1920s Vintage Apron Pattern

To confess, I comb through the ebay and etsy vintage patterns continually throughout the week. Not so much for something just to add to my pattern box, but for patterns that really stand out as unique and for something that I'd actually wear. Once a friend asked me about my sewing projects and I said yes, that way if no one else is interested, then I get to keep them all. :)

In the last couple of years I've been quite bored with what I'm seeing available for vintage apron patterns, but earlier this spring my heart fluttered at two that I had never seen before. Sadly, one got away before I could pay for it, but I was more than happy to purchase this one!

It's from a no-name company and one that I should do some more research on. Wonder what other treasures they produced nearly 100 years ago. But this pattern? Ladies, it has sleeves!  I can't tell you how many times I've been asked if I could make and sell aprons with sleeves. Thinking of my other apron patterns and modern patterns from the Big Four companies, no one puts sleeves on their aprons. But, why not?

It kind of makes sense if you think about it. The other practical thing about this apron? The back of the apron catches all the splatters when your back is turned from the stove.

 

On this particular apron I was happy to find two huge buttons from my stash for the back. I'm kind of lazy when it comes to knowledge about what my buttons are made of, but I'm guessing some kind of really high quality plastic like material. They are not light and flimsy, but then they aren't heavy like glass, or mother of pearl. 

The backs of these button are metal, however, which told me right away that they are vintage. The buttons are not functional to this particular apron, but if I make more aprons from this pattern in heavy fabrics, they'll most likely be working buttons. The pattern says you can do either or. Those are my kind of patterns; do what you feel like doing. :)

But here she is. All finished with one more confession: I had to slip it on before taking pictures, and it's a keeper of a pattern.

Morning Light on Monday

Graham Thomas

Morning in my sewing room is always a lovely time. The window picks up some of the eastern rays, and with the walls already a buttery yellow you can't help but notice it's welcoming warmth.

Looking forward to a few vacation days this week to spend some time with these fun patterns! But first, there is an apron to make in a cute pink rosebud fabric. I just haven't decided yet which pattern to make it in.

Goodies in the Shop!

It was time to sort through some things that have been just sitting or hanging around. The result was that I added some of my vintage-inspired clothing and some vintage patterns up in my shop tonight.


Take a look!

A Dress for the Symphony

The 1950s? Really?

I cannot believe that the era in which I've always been the least fond of, is actually starting to grow on me. And when I realized I needed something festive for an upcoming concert, I actually drew my inspiration from the 1950s and from a dress that has been pretty much the only dress I've ever liked from the era.

While I don't foresee it being an era that I will revisit in the future (other than aprons, of course!), it is rather fun to be presently working on this project.

Pictures? Absolutely! I may post a sneak peak in a few days as a way of tempting you to come back and see the finished product, which must be completed by New Years.

Pattern Collection: Historically Inspired

Happy Monday! Sorry if  your hopes were in having the final installment of my pattern collection up on the blog, but my weekend was quite busy and eventful.

 

I put this collection together by sorting the patterns by era. It's rather obvious which is my favorite, but I've been trying to reach out of my "comfort zone" and not dislike other eras.

 

Regency:

 



Don't ask why, but for some reason when I brightened up this picture, it cropped it too. And without my permission! But if anyone is familiar with Sense & Sensibility patterns, you'll recognize these. While I haven't picked up the Regency era much lately, several years ago that's all I did. Most of what was sewn was for selling on ebay and for awhile, they sold extremely well.

 

Turn of the Century/Edwardian:

These are my patterns that aren't from S&S. ;) The first one is from another favorite company (hi, Amanda!) who makes many fun patterns: Hint of History. At one point I had her 1912 dress pattern and I regrettably sold it, but years before doing so I made a dress out of it. It's an excellent pattern if you're wanting something Downton Abbey looking!

