1970s flappy/newsboy hat

Hi all! Hope you had a great weekend.

I spent my weekend drafting a pattern and making a slew of hats.

Catalog Sunday: Fabric Edition

MnM 2014: Plaid is the new relax (whatever that means)

Hello, lovely people.

I spent all morning cleaning the apartment. Mopping and throwing away the last of the cat things that could be thrown away. The place seems a bit empty without a bit of fur running around.

Corduroy jacket conclusion.

Good morning lovely people!

Sunday was the one year anniversary for Brian and I. We celebrated by staying at home and nursing my cold. I've been sick all week and apparently I'm not alone. Los Angeles has some wicked colds that go around, and I've never been sicker (caught the flu the first time in my life in LA) than I have been living here. I guess that's the reason for more bundling up.

More jacket images.

Hello lovely people.

THis week I've been sewing. Winter is coming, but in Los Angeles, it's about 70 degrees. Sigh. Still, I'm making progress on my jacket wardrobe and I thought I'd show you the progresses.

Your pants too big!

Made these cords years ago. It was before I got my jeans fit from my repro. I made about three pair of corduroy pants, in what I thought was a good loose 40s fit. Now, they are just too droopy on the sides. It's kind of embarrassing. I'm talking each leg like 5" too much fabric.

New Pattern Day Yay!

Hi all.

Still no regular internet.

*sigh* I hate it, but I'm trying to stay positive.

In the mean time I've been sewing.

I did some quick day projects that have become my newest reproduction!

Its a set of three close fitting skull caps from the 1930s. The pattern is a size 23.

For many I know, finding a pattern that has a good base cap fit is hard. The caps for this pattern fit the head great, so no need to worry. The top isnt too pointy, and there is room for hair!

I've made up all three designs and there are things I like about each one.

You can see more images on NVL.

View A I made in an hour. Its only three pieces.

The ruffle just stitches to the crown and presto.

View B is a great slanted cap. I made it in corduroy which is thicker than any of the suggested fabrics and might not be too period correct, but it turned out really well.

I added a band for the tie bow in front because of the fabric thickness.

View C is the most complex. Each crown section is its own piece.

I backed each crown piece with muslin and then lined the hat with cotton.

I plan on making many more of these hats, as they come together so quickly.

Make due and Mending

This has been a week of mending and finishing past projects.

I repaired 6 pairs of pants that I had made. Contrary to popular belief, yes, you still need to maintain clothing you make.

The 40s corduroy slacks that I made had a rather loose weave and well, kept pulling. At first I paid no mind, and then it got noticeable. Crud.

To make it easy on myself (and not have to take off the waist band) I opened the damaged area, and using a modern cheat, I applied stitch witchery over the damaged area, and covered that with a strip of thin cotton.

I then resewed the seam, about 1/5" in. To adjust for the loss of size, I redid (or on once case completely opened) the front darts. This is a fine fix for me, besides, these paints might become a skirt some day anyway.

Another project I completed was the second of my varied run of three of my blackface series "Happy Bellboy with Towel and Smiling Mammy in a Flower Dress". Ive always had an obsession with blackface content, or the more PC term used now, 'black americana'. Yeah, whatever.

These are more crafty in that their bodies are sewn like dolls. I made the pattern for them, then sewed them as well. I like the process of hand sewing, which I had to do to put them together.

The bodies are sewn to the paper with thread and backing buttons so the rag paper wouldnt tear. They are rather time consuming, but seeing as how I finished my first pair in '06, its kind of interesting to see how I have improved sewing wise as I finished these. I have one more pair to do. Perhaps they will get me back into sewing.

Ive been in a bit of a sewing rut lately. I have great fabric, and cool patterns but I dont *need* anymore clothes right now. So, not much sewing. I do have an upcoming project in the works.

Ive been invited to a 'depression era' picnic near the end of February, and I dont have a ting to wear. I want something nice, light and very dust bowl. Im going to use this pattern and make a linen cloche. I think that would work. Anyway, Im excited about it, and will post progress!

Now its on to an evening of darning socks. Dont be jealous.