Congrats to Gertie.

I haven't been doing much sewing lately, but I have been lurking in the background.   That's not to say sewing hasn't been on my mind, I've been lurking behind the scenes reading blogs, reviews on pattern review and buying way too many patterns on-line.  The $1.99, $2.99 & $3.99 pattern sales from club BMV hook me in every time!

Many of you bloggers out there have heard of Gertie from Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing.  Today she announced her new book;   Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing: A Modern Guide to Couture-Style Sewing Using Basic Vintage Techniques.    I've been following Gertie's blog for a couple of years now and I'm excited to hear her new book is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com (and also Amazon.ca).  I placed my pre-order.  Now's the tough part, waiting for September.

For those of you on Pintrest, I've started a Sewing Pin Board.  You can follow me Here.

Happy Sewing!

...where does the time go

Writers block, sewer's block...not exactly. I've been so busy reading all the great blogs out there I've been neglecting both my sewing and and writing on my own blog.

First item on my things to tell you is that Pattern review has published their first book on Kindle.  If you own a kindle or other e-reader I'm sure you're happy to hear this too.   There are tons of sewing books out there, but not too many for the Kindle.  Check out the link on the pattern review website

On the cutting table this week is Jalie 2910, Women's Faux-Wrap Top.  The fabric I've chosen is a black knit in a cotton Lycra blend.  The fabric is solid black with grey flowers embroidered on it.  I'll be sure to post photos for you.  It will be my first Jalie pattern.  I've been wanting to try out a Jalie pattern for several years now.  How long you ask....I actually purchased my first Jalie pattern in the '90s and I'm pretty sure it's buried in my pattern stash.  How do I know it's there? I'm a pattern junkie, and unless a pattern proves to be a real blooper, it remains safe and sound in my collection.   I'll be sure to scan it and post in on my blog, you never know maybe someone out in blog land can share a pattern review on the "near vintage" Jalie pattern.

Sew what's been keeping you busy these days?

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

Helps for Troubled Sewers...Your Sewing Problem?

I think I spend more time reading sewing books and reading sewing patterns than I do sewing.  And I love reading vintage pattern books and instruction sheets.   Today when I was digging through the closet trying to find the Christmas wrapping paper I was slightly distracted by a couple of Vintage sewing books.   I had to chuckle at the subtitle on the cover...Helps for Troubled Sewers and on the back Your Sewing Problem? bring it to SINGER....  This lovely Simplicity Sewing Book was published in 1935 and the cover sounds more like an invitation to attend a support meeting than a sewing book.

Some things never change, here is some advice regarding pattern sizing from page 10 "Don't, however, think you live and die the same size...Check these measures once each season.  Your ready to wear size does not help you here."  

And some things do change, from page 26 "MACHINE STITCHING is recommended for all seams.  If you have no machine, ask a friend to stitch your dress, or take it to a machine store"  I wonder how responsive my local sewing machine dealer would be if  I took my sewing project to them for stitching.   Any bloggers out there willing to give this a try?  ....I double dare you ;-)

Christiana