 

The second pattern in the top row is a reproduction of an actual pattern. I bought it online from a vintage fashion library website of some sort. It reminded me very much of Anne's "cow chasing dress" in the movie, "Anne of Avonlea." Someday I hope to recreate it. :)

 

Moving on to the Folkwear pattern, doesn't it look like something Diana Barry would wear? And who can put down a matching apron pattern for ladies and girls? The pattern comes with a few other tea-related things like maybe a teapot cover, napkins, and such.

 

And then the lovely wedding dress pattern put out by Sullivan Entertainment that is identical to Anne Shirley's dress when she married Gil. Many of you are waiting for a full photo shoot to replace the quick one taken on the veranda of me wearing my take on this pattern.

 

Here is another set of pattern from S&S. I've made something from all of these except for the Beatrix Potter jacket pattern.

 

One of the many things that I love about S&S patterns is that many of them come from or are adapted from original patterns. When making something, and stepping into a finished garment, you feel as if you are from that era. :) Once again, I've made something from all of these patterns. Most recognizable of course would be the 1910s tea gown made into a Titanic "Swim dress" shown here and here. Then of course I've made two dresses from the 1914 afternoon dress: my first one back in 2007 and then my second one made this year.

1930s - 1940s:

After the Edwardian era, the 1930s is probably my favorite though I'm growing a fondness to some of the 1920s fashions (thanks Downton Abbey!). The first pattern is a Vogue reproduction of a 1933 dress pattern. I saw this on etsy and immediately fell in love with the design and details. It somehow seemed familiar to me, and then it dawned on me that my friend Laura has this pattern. :) There is a dress cut out in this pattern that is sitting on my table waiting to be sewn, so hopefully before the year is out, you'll see pictures of it completed.

Earlier this year I made a dress out of the Decade's of Style pattern and really liked the way it turned out. Bias cuts aren't the most flattering on me at the present, so not long ago the dress was sold in my etsy shop.

Lastly, there is the 1940s Swing Dress pattern that I used this summer for my sister. You'll remember that the dress was made specifically for a special retro diner themed dinner, and now that it has taken place, she tells me that all she has to show her wearing the dress are a few head shots. I told her the other day that I have many blog readers who want to see the full length of it and on her! :) Hopefully soon I can take her out on a photo shoot for some pictures.

Pattern Collection: Vintage

Dating from 1969 and earlier, these are the vintage patterns I've collected. The thrift stores, antique stores, etsy, and ebay are my favorite places to find these well-loved patterns.

First off is my children's collection. This too has shrunk. I've either sold some or given some away for the same reasons I gave in my previous post. :)

 

The top left one is my "newest" find at an "uppity up" antique store in town and it was marked for 50 cents.  It has no date, but I'm thinking late 20s or early 30s. And look at those bathrobes! It's definitely from the 30s, and looks simple to put together. The style reminds me of wrappers worn by the Walton children on the TV series, "The Waltons."

 

The bottom two are from the 60s. The Holly Hobbie pattern interested me with it's sweet sunbonnet and apron. Staples in a young girls dress-up box! And lastly, I picked up this wild and crazy pattern not for the toys (though I'm sure making toys could be/would be safer than some they make now days) but for the apron shown in the lower left corner. A few made in this pattern have made their way into the shop a couple years ago.

 

 

This next set is a fun one. The top row consists of a 40s skirt pattern I picked up last year at a sewing boutique shop, and have since wanted to make a skirt out of it. I almost used my wool fabric in this pattern. The 2nd in the top row was my very first vintage pattern purchase. I remember when my Dad bid on ebay for me when I was still working on my adult sewing skills (I learned sewing on doll clothes). I made the short sleeve version in a red plaid, and we have pictures of me wearing it somewhere, but can't seem to find it. The 50s nightgown pattern was one I picked up for my sister who loves to sew nightgowns as much as I love to sew aprons, but it didn't interest her. I may end up selling this one.

