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~

Summer Pattern Releases

Oh my gosh...we still have mountains of snow here and can you believe it...the summer patterns are already coming out?!?!

Here are a few of my favs.

McCalls 6744

Great for the office or a patio party!

McCalls 6752

 Love that this is TWO pieces~

McCalls 6755

 Doesn't this dress look soooo comfy?

McCalls 6747

These shorts were all the rage when I was in Thailand last year....they've finally made their way to North America.

McCalls 6756

So pretty!

I just love how many options you have with all of these pieces!

I am sooooooooooo looking forward to a day without snow.  Then not only can I make these lovely garments, but I could actually wear them too!

I have to tell you one weird thing about the McCalls patterns.  See the ones where the pic is taken in front of a tropical backdrop?  Well, when you go to the site, you can see the full photos, and it looks like they shot in places like Rome, Paris, and Venice and you can see all of the famous landmarks...behind the backdrop!  Isn't that funny?

What are you making for this summer?  Leave a comment below~

Drapey Blouse

Remember way back in December when I told you about some pretty McCalls patterns I wanted to try?

 Well, I made another one....

It's just a plain jane blouse for work but it's kind of pretty.  I made view D from McCalls 6651.  I wanted to give it a test run with some cheapy fabric before I went for the super drapey short sleeve one in the large pic below.

You can see the leggings (McCalls 6173) I made here.

Next up will be this gorgeous jacket:

McCalls 6657

What's on your list of things to sew?  Leave a comment below~

New McCalls Patterns

Actually, I'm not sure just how 'new' the latest McCalls pattern release is, but I was visiting my local fabric store the other day and noticed it.

To be honest, I've been a bit bored with McCalls for quite some time.  But this latest batch of patterns has me quite excited!  I try to refrain from adding to my already enormous pattern collection, but I may have to make an exception and buy a few of these pretty patterns:

M6651
Love this silhouette~

M6652

M6657
Sooooo my style!

M6658
These are pj's but that top is so hot
I'd wear it anywhere!

I've also been on the lookout for a new and better fitting pencil skirt pattern.  Guess what...they've got one!

M6654

I've also been thinking about making some leggings.  They have two great patterns to try!

M6173

M6404

McCalls has also updated their website in general and it's sooooo much easier to navigate.  I love that when you do a search, for example "leggings", they also show you patterns from Butterick, Vogue, and Kwik Sew too!

I have to show you these lovely Vogue patterns too because they knocked my socks off.

Absolutely perfect for work~

That's not a little jacket,
they're attached sleeves!
So beautiful!!!

Now I just have to wait patiently for Vogue patterns to go on sale~

What's your favourite pattern company?  Any new styles out that you're excited to make???  Leave a comment.

Show and Tell: Smock Dress

Why does no one ever tell me that my dresses are too short????  I only end up finding out after I've taken some photos to show off my projects to you guys.  Suddenly I realize that I've been flashing the world way too much leg!

(Sorry for the slightly crapola pictures.  I was going to retake these shots but I've been sick all through the holidays and look like a ghost right now. )

I used McCall's "Stich and Save" 6146, which is now out of print.  I've seen a few listings on Etsy for it though.

There's a similar pattern for little girls, so if you're into the mommy and me look you could really make a cute matching ensemble.  I made my niece the top...but we don't match.

Here's a close up of the neckline.

I used a super soft brushed cotton so it's actually a really comfy little dress.  I think I'll start wearing it with leggings though~

Harem Pants

I can hear you already?  "Are harem pants back in style????"  I don't know, but I made a pair!

I used this pattern, which I'm pretty sure has been removed from the McCall's latest pattern books.

And here's what I made.

The whole time I was making them I kept careening back and forth between thinking they would turn out so awesome and what the heck am I wasting my time on these for?  But in the end, I actually really love the way they turned out.  They're super trendy, which I am generally not, but I think they're fun...for this year at least.

Actually, I spent some time in the south of France a few years ago and harem pants were all the rage there back then.  I laughed at them when I first saw them but of course I left with a pair in my backpack on my way home.

I even bought this funny outfit while I was in India.

It can be worn low on the hips as pants or up high as a little jumper.  But there's no hiding the fact they they are harem pants. (In India they called them "Ali Baba" pants.  I'm still not sure that's very politically correct but when in Rome...)

I guess I must have a thing for them, considering I now own 3 pair.  What do you think?  Are you ready to throw a pair on????

                                

Word~

Don't forget to go here to enter to win a FREE vintage pattern from my new shop on Etsy!

Pattern Review- Vintage McCall's 4251

I have a few weaknesses (like shoes, caramel, and vintage sewing patterns) and I have a few passions (like history, art, fashion, and vintage sewing patterns).  But only once in awhile do they cross... you guessed it, vintage sewing patterns!

My mom laughs at me because when I talk about vintage sewing patterns I'm really referring to anything before the 1980's.  The era that I collect the most are from the 1970's.  If I could afford and/or fit the ones from the 30's and 40's I'd probably have a drawer full of them too.

So, today I'm going to show you one of my very favourite finds.

Isn't this the cutest pattern ever?!?!  I absolutely love the illustrations from this time in McCall's history.  I tried to do some research into their fashion illustrators from the past but have yet to come up with anything.

The pattern is from 1974.  So far I've only made the top from View B but it fits perfectly.

I love that it sort of looks like a little jacket and top together (more so on the pattern than in my version).

I just used notions that I had on hand which meant only three little rosette buttons instead of 5 all the way down the front.

Even though I have a small (OK, maybe not so small) stash of lace in my stock, I don't tend to use it very much to embellish.  But I think it's the perfect thing for this little top to give it that "vintagey" feel.

There are two darts in the front and two in the back that help give it that oh so perfect fit, but the real secret is that it has a side zip.

The pattern calls for anything from cotton to challis to satin or wool for fabric choices but I went with a cute floral printed cotton. 

Something interesting that I've noticed with a lot of vintage patterns is that the yardage is usually for both pieces in a two piece outfit so you just sort of have to lay things out if you're only making one piece, to see how much you need.

Did you see the price up top??? 

Vintage patterns are always a bit of a risk because the fit of everything was so different in each decade.  You can see on the back of the pattern above just how much the body measurements have changed compared to today's patterns.  I've made tops, dresses, and jackets from older patterns but have yet to attempt pants because the waistlines are all so different than the trends of today.  But this one is so cute that I just may have to give it a try.

This pattern was so much easier to put together than I thought it would be.  The neckline and the armhole facings finished everything and made it easy to attach the lace edging.  If I ever make this top again I'll probably use an invisible zipper instead of using the lap over technique but that's about all I'd change.

Overall, I love this pattern.  I love the envelope drawings and I like how it fits in reality.  If you're a pattern collector and you come across this one in your travels I definitely recommend that you pick it up.

I'll be sharing this at the linky parties throughout the week.  You can check out the linky party tab up top to see where I hang out when I'm not here.

Also, make sure to check out the Follow my Friends feature this week for another fun blog to visit.