1940s Fair Isle Beret and Mittens, Bestway 1226

I know it's been a bit silent here at the moment - but believe me, I've been working my little heart out trying to get the Billie Jean dress to fit the way I want! Four muslins down, and I'm finally happy with the fit.  (large bust size + princess seams = trouble for me).

More about that later.

It so cold here in Sydney at the moment, I love it! Rugging up, electric blankets on, pulling out the wool coats. It's also reminded me that I meant to sew a new coat last year and completely forgot.

I wish I had time to make this little fair-isle set from Bestway, its adorable. Maybe you might have the time?

Hope you like it!

Weddings, parties, anything?

You know that perfect dress, the one you can wear anywhere: picnic in the park, a date, a wedding, drinks with friends?

Could it be this dress?



It's from the fabulous Butchwax Vintage - plaid and tassels yes please.

I think I prefer the modesty panel version on the right though.

Sadly, since it's not my size this means I must make my own, and I'm using the Billie Jean pattern from BlueGingerDoll as a starting point.

Cross your fingers for me!

Tropical Bird Jumper, Stitchcraft Magazine June 1950

As requested by Elsa, the Tropical Bird Jumper.

Don't be put off by the small sizing, the intarsia design is charted and could be used on any basic 4-ply jumper pattern easily.

To fit  32-34 inch bust, using fingering weight yarn on 3.25mm and 2.75mm needles.

FO: A Shirt Dress with a Difference, McCall's 9635

This dress has been sitting in my Must-Sew list for a long time - McCall's 9635, circa 1953. I call it the shirt dress with a difference, because, well, its a little bit different!

It's got some wonderful elements, like a peter-pan collar and pleating around the neckline. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the pleated wiggle skirt - I had a suspicion it wasn't going to be flattering on anyone with a tummy!

And here's my version with the standard 1950s pose...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pattern itself is really straight forward (I didn't do bound buttonholes though, I find them too fiddly).  I admit to cheating a little bit - I used a stretch cotton sateen from my stash! I just wanted something quick and easy, and didnt want to mess around with making two or three muslins to get the fit perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not normally a fan of polka-dots, as they just feel over-used in the Rockabilly scene.

This black and pink one from my stash was just crying out to be used on something, and I think I can cope with polka-dot trim.

 

I'm planning on making a belt out of the leftovers as well. Eventually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mods:

- used stretch fabric (zero to negative 1 inch ease all over).

- self covered buttons.

- normal sewn button holes

- self drafted circle skirt instead of pleated wiggle skirt in the pattern.

- cut the bodice shorter by half an inch (I'm short waisted).

 

Next time:

- cut the bodice shorter (1 inch in total) still a bit long.

- very light shoulder pads might be nice.

 

Verdict:

Yes! Perfect transition dress for work to dinner plans. Really, really happy. The blouse is going to be my go-to pattern for stretch fabrics (there's some amazing mid-century-inspired stretch sateen in Spotlight at the moment) and I really want to try it with a fitted skirt next.

 

I was trying to get my cat, Calamity, to give it her seal of approval but she was more interested in bugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outfit:

Shoes - Miss L Fire Boardwalk

Telephone Cord Bag - Belmont Army Vintage

Belt - ASOS

Scarf - Opshop

Earrings - Etsy



Jack-Tar (Sailor) Jumper, from Stitchcraft June 1951

I think 1951 is my favourite year for Stitchcraft jumper design during the 50s - the jumpers are just so interesting to look at!

This cute ribbed jumper features a contrast yoke with an intarsia design of a sailor on the front. I love the styling, but not sure about her hat - what do you think?

To fit a 33-34 inch bust, using fingering weight yarn on 3.25mm and 2.75mm needles. The suggested colourway is wine red and white, with scraps of blue and black for the sailor.

An unexpected find!

How about a nearly complete set of Stitchcraft Magazines, dates 1947 - 1965?

Last weekend a friend pointed me to a garage sale that made mention of Stitchcraft Magazines from the 40s-70s.

It was crazy! I got there 5 minutes after the garage sale began, and it was elbow deep. The woman in front of me scooped up all the vintage sewing patterns in one arm, and the vintage buttons in the other - damn!

When I asked the owner about the Stitchcrafts - she said she had put them inside, and bought them back out for me.

Needless to say I bought the lot - much to the other woman's disappointment!

I'll show you a quick snap shot, and definitely expect to see some of the knitting patterns appearing on here!

 

The Countdown is on..... to Viva Las Vegas 17

That's right dolls - we've booked our hotel room at The Orleans for VLV 17 (it's only 356 days away!).

We don't know who's playing.

We don't know who else is going to be there.
But it was such a hoot last year that we made a resolution to go again in 2014 (plus Chicago, New York and Los Angeles again)

Is anyone else thinking of going?
If you havent booked your room get in now - apparently The Orleans is booked out and The Gold Coast is filling up fast!

And now of course, is the obligatory 'I have nothing to wear!' anxiety.
Well, except for this fabulous number I just found at RetroSpec'd.

It's mid-century reproduction fabric of fluffy dogs and leashes, turned into a half circle skirt and matching peter-pan blouse.

Close up of the fabric - fluffy dogs! Slightly crinkled because I wore it dancing at Torque Bar for the Rockabilly Riot.

That's one outfit down and six more to go. Eep!

Outfit:

Repro blouse and Skirt - Retrospec'd

Shoes - Bloch

Cardigan - Beatnix (yes, a drag queen store that sells vintage! Amazing)

Bakelite - Etsy

Wicker Handbag - random markets