Vintage Pattern Haul

If you watched any of my videos that I shared over the past few weeks then you know that I already have way too many patterns.

And you also know that I am a total sucker for small size patterns from the 1970's.

So, knowing all this you might wonder why I just purchased another pile of patterns...until you see them!!!

On a whim I popped into the thrift store the other night.  I mostly just go to look at their sewing patterns.  I casually picked up a large Vogue envelope not expecting much.  I turned it over and literally gasped out loud.

There in my hands was a mint condition size 10 (small for Vogue) 1970's Edith Head pattern!  I literally gasped out loud and clutched it close to my body so no one else could see the treasure I had found!

I won't make this as a gown but I love the top portion and could see making it as a blouse~

Then I realized that there were a few more that were sitting upside down.  I didn't dare wish for more, but there they were...

Narducci! Givenchy!  Versace! Oh my!  I was heaven.  I was about to walk away when all of sudden I found another small pile....with another EDITH HEAD!!

And then it happened...I almost fainted...the holy grail of patterns....DIANE VON FURSTENBURG WRAP DRESS!!!

There are actually 2 other Vogue versions of this pattern and truth be told I don't know which one is more valuable, but all I know is that I have one of them :) (I have a Simplicity Jiffy knock-off too that I made here, but it's just not the same....even though it is)

Believe it or not there more.  I actually found the will power to leave some behind, the ones that I knew weren't valuable on EBay and that I would never sew myself.

Everyone one of these patterns is in perfect condition.  They're cut but they're perfect.  As I was going through the patterns I kept wondering about the woman before me who owned them.  We had such similar taste and might have been similar in size.  I hope when the day comes that I have to donate my whole collection to a thrift store that someone cherishes them as much as I have and maybe even wonders a little bit about me~

What's your most amazing thrift store find?  Leave a comment below~

Girls Jumper

When fall rolls around I usually get the urge to sew.  And when I don't feel like starting a big project for myself I like to whip up a cute little something for my niece or nephew.

I used Simplicity 5284, which is an old pattern from 2003.  But I think they've reissued it because I found it on the Simplicity website HERE.

This is a super versatile pattern with a jacket, jumper, pants, and even a little back pack.  I can't even count how many times I've used it for both my niece and nephew.

This is the back closure, which may not be the easiest for tiny fingers to figure out, but hopefully her mom will be close by to button my  niece in.

I thought long and hard about matching the pattern on the pocket.  In the end, I figured why have a pocket if it's just going to blend in, you should be able to see it!  So I offset the argyle print.

Do you recognize the fabric?  It's a magical bolt of fabric I got from the bargain bin, it never ends!  I keep making things with it and there's always more!

What's your 'go to' pattern for kids clothes?  Leave a comment below~

Pattern Collection - The Vintage Drawer!

This is it! The final stop on your tour of my extensive collection of sewing patterns.  This is my favourite drawer, the Vintage patterns!

Watch the video to see the rest of my stash~

Hope you enjoyed the videos.  Do you have some pattern organization tips?  Leave a comment below~

Pattern Collection Tour - Drawer #2

Want to see what's in drawer #2 of my Sewing Pattern Collection?

Watch the video below to find out (I'm going to show you my all time favourite sewing pattern)!

Ooooh!  I see some Vogue!

If you missed Drawer #1, you can see it HERE.

Next week I'll share the last drawer, my favourite, the Vintage Pattern Drawer~

Where do you keep your pattern collection?  Share with us below~

Pattern Cabinet Tour

Most of you know that although I post loads of crafting, jewellery making, and other projects, but I'm really a sewer at heart.  It's my first love and I've been doing it since I was very young.

That means that I've been collecting things like fabric, notions, and patterns (and patterns and patterns) for a very long time.

Today I'm going to begin a little tour of where I keep my patterns and share some of my favourites with you.

This is a video tour of drawer #1.  I'll continue over the next couple of weeks with peeks into the other two drawers so make sure to come back to see what other hidden treasures we find~

                             

If you want to see the rest of my creative space you can check out the little mini make-over I did a couple of years ago.

