The Internet Made Me Do It.....

Seems everyone had their patterns on sale last weekend.  I couldn't resist, the force was too strong....so I splurged.

New Look. I don't know why but I love New Look patterns.  These are not new releases but I have wanted them for a long time and finally broke down:

These are great  blouses for our hot summers in Florida.

 I am on a skirt kick lately. While similar I think these can all be unique in their own way.

McCalls/Butterick: They had an incredible sale, $1.99 ($1.69 for Club members). Who could resist!

 I think this top pattern is new or I just over looked it before.

Again with the skirts, what can I say. It looks like the grandniece is getting some too.

LantzLiving: Love her vintage patterns, which these are not but again they are skirts.

I really need to get sewing and quit buying patterns. I've promised not to buy any more.....this year!  Good think it is already December.

 

Flashback Friday

These skooter skirts were all the rage back when I was in high school.  We loved them because they were short and somewhat modest at the same time.  I made View 1 in brown tweed in 1972 I think.  Very stylish with knee socks....(do they still make knee socks? do girls still wear knee socks? Yikes! I'm getting old!)

Flashback Friday

In high school we called these 'elephant bells'.  I made the red version out of the softest wide wale corduroy I have ever touched.  They were a deep navy blue and so low slung that you had to wear a bodysuit with them so you didn't show any 'teen crack'.  It was 1971.....I am surprised my Mother let me out of the house in these........I am more surprised my Father let me back in.

WARNING: These bellbottoms can be hazardous to your health.  The flare was so wide on these that going down the school stairs one day between classes someone behind me (or maybe it was me?) stepped on my pants.......me and 3 others in front of me went down like bowling pins.  Luckily it was only about 3-4 stairs.  Ah, the price we pay for fashion................

Flashback Friday

This was one of the first garments I sewed in high school. I made one in denim that I wore ALOT, it was one of the coolest articles of clothing I had.  I also made one from a white pique with red and blue embroidered flowers on it (Mom picked the fabric) not so cool....not worn much.

On the Sew Again

I have finally gotten back in the mood to do a little sewing for myself.  Since I am hoping to shed a few pounds while The Husband is wired shut and I am fending for myself (I have already dropped 1.5lbs......probably those donuts we had earlier in the week!)  I don't want to jump back in with anything major just yet.  So here are my choices:

First up McCall's 5248.  I made the bathrobe a year ago and love it.  This time around I could use some summer pajamas.  These are all cotton fabrics, the green is going to be the shorts and the top will be a combination of the print and peach solid.  I haven't worked out the exact details, but with summer already in full swing here in the FL Panhandle this will be perfect for hot, humid nights.

Next up is Simplicity 3786 in view E (with the capped sleeves) in this light blue and yellow floral.  I saw a similar sleeveless  tunic in the Chadwick's catalog that I really loved and I have a beautiful blue, white and black cotton print in my stash that would be perfect.  But it's been awhile since I have done pintucks so I am going to make this my wearable muslin.  I'm not a huge fan of tunics but I do love pintucks and this looks like it will be very nice and cool.

Last in line is New Look 6677....gee, did I just say I wasn't a huge fan of tunics????  I am also not a big purple/lavender fan....but what the heck, I'm in a stash burning mode.  I am not sure which view to make.  My first choice is View E (sleeveless with major banding) but that neckline on the model is lower than I like and I and not sure if I am capable of redrafting this.  My second choice is View C, the white sleeveless, which is actually less tunic looking.  The neckline is more to my liking and I can still use the solid for the front placket and banded collar.  I could also make bias from the solid and use it around the armholes and side vents.  Jury is still in deliberations.

Anyway, I am happy to be back in the sewing saddle.  Hopefully I won't fall off again.  Time to get cuttin'.

Prom Date

I never went to the prom.  In my junior year of high school I didn't have senior boyfriend to go with. In my senior year I was dating an older guy and he really didn't want to go.  He offered but I could tell his heart wasn't really in the offer.

I love to go to Dillard's at prom time and look at the dresses.  They have a large selection and are very reasonably priced.  My prom was in 1973.  I don't think I would have made my dress if I had gone but if I did I may have chosen this one:

I love the little attached caplet.  Or perhaps this one:

Definitely the dress not the jumpsuit!  If I went to the prom in the 50's I may have chosen this one:

 I really like both of them, but the yellow one looks more 'prom' to me.  If I was going to the prom in the mid-60's I may have worn this:

I love the simplicity of the black and white, understated elegance for the prom! Okay, I would never pick this dress but then the 80's didn't offer much in my opinion, so here's my choice:

Okay, the cream colored one doesn't look too bad.   Here are a few modern picks I'd consider (if I was 18 and thin again!):

For that waif look.

I love the full skirt versions of this, especially the black one. A little edgy for prom, but kinda sweet looking too. Would be great with some 4" platform gladiator sandals!

The halter and double strap versions would look good on anyone.

I must still be channeling my inner teen every prom season, I can't seem to stop daydreaming about what I would wear, then or now!

My Momma told me....you better shop around...

Seems all the pattern companies were trying to dump their old inventory before bringing out the spring pretties.  And I took advantage.  Here is my haul from Simplicity/New Look.

S4583

 I like the uncomplicated simplicity for this tunic and dress.  Although I think the white band looks like a giant band-aid.

S4885

 I bought this pattern for one thing and one thing only.  The simple little camisole top.

NL6086

I love the flowiness of this top and would love to make it in a nice challis print.  I also like the longer camisole.

NL6677

 I just think this is a great summer top.

NL6833

 I have been eying up cape patterns for a long time and finally thought the price was right.  I like the shorter one with the tie front.

NL6835

I bought this pattern also for one thing only....the jacket.....no just kidding, the dress.  I have always wanted to make a copy of this Barbie dress "# 1649  Lunch on the Terrace circa 1966-67"

Okay, I would skip the big a$$ hat, but I have always loved this dress.  So when I saw this pattern I jumped for it.  Now I just need some green gingham and matching polka dot fabric!

NL6968

I'm not a pocket girl but I love the ones on version B.

So this is my booty from the Simplicity sale.  A few days later they trotted out the spring line for New Look....nothing jumped out at me so I'm safe from more pattern procurement for awhile.

The New Oldsmobiles Are in Early this Year.................

Simplicity...er, New Look came out with their new fall patterns.  And not that I really need any new patterns but these are my favorites:

NL6000

I LOVE this dress! I really like the View C sleeves and collar but prefer the long darts to the side gather.  I think this would be a great holiday dress!

NL6006

Our coat weather down here last from 9:00pm to 9:00am during December and maybe into early January.  But a girl still needs a nice coat, and I need this one, both long and short.  It's perfect, stylish but simple. Love it.

NL6011

I think this is such great work wardrobe.  I like almost every piece, almost, but I think I could learn to like the rosettes.

Three simple patterns......I'm thinking these are the only three I'll ever need.......until next season!

In Style?

Really?  In style?  Ever?

What a Dress!!!!

Came across this little number at LanetzLiving. Now this is a dress that makes a statement or two, or three! The dress is made in 2 separate reversable pieces that you join by either buttons or zippers. How ingenious is this, you get 3 dresses in one. Just LOVE IT!