Catalog Sunday

Today it's Chicago Mail Order 1941

August Pattern Showcase

Hello lovely people.

I got some nice bargains this past month and I'd like to share some whit you all :)

November Pattern Showcase

My sad little Christmas tree. It needs some work.

Good morning you lovely people. I know I didn't do a showcase last month. Frankly I didn't get much in the way of patterns, or anything at all on October. But November was a plentiful harvest for sure, wink, wink.

Catalog Sunday

This Sunday I have some quaint pattern illustrations from a local mail order catalog. I saw this catalog a few months ago and simply missed out on the auction. I was thrilled to find another copy, because I though this one was super rare seeing it is a mail order.

So war time 40s, so fashionably spring.

Enjoy!

I'm choosing a different blouse pattern.

Happy Friday one and all!

Gee, where to begin! It's been a crazy week. Just got word at work that my department is getting more people. Like 6 or seven! So I have to look through tons of portfolios and choose the right people for the jobs. Plus set up a new department and get all the needed stuff ready. Whew! Its exciting.

On top of that, I've been dancing my 'arce off, but last night, because I stayed late at work, I decided not to go dancing and that was a good decision. I got home about 6:30 last night and decided to take a 'quick nap'. Turns out waking up at 12:30AM means you've had you night's sleep! So here I am!

Weekly Etsy Update!!

Happy Thursday before Christmas! Just wanted to tell you all about some of the new patterns I have listed in my store.

I have some 1940s great mail orders listed and more clothes to come soon!

Catalog Sunday

Man, you gotta love those mail order pattern envelopes from the 1940s. 

June Pattern Showcase!!

I know I've been MIA for a few days. This past weekend I got sick and couldn't do half the things I wanted to. Crumbs. But I'm back and aside from working on an illustration, I plan to do some more sewing  this weekend to finish out Make and Mend.

Hope people had a good 4th. As for the patterns I acquired in June, here are some.

April Pattern Showcase!

Pattern collectors, I need your help!

I have a bit of a mystery. A challenge, a conundrum for all of you. 

I need a dress to match this purse!

Wait, isn't that sentence backwards?

Not if you sew.

Taking a slight pause form Air Raid updates to talk about my latest find.
One sleepless night last week I decided to type in an NRA search on eBay. I do that from time to time but with no impulse I just went for it at around 3 in the morning. Well, the page loads and I find this purse newly listed with a buy it now price of $9.

*gasp*

The listing said it was NRA marked, but didn't show the tag, nor did it list dimensions. I mulled it over for about 12 seconds and took the leap.

It arrived yesterday.

I could not believe it! Yes! It's got an NRA tag sewn in it.

The light colored silk lining is immaculate, the pattern outer fabric is in perfect shape and the bag even smelled good! $9!

The bag is about 7x10", perfect for holding all my modern stuff.

The chain is in great shape as is the clasp. $9!

I hope it's not haunted or something.

Look at that pattern. The fabric is textured, too thin for carpet. Perhaps a silk or rayon?

I love how there are pieces sewn at the sides of the bag to give it depth. Don't you just love all that extra care they put into things back then.

In any account, I have to make a dress for this bag. I'm thinking of accenting the brick and navy colors.

Here are the patterns I've narrowed it down to.

I'm personally leaning toward the 2961 (the first pattern) because I like the idea of having a jacket with the ensemble. This might even be a great outfit to wear to Gatsby.

What do you all think? Any other pattern you would suggest? Fabrics? This might turn out to be quite an adventure for me :)

Etsy Updates! Patterns Galore!

As I work on a few projects that I''m not ready to post, I thought I could highlight some of my new favorites I've listed in my etsy store.

This month I have some lovely patterns to highlight.

First, the 20s:
Listed in my premium collection, this great elton styled dress in a 34 bust.

I think whoever makes it should do the style in blue.

Form the 30s:
This Simplicity day dress has cap sleeves and optional rever, or gusset neckline.

This beauty is in a 38 bust.

For evening, there is an amazing full length gown with bow sash and layered ruffled sleeves.

This gown listed in my Premium Collection is in a 36 bust.

From the 40s:
This one is from my personal collection.

I'm thinning out my repeats and decided to let go of this button back jumper. It a mail order in its factory fold, and in a 44 bust!

Another 40s new look pattern is this great dress suit.

This pattern is in its factory fold, and in a great 44 bust.

Last but not least:
In looking through my catalogs, Ive decided to offer some of my pattern booklets in PDF form.

Right now Ive listed a DuBarry Prevue set of two booklets, one from 1939 and 1940 and an NRA marked Simplicity booklet.

I'm planning on listing a few more of these soon.

Thats about it. Thanks to all those who have supported my store. I sincerely appreciate it.

Catalog Sunday

Happy August!

This Sunday's crop of images is a little different.

Often when I am looking through patterns, I'll come across one where a smart lady clipped a newspaper listing from a mail order or what have you. Often the clipping is either taped to the envelope of the delivered mail order. But in some cases, I've found them tucked in name brand patterns that share the design advertised. Perhaps she was going to alter the mail order or the retail pattern...

Here is my amassed collection of said clippings.

These are the actual envelopes of some of the mail orders I have.

I'm sure a lot of you have some of the same. I love all of the choices.

This last one is a page from the Marian Martin catalog. The opposite side has a free blouse pattern on it. That's my guess as to why it was saved.