What's in my Pattern Stash?

I am like every other seamstress: I've got more patterns than I'll ever use!  I keep asking myself why, and to be honest; I can't tell you.  Why do I buy the patterns?  Well let me give you the reasons:

• I think the outfit is "me", and will make it
• I'm going to buy it now so that I can make it later.  Because it'll be out of print when I get ready to make it.
• It's a Vogue designer and its on sale!
• I want to make this for my "future" grandkid; so I'll get the pattern now.
• In my mom's words: "They were going to throw them out at the thrift store, and I told them let me have them so that I can give them to my daughter!" (This is how my vintage pattern stash started!).
• Why Not!

All of the reasons are valid and totally justifiable.  So hence, my pattern stash has grown.  

As I've tried to get my house back in order after the remodel, I've been going thru my stash of patterns.  Since I know I'll probably never make them all; but at least I can share them with you: 

I picked up this pattern at the Houston International Quilt Festival about 2 years ago.  It was still in factory folds.  

I've already got a wool to make it out of.  I've been trying to find some fur to use for the scarf ends.  So whenever I'm at an estate sales I'm on the look out for something that will work.  

I've begun tracing the pattern and making the necessary alterations.  And now that I've taken a tailoring class, and almost got my coat done (An update is coming later), I think I have the confidence to start working on it.

It reminds me of the styles that my Mom used to wear.  I just wish the little pillbox hat came with the pattern.

I got this pattern at an estate sale. I fell in love with the styling of it.  I'm considering the fitted (wiggle) version of the dress with the elbow length sleeves.  I particularly love the draping to the side.

I am going to have to size this pattern up one size.  I use the Resizing Vintage Patterns and How to Resize a Pattern. The first contains a reprint of an article. I found the second one to be extremely beneficial in that it has snapshots of how to resize.

I purchased a rust colored silk-dupioni to make this from.  It will have to be underlined.  I purchased some silk organza for that.

I haven't cut this pattern out yet.  But its on my list of to-dos.

I have this dream of having all (or at least 90%) of my clothing be custom-made by me.  We'll see if that dream becomes a reality.

Well that's it for now.  I'll regularly provide updates of my pattern stash; as I continue to go thru it.  Maybe I'll add some of the fabrics.  As I went thru my fabric, I realized my fabric stash was not as large as I had feared.  (Which is a good thing!).

Happy Sewing!

Susan Khalje: The Couture Dress Class & other Craftsy.com courses

If you weren't aware, craftsy.com is offering Susan Khalje's Courture Dress class online for 1/2 off.  I've taken 3 of the online classes from them already and actually like them.  I never thought I'd say that about online classes. I've had to take them for work related things, and just never liked not being able to interact with the teacher, etc. I think its the video that makes them so like-able for me. I can rewind when I've missed a point; or want to really analyze how something was done. The instructors are quick to respond, and you can interact online with the other students.

So far I've taken:

• Knit Lab course by Stefanie Japel  =>; this is a beginning class in knitting.  I took it and then did the scarf and hat that I talked about in a earlier post.

• Craftsy Block of the Month (FREE) by Amy Gibson =>; Just started this; I'm using scraps in my stash to do this one.  It was a free class, and I can travel at my own pace (I think that's what I really like about these; I'm not waiting for the next session to be posted).
  

• Sew Retro Perfect Bombshell Dress by Gretchen Hirsch =>  If you follow Gretchen's blog you'll  definitely enjoy her class.  If you are thinking of taking the course; I think you can still get the class for 1/2 off:  Gretchen's blog for 1/2 off. 

Enrolled in: 

• Craftsy Knit Lab: Fit Your Knits by Stefanie Japel =>  My next goal is to knit a sweater and then on to a dress (I know I'm ambitious!).

• Craftsy The Couture Dress w/ Susan Khalje =>  Just signed up for.  If you want it for 1/2 off go to Frabjous blog and take it for 1/2 off. 

(NOTE: All images from Craftsy.com website)

As you can tell I really love taking the classes thru this site. They are very professionally done, and you can take them at your own pace.  I'm a visual learner; so having the video makes it so much easier to learn for me.  Plus the fact that I can take these classes when-ever I want, and where-ever I want (I did the knitting class on my iPhone while on a road trip with the husband!!).

Also, most of the times you can find specials on the courses: like 1/2 off, and I even got a buy 1 get 1 free right before the holiday.  If you think you want to try one out; then definitely do the Block of the Month course since its free right now.

Well we've got a snow storm here in Colorado.   They are expecting 12 inches today.  So my husband and I spent the day working from home and shoveling the drive way and cars out from the 11 inches that fell last night.  So now, I'm off to my kitchen to grab something to eat.  Thank God I went to the grocery store on my way home from work yesterday.