pretties, in progress, etc.

Due to the indescribably bad weather, I have not had phone or internet for a couple of days...yikes.  I wish I could report I used that time to work on projects, but honestly the most I got done was to cut out a little lawn sundress.  Which, I don't have enough batiste to fully line sooo.... I'm at a bit of a crossroads.  I hate when I do that. 

I used this pretty 1950s Vogue sundress pattern for the bodice:

 

The lawn is pink, tropical print.  I think I got it from Fashion Fabrics Club last spring.  I cut the bodice as drafted, just adding a bit under the arm for insurance.   For the skirt,  I didn't have quite enough fabric to do  the gores and follow the directional print. So gathered skirt it is!

This afternoon I've perused the new offerings at Modcloth.  There are some really cute spring & summer things out now!  Here are several things I love and think are worth knocking off...

How amazing is that pink gingham trench???  LOVE!    And the last dress is named "Hawaii, 1955".  LOVE AGAIN!

The first dress may be the one I actually try to knock off first.  I have this cotton print in stash and I haven't had a clue what to do with it:

It's by Andover and is called "Oh La La". I think it's perfect to knock off that cute sheath!  Here's a closeup of the neck detailing:

Then there are a bout a dozen other things worth perusing my pattern stash for knockoff potential:

And then there's this sweet blouse (in two incarnations):

I couldn't have been more excited a few days ago when I found the perfect pattern to knock this off!  I knew it had to be 80s (or preferably 40s, but that turned out to be asking too much).  Gathered shoulders to yoke, tie neck with collar options preferably, button front placket, cap sleeves (cut on or separate).  Here's the winner:

Good gravy, this post could have been divided into several parts.   ha.  Sorry, it must be Wordy Wednesday!  Progress on SOMETHING coming up in the next few days, I promise!

70s-inspired: Summer of the Sundress

Fashion from the 1970s gets a bad rap.  I've been guilty of the dissing myself! But there were some pretty awesome things happening fashion-wise in the 70s.  One of my fave trends, for example, is the bohemian or "boho chic" look. I gravitate to peasant blouses and flowy tunics to this day.

You can find my garments here, here, here and here.

And as you know, I'm a big fan of  mixing prints.  I did a whole tutorial on being brave about your print mixing last year. I'm pretty sure my love of patchy-mismatchy stems from my mother's forays into patchwork in the 70s.  My sister & I both had a version of the vintage skirt below (which has already sold in this etsy shop).  And I unwittingly made nearly an identical skirt for Lu three years ago!

You can find my garments here and here.

Calicos, lace and rick rack found popularity in the 70s, a throwback to the feedsacks and sweet trims of the 1940s which was experiencing a resurgence. I love dainty floral prints!

You can find my top here.

Currently, I'm enamored of 1970s sundresses.  I can't stop looking for patterns and examples online. I love the sweet prints, the dainty touches of lace, piping, pintuckes, and ruffles.  I love the fitted bodices, the strappy ties and the length (just at or below the knee). 

Here are several examples for you to enjoy, along with their etsy or ebay seller name.

I think 2011 will be the summer of the sundress.  Now... I'm off to sew.  Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!

May Burda Style

May Burda's here!

It's not my favorite issue of 2011, but I do love the 1950s pictorial (and I cannot wait for the Bardot pictorial next month!  I LOVE Brigitte Bardot's style!  I don't care about her controversies and life choices whatsoever.  I just think she was simply adorable.) Anywho...

This cute little shirt dress with the peter pan collar might be my fave in the whole issue:

 And there's one more (very similar) shirtdress too:

The little cropped pants are super cute, but I was disappointed the tee wasn't in the mag (and the pants are completely the wrong size for me):

The 3/4 sleeve dress is a very pretty basic, with GIANT pockets!

In the plus pictorial, I love this little summer dress, #130:

 

It looks like one of those dresses I would wear a million times.  I like the gather-shoulder sundress in the plus section too.  If my poor little eyes can take the strain, I might try tracing it too, because it looks like another good summer basic.

Do you have any pics for the May issue?

new (vintage!) patterns...

I really can't resist vintage patterns.  Every time I think I can't possibly find something I don't already have a similar version of...I find one!  Vintage patterns just have oodles of sweet/cool/amazing details that beg to be sewn up.  Here are the goodies I found in my mailbox both Saturday & today...

 

A couple from the late 40s, mostly 50s, and one 70s. (I think I know what you're thinking on that last one.  Something about it really called my name though!)  I think the 1950s little top is my fave, but I love the jaunty bow on the pencil skirt too.

Now just have to find the time and fabric and energy to sew!  I took the top out of it's package this afternoon to trace it but ran out of steam.  Maybe later this evening while I watch tv.  It looks fairly simple to put together, and I can always use new tops.

And yes, I might need a 12-step program.