Finished: The "Undying Love" Apron

The sides are even, I promise it's just the way I am standing.

Phew! This apron is finally finished! I have dubbed this apron the "Undying Love" apron, simply because I would have given up and never completed it had I not been in love with the fabric. This apron by any other fabric would have been a forever UFO. Allow me to explain.

First, this apron has concave and convex curves which must be attached, something I had never done before. I sewed one of the curves on, unpicked it, sewed it on again, unpicked the whole thing again, sewed it on again and then realized that I had two curves going in the same direction. I had cut my beloved fabric out incorrectly. Frantic, I dug through the scrap pile hoping there was enough fabric left to redo the incorrect piece. Then my heart sank to my feet, there wasn't enough fabric to redo it. Okay, so there must be a plan be right? I went to my fabric bin and started digging, and I found a piece of contrasting fabric. Not exactly what I had seen as my original vision, but at this point I just had to go with it. Walking back to the sewing machine I decided that I would re-cut the straps from the contrast fabric so that it would have a more cohesive look. I laid out my pattern pieces once again, only to discover that I didn't have enough fabric to cut the straps.
Ugh!

Had this apron been made from any other fabric I would have thrown in the towel a few rounds ago. This fabric, however, had my heart from the moment that I had plucked it from the rack at the Goodwill. My best guess is that it's from the 1970s or early 1980s, so I couldn't buy more when I discovered that I had incorrectly cut it. It features a design of pepper grinders, pitchers, fondue pots, and flower arrangements, making it unusual indeed. It is cotton, but is a different texture than quilting cotton, and cost me two bucks.

The pattern is Vogue 8643, which is the same pattern I made a half apron from in the recent past. When I made the half apron, I noted how horrible the directions were, but it seems that the directions for this view were much much better as they didn't share steps with another view.

What I like about this pattern:

•  The curves at the side seam are an interesting detail not found on may aprons.
• The giant pockets
• The fact that I am finally done sewing it 

What I don't like about this pattern:

• The straps are extremely long. I had to cross mine and they're still too long.
• I don't like the way the back closes. It doesn't fit quite right and I am not sure if there is even a way to alter it after cutting out the pieces.
• It requires a lot of fabric for an apron, 3 1/8 of 45" to be exact.

The other details

• I cut the size large, which is a 16-18.
• The printed fabric was from the Goodwill. It cost about $2.
• The solid fabric was from Joann's. If I recall correctly it was $4.
• The buttons came from my button stash, originally purchased at an estate sale.
• Would I make it again? Probably not. I had too much trouble with it, and it doesn't fit as well as some other aprons I have made.
• Any changes: I cut about an inch off the bottom because it was uneven, most likely caused by my repeated unpicking. I also added a bow to the bodice.
• If you decide to make this, be warned that it is not a quick apron. It has multiple darts, gathering, curves attached together, buttonholes, and buttons. 

 Happy Sewing!

Vintage Pattern Finds III

Greetings wonderful and lovely readers! As you already know, judging by the title of this post, that I have even more patterns to show you. After I finish posting pics of all the patterns I am going to narrow down the patterns to a few suspects, put them in a lineup, and allow you all to give me your thoughts on what I should make first. Since I have a few projects in my queue right now it may take me a little bit of time to get around to making it. Rest assured it will get done, just as soon as I finish the pajama pants I was supposed to make my brother for Christmas.

Now, let us gaze at the morsels of pattern candy that follow. Be warned that this is a rather pic heavy post, but it concluded my pattern haul.

 I really like the skirt in the left pattern.

 I love the dress on the right, even the long version which I am not usually a huge fan of.

 The right pattern is adorable!

 The pattern on the right is my absolute FAVORITE of all the ones I got.

 These two patterns were feasted on terribly by silverfish, those glutinous little devils.

 I love the skirt on the right with buttons, though I would shorten it to knee length.

 The dress on the right makes me swoon.

 I dress on the right is hideous.

I am definitely going to make the short on the right, which should fit without having to re-size the pattern.

