Vintage finds and retro handmade--a sweet mix I know you'll love.

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Saturday, January 25, 2014

For the Thrifty Sewers Among Us

Many people these days have developed a taste for vintage fashions and perhaps enjoy mixing and matching the old with the new.  Some of the old fashions  are "current" again, like skinny jeans, bow-necked blouses, or sheath dresses. The casual observer might not even realize that an article of clothing is from another time!

The main difficulty I encounter when I look for vintage clothing is a problem with fit, and I think that's an issue for a whole lot of people. The sleeves are too loose, the bustline or chest is too full, the waist is too long, etc. We could alter the old garments, or we could sew something to measure, using a vintage sewing pattern!

I have recently acquired a number of vintage patterns and I've been adding them to my stores a few at a time, after I've gone through them to check for condition issues and missing pieces or instructions. Stay tuned for more, and don't forget to tell your friends if they like to sew! Meanwhile, here are a few to choose from.

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CandyAppleCrafts/4291184/McCalls_Sewing_Pattern_4250_Misses_8_Dress_Top_Jacket_Pants_1974/Craft_Supplies/Patterns/Womens
This cool 70s pattern makes loose palazzo pants, a maxi dress, a jacket, a top, and a knee-length dress. Lots of options!

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CandyAppleCrafts/8422359/pullover_comfy_tunic_top_pattern_misses_size_8_simplicity_6365_/vintage/supplies/sewing_patterns
Like tunic length shirts, but the ones you find are always too long, or the sleeves bind under the arms? This blouse pattern from the 80s (actually borrowing from a late 40s design), can help you with both problems. Looks very comfortable! I really like views 2 and 3 on the front.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/176987284/vogue-top-and-skirt-pattern-9607-madmen?ref=shop_home_active_2
This fabulous top and skirt pattern from Vogue masquerades as a dress with a late 50s/early 60s style about it. I seriously love the view in yellow!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/175923075/vogue-american-designer-albert-nipon?ref=shop_home_active_14Have a taste for vintage designer fashions? Here is a lovely and feminine dress designed by Albert Nipon for Vogue! It has some pleating on the bodice and a faux tie waist.

These designer patterns are selling quickly. I put a Calvin Klein pattern here on 1/25 and it sold immediately!
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CandyAppleCrafts/8063024/drape_back_dress_pattern_lauren_hutton_simplicity_6641_size_8/vintage/supplies/sewing_patterns
Here is a drape-neck dress pattern from supermodel Lauren Hutton's signature collection designs. You can put the shawl drape in the front or the back, and vary the length, depending on the level of drama you wish to achieve.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170052372/edwardian-sleepdress-gown-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_9
Maybe you are more interested in vintage sewing patterns for costume appeal. This Edwardian nightgown pattern will appeal to the Downton Abbey fans among us, because it was designed from clothing from that time period.  It has a very wide range of size options, and it has never been cut!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/177009326/long-sleeve-blouson-top-pattern-loose?ref=listing-shop-header-0
This blouson shirt pattern is more like the fashions from the current season of Downton Abbey, which takes place in the late 20s. The pattern itself dates to the 70s, but i see it regularly these days, often paired with skinny leg pants and flats!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170715958/yoked-pullover-sundress-pattern-young?ref=related-4&is_wholesale=0
For the teens, I do have some juniors patterns, like this sundress pattern from the 70s, drawing upon the country girl image. This one has never been cut!


http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CandyAppleCrafts/5765320/mccalls_pattern_4496_baby_overalls_shirt_reversible_bib_3_months/vintage/supplies/sewing_patterns
I also have quite a few patterns for babies and toddlers, like this darling infant bib and overalls pattern. The pieces are so tiny!

I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of my pattern collection. If you like a pattern but it isn't in your size, you might want to check out a pattern resizing tutorial like this one, for converting to plus-sizes, or read the discussions in this forum about how to convert vintage patterns for unusual body types and figure issues. I'm sure there are other useful links from around the web--I'd love to hear about them!

Thanks for reading!  Don't forget to follow me on Facebook, where I'll be posting links to more sewing related paraphernalia as I make it available.

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