Vogue Spring Pattern Collection

Vogue's spring pattern collection is out, check out their web page.    The designs that caught my eye were Anne Klein New York spring dress and Marci Tilton's cropped pants.   DKNY also came out with a cute dress. There's nothing like a spring skirt to freshen up your wardrobe and Vogue 8711 has some great options. 

Lots of dresses and a few separates.  I wish Vogue would come out with more coordinates patterns.  Although I do love dresses, I prefer separates.  They offer much more versatility.

Check out the new Vogue patterns; which ones are your favorites?

Christiana

 

Free Sewing Books

Who can resist the offer of a free book?  Not just any free book but a pattern drafting book based on Italian Fashion Desgin.  Here is the link to the website Pattern Making Book.  The book is described as a tutorial of fashion design for man, women, children's, with detailed descriptions, examples and drawings. In Italian and English languages. 

If that doesn't tickle your fancy, how about a vintage embroidery book or perhaps a 1914 Edition of a Teachers Sewing Manual

Books can be downloaded in various formats, PDF, Kindle etc.

Enjoy!
Christiana

Sewing Shoes

Today, I spent some time on Simplicity Pattern's Website to checkout what's new.  I was really surprised to find out that Simplicity has come out with a pattern for Misses and Baby Shoes.   Actually, I think calling this a pattern for a shoe is a bit of a stretch, it's more of a slipper.   But, it did get me curious...does anybody out there actually make their own shoes?  I find the art of shoe making really fascinating.  There's a lot of work that goes into a pair of shoes.  Checkout this link to Discovery Channel's show How its Made to see all the work that goes into custom made running shoes.  After a quick web search I found this website promoting a book on how to make your own shoes.  Very interesting indeed! 

While I'm not quite ready to venture into making my own shoes, I'm wondering if any other bloggers have walked down this path...

McCalls Spring Catalog Preview

McCalls Patterns has released their spring catalog and it looks like there some fun sewing ahead.  My favourites from this collection include:

McCalls 6284 - Cute kit tops with neckline and sleeve variations.
McCalls 6278 -  I love the angles on this dress.  The colour combinations shown in the diagram are great, but I can also see this dress in one colour but with a mix of texture.  I prefer the sleeveless version over the short sleeves
McCalls 6280 - Another easy dress with angles,but this time it's asymmetrical and has a more feminine touch.   This one has lots of possibilities.  
McCalls 6286 - Tapered blouses with raglan sleeves.  I'm not to keen on the black and white print, but I really like the short sleeved version.  Perhaps in a nice cotton eyelet, or a small retro cotton print.  Perfect with a pair of denim capris or a nice summer skirt.
McCalls 6292 - This princess seamed jacket is so cute.  It certainly has a retro feel to it; it reminds me of a jacket I sewed during my teen years.  This is the third pattern I've chosen that has colour blocking in it; I'm sensing an 1980s flashback coming on....
McCalls 6265 - Flashback to 1970s...Hawaii Five O...The Streets of San Fransisco...don't these fabulous tunics remind you of the seventies.   
McCalls  6271 - Isn't this dress the cutest.  I don't have any kids to sew for but this dress is so fun I thought I'd share it.
McCalls 6298 - Look at the lovely smiles on these models, and who wouldn't smile when they get to model these critter aprons. 

I hope you had fun looking at a preview of the new McCalls patterns, now I'm just waiting for the nearest pattern sale, because I never pay full retail for patterns.

Christiana

Making Smart Clothes... 25 cents

Yes, it's true, in 1934 you could by a sewing book for 25cents.  This one is titled Making Smart Clothes by Butterick Pattern Company. 

A book of this vintage has an excellent section on hand stitching and back then many seamstresses made their buttonholes by hand.  According to this book the three most important lines are the neckline, the waistline and the hemline.  And I was intrigued by the ideas of zig zag shirring (diagram 195), something that I'd like to try on a garment this year, perhaps at the hem of a summer skirt or down the front of a shirt.

Refashioning was called remodeling back then.  "Every smartly dressed woman should take stock of her wardrobe as regularly s the new season rolls around with an eye to salvaging favorite frocks for further active duty"  Suggestions include "Lower your old skirt on a bodice top, and combine it with a new tunic blouse in lame' or satin.  Reverse the process and make a knee length tunic of a too short frock"   What I found interesting was this; "So, often sleeves wear out before their time. Butterick has prepared special patterns to replace them, each offering a variety of remodeling suggestions"  Can you imagine that, buying a pattern of only sleeves.  And what are the odds that it would actually fit one of your patterns or ready to wear garments...NOT.

I hope you enjoyed this look back in time as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you.

Happy New Year
Christiana

Vogue Pattern Giveaway - Winner

An the winner of the Kay Unger Vogue Pattern giveaway is Snowflakes. On December 24th, Snowflakes commented. "Thanks for hosting giveaway. I have two weddings this summer and this would make a great dress for one of the weddings"

Congratulations, Snowflakes! Please contact me via email to claim your prize.

Christiana