Still no significant sewing to speak of, but I have come to several realizations...and please excuse me if i'm rambling a bit, but I do want to get it all down...

I have too much stuff. Too many books, too many patterns and way too much fabric. I got into the habit of buying sale fabric, even if it really wasn't the right color or weight, just because it was cheap, and I've been moving it from place to place. Some of it isn't even usable to do muslins.

Patterns, tons of them, and Burda WOF, and Knip Mode. A good quantity of them are not even close to the right size and would have to be graded up in order to use them. Am I really going to do that for patterns that are not vintage.

Vintage patterns - boxes, a good number are from the 1970's that I got as part of a collection I purchased off e-bay. Some of the patterns from the 50's and 60's are worth keeping, as well as recent vintage purchases. They are worth the effort to grade up or down as needed.

I recently came to the conclusion too, that I have been using the wrong size patterns. I have struggled with the concept of using a smaller size for the neck and shoulders and doing an FBA, but in reality, all I need is a size 18 with a 1/2 inch tuck for length, and a 3/8 inch wedge removed from both the front and back armseye. I think this is due to scoliosis.

I have also started doing what I did years ago, spreading out the pattern, taking a piece of chalk and drawing what I want right on the fabric. Cut and sew, and there it is! I made myself the cutest little T this weekend using just this method.

Now that I'm convinced I need to clear out a lot of the stuff, any ideas as to what I should do with it? I hate to throw away the patterns..something about not allowing anyone to have access to these gems in the future. They could be someone else's vintage treasure someday. Most of the fabric can be tossed. It's low quality, and I really am aiming for a better quality all the way around in my life....

Open to suggestions.

I can't believe that's it's been so long since I last posted. I have to confess that I have done absolutely no sewing to speak of. I have been playing around with some slopers, but there are no new outfits from my sewing room! I have a long weekend coming up, so maybe I can get to some of these gorgeous patterns that are just lying on my cutting table, calling my name!

My Sybil Connolly pattern arrived yesterday, and I am so excited! Even the little westkit styled blouse is underlined! I think that the care and detail that went into these garments is exquisite, and just the kind of quality I have been looking for. The little jacket is actually raglan sleeved, and the skirt has two zipper! One on each front seam. It is just darling.

To continue on my Vintage-for-today kick, here are some of the patterns I have purchased recently I have tried to choose patterns that I could sew right out of the envelope that will look appropriate for today. Later on, I'll share the alterations/grading that I figured out to make even my current patterns fit. Here are my purchases:









Isn't this the greatest shirtdress? I would look perfect in a print jersey!

The perfect little shell to wear under suits...

And here's the suit to wear it under!

There are more, but I just wanted to show you a few. Unfortunately, They won't get shipped until the beginning of September, as the vendor is on vacation! Oh well.

In the meantime I have traced off a blouse pattern and a dress pattern that I have to try to figure out the alterations. I have had some pretty good success, and I think that I'll use this method on my current patterns too.

I start with a size 12 and grade up to a 16 from mid-armseye down, and grade down to a 10 everywhere above mid-armseye except for the neck. Then I still have to do a FBA, but not as dramatically as I would with just a 12. The dress pattern I tried has a separate bodice and skirt, and I think it would actually make a great sloper! I've actually altered and cut out a blouse pattern from 1950 and have begun basting in interfacing and marking the fabric to sew. Maybe I'll have something to show in the next couple of days. Of course, there's unpacking and tidying up from Fay first...

I should just use vintage

I recently had this great idea that I only wanted to sew beautiful, couture quality clothing. I think that's kind of hard to do with a lot of the styles available today, but maybe, like Carolyn from http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com/ I could include some vintage details into my suits and dresses that I plan to sew for work. Then I got to thinking that maybe I could just make some of those original patterns in fabrics that would make them more modern and up to date, so that I could wear vintage, but not look like I was wearing a costume. I really need some corporate style work wear, and some fun casual stuff. (Summer lasts a long time here in Jacksonville!). Well,maybe I should use some of the many vintage patterns I've collected. I just won a Sybil Connolly pattern from the 60's that's got a great little jacket in just the right proportion for my short self. Here it is:

When I saw, it I realized that I probably had some great stash fabric that I could use, so the pattern came today, and thanks to Carolyn's link to this site:

Out of the Ashes: http://risingfeenix.com/homeI have now ordered several more patterns that are closer to my size to start with. Just some suits, blouses and a couple of dresses with gorgeous details. I'll post pics when they come. Well, I'm off to trace off the pattern and make my adjustments. Guess it's a great way to pass the time while I'm waiting for TS Fay to blow through!