Just a little ebay venting...

Ah, how discouraging to find that again you've been outbid on a special apron pattern, or on that vintage tote bag pattern with several cute designs. Lately I've haven't had any really "good" winnings on ebay.

I had my eye on some Edwardian patterns that Simplicity put out that are now out of print, and one sold for $77 and the two others went for over $50! The seller probably paid 99 cents for them in the beginning. =) So I was NOT willing to spend more than that, and will just keep my eye open for more. If you all have a "Simplicity 8640" and don't want it, before you give it away to the thrift store, let me know!

On one interesting/humerous note, people who I often bid against for vintage patterns, have a couple bids on the ones I'm selling right now. =) One bidder in particular, is VERY hard to beat, and goodness, what does she use 50+ apron patterns for? I lose nearly very time I try to bid on something she does, and lightly thought about contacting her, LOL! =P Hmm, hope I'm not talking about a blog reader! =D

I have a feeling that I already sometimes bid against S&S board members, and then I feel bad if I win. ::wink::

YeeeOuch!

Hmm, I can't practice, and I can't sew. Today at work, I somehow managed to slice and take a big (okay, about a dime size, but it feels big) chunk of skin out of my middle finger which limits me from doing a great deal.

To give you all a heads up, I'll soon be listing my Edwardian white lawn dress, the last of the red & white & black tea cup aprons, and the 70's wrap apron. If any of you want any of those before I list them to the public, let me know through the e-mail address I gave on Monday.

In the mean time, I think I'll go read on the front porch.

EDIT: The 70's apron has been sold

Vintage Patterns up on Ebay

Well, I decided to start with my patterns, and it took me a little over an hour to list these, so I'm off to practice violin (Yikes! haven't practiced today!) but if you'd like to take a peek at these individually, look at them by clicking here.

Grassy-Green Peasant Shirt

While at the antique store the other day, my eye spotted this 70's looking fabric that seemed to be begged to be made into a peasant shirt. And since some ice-skating injuries are really bothering me today, I decided to forgo the project of my apron designing/making and sew this up.

Thought it would be perfect for a certain strawberry-blonde, but she has to many peasant shirts in her closet already*, so she apted to put it up in her shop instead.

*She doesn't think so, but everybody else probably would! They're like aprons, says she ... who can ever have to many?

To name or not to name an apron?

Or another title: Putting the Cart before the Horse

You all were so amazing with your helpful suggestions and comments in the last post that I had to ask one more question (totally unrelated, and hmm...maybe it's a couple questions):

Should I name the apron that I'm designing?

If not, should I label it something simple such as what it was designed after? (ie. the era from which it was inspired from, Bib or Half apron etc...)

If so, should I call it Plain Jane or Rosa Jane?

I can't decide, and while the design is fairly simple, it will have some special touches that give it a charming look. Right now I'm finished with the drafting stages and I want to make my muslin tomorrow. I'm itching to tell you all more about it, or at least give you a simple drawing of it to get your opinon, =) but I think I'll wait to see if my trial run will even turn out or not.

On a search...

I've been on a search for a few new jumper patterns to wear for everyday, and from viewing some photos on a photo-blog, I came across a young woman wearing this jumper that I just really like!

Have any of you ladies seen a pattern like it?

While you're reading this, do you have any favorite jumper patterns that you have found are your favorite?

Busy, busy!

Well, I never did get everything sewn last weekend like I wanted, =) but I was able to get that Regency Robe finished up and sent off which was a good feeling. Whew, the skirts take up so much time. It turned out well though, and I think she'll be pleased.

Right now my side of the sewing room is a complete disaster...piles of cut out items ready to be sewn, boxes and containers of fabric, scraps, and patterns cover a good majority of the walking space in there. LOL, I'm not sure where to start!

My problem, I think, is that I have so many ideas and plans for this pattern or that fabric rather than taking one item and completing it before do anything else. Hmm, maybe I should have been a designer? I'm still concocting an apron design in my head, but getting it out on paper is quite a different story. No worries, the design isn't THAT complicated, but ... okay, maybe that doesn't make sense.

LOL, maybe I'll just sign off and tackle the mess so I can at least find my sewing machine. After all, we're having company this weekend, (my younger brother, who will be 17...!!!...is having a sleepover party with friends from school and then we're having some family-friends over on Sunday) and I'd feel quite embarrassed should they take a peek in the room.

And for all you fellow apron-lovers, take a peek at this darling apron pattern up on ebay. ::sniffs:: I want it, but I can't allow myself to spend that much on it!

An apron for Molly

Just the other day I moved my vintage patterns that were stuffed in a little plastic container into a box that would allow twice as many patterns that I already have, to fit in comfortably. My favorite part about the recycled box was the label:


I have vintage patterns ranging from the late 1890's/early 1900's to the 1970's. ::grins:: I don't consider the 80's patterns to be vintage yet.

A few weeks ago I tried one of my 40's apron patterns. I loved the sweet, feminine details about the 3 different designs, and I chose the far left design:

And I can't say I was very pleased with some of the actual design when sewing it. For one thing, how do you bind a sharp 90 degree angle/corner with bias tape? Next time, I'm rounding off the back skirt edges like my 30's apron! The neck strap also needs some major help, along with a few other things that I wasn't thrilled about.