 

And then of course there are two 40s apron patterns. I've used both and they've made their appearance in my etsy shop as well, though it's been awhile. And then a 70s apron pattern, which I suppose could be put in with my modern collection, but oh well. This pattern is also a fun one, and one that I've used for aprons in the shop before, as well as for myself. If you've been a reader for a good 6 years or more, you may remember this post?

 

 

And finally we have my oldest patterns, both in the early 1900s. The bloomers I'm guessing would be around 1900 (possibly 1899? I should check the pattern) and the shirtwaist I'm guessing around 1912 by judging her hair style.



I know I've made the bloomers before (maybe sold a pair on ebay?) and I'm pretty certain I've made the shirtwaist, too, to sell. Following is a close up picture that I attempted to take for details since the above one features a nasty glare.

 

With sorting through all my patterns, I'm starting to get the bug to get back to sewing again, but alas, my sewing machine was starting to give up the ghost and is now enroute to the shop for repair and won't see it for a good two weeks. As my dad says, I've done more sewing on that machine in the last 15 years than what many people do in their lifetime. ;)





Pattern Collection: Ladies Apparel

Well, I just fixed myself a cup of my favorite Earl Grey tea, and thought I'd take the rest of the morning answering e-mails and writing up today's blog post. After two hours of sleep, breakfast for all, seeing my mother and sister drive off eastward for two weeks, and cleaning the upstairs bathroom, it feels like it should be going on 11pm, not 11am. ;)

 

The following picture is my skirt pattern collection (not counting the patterns I've created that I stow in the big manila envelopes). I've used all of them, and have been very pleased.

 



Of course the first one is familiar to you, since I made a blog post about it not long ago. The 2nd & 3rd one on the top row were given to me from a mother-like friend of mine from church. I've made her several skirts from this pattern, and love the back details. On the bottom row, I've made myself a skirt from one of the first two (can't remember, they're both very similar if not next to identical) and loved the basic A-line pattern. The last one I've used several times for another friend of mine from church. Oh, and looking back a few years, I guess I did make myself a skirt in this last pattern. :)

This is a rather diversified group. The two jacket patterns have been in my storage bin and still remain untouched. (Should get rid of them!) The first was given to me, and the second was one I picked up because I liked the blue one shown on the cover. :) Then my one and only shirt pattern that I used over and over again. Here, and here are a couple posts of me wearing one that I made. It's rather frightening to see these since it seems like yesterday that I made these! Not to mention I look a wee bit younger and a lot smaller in size. Ah well, can't do much about the former, but CAN do something about the latter! :)

 

On the bottom row I have a stylish looking jumper pattern (I thought of you, Laura, when I picked it up at the thrift store several years ago. Maybe I thought it looked like something you would wear?). I don't wear jumpers anymore but I've saved it for maybe when I get brave enough to sew it in a dark plaid wool, donne a hat, (it's a pity most hats look dreadful on my rather large head) and walk the streets of London, England. Wishful thinking, I know.

 

The next dress pattern is my first "modern" dress pattern that I used when I started coming out of the prairie-muffin stage. A few other lovely young ladies from church made dresses out of this pattern, so it was fun to "match" them once in awhile. The only reason I've kept it is for sentimentality reasons. (Oh the things we get attached to!)

 

And then the nightgown pattern and robe pattern. In the winter season, I find pajama's a lot more practical, not to mention much warmer, but it's fun wearing a soft "romantic" nightgown on a summer evening. :) I've taken some length off the hem, and add a good 8" ruffle to it just fun. The robe pattern I've never used, but have always wanted to since I've never owned one. One of these days...

Now for fun "accessories." :) Surely it isn't a surprise to you that I have other apron patterns that aren't vintage. :) The two from Sew Liberated are my absolute favorite modern ones. I've used the Emmeline pattern on numerous occasions for gifts. Out of the bottom two aprons I've made the first one many times as well. There has been at least on more than one occasion being "caught" wearing an ivory apron covered in ruffles while sweeping the front porch before guests arrive. :) The other apron pattern I've kept because it looks so "Downton Abbey" but looking at the instructions, one has to make their own battenburg lace out of battenburg tape. Maybe one of these days I'll figure out what that even is?

