Completed: Simplicity 5889 Dress (1965)

Photo by author. I can't believe this dress was 8 years in the making. I have some old WIPs, but except for my 10+ year old half-made cape, this might take the cake. I originally started it for a Sew Weekly challenge where the theme was "Mad Men." I was going for a Betty look…

Me Made May ’21 Day 1

MMM '21, photo by author. For day 1 I pulled out one of my oldest me-mades. In the summer of 2010, I made two versions of Simplicity 2415, and I later made a third version in flannel. It needed some tweaking to not look too balloony or boxy, so I put full length darts in…

Vintage Pattern Stash Additions

I have finally gotten around to scanning a small collection of vintage patterns given to me by someone with whom I used to work. It is a fun little collection, so I thought I'd share them here. Most of them are my size, so that's extra exciting! Est. 1918. Photo by author. Est. 1923. Photo…

Me Made May 2019: Day 22-24

I wrote this final MMM post but neglected to post it and forgot about it until I was perusing my drafts. Day 22 Activities: Lots of errands, craft night. 70 degrees and sunny. Today’s outfit report: Me Made Items 1. McCall's 6696 shirt dress (September 2016) RTW/Altered/Repaired 1. Grey cardigan 2. Khombu boat shoes 3.…

Completed: Simplicity 7517 (1976)

Like many of my WIPs that I am trying get out of backlog, this project was started 2 years ago, specifically for Vintage Pledge 2017. It feels good to have it done! Pattern: Simplicity 7517 (1976) Fabric: Muslin leftovers, assorted fabric scraps. Notions: Vintage bias binding (thrifted and from stash), thread (from stash), topstitch needle.…

Completed: Simplicity 2317

So I "finished" these in February 2017 but I didn't actually hem the top until this past winter! The hem was serged, so it didn't really matter function wise, but they do look tidier. My notes are pretty sparse in my sewing journal, but I'll share what I have. Fabric: 100% cotton flannel from JoAnn…

Me Made May 2019 Days 7-9

I was hoping May would be a little warmer, but it hasn't been, so I had to dig deep in my drawers for these days instead of wearing all the pretty dresses. Day 7 Activities: Still sick (can you tell from my expression?) Mostly my day was spent watching over Paisley after her surgery, but…

Me Mady May 2019 Days 5-6

DAY 6 Activities: Took Paisley to the vet for surgery and then straight to school for my students' final design presentations. Later, I changed into RTW for doing yard work, grading and sewing. Today’s outfit report: Me Made Items 1. Liesl Gibson for Simplicity 2209 "Passport Dress" (8 years old) Wow, this is an oldie…

Completed: Fold-Over Purse from Simplicity 8028

For Christmas I wanted to surprise my sister with a purse to match the Portside Travel Set I sewed last Christmas for her. Due to not having the right notions in my stash, however, it is only just finished. It was a straightforward make, and I think she'll like it. Pattern: Simplicity 8028, View C…

Completed: Simplicity 9958 Boxers and Knitted Reef Knot Tank

Folks, the summer is flying by! How does this always happen? We're still working on the new house, but spirits are low. It is hot, humid and with each layer of flooring one rips up it gets less exciting and more disheartening. I'm in the middle of filling in textured walls with joint compound while…