Adding on to the to-do list

Thanks for you feedback on the Blumarine dress!  It definitely feels good to sew for myself again.  I'm working on another garment from the June 2011 issue of Burda Magazine, I've got it cut out and will start sewing tonight:

BurdaStyle Magazine 6-2011-104

In my previous post, I mentioned that I'm trying to sew up my stash, since most of my fabric still resides in my daughter's room which used to be my sewing space.  I really want to clear it out so there's more room for her things, plus, when I think of something I need and it's after her bedtime, I have to sneak in to her room and use the light of my mobile phone to silently rummage around and find what I need, which is kinda inconvenient...  Marie asked where I'm sewing now.  Now we have a room that does triple duty as an office, a guest room, and my sewing room.  I have a dedicated table set up for my machine, and basically I take over the bed with fabric and patterns anytime we don't have guests.

So I didn't help matters today when I came home with 4 pieces of fabric from the thrift store!  And that was me being good.

I believe all are cotton.  (Left to right) The patchwork gingham print was too cute to pass up, perhaps it would be considered vintage, it's certainly older.  I was thinking it would be fun to make large shaped pillows (heart, house, bunny, alphabet, etc) for L.  The navy is a lightweight shirting with a subtle woven stripe, I've been wanting a navy summer dress.  The aqua fabric is a sheer woven voile (?) that I'm going to use to make another beach cover-up using BWOF 7-2008-123.  We are going to Nantucket at the end of the month so I'm mentally starting to pack (and panic about having nothing to wear) for that.  The red gingham will become something for L, because shouldn't all little girls wear gingham?  I actually hit the gingham jackpot at the thrift store today - they also had yellow, green (both large checks and small checks), and aqua, and it was all I could do to not buy them all.

"She must be throwing Harry's money around!"

My mom just sent me this adorable booklet she found at a thrift store, called "Home Sewing is Easy" by none other than Sally Stitch. It's 60 pages long, and undated, but I'm guessing it's from sometime around the late 40s/early 50s. Free-Westinghouse is the sewing machine featured on the cover so I assume they prepared this booklet. I'll forgo any commentary because it pretty much speaks for itself...

Click on any image to enlarge.

"Estate sale...yarns and fabrics...great prices" - I'm so there

I got up early this morning and checked Craigslist for any yard sales happening today within walking distance of my house. I found an estate sale and scored two bags full worth of stuff there. Buttons, a vintage Belding-Corticelli kit, Addi Turbos, eyelets, snaps & associated tools, and a pincushion! Everything was 50 cents each except the box of buttons which was $3. I'll ask my mom if she wants any of the knitting needles, she knits a lot more than I do.

I also got some kitchen gadgets, vintage Italian silver spoons, colored pencils and some old coins that I'll send to my dad who is a collector.

I decided to skip the rest of the yard sales on my list except for one that was on my way home. More buttons(!) and fabric (because I just don't have enough).

Speaking of bargains, my mom sent me this Balmain pattern that she found at a thrift store (in Colorado which is where my parents live). Factory folds, and it even has the special Vogue label!

I never come home empty-handed from a thrift store

Late last week I had the urge to visit a thrift store, so I indulged myself with a quick trip to Value Village. Here's what I came away with:



Vintage Vogue pattern, 69 cents. Five versions of a basic one piece dress. I don't see a year printed anywhere but I'd guess it's from the 1950's, and it has a larger style envelope. Isn't the fashion illustration just wonderful? Some of the pattern pieces are cut out too, so hopefully someone got a nice dress or two out of this pattern.

Fabric, of course! Thrift stores are a great place to find fabric, at the very least for your muslins when you're fitting your garments. You can usually get several yards for <$2.

This is the first time I did a fabric burn test which was pretty interesting. Now I see why acrylic fabrics should not be used for kids' clothes - that stuff does not want to stop burning!

• Grey, white & yellow print crepe, $1.50 for 3 yards, 38" wide - rayon. I will use this for a blouse or maybe a muslin.

• Heathered grey knit, $1.99 for 3 yards, 60" wide - acrylic. I suspected as much because this fabric is just so incredibly soft! It will be nice for some around the house/lounge pants.
  

Also, I did make progress on the HP Ahoy There Sailor pants. I made a few pattern alterations and whipped out a second muslin. Now I'm ready to cut into the fashion fabric!