And as for the other two: the tote bag pattern has been a staple to use. I've made several totes for the shop using this pattern (but altering/changing it up, of course). And the shawl/sailor collar pattern I've used I think once or twice in the last ten years. I'm not sure why I still keep it, but I have.

Pattern Collection: Baby, Toddler, Child

While taking pictures of my patterns to post this week, I came across three more that I could get rid of. Yay for pattern destashing! :)

 

Being young and naive, I grew up thinking how much fun it would be to sew clothing for my children someday. I had more children's patterns than adults for a time, I think. Having grown up and seeing how little time my mothering friends have, my collection of patterns for children have dwindled to just a few.

 

I suppose this one could go into the category of historical reproductions, but it'd be the only infant pattern apart of that, so it's listed here. The little dresses and jackets are adorable.

Now before you get on my case of these dresses looking decidedly 80s, you must allow me to dream of  play clothes and costumes for children! :) Having grown up on Little House on the Prairie, and seeing these patterns from the dresses & pinafores that Mary and Laura wore, (not to mention for pennies at the thrift store) who could resist?

The Cabbage Patch pattern has a history. Several years ago Grandma gave us this pattern and asked if we remembered it at all. Of course we didn't, but when she brought up the pretty calico pink dress that my sister Erin wore as a flower girl in our Uncle's wedding, then we remembered. I'm not sure how the pattern found its home in my collection though, so I should probably as my sister!

And who could say no to a Lanz of Salzburg nightgown? :) My sisters and I wore these nightgowns or pajamas as children, and have fond memories of the cozy flannel feeling as we were tucked into bed at night. To this day, one of my sisters still wear the nightgowns made by this company. :)

Pattern Collection Series

Have you ever wished to see inside someone else's sewing room or crafting space? I really enjoyed Shannon's blog posts on her creative spaces and how she organizes things. I was tempted to hop in with her and a few other bloggers, but my sewing room is a sight to be seen (and not in a positive way)!

But I thought I could share with my friends what my pattern collection looks like. Am I the only one who wishes for a peek inside others pattern collection?

Over the last few months I've greatly reduced my collection. Partly because I sew for myself a lot less than 10-15 years ago, and some (many?) patterns were distinctly 80s/90s looking that no longer hold their interest like they used to. ;) Recently I thought I was down to around 15 modern patterns, but the other day I counted at least 40. Oops!

Breaking it up into few sections,  I'll "feature" each in its own category:

• Baby/Toddler/Child
• Ladies Apparel
• Vintage (1969 and earlier)
• Historically Inspired/Reproductions

But for today here is a look into how I store my patterns.

I keep my smaller, "standard sized" patterns in this storage container. It keeps them standing upright and gives little room for bending.

Many of my historical inspired patterns are stored in this larger storage bin. My sister keeps some of her patterns in here, and we still keep many patterns that we created for our custom sewing business, A Joyful Handmaiden, which tailored to ladies and girls dresses, jumpers, blouses, skirts, etc, etc from 2000-2005. (Do any of our old-time customers still read this blog?) :) All of my apron patterns that I use for Peasant Cottage are in a manila envelope, so no exciting pictures to share if you were hoping for a peek!

Me? Win?

This summer I happened upon a blog called "Dressed Her Days Vintage."

 

It was a charming read of vintage dressing and styling, (a recent post was on cranberry red lipstick - imagine the fun!) and the owner of this lovely blog had a giveaway in the works of four patterns she was willing to part with. All one had to do was pick a favorite and tell her so (and probably subscribe to her blog, but who wouldn't want to?!).

 

I spotted a gorgeous evening wear dress pattern from 1936. The 30s fashions intrigue me with their cuts, their pleats, their collars, and the overall distinguished feminine appearance.