This concludes all of my pattern pictures. I did get a few other sewing goodies at the sale including zipper, bias tape, hem tape, and an awl with some eyelet things.

Once again, enlighten me with you wonderful opinions readers! What patterns do you like? What should I stitch up first?

Happy Sewing!

Vintage Pattern Finds II

Hello wonderful readers! I hope that your weekend sewing is going well!

This morning I awoke, and I am not happy to report that yesterday was, in fact, not a dream, and 114 vintage patterns are still sitting right on the table where I left them last night. Today, I intend of dumping all the patterns out in the floor and rolling around in them, Vegas winnings style. After leaving the estate sale yesterday I stopped at my trusty local Dollar Tree to buy Ziploc baggies to put the patterns in. I failed to by enough baggies, and also failed to realize I don't have anymore room in the giant Rubbermaid containers where I keep my patterns. Logically, of course, this doesn't mean I need to reduce my pattern stash, I just need to buy more containers.

Yesterday, as I was putting patterns into baggies, I noticed that almost every single pattern had been cut, and presumably, used. Apparently, this woman didn't just bu patterns for the heck of it, gasp, she actually used all of the patterns that she bought! I don't know the woman who these patterns belonged to, but she will certainly be an inspiration to actually use all of the patterns that I buy.

 The pattern on the right looks like it could make a super cute and simple summer dress.

 Both so very 70s, but I really like the shirt dress on the right.

I definitely want to give both of those patterns a try one day.

 As you can see on the pattern on the right, the former owner of these patterns loved to take sewing notes, right on the envelope itself.

 I would love love love to make the coat on the right.

 The sheath dress on the left looks like it could be worn with a jacket, so it may be a contender for my much needed corporate clothes. 

Some of the many, many mail order patterns.

 The pattern on the left may be another corporate clothes contender.

 I really like the See and Sew dress, minus the oh so homemade looking shirt/jacket thing.

 I am not sure I will ever need a Marie Osmond vest, but I may just need that dress on the right.

 I love love love the dress on the right,. Almost every singe mail order pattern has it's original envelope, but I had to take them out to take the pictures.

There were a few 80s patterns that made there way home with me.

So. lovely readers, any favorites from today's selections? I will post some more pictures tomorrow.  When I narrow down the choices of what I want to make first, I will definitely be getting your wonderful opinions.

Happy Sewing!

114 "New" Vintage Sewing Patterns!

Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! I hit the jackpot of estate sales today! I arose the crack of dawn this morning and met my aunt at the sale. Upon entering the house we knocked people over calmly walked to the room of sewing stuff and were greeted with one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. There were patterns, buttons, and all sorts of sewing goodies to be had. Lucky for me, my aunt bought me lots of sewing goodies, including all the patterns, for my upcoming birthday. In the end I ended up with 114 patterns, a large bowl full of vintage buttons, a basket full of zippers, a basket full of bias tape/seam binding/hem tape, a few pieces of fabric, and a McCalls sewing book! Yippee!

Since no one is my house, i.e my 14 year old brothers, is as enthused as I am with my patterns I thought that I'd share them with all of my lovely readers. Quite a few of the patterns are a 36 inch bust, which means no resizing, which makes me smile from ear to ear. Sadly, about 15 or so of the patterns have been glutinously attacked, Golden Corral buffet style, by silverfish. Silverfish are no doubt little spawns of satan that serve no purpose other than to give me heebie-jeebies.

I took pictures of the patterns as pairs, but there is still a lot of pictures, so I will be breaking them up into multiple posts.

 The ones above have been eaten alive by those stupid silverfish, but fingers crossed all the pieces are there.

I love the sundress on the right, so cute!

Hmm, a wedding dress with lace sleeves. It seems like I have seen one of those somewhere lately...

More wedding dress patterns.

I love the jacket on the right, which happens to be in my size, but not in my sewing skill range, yet.

I have lots more pictures to come! I am just so so excited about these patterns!! Which are your favorites dear readers? Do you like to go to estate sales for patterns or prefer to track down specific things you want online? As always, I love your feedback and thoughts!