Mine ALL Mine!!!!

I remember that line from a cartoon character or some villain in a movie.  Well that's how I feel about my sewing collection (or as my daughter calls it "stuff").

As I continue to go thru my sewing stash, I just found that I have several older editions of Vogue Patterns Magazines (back to 2009).  I kept them for articles that I was interested in.  I hate to throw them away, but at the same time I don't have any place to store them:

All of my sewing magazine from 1990 to present: Creative Needle, Sew Beautiful,  Burda,  Patrones, etc.

So voila!  My printer is also a flatbed scanner:

So I proceeded to take apart the pages, and scan in entire issues of Vogue Patterns magazine from 2012.

The only space it uses is disk space (and I have a 500G usb drive) so that's not a problem

 In the infamous words of the A-team: I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!!!!

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On the Sewing front, I just completed this pattern, Kwik Sew 4027:

I made view A with the shorter sleeves.

Kwik Sew K4027

Pattern Description: Close fitting, pullover tops have V-neckline with self fabric neckband with raw edges and stitched hems. View A has full length sleeves. View B has short sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: S, M, L, XL   I made the Large, but would be better fit thru bust if I had done Medium

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes simple and straight forward.  However, be aware that the neckband is raw edges so you will use to front neckband pieces sewn together as one.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The top was an easy fit
and extremely simple to make

Fabric Used: Cotton Lycra that I've had in my stash for a year or so; this top was a muslin to see how the t-shirt fit.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't make any changes this go round; but the next time I make it I would do the following:

• next time start with Medium and add some width in the hip, so its not too snug
• change the neck band to have a finished edge, just seemed strange to have all of the other edges (sleeves and hemline) finished but the neckline was a raw edge.  Plus when I washed it the edge curled up.

view of neckline after washing

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? The pattern was an easy make and
fit well.  I will make this again as I have problem finding t-shirts that are long enough.  Also, the v-neck did not appear to be as low cut as in the pictures.

Conclusion: I call this "no-brainer" sewing.  It's definitely an easy make with only 4 pattern pieces. Since this was considered a muslin, I will definitely be making again.

Happy Sewing!!!

Well, since I've been talking about Burda Magazines; I thought I would make a blouse from one of the issues:

Burda 11/2013; #122

The recommended fabric for the top was a charmeuse.  However, I chose to use a knit, and I chose not to make the shawl.

Why did I chose this top?  I find that tops/dresses with princess seams are easier to adjust for fitting; because you have multiple seams ( 2 additional seams in the front and back) to make adjustments for the breast, waistline, and hip areas.

I had some knit fabric that I had purchased at Colorado Fabrics during one of their sales.  It ran me about $1.00.  I figured I'd give this a try and see how it works out.  Beside this top is only going to be a muslin, right.

This top has a zipper in the side; but because I'm using a knit I didn't need it.

Here is the finished top:

Front of Top View 1

Front of Top View 2

Back of Top

I was pretty pleased with my ability to match up the designs at the princess seams.  It is very difficult for you tell where the seems are;

Close up of back seam View 1

Close up of back seam - View 2

Happy Sewing!!!!

Vintage/Retro Sewing Style

As I continue to get my sewing room in order, I am re-discovering all of my books, notions, etc.

Today I was going thru some books and discovered this series of sewing books.  One that I found and have been reading thru is the "Simplified Systems of Sewing and Styling".

The series was authored by Doris Anderson.  The original copyright was 1948.  I was able to get my hands on copy published in 1966 (21st edition) at an estate sale.This is a set of ten lessons:

I love the older sewing books. In a lot of instances I think they better explain the how and why better than some of the new books when it comes to techniques.

I've been reading the first lesson: Selection of Patterns and Fabrics.  I found many blogs that reviews the lessons.  Lesson 1 has been reviewed here (so I won't do my own but refer you to these):

• What I Found Blog: Lesson 1
• Black Fashion World Blog: Lesson 1
• Modern Retro Woman Blog: Lesson 1
• Sunflower Makeup Blog: Lesson 1
• Diary of Blue Girl: Lesson 1

As you can tell this series appear to be pretty popular.

So I figured why not apply the principles of this series.  In the first book it talks about knowing your style and pattern selection.

Just yesterday I attended a estate sale to purchase some 1950/1960 editions of Vogue pattern magazines to get ideas on how to accessories all these vintage style garments I'm making.  Well while there, I found an ample supply of Vogue Designer patterns: 

Each of these patterns is an example of the "general line affects" that is described in Lesson 1 of these books.

• Vogue Paris Original #1219 (1975) - This pattern utilizes the straight line, with its center front tab and center seams.  The lesson states that straight lines, ".... tend to make one look sophisticated."
• Vogue Couturier Design #1051, Valentino (1975)- This patterns implements the straight (The button tab on the left side of the dress) and curved lines (The top stitching around the neckline).
• Vogue Couturier Design #1121, Sybil Connolly - This patterns is an example of diagonal line.  The lesson states that the diagonal line from shoulder to hem gives the illusion of length and slenderizing.

I am definitely going to give the Sybil Connolly dress a try, I love the way it looks and the drape of the skirt.

Did I mention that I only paid 50 cents each!  The patterns have never been cut and come with the Designer Label that Vogue used to include in their designer patterns!

Now off to my sewing room . . . . .

Happy Sewing!!!!!