 

So I entered. Just like the scores of giveaways I've entered in before with knowing that I was probably wasting my time. In fact, in the last year or two I've completely given up on entering giveaways all together!

I actually forgot about it, until a couple days before leaving for college. I visited her blog to see who the winners were, trying to not be envious of the winner who wanted the 1936 dress pattern as much as I did. Scrolling down to see the usual unfamiliar names listed, my eyes got big. Really big.

Cheri, of ajoyfulhandmaiden.blogspot.com, 1936 dress pattern

Surely there was a mistake. Someone else has a similar blog name to mine. But if there was a similar blog to mine, they surely couldn't own my name and my not-so-widely-used spelling of it! It had to be!

Within minutes I received a personal e-mail saying that I had indeed won the pattern. I was and still am completely delighted since I've never won any giveaway in my life before. :) With being in college now, the making of a dress will have to wait until December. But that should give me enough time to decide what fabric to use. Any ideas?

Down Memory Lane...

I was at a thrift store several weeks ago and spotted that fabric, and instantly it took me down "memory lane" of shortly after we moved here from the west coast.

I knew how to sew, but the only thing I sewed was doll dresses for 18" dolls. That's how I taught myself how to sew. Sewing for people was not on my charts, until a girl, not much older than I, from church said making real dresses would be so much easier to make. She came over for a few afternoons to show me what to do. After making one or two simple dresses, I made a dress on my very own using the most beautiful blue calico I ever saw. It was worn only for church and special outings. It eventually wore out as did that favorite style of  dress. (Please, oh please tell me you have no idea what a cape dress is!)

Trying to find a picture of me wearing the favored dress was fruitless but in the meantime, I am appalled to see my choice of styles back then and to imagine that I went out in public in them! I hereby think that those pictures should be burned!! ;P

Dear me.

Anyway, I stood there looking at this fabric that was only a yard in length while trying to decide if whether I should get it. The print remains to be lovely and in a favorite shade of blue, I bought it. :) It would be made into a more up to date style in the form of an apron.

Using a favorite pattern, I used Sew Liberated's Emmeline style. I chose a striking black for the straps and ties, and then some left over Moda fabric from my stash for the other side.

The delicate blue flowers are the same shade as the blue calico.

Finished over the weekend, I am now ready to start making new memories!

Sew Liberated's Emmeline Apron

Not so much anymore but I used to get so many requests to make patterns off of the aprons I sell on etsy (maybe they aren't interesting like they used to be?) and sadly I'd have to tell them I don't know the first thing to pattern making. I have a few blogging friends who have made PDF patterns to sell and being a customer who have bought them, I can say I'd MUCH RATHER spend a few dollars more to buy a pattern printed on a sheet than printing out scores of pages to organize, tape, and cut out.

[Where was I going with that???]

Back on track: I'd often refer pleading customers to my favorite apron pattern that Sew Liberated puts out. The Emmeline Apron is modern, functional, cute, and my favorite of all: it's like having two aprons since it's completely reversible.

My latest work of this apron is a combination of out of print fabrics. The one side is a simple chevron-like print in blue.

The other side is a vintage feedsack cotton calico of favorite primary colors. I used navy symphony broadcloth for the ties, binding, and neck straps. (Both pictures are not very clear, I apologize!)

Shortly after making it, I contemplated if whether I should keep it or not (since I currently don't own one in this style) but then I remembered that I needed a gift for a dear lady whose family hosted me during a semester of college. She loves the color blue, and I think this will fit the bill perfectly since she is often in the kitchen making delicious meals for her family.

I'm still waiting on her Blueberry Muffin recipe and her Vegetable Soup recipe that she told me she'd send. :)

A Hole in the Wall

Just yesterday while touring downtown, I stepped into a little hole in the wall sewing shop. My first step was onto creaky hardwood floors (a great way to impress me if I'm walking into your store) but just outside was a small vintage table full of sale items. There were high-quality fabrics, patterns from familiar names like Amy Butler, Colette, and others who have a retro flare to their styles (another way to impress me).