So rather than dumping it off in the trash can or giving it to the thrift store, Molly wanted it! It might be a tad big on her, but if she likes it I'm happy!

I did however like the places where they said to use "trim" and I used the last of my vintage tan rick-rack. It seems to add a finishing touch that makes it appealing despite all the other failed assets of the apron! =)

A happy seamstress

If you're apart of the S&S board, you probably would have seen that yesterday, something that I have thought much about, and have wanted for a lengthy time, finally arrived in the mail --


Many well-respected seamstress/costumers have highly recommended Jane Arnold's Patterns of Fashion books, and I finally bought one of them! =) The one I got is like the above ... dating from 1660 to 1860. In there, it shows you real examples of clothing worn in that time frame with actual patterns in there! Of course, they are majorly scaled down, but with a "one square = one inch" format, and with some trial & error muslins, just imagine all the things you could make!! =D

And then earlier this week, I found out that my "highly looked-up to and admired seamstress and friend" Amanda has designed more Edwardian patterns! What's great about these too is that they are download-able! I can hardly wait to get started on a dress one of these patterns! I'm envisioning a Kimono Dress & Crossover Bodice Overdress made in a cheery butter-yellow. Hmm, now I'll have to find some yellow lace fabric and trim...

Well, I have a couple things on my sewing table that I'd like to work on this weekend that include the last of the peasant shirts, some aprons, a 1930's bed-jacket, a linen Regency robe, and possibly a late 18th century gown. Obviously I won't get them ALL done, but I need to start somewhere so I'm off until next time!

Ladies Tea and Literary Social

The Ladies Tea and Literary Social made for such a delightful and splendid afternoon! Everyone had the request of dressing up in period costume and bring a piece of 19th century (or before)poetry/prose to read.

It was fun to see a span of periods represented from the 19th century, but I couldn't help but notice the "Victorian" style that screams "made in the 1970s!!!" =) Here are a few pictures:

A few of the ladies

Our sweet hostess and her daughter

And a bunch of yours truly with featuring the Regency peach half-robe... =)

*Photo credits to Leah

Vintage Forties Housedress from a NewYork Pattern

I picked up this pattern at a local antique store, and have been waiting to try it ever since I got it. There is no date, but judging from the hairstyles and pattern style, it is probably a late thirties/early forties pattern.

So fun to make and to finish too. The finished product is up in the shop if you'd like to see more pictures. Now I'm trying to think of what's in my fabric stash so I could make another one! =)

Just a little snapshot

On top of a whole host of things going wrong yesterday, I found out that I had no elastic (ie, can't make peasant shirts!) and I ran out of lavender thread (ie, can't finish the 1930's housecoat). But thankfully I had plenty of peach thread, and so I spent the afternoon cutting out my peach Regency half-robe and began working on it.


And I also was able to purchase the lovely white voile at JoAnn's last night for my dress. It was 40% off and since there was some slight discoloration (which came out after washing it!) in a couple places, they gave me an extra 25% off! I was quite pleased. =)

So I am "determined to be cruel" and not show you any more pictures of my "enesemble in the making" until they are both finished and my sister can do a professional photo shoot. =) Maybe by that time I will have decided if I want to buy the Marianne hat (scroll down to the bottom of the page) or not.

In the mean time, if you're waiting for the peasant shirts or are intrigued to see the 1930's housecoat, you'll have to wait until next week when I can put them in my shop since I haven't finished them. AND with all that sewing, the second-to-the-highest-bidder of the green linen half robe wants me to make her one privately, so I have LOTS to keep me busy with right now.

Edit: *squeals* My sisters and I have been invited to a 19th century Ladies Tea and Literary Social hosted by a friend of ours which takes place on Wednesday, and so I will probably wear my peach half-robe then. I'm still not sure if I want to try sewing up my white voile before then, only because I'd need to make a bodiced petticoat with it. But yes, you'll be granted pictures from the event!

And I did a little quiz...doesn't surprise me much other than the fact I think I'm a combo of Elinor and Marianne:

Take the Quiz here!

The Apron Revival

Is it just me, or does there seem to be a revival in wearing aprons? Everywhere I turn it seems that I find a new apron pattern or someone in the midst of designing them.

I just recently found out about this Emmeline Apron pattern that is flattering, cute, and yet so practical! And then the Long sisters have designed a couple of charming aprons (see their store here) and offer patterns too ... which reminds me, I still need to order their latest pattern. =)

Being full of ideas from mothers and wives (and single women too!) who have given me their ideas for an apron they'd want, I have considered designing something. I'm still not sure about it. Is this "apron phase" going to die out, as like SO many young women up and started magazines for girls awhile back (::cough:: I was one of them!) or everybody did graphic designing for awhile ... etc, etc ...

So if you all don't mind my asking:

• What do you look for in an apron?
• What kind(s) would you like to see being produced?
• What details do you especially want/like?
• Would you prefer buying one ready-made, or making one from a designed pattern?
• Would you say there are already so many patterns out there, there doesn't need to be another? =)

A little bit of Peasant Pleasantness

I WAS going to keep this one for myself, but having recently made 3 new peasant shirts with another one that will be made up, I just couldn't justify keeping it...

...so if anyone wants it, I have it up in the shop!

Watch for a couple more that I'll be listing this week. I have had some stashed fabric that didn't quite look like apron fabric, so I'll be making them up in peasant shirts.