You should end up with all your petals layered on one piece of thread. Slightly gather the petals.


Step 4: Starting at one end of the string of petals, gently roll the fabric up. Take care at this stage to make sure that the stitched edges remain close together and that the middle of the rose doesn't start to spiral out of the top.


Step 5: Gently hold the rose upside down so you can see the stitched  edges. You now want to stitch from the outside of the rose to the middle and then back out again. Continue doing this all the way around (it's a bit like sewing spokes in a wheel).



Step 6: VOILA! You are now the proud owner of a beautiful felt rose! Obviously you can now sew a safety pin to the bottom so that you can pin it onto anything and everything that takes your fancy ;o)



I hope people find this helpful, but do feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

Good luck!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
I was taught how to make felt roses (out of shrunken wool jumpers) on Tuesday. They're unbelievably easy to make, yet they look so impressive and intricate. I'm now getting carried away with thoughts of what I can decorate with them...clothes, bags, hats, headbands...the list is endless.

Below is my first and only attempt to date. Watch this space though, I feel a bouquet coming on! 

  
Sadly, I've not got any further with Vogue 5510. Part of this was due to work, social commitments and a job interview (which hasn't led to a new job) and part of this was due to sewer's block. In my head I over complicated this dress, but luckily my sewing tutor gave me some advice on Tuesday and I feel much more confident again. I will slave over it this weekend, so hopefully it won't be too much longer before it's complete.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Despite basking in the glorious sunshine this weekend, I got quite a bit done on my beloved Vogue 5510, a 1960s pattern which I'm hoping will turn out well enough to wear to a wedding this July. At the risk of exposing my lack of sewing knowledge, I'm really impressed with how the bodice is put together...you sew the bodice and lining together and then turn the right side out. This eliminates  the need for facings etc. It's very clever indeed!

Anyway, as you can see the back's not quite even. This is because I'm not as small as a vintage size 14, so I'll have to cut the back piece in two (where it makes a 'V' shape) and add in a panel of fabric. This should be quite easy and at least I can take it in if I ever miraculously loose weight or add more fabric if I accidentally expand! I also think the straps need to connect to the back of the bodice a bit higher up (going by the picture on the pattern cover) so I'll have to adjust that too.

The front of the bodice fits really well, which I'm surprised at, as I thought it would be a little small. I'm also going to try an invisible side zip for the first time ever...can't be that hard can it?!?


Sunday, May 23, 2010
So I've finally finished my sheer 1940s back-buttoning blouse - view 4 from Simplicity 1906 to be precise – and I'm feeling rather pleased with myself. I was so excited to get these photos taken, that I may not have washed and ironed the blouse, but I'm sure you'll forgive me...


Refreshingly the pattern had no facings. Instead it called for bias binding to finish off all raw edges, which is definitely my new best friend, producing really neat and professional looking results. I may actually use it instead of facings for other projects in the future.

I also got to try out the one-step button-hole function on my sewing machine, which was AWESOME! I couldn't help thinking I was cheating though, so I guess I should learn how to do it by hand at some point, but it was deliciously fast!


Anyway, as one project ends, another gloriously begins. I've got big plans for my next 1960s number, Vogue 5510. I plan on making the full-skirted version in the softest cotton lawn fabric (below) and if it's good enough, I hope to wear it to a very special friend's wedding this July. Fingers crossed...


Sunday, May 16, 2010
After having successfully completed two dresses, I thought I'd make something 'easier' next and opted for a back-buttoning blouse from 1946. What I didn't realise of course, is that no garment attempted for the first time ever can actually be 'easy'! With it comes a whole new set of phrases and instructions, like  button-holes, dart tucks and bias binding...

Anyway, I seem to be making good progress and would like to share some photos. I'm making view 4 from Simplicity 1906 in a sheer and slightly stretchy cotton, which has a very subtle flower-print in orange, blue and green. I also found the cutest little green buttons!

 
I'm excited to be making something with a peter pan collar and I love how it has a forward-shoulder seam:

  
Gathered detail on the forward-shoulder seam:




And finally, I'm so proud of my dart-tucks (believe it or not it took me ages to figure out how to do them, yet they're so easy!):


Now all that's left is for me to do is trim the collar and sleeves with bias binding, make the button holes and sew the buttons on, sew the side seams and neaten the bottom and any other remaining edges.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
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