I was in this little store for a good 15 to 20 minutes chatting with the lady who was there working. "We probably have to many girls on our staff," she said when I asked if they were hiring. (Bummer! I would totally love to work in a place like this one!) The girl and I went on to talk about the fabrics, vintage patterns, and other little things for sale there. 

She gave me a card of pink coral rick rack. "Oh, you can just have it!" she said when I walked up to the counter, prepared to pay $1 for it. I will be back soon! :)

When in town I stopped by a favorite thrift store and found 4 yards of this poly/cotton fabric. It's a vintage piece (I know, because it's 35" wide) and can hardly wait to make something for summer out of it. I also picked up some back issues of Victoria. I'm not into magazines whatsoever, but I do so enjoy flipping through the back issues of this lovely one. Anyone else fans of Victoria magazines?

I also discovered another tiny "hole in the wall" tea shop while in town. Oh my! :) Will have go back there, as I was pressed for time. If you live remotely close to me, and are an avid tea drinker, we must go there! :) 

Ahh yes. And while speaking of 'holes in the walls', perhaps some of you are wondering how our bathroom renovation is coming along. It is coming, though not as fast as some of us would like. With busy schedules and many of them at various and different times, we haven't had much time together to work on it.

Today and tomorrow we are hoping to get most if not all of it done. We're going to go pick a suitable color later this morning; we decided either a beige or a light pewter blue (more gray than blue, but blue enough to satisfy some members of the family) for the walls, and we're seriously thinking of doing a wainscoting on the large wall. Will post pictures!

Vintage 1940s McCall #1124 Apron

Working with original patterns is always fun, and if it's an apron pattern - well, even more so! I used vintage McCall #1124 view C for this apron, copyright date 1944. Take a look at that half apron: nothing boring about it! In fact, you'll be sporting around the house in vintage inspired glamour!

Another detail? I prayed over this apron. :) Yes, every now and then I pray over sewing projects. Sometimes whatever I'm working on is especially challenging, or perhaps the thread is running oh so low and I'm finishing the hem on a garment. This time I was 90% certain that the black rick rack that I was in the middle of sewing onto the hem of the apron would not be enough. Would I take it all off, or combine two separate lengths together despite it looking tacky? I asked God if He would please make it just long enough so I wouldn't have to rip or tack.

He answered, and I even had this 1/4" piece left over. :)

Like I read this morning in Ps. 34: "O taste and see that the LORD is good." Yes, it may be a very small or even insignificant thing to pray that there would be enough rick rack, but God still answered and I saw that the Lord is good.

Here be the finished product:

It really is a flattering style with the gathered flounce in the hem of the skirt (instead of ton of gathers at the waist making ones waist look larger; something most of us try to avoid!) and with that vintage rick rack all around, who could resist?

It's up in the shop if you'd like to make this lovely apron yours!

I'm Dreaming of a 1914 Dress

Several years ago my parents bought me Anne Shirley's Wedding Dress pattern, and just this spring I've pulled it out with some fabric and started dreaming. I've had the gold silk duponi in my stash for a year or so now (shh...I only paid $2 for the yardage, thanks to one of my wonderful thrift stores!), the vintage buttons, and very recently picked up the lace fabric (also from the thrift store).

I'm thinking of making the underskirt with the silk, and then the whole dress out of the lace, but line the bodice with the silk also so it would be underneath the lace. Make sense? I'm not going to make the sleeves like the pattern, but I haven't come up with any other ideas yet.

After I publish this post, I'm going to look up what those buttons are saying. Here's hoping it's not anything to crazy! ;) Am I the only one who finds vintage metal buttons fascinating?

Do I have an occasion for this dress? no...

Why am I making it? um...for fun?

Maybe it's because of Downton Abbey? maybe...

Perhaps you like the Edwardian era? oh yes...