Lace Dress

Well, I think someone out there needs to have a very fancy cocktail party and invite me to it. Otherwise, I have absolutely no idea where I'll wear this latest creation.

(Did you know that I'm
a blonde now?!?!)

I received the lace with eyelash trim from Wholeport (which seems to have disappeared off the face of the planet) awhile ago.  I knew I wanted to make a pencil skirt with it and luckily I had enough left over to make a pretty little camisole top to match.

I used the same old pattern I always use for the skirt.

And I pulled out this vintage pattern to base my top off of.

I almost lined it with some shocking pink lining but decided to go classy and use this lovely brownish taupe I had stashed away.

And look! If I really want to take it to the next level, I finally have something to wear my Reversible Obi Belt with!

Do you ever make clothes that don't fit your lifestyle just because you think they'd be fun to make?  Leave a comment below~

Summer PJ's

Although Summer is almost half over for most of North America, it seems to be just beginning where I live.  So I figured I better get prepared in case we actually get some nice super hot scorching weather and make a nice cool set of pj's.

I made this top with a remnant I had from this awesome vintage 1974 pattern.

This was one of the very first vintage patterns I ever bought.  I made View C and just cut it off short.

Then I just happened to have some undies that I had already made, so now I have a cute little set!

So bring it on Summer!  I'm ready for you!

Pretty Pillowcase Dress

You may have noticed that I haven't had a whole lot to post in the past week or so.  Someone finally turned on the switch and spring has arrived full force, so I've been spending most of my time outside cleaning up the yard and creating a beautiful space in my garden.  I can't wait to show it to you once it's all done.

But that means there hasn't been all that much sewing and crafting going on.  Luckily, when spring hit a couple of months ago and there was still snow on the ground I did create a few things that I haven't shown you yet.

Like this cute little sundress for my niece.

I just used up a remnant I had and this pattern from 1981:

I'm pretty sure I just used view D and lengthened it to use up as much of the fabric as I had.

I get to see my niece next month so then I'll find out if this will be a dress or a tunic.  I think it's a little long for a top.

I added some pretty vintage lace on the bottom hem to give it an extra girly touch.

And I just used bias tape around the armholes to get a nice clean finish.

I love the versatility of this style.  It can last a little girl for years even as she grows.

Do you recognize this fabric?  It was a remnant from this dress I made a few years ago~

Vintage Pucci Pattern

OK, I can admit it, I am officially addicted to sewing patterns.  I tried walking away but I just can't.  As soon as I enter the a thrift store, vintage patterns are the first thing I look for.

And guess what I found this past weekend!  A real treasure....Vintage Pucci from Vogue!

Will I ever make it and wear it???  No, I will not.  But how could I possibly resist?  And it's a size 10 to boot!  Do you know how rare it is to come across smaller sized vintage patterns?

Did you notice that it's not a gown???  It's culottes! So Euro...so Pucci!

I tried to put it down and walk away but I just couldn't.  Could you?

Skirt Recycle

I picked up this great peasant top pattern from the second hand shop not so long ago.

Vogue 9862 Circa 1998

I try to stop myself from purchasing more peasant top patterns because I already have so many, but I really liked view C so I succumbed to the temptation.

I just couldn't find the right fabric that I wanted to use from my stash, and since I'm on a self imposed ban from buying sewing and crafting supplies I had to get creative.

I ended up pulling out this old cotton wrap skirt that I no longer wear.

Every once in awhile I go through a phase where I'm completely drawn to cutesy floral prints~

I was able to piece together enough fabric to  make View C!

I decided to leave the elastic off of the bottom of the sleeves but still added lace to the bottom hem.

Tah dah....my skirt has been recycled into a new peasant top!

This will be great for summer and for travelling!

I have a hard time letting go of clothes that still fit, especially if I've made them, even if they are slightly out of fashion.  Sometimes this bad habit comes in handy though~

How about you?  Do you recycle old clothes into something new or hand them down?  Leave a comment below~