Pattern Haul

Way way back, in the distant time that was before lockdown - Ok I mean February- I scored a whole lot of sewing patterns on Freecycle. I had a lovely chat to the lady I received these from, only to discover despite living up here in Northumberland, she was originally from a town local to where I grew up, some 180 miles away - it's a small world, isn't it?

Anyway - back to the haul. I was gifted a large plastic bag of patterns mostly from the '80s. But as we are seeing a resurgence of 80's music and fashion I'm pretty sure some of these will come back around very soon, if not already in there. I did give some of the easier patterns to a friend of mine who is just learning to sew. there are some magazine patterns too, mostly from Prima. Also included was the pattern sheet/ instructions from a 1984 edition of Burdastyle magazine.

I thought I'd review these here and ask you for your opinions about them. I may give some of these away as some are not in my size/ not my style. Anyway here goes...

First up - stuff I might actually make.

Vintage Simplicity 7687, circa 1968. I love the simple lines on this one, but its a single size and my waist/ hips don't match this size. I'm going to have a look at grading this to fit.

 

Vintage Maudella 5812  - 1970's, but not sure which year? (Maudella were the forerunners to New look patterns) I love this but I am gutted that there is a skirt piece missing. I'm sure I can draft one to match - again I need to check the size.

 

Vintage Butterick 5852, this one is 1972. I love the Jumper dress. Personally, I like the long version, but the short version could be cute too, maybe paired with wide trousers rather than flares. This one should fit.

Vintage Simplicity 7498, 1968. I love this wrap skirt and may have a go with some denim I have in my stash - again I'm going to have to grade up I think. I like the version with the buckles.

Next up are the patterns that I could be tempted into making at some point, but I have some concerns about.

McCalls 8926, 1984. There is definitely a Jumpsuit trend still going strong. I quite like this, but think that it could be a bit too wide across the shoulders. It also reminds me of a uniform I had to wear at work in 1989. 

 

Maudella 5955, again the 1970's. I quite like empire line dresses, but am always concerned that they can make you look pregnant when you're not - could be a good maternity pattern in the right fabric. - not for me though.

New Look 6277, 1980's Simple shirt dress - nothing wrong with this, I've just got patterns I prefer.
Butterick 3353. The 1980s - the same.

Simplicity 5161, 1981 - This is so on trend - think Wilder Gown. It looks quite nice in the light floaty fabric, but again, unless you want to look pregnant... or you are pregnant...

 

Simplicity 6395, 1980's Looks a lot like the In The folds jumpsuit from Peppermint magazine. Probably won't make this one.

  

Style 4092, again 1980's Simple boxy top - good for beginners I think -might make, or use it as a teaching pattern for my daughter. 

 

Burda 7163, 1980's - again on-trend, not sure it's my trend but my kids might like this one.

Finally, those that I really wonder why someone would ever make a sewing pattern for. There's a couple of maternity patterns in this lot - if you'd Like them, let me know and I can post them out - UK only.

Maternity Patterns - the Maudella one is ok, but the other one...

 

No shape patterns - although the cold shoulder is ok.

Shapeless and oversized - love it

Ruffles and gathers and a plunging neckline - no thanks

 

This is actually ok - but rather shapeless - good for someone new to sewing.

 

 

Quite like a trenchcoat - but this looks very oversized - I don't think I could cope with those shoulders.

 

 Inoffensive, bland.

So do you have a pattern stash? Any suggestions for what to do with some of these? I feel a trip to the charity shop might be in order once lockdown is over. Can't wait to try some of these though.

2013 Winners and Losers

I suppose it has to be done, it's good at the end of the year to look back on the successes and failures of the last 12 months and set new goals. I was surprised how much I actually completed this year, but also how few of my goals I achieved. I have felt swamped by work, especially in the latter months of the year and long for a greater sense of balance. How I achieve that I'm not quite sure!

As for creating, I've been quite prolific, but so busy I've not always blogged to the extent I'd like to. I think I've only had one major sewing fail. 

It was just too big and it swamped me, hence I haven't worn it more than about twice, it's in the refashioning pile!

Winners - surprisingly my tailored jacket. It's had quite a lot of wear, although I still haven't blogged about it, despite finishing it weeks ago. I will photograph/ blog about it soon!

Sorbettos. I discovered this pattern late on and have made 3 versions. They are staples in my wardrobe and I wear them all the time.

The Maudella dress, with alterations from zip to button front, I made two polka dot versions and a floral one with a gathered skirt. Haven't worn them much lately as they are definitely summer wear.

Gertie's book has yielded two successes, the pencil skirt and the bow blouse. I also made the Lucinda pencil skirt, by be my goth. It's a great pattern and I need to make another one. 

The jury is still out on the Anna dress, I made a winter wearable muslin, but want to make another version with some minor alterations, will have to see how that goes.

I also created a whole load of drawings and paintings while I recovered from my hip op and raised about £1500 towards my charity trip to China (just another £1500 to go before April).

So goals for the next year. 

1. Get some balance

2. Sew a corset

3. Make trousers

4. Go to China

5. Sell more of my art

6. Create my first pattern

7. Spend some time sorting out the house (my hubby has designated 2014 as the year of DIY)

8. Family holiday to France. 

Polkadot Maudella Version 2

After I made the purple polkadot dress based on the Maudella pattern I picked up for 20p, my friend Alli loved it and borrowed the dress for an event, she was taken with it and asked me to make a version for her, so she bought me the fabric -  a dark red with cream polkadot cotton and I made the dress up for her.

As it was the second time I've made the dress it went together much quicker. I didn't use interfacing in this one as I found that even the light interfacing added too much stiffness to my purple version. I glad I did this as the dress hangs much better and the fabric has enough body as it's a quilt cotton.

Soundtrack: The North Borders - Bonobo

Polkadot Purple

Spotty

Doesn't that image just make your eyes spin? - it's an odd effect that images of tiny spots has!
So I finally finished the dress that I made up from my vintage Maudella pattern.  I adapted the pattern slightly to have a button from, rather than a zip. This worked well although I'd use a narrower button stand and vertical buttonholes next time.

70's collar

 The pattern was easy to follow, but there were some odd construction methods. The bodice and skirt panels were sewn together before sewing the side seams, which is not how I'd normally construct a dress.

Strange side seams

The bust darts were a little short and I lengthened them by about an inch. The armhole facings were HUGE, and even when stitched to the seams, would flap into the armscye - A bit of hemmit sorted out that problem, next time I make this dress, and I will - I already have fabric for version 2, I'll use a bias strip.

Huge arm facings

I do like the extended shoulders, which fold back to give a nice detail.

Shoulder flaps

I used a slightly too firm interfacing for the collar, and will use something lighter next time. I like the contrast buttons (which I sewed on with my machine - first time I've done that) and feel the dress needs a matching belt, when I wear it. I haven't found one yet though.

Contrast Buttons

 I haven't worn this yet, as it's a dress for warmer weather, but hopefully it won't be too long!

Pattern: 20p
Fabric: £15
Buttons: £1.20
Interfacing & Thread: - from stash

On my sewing table this week...

Finally I'm getting around to sewing up this Maudella pattern that I picked for 20p last year. It's uncut, and states that its slim fit. I usually make up a 10 or 12. But after measuring the pattern pieces, there is next to no wearing ease, I decided to cut a 14. I'm also changing the zip front to a button through to make it more like a shirt dress.

I have a lovely light purple/ cream polka dot cotton I got for £5 last summer. I suppose with nice weather the last couple of days it's reminded me that warmer weather will be here soon and I need some dresses. I'll keep you posted on the progress.