1930s Coat Pattern and........a Surprise!

 A couple of weekends ago, I decided to play hooky, ditch all the Saturday chores and visit a new antique store! It was great fun! This is one of the goodies I picked up. The price was fabulous, I snatched it up so quick I didn't even look at it properly. Isn't it smashing? So very Loretta Young/ Myrna Loy looking. It fascinates me there is no buttons, just the neck scarf to keep it closed.

Sometimes the back of a pattern is just as interesting as the front. It looks like a simple coat to make. But it packs such style!

 

When I peeked inside at the pattern pieces, this fell out!! Isn't that funny! It is so bright and colorful. If you look very closely, there are the words "free sample" stamped across it. (It is a little hard to decipher at first) I wonder how it ended up in a sewing pattern? Was it used to hold buttons? Bits of fabric for possible choices? Matching thread??

1940s Blue Summer Dress

In looking through my pictures today, trying to find something to post, I came across this dress. Isn't it so cheerful and summery? Perfect for today!

Now I know you all know I love vintage things, aprons and sewing, but did you know I like to dabble in sewing vintage dresses too? (I am sure you all are saying, yeah, this doesn't surprise me.)

 Aren't the details something? For being a casual summer dress it certainly packs the a lot of details! My favorites- the u-shaped neckline with gathers and the pockets that are cut in one with the skirt and gathered with a self fabric tie.

 Some of details get lost in the print of the fabric, but that is okay with me, the fabric is just too cute! The sleeves are white because I didn't have quite enough fabric.

The cute little pockets.....

And a better view of the sleeves.

The New Winter Lounge-wear Look

I don't usually like to share my sewing projects until they are finished. One never knows what might happen, it might just take a long time, it might not turn out like you planned and you wouldn't be caught dead in it, it might need a bit of something else(what else you are not sure?), so you look at for  few weeks until comes to you. See there are a lot of things! But I am so excited about this one that I had to share! It has been in the making for a long time! Ask the family, I have been talking about this for a year! I just couldn't find the perfect fabric. I knew I wanted quilted, but flannel or not flannel? And I almost fainted when I saw the price of pre-quilted fabric!!

So here is what I am making! A 1960s quilted flannel robe. Not sure why I am making it in the hottest part of summer! Wishful thinking?! I am using the pattern on the left, but have decided to make it look more like the pattern on the right with contrasting binding and collar.

I finally found the perfect fabric! On sale too! The minute I saw it, I knew it was going to be perfect for my robe. It has that just right retro-kitchy feel to it, besides being Pink and roses!

 I cut the pattern out of the top fabric(roses) then layered the batting and bottom fabric(solid pink), pinned it in place and cut it into sections. I didn't want to cut both layers out because of stretching and slipping of the fabric while quilting. I am about half way done quilting the pieces. I will certainly let you know when it is complete. Hopefully before it gets cold!

It is so thick, it will be like wearing a blanket!!

A Few Small Treasures

Two weeks ago, I was able to go to a local antique fair. Was it fun!! I don't know if all antique fairs are the same way, but the vendors were more then eager to bargain! Something I am not use to. Thankfully I didn't fall in love with anything pricey and was able to stay within my allotted budget.

On to the treasures!!

These little cookie cutters were one of the first things I saw and instantly fell in love with! Just too cute for words. The lady who sold them said now I could make my own animal cookies! I think I have a recipe for them in one of my cookbooks, I will have to try them!

Of course I couldn't pass up a cute apron! Very patriotic! I love the stars cross-stitched on it. It wouldn't be too hard to make using the gingham as a guide. This style was very popular in the late 1950s.

And  few vintage patterns that caught my eye. They were the last ones and the vendor was trying to get rid of them. The pattern in center front is actually a blouse and skirt made from the same fabric. I guess so you can change the look of your dress. From day to evening, viola!

 This little lady was my splurge! Isn't she beautiful? In case you are wondering, she is a pincushion doll. Very popular in the 20s and 30s, one would keep her on the dressing table to put hat pins in. Do you see the holes in the porcelain around her waist? That is where the pincushion attaches, forming her skirt. I am envisioning one out of blue and pink silk.... 

Such a sweet face!

Newest Additions to the Collection

Well Friends, I did not make a walk away dress last weekend. Couldn't find the right fabric. It was probably too many choices! We went to a quilt shop in the next town over that we don't get to very often. I bought some wonderful apron fabric! But nothing that said walk away dress. I didn't have a clear picture in mind what I wanted it to look like, but that problem has been solved! Now I need to go back out and look again!

I did receive two wonderful apron patterns in the mail that I will share with you.

One of my favorites! I was so excited to find it at a good price. And yes, it was too good to be true. It is missing a few pieces. Another project for me to tackle!

Pom-pom fringe?!? (version 3) That is a new one! A cute basic apron.

Lest you think all I last weekend was shop, I will be posting pictures of the two aprons I made. They are too cute! Check back tomorrow!

