August Pattern Showcase

Despite some major setbacks, last month was an awesome month for personal pattern collecting.

Here are a few I managed to pick up.

And last but not least...

I even finished both blouses.

More pictures on NVL.

Scalloped goodness: The blouse progression.

I figured I'd start off the month with some B-52's. 'Bouncing off the Satellites', to be precise.

Ah, it's good to be back in the old clothes again. All that blue was turning my breath minty fresh :)

I altered the scalloped blouse pattern from earlier in the week. Just cleaned up some lines and altered the back so that droop beneath the under arm would lessen.

I'm frankly surprised at how fast these come together.

It's really a day project, if that once the pieces are all cut out. On this one I used some wool crepe that I've had for at least 8 months. I was going to use it for another pattern, kind of as a test, because I don't think the color works too well with my skin tone, but I wanted to make this blouse again, and I don't think this blouse would work in a stiffer fabric. It drapes best with something drippy.

What I did differently was I hand basted the gathers. That spaces them out more and makes them softer. I'm really liking the progress on this one and I'll be done shortly.

On another note...

I thought this would be a good time to take stock of where I am with this blog. Don't worry, this isn't a find myself query. I'm curious to know if there is anything you, my awesome reader would like me to cover. Any projects you'd care for me to tackle? Any things you'd like me to research. I am thinking of doing a burn test/fiber evaluation post soon, but other than that, it's my projects as usual.

Opinions welcome!

Using my slopers for the first time, on a blouse!

Sleeping dog...

So as you all recall I made these slopers a few weeks ago. Ive been mixed up in other projects and finishing random things, but the main goal of them was to use the against patterns that are not my size.

Then this pattern walked into my life. I mean look at it. This blouse is fabulous! The scalloped yoke, the gathers and the blousy look. Mmmmm. But its size. A 34 bust. Still, I had to get it. I haven't bought a 34 bust in YEARS. YEARS I tell you (I'm totally lying...)! But she's a beauty, and I had to have her.

I laid the pattern and sloper out on the table and using this as a loose guide, I went to work.

The good thing about the pattern is that it's a pull over, so no buttons to deal with. I traced off the pattern in its original size, them cut it up and matched it to the sloper proportions. The challenge was the blouse front.

I mean its quite wide, so I thought about how much drape I wanted then measured the original and compared that to the 34 bust the size is intended for.

I took great liberties on the sleeves.

I made them kind of a mix of both sleeve styles in the pattern. I wanted some gathers at the shoulder, but not too much. They have great drape.

My largest mistake is the gathers at the scallops.

Not only did it take nearly 40 minutes to lay and pin them, I was a tool and didn't pay attention to where they should have started, so I just gathered all of them.

Silly me. Still, I tried on the blouse and it drapes really well.

There is a heavy drape on the side which if I simply adjust the angle of the back piece would go away.

I'm going to do that on the next go around.

I faced the cuffs, the back opening, and the neckline with a basic cotton to stiffen them.

I still have to finish the cuffs, hem the blouse (which I will add about 1" on the next go around in the front to compensate ye old boobs more), and add buttons.

I'm going to use these flashy green numbers. I'm generally not the gal who goes for bling, but I think these will work great against this gray rayon.

I so plan on making this blouse again. Next time paying more attention to the gathers, teehee.

Notion Gizmos

Its Tom Waits tonight.

Yes, I loves me some sewing gadgets. There are all sorts of things out there to aide in sewing, and none of them are more interesting, or useful, than the vintage ones.

This first one is my plastic bobbin holder. Its seen better days, much better, but it was my mother's so it will never be replaced.

This next one I love simply for its graphics. Late 50s more likely, back when women were euphoric in their girdled dresses doing housework and such.

Speaking of girdles...Im leery of the elastic. Im sure its past its prime.

Same for this one, but lookit that hair!

Apparently home pleating was big. As well as the ways to do it. I find it interesting that now if you have enough yardage, you can just send off and have your fabric pleated.

I am all about that pleating measure thing, though. CANT wait to try it out!

And the bevy of self belt making kits. I have a lot of these. Many different brands.

Im also somewhat of a seam gauge collector. I LOVE the vintage ones, and this one (probably 60s) is my favorite. There isnt anything this thing cant measure!



This is the latest addition to my collection. I got it mainly for the calatin buttons, but look i the upper left, a SCALLOP RULER!!!!!! How awesome is that! VERY!
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