I’m in love!

How did I not know that Mary Maxim has a ton of vintage knitting patterns currently on sale for $2.99! 

I can’t resist the capes. Especially when I’ve been on a houndstooth kick lately, after falling down an Alexander McQueen rabbit hole and landing in the Horn of Plenty. Who could resist this houndstooth cape:

I already have too many things on the needles but this is definitely going to happen soon...

Funny enough, before I got on my A McQ kick, I had stumbled upon a Reddit post about a cape pattern... which someone made in houndstooth... and I completely forgot until just now, when I saved photos of this vintage pattern (Simplicity 9669) to my computer for reference, and found I had already saved the exact same pic last January ago...

Simplicity 9669 cape pattern with diagram

I mean I guess it’s the universe telling me I will never outgrow the desire for a houndstooth cape, so I need to make one by hook or by crook...

sewing through the decades roundup

my 1930s skirt is never ending! hem is done, second placket is done, but do you think i could find my hooks and snaps this morning? noooo. so i cast on a cardigan for the kiddo to do on my commute instead.

anyway, i need some inspiration from other seamsters to get that skirt done! here's what i found from other sewing through the decades challengers:

from the 1970s, a velma dinkley skirt (simplicity 5804)

some awesome selections from decades 1910s - 1950s

amazing 1920s cloche hat pattern

lots more great inspiration in the flickr pool!

argh

this skirt is taking forever!

my first official sewing through the decades challenge is the skirt - just the skirt! - from eva dress pattern 1399. i thought i was clever for having zippers and such in my stash, but of course this is the 1930s, and zippers were still considered generally uncouth then, skap or no skap. so, lots of hand finishing, including snaps and hooks and loops. yesterday i took it to work with me. here's an awful snap i took of myself hemming while standing on a crowded subway:



good times! i have got about half of the handwork done - hemmed half way around, and snaps, hooks and loops on one side.




the tragic part is i seem to have misplaced my lovely stork scissors, and i am really really hoping i did not leave them in the park on sunday!

busy busy busy

getting ready for tomorrow night's meeting of ontario hands & voices, and thought i'd take a break from flyer design!

i'm a bit bereft as it's the third of october - a month to the day from when i began my super secret holiday knitting project. and even though xmas is still a while off, i was secretly hoping i'd have it done in a month, just for bragging rights. but an inability to knit at home is putting a damper on things! this weekend i couldn't even do any early morning knitting, as the kiddo was up and demanding attention around six-thirty. ugh.

but, i am very nearly finished my first official sewing through the decades project - just the skirt from eva dress pattern 1399. i was a bit concerned about the fit (not concerned enough to do a practice run in muslin though) as there is very little shaping and i am quite curvy. but a quick try-on and it fits wonderfully! a happy surprise. now i just have a bunch of hand-finishing to do. but at least the sewing machine is put away and no longer monopolizing the kitchen.



and, back to the holiday theme, a new pair of jimjams for the kiddo! i had a mad fondness for tailored flannel pyjamas. my son shares the sentiment too, i think; we ran out of clean pyjamas yesterday (he's growing so fast we're down to only 4 pair of pjs tailored by me) and had to resort to - horrors! - boughten ones, of the stretchy variety. "these aren't comfortable," he said. kid after my own heart. i have to sew on the buttons, but they're otherwise done.



and i think i did a fairly excellent job of lining up the pattern on the pocket, if i do say it myself!

one down...

one sleeve to go! this wee cardie will be for my neighbours' baby (after it's won a ribbon at the fair):



i do seem to like leafy patterns.



in other news, i found some wonderful dress-weight wool in a prince of wales check for such a low price i bought out the bolt - 6 1/2 yards! will definitely be making a lovely 1930s dress for sewing through the decades from this once my patterns arrive; it has lovely drape.

i did it!

it's been such a crazy busy spring & summer that i am miles behind on everything i want to get done, but i finally ordered a bunch of patterns from eva dress for sewing through the decades! the katharine hepburn frock was first on my list (inspired by this post and the quote "If you ever wanted to dress like Ms. Hepburn did in what was essentially her first starring film role, this is your chance!"), this dress which i can see wearing a lot (either version), this ensemble (cape!!), and a blouse which i already have fabric in mind for (cranberry silk charmeuse i got at the textile museum sale).

and, i snuck in a little 1929 because i love this coat so much.

i'm assuming/hoping that all of these lovelies will be waiting for me when we return from our week at the cottage. and then i will need to get to work right away as we've a party to attend on the 10 september, and then it's time for the toronto tweed ride!

another challenge

this looks eminently manageable, especially in june: the me-made challenge!



i know, i know, i'm always starting challenges and failing, but if a man's reach don't exceed his grasp, then what's a heaven for?

also, june is summer dresses month, and i love summer dresses - making and wearing. i've got one cut and pinned just waiting for me to get my act together, actually. and i'm yearning for more 1930s glamour, if i ever find the time! sigh.

one day, one day...

forget what i said

in my last sewing through the decades challenge post - this fur-trimmed coat is the one i covet!

maybe what i should do is pick patterns covering the decade from 1929 to 1939? or something? the later thirties don't do much for me - once the war started, it all got too pragmatic - but the 1920s often fail to excite in the way i feel they ought to.

the thirties have it

all right, after a month of illness and out-of-town-ness, i want to get back to some sewing and want to get stuck into the
sewing through the decades challenge! and have settled on the 1930s as my decade of choice.

but, what to make? so many choices... i'd love a dress like this - pattern is not available, but i'll bet i could draft one. this is gorgeous, as it this, and this blouse is very wearable. and, i can totally see me wearing this coat with fur trim.

and, i have been in love with this katherine hepburn frock for a while now.

decisions, decisions!

a challenge!

oh, temptation! i found a sew-a-long that i think i must join. it's called sewing through the decades and the object is to sew something from every year of your favourite period - but which to choose? 1950s? 1930s? must needs put my thinking cap on!



only problem: just yesterday i made up a post-holiday-spending budget for myself, and now i have fifty dollars worth of patterns in my cart at eva dress...