The Butterick Walk Away Dress

In poking around the internet today, I came across the story of the "Walk Away Dress".

"During the 1950s, Butterick experienced a phenomenon it had not known since the 'Garibaldi Suit' of the late 1860s. It was pattern 6015, and it was dubbed the 'walk-away' dress, because it was so easy you could "Start it after breakfast... walk-away in it for luncheon!". It's simple yet flattering wrap design and easy construction were what made it so popular. Sales of the pattern were so great, that at one point manufacturing of all other patterns ceased, and only the 'walk-away' dress was produced until all back-orders for this dress could be filled."  Excerpt from http://butterick.mccall.com/butterick-history-pages-1007.php which is fascinating!

Isn't is fun! The really funny thing I have the new pattern of this! I am so excited, it might be this weekend's project!

More patterns!!

While I was in Texas, we found a pattern bonanza! Here are a few highlights.

What am I going to do with them all? Rearrange my drawers I guess. Out go the shoes, in go the patterns!

I have no idea how many I got. The first time we went I bought 24....

 Embroidery patterns for pillow cases and dish towels. For every embroidery pattern I bought there were at least three different patterns in it! Not sure why, but very fun!

Children's patterns.

 Baby patterns, Who can resist those sweet faces?

A few dresses. I am always a sucker for shirtdresses.

This one just made me laugh! I really don't see a connection between Penguins and fruit?! They are cute though!

Summer Vacation!

I just got back from a weeks vacation! In sunny Texas! As you can see I had a few posts scheduled while I was gone. But it is going to take me a few days to get back to "normal". Just wanted to let everyone know I hadn't fallen off the edge of the world. In the meantime, enjoy this blast of summerness!

Don't you love it? Those bright colors. So tropical and sunny! This is either late 30s or early 40s. The height of the "Tropical/South American" fad. Who didn't need a little "sun" at that time, just getting over the depression and then starting a world war.

It also reminds me of Carmen Miranda! Was she not the absolute picture of "Sunny South America"?

Weekend in Havana is one of my favorite Carmin Miranda movies. She has a part in the story not just as an entertainer but as a charater. Bear with the credits, it was the best video I could find.

What are your summer plans? Going for a Weekend in Havana?

Think Pink!

Did you know I love PINK? I have a feeling you have you might guessed that.

Is this not the prettiest pattern envelope? So 50s. It reminds me of a song from "Funny Face" (starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire) very aptly named Think Pink.

I love the lyrics. Love the dresses too!

A few more pink dresses from different decades.

Aren't they fun?

 I visited my sister last weekend and we always go to her local antique shop. I can't wait to show you my new finds! Just have to get pictures taken.

Applique and more Applique!

 Looking around on the internet, I kept coming across all these applique aprons. Aren't these cute? So cheerful!

Apples! What could be better? Late 1930s.

Love the design of this one. Early 1940s.

 Mid 30s. What could be cuter? Pink elephants and cherries!

 A little south of the boarder influence here. Mid 40s.

 Look what they do with rick-rack. Later 40s.

 The flowers are too cute, 1930s.

This one is on my to-do list! From the 50s.

Christmas 1947

Look at my newest vintage find! My sister Becky sent it to me. Aren't sisters the best! But I did make her an apron :) This is a McCalls pattern booklet for December 1947. And guess what?! There is an apron pattern in it! I couldn't resist sharing a few pages with you. They are so cute!

I love the dress on the right! So many lovely details.

Aren't they elegant?

The aprons!! On the right: "Gals will simply love a romantic orange blossom apron. Use rick-rack braid for blossoms. Sew to appliqued orange with French knots." On the left: "Delight the gals on your list with a pert "Walking the Dogs" apron!" I think I am going to have to make these. Flowers made with rick-rack, too fun!

Love the pajamas and robes!

I just had to post this one. The hats are crazy! I have never seen anything like them before.

Newest Apron Patterns

Here are a few apron patterns that have recently joined my collection. These are so cute! I can't wait to make them up!! I already have plans!! (but first I have to finish a few projects that are in progress!)

First off (top) we have a 1950s cobbler style apron, that could also be used as a beach cover up! Very ingenious! The ties are sewn into a front dart and can then be tied in back to fit. I already have a fabulous fabric picked out for it! Pink dahlias!

This was a present from my sister. A reprint of a sewing booklet put out by the White Sewing Machine Co in 1940! The apron on the cover is also on my list! The star is actually a pocket!

I love love this one! I am going to keep my eye out for pink fabric like that! I like all the options. Two yokes and two skirt options. Also an applique pattern for the pocket! I have a sister who would adore one with flower pockets in yellow!! 1960s

One of my favorite eras! 1940s! Of course I love the 30s and the 50s and the 20s too! But I think 40s are a bit more on the top of the list! This is just a cute cute apron! Look at all the details! And my pattern came with the embroidery transfer too. Of course this is also on my list!

I am hoping in the next couple of weeks to make a few of these. So be looking for posts about them!