Or you grew up with Anne of Green Gables and always longed for a kindred spirit? most definitely...

Patterns GALORE for sale!

Major sewing room cleaning and this week it's my pattern bins being sorted through.

There are newborn to ladies sizes. Dresses, jumpers, blouses, shirts, skirts, aprons, accessories, historical reproductions, and vintage.

10 patterns listed. 70 more to go. Yes, I'm serious. They are being sold here.

EDITED to ADD: Ooops! Ebay only allows 50 free listings per month, so I'll have to list the 30 more on the first of April. Take a look what I do have though before they all go!

A Skirt for Cheri

This is a copy of a copy of a skirt. My friend Laura made a skirt early this summer off of a friend's skirt. Since she was a copy-cat, I was hoping she wouldn't mind if I was a copy-cat too. ;) She didn't mind, and I wrote about the story more in detail several months ago if there are any new readers to my blog.

For Christmas my parents kindly bought me some neutral tan linen fabric so I could make a skirt for myself. Another linen skirt of a similar shade was worn until it was literally thread bare, so I was extremely grateful for it and I knew exactly which pattern I'd make it in.

Laura, I had to steal your look by wearing an Anthro blouse and belt with it. :)

Most everyone knows that I've made three other skirts using this pattern, and they are all for sale in my online shop: Tally Skirts.

OOP McCalls 4645 ~ Sweet Dreams Nightgown

Earlier this week I locked myself away in the sewing room to work on a nightgown for Mother-Dear. She was hoping that it would be finished by Christmas, but time got away from all of us last weekend and all I could manage was cut it out. At least that was done. Anyone else dislike cutting out?

My older sister is the nightgown maker around here (sort of how I'm the one who sews aprons...) and so after consulting her, mom chose an out of print pattern (c. 1989) that was in Erin's stash of a dozen or more nightgown patterns. We started out with the main base of the top right corner, but changed it a bit.

She had enough yardage of a cozy blue flannel with white polka dots to make it all come together just the way she wanted. Mom likes full-length gathered sleeves that had cuffs instead of an elastic drawn ruffle. I added some white piping for visual interest.

She also wanted a high peter-pan collar that would close if needed, and again, I added the white piping to coordinate with the sleeves.

Length was added (4" I think) to the skirt hem, and then I cut out a ruffle to put on the hem to make this a floor length nightgown. I cut out three 45" width panels by 10" so it's quite a full ruffle, but it added a nice touch of femininity.

She has already worn it several times, and so therefore the "crumpled" look. I suppose I could have ironed it after taking it out of her closet for pictures, but the thought didn't occur to me at the time. :)

If I could knit...

...I would make this sweater. Isn't it beautiful?

The summer days are dwindling down, and some leaves are already floating in the air here in the south. Not that it is cold enough yet for them to turn, but apparently there is a type of tree here that looses its leaves around the last few days of August.

My sister said that back home that the nights have turned chilly, and that Pumpkin Spice Lattes will be available a day after Labor Day, which means the Pumpkin Spice Frappacinos will be available too. That makes me smile. :)

Mentioning "home," today while in conversation with a girl in a class of mine, she interrupts me in mid sentence and states rather than asks, "Wait. You're from the north, aren't you?" That made me smile too, and I like it. :)

1905 Anne Shirley-Inspired Blouse

Just this afternoon I had the strong desire to pull out some fabric from my dwindling stash bin and combine it with a winsome and old fashioned pattern.

I found a match.
I have already cut most of it out, and have already begun sewing some. I'm guessing that I may have enough room in front for some vintage mother of pearl buttons, and I'm wanting to add that vintage lace somewhere. Perhaps hem the cuffs with it on the 3/4 length sleeves?

We'll see how it decides to turn out. Perhaps if it turns out well, I'll pair it with a ankle length blue skirt and wear a red scarf with it for my church's Old Fashioned Sunday picnic on the 4th of July. Do I dare bring my straw boater hat and vintage boots shown in these pictures?