Vintage Pattern Snags=Part One

I picked up quite a few vintage patterns on my vacation. I have two that I think are particulary interesting. The pattern above is the first.

There is no date on the pattern. From the drawing I'd say 20s/30s, but I don't know for certain. This was produced by Butterick and is not technically a sewing pattern as such. It is directions to create the "negligee or bed jacket". It gives the fabric amount needed, and directions for cutting the fabric. The actual contents of the envelope are transfers to quilt the fabric to create the item.

The back of the envelope reads: A negligee or bed jacket of this kindmay be made ofcrepe de chine, satin, taffeta, flat crepe, or any of the ligher woolen materilas. The quilting should be lined with cheese cloth and the whole grament lined with china silk.
The negligee will take all the transfer design, the bed jacket only Sections A and B and the sleeve ortions of Sections C and D. In either case the used transfer shouldbe saved as a pattern for the lining.
For the development in Italian Quilting you will need yarn for padding. The design shouldbe stamped on the cheese cloth which should the be securely basted to the wrong side...

I guess they are talking about what we would call Tarpunto. As far as I can tell, the transfers are unused. The envelope is yellow with age. There is a spill and dots of what must be nail polish in a dark mauvy-brown. At the cost of 75 cents, I imagine this was on the verge of a luxury item.

2009 Resolutions Half Year Report

Half the year is over. How did I do on my resolutions in the last three months - oh not so good!
+ No new fabric purchases!!!!!!

(7/6/09) I've totally forgotten about this one. I've purchased fabric at the vintage malls, the internet, the fabric stores - I have reduced somewhat, but still bringing in a lot. So that is a NEGATIVE in big letters!

+ Learn to Quilt on my New Used Quilt Designer Machine!!!!!
(7/6/09) Have been using the new used machine quite a bit. But not for quilting. I guess that is about a neutral, not a negative.

+ Make One Item from Each Burda Plus and/or Burda World of Fashion Magazine Acquired!!!!
(7/6/09) Have made some progress - I've traced out several of the patterns from the magazines - a few tops and a few dresses, but not to the point of sewing as yet. So another neutral.

+ Make at least one item for myself from the vintage patterns I've collected!!!!
(7/6/09 - I've got my pattern picked out and the vintage fabric acquired (and washed) so now I just need to make something! That is a small plus sign.

+ Finish the Unfinished 2008 Projects!!!!
(7/6/09) - Not much action here. I haven't done anything more on the Paris Flea Market quilt. But I did start sewing the 8 pointed star blocks together - got two strips of 10 each sewn together. I have the dress in the mermaid fabric on the work table in line to be done soon. So I guess this is some action and worth a medium sized plus???

So, to sum up - a little progress. GOT TO WORK on not getting fabric - absolutely cut down.

Oh boy it is already July!

Oh gosh it has been great to have nearly three weeks off. AND I don't have to go to work in the morning, although I do have a meeting with a client. Nope, don't have to be at the office until Wednesday. But it will be busy then - two reports for funders, negotiations with providers, etc.

I have amassed a wide range of "stuff" from my travels a few weeks ago. Old patterns, fabric, Torquay ware, dutch things - and a dressmaker's form that is sort of out of sorts, but it won't matter since see is a size A and I am - well beyond that. I can put my paper double on it and it will be great to have it to hem things.

I have done quite a bit of sewing in the past few months, but nothing to show for it as yet. I've got a pink linen dress that needs to be hemmed, a brown linen skirt that needs to be hemmed, a cotton dress that needs to have the tucks redone, and a tunic top that needs to have the sleeves hemmed. I did finish two tunic tops, but haven't gotten them photo'd as yet.

I took my office apart - literally - and in putting it back together, my monitor for my desktop, to which my camera software is connected, is not working. I need a few minutes to get it working again, then I can show you all photos of my finds and my plans for those finds.

I will be much more strict about posting from here on in as the deadlines are going to be fewer, and you can always find me on TWITTER!! In the upper right side column.

Just Added Twitter

Good Morning!

I just started Twittering! It will update you on what I'm doing. After such a long time without posting, which I hope WILL NOT happen again, I thought a tweet might be easier to set up. So watch for me on the column on the right. If you want to follow me click to the right.

Where Am I?

Oh my goodness, more than seven weeks without a post - I've never done that before. Sorry, but I have been absolutely nuts from mid-April to now with grant applications. All of those have a deadline of course, so it adds pressure.

I did manage to get a little sewing done, which I will post about early next week. I used two Connie Crawford patterns, the 5300 above for a blouse (V-neck, 3/4 sleeve) and the 5366 for a skirt (larger photo with panels). I am glad I looked at the Pattern Review of the blouse, as many people made comments that the sleeves were tight. So I added to them, and next time I'm going to add more. I also purchased the blouse pattern in the middle to make something else. I think I like the skirt and the blouse both.


And I made a tunic from 2635, one of the newest Simplicity Kahliah Ali patterns. The tunic with vest just looks so darn 70's, I couldn't resist. I'm planning on at least one cotton dress from the pattern, and a vest.

I am hoping to have the last two weeks of June off and the split June/July week as well. Heaven. Will do some more sewing then. I have lots of ideas in the lineup.

Sorry to be gone so long!