Happy results!

A favorite blouse given to me by a friend was reluctantly torn apart and I made a pattern off of it, and made the above blouse from it. And guess what, it fits! =D

It is always sad to tear apart things (this summer Erin took apart a long time favorite nightgown that we had for ::cough:: 10 years) but then we can make patterns off them, and make many more just like it.

Does anyone else do that or are we just odd? =)

I can't think of a good title...

Well, I haven't posted much lately just because my time in the sewing room has been slim....

I have however been rummaging through our "attic" (ie, our storage room in the basement) and came across a few historical things that I threw into a plastic bag for good riddence, but Arabella seems like them! =) I didn't take the time to iron prior to taking pictures, so please pardon the wrinkles!

This is my Gibson Girl Blouse along with an altered prairie skirt that is very flared (I could probable wear a hoop skirt with it!). Two different eras, but they seem to suit each other:
And look what I found at an antique/flea market yesterday! For $5, I couldn't pass it up when I usually see them for over $20. I have always admired the the cameo brooches on the Anne movies, Road to Avonlea, and other such films.:

Then I pulled out my unfinished blouse from the Romantic era. The fabric is slippery, silky and ... shall I say ... not fun to work with! But I like the style and collar, so that is on my table now to finish up.

And now for the project that I'm currently working on: a swimsuit! I bought the pattern online, and it looks like it would go together very easy, but I'm having problems with the elastic around the neckline sticking out:
The pattern is from Fashionably Modest Patterns, so would any of you ladies know what I'm doing wrong here, providing that is, you've also made a swimsuit from the pattern? Advice anyone? I keep re-reading the directions and I am 95% sure that I've done it right. You never know with me though ... I learn better by being taught more than I would by reading a pattern or manual. =)

Crystal's giveaway!

Wow, if you'd like to enter into a giveaway of a $25 gift certificate for
Vision Forum, head on over to Crystal's blog! She's also throwing in a bunch of great CD's too, for free!

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In other news, I have decided to list my Regency dress on ebay. As much as I love it and want it, I don't need it. If I had special events to wear it to, I'd keep it, but unfortunately I don't.

A new dress for Arabella

This week I am working on a new Regency dress for Arabella to model, and I think one that I will decide to keep. =) I bought the period-correct fabric off of e-bay (wasn't exactly cheap) to make up into a dress to sell, but I love it so much that I am 99% sure that I'll keep it.

It will have a rounded scooped neckline, long taperd sleeves with fabric ties (I've seen on both P&P films that they would use fabric ties on the sleeves, down at the wrist) and a usual buttoned-back bodice. I'm still trying to decide if I want the back skirts to be gathered or pleated.

The other feature that I'll make to go with this, for extra modesty sake if I wear it in public/around men) is a chemisette pronounced: shugh-meez-zett that will look like this.

I'll post pictures once it is completed.

Stepping back into 1914...

...for just a few moments of time...

Per request, I donned my 1914 dress this morning completed with a vintage straw hat, boots (they are more of the Victorian era and not Edwardian, but oh well), my sister's vintage gloves, and a book from the 1910-1920's called "Daisy." All pictures are clickable.

It has been quiet in the sewing room

In the past several days, the machines haven't been touched much (please don't faint, ok?). =) I guess I've been busy either helping out here at home, teaching violin, tatting, and other small things that have employed my time

I was inspired by Anna's blog though of her step-by-step directions on how to make pillow cases. (...I confess that I have been lazy these days and have only sewn when I have a pattern/guidelines to go by instead of being brave enough to draft my own.) But do take a look at these vintage-inspired pillow cases ... you just might get in the mood to pull out your fabric scraps to make some!

However in other news, I took the plunge and edited all the prices on our website for the going-out-of-business sale, and the prices will continue to be reduced until we sell everything.

The winners are...

I have decided that I wanted to give away my copy as well (it's so good, I'd wish for every single woman to have a copy!) and so I drew two names this time:

Congrats to Ana Marie Ort and Jodi Griner!!

Weekend giveaway - CD

From Crystal's website:
“I believe that God has something so much greater for Christian young women today than following the careerism, consumerism, humanism, and feminism that the world wants to offer you.”

In this session, originally given at the Ultimate Homeschool Expo, Crystal Paine, a homeschool graduate who is now happily married and mother of two, shares from her heart and personal experience three keys to living a vibrant, meaningful life while unmarried. Packed with practical ideas and Biblical encouragement. 70 minutes. Includes an audience question and answer segment at the end.

I was so excited to listen to this CD, and I definately consider it to be one of my favorite speaking audio's. It is literally brimming full of encouragement for single young women who wondering "what am I going to do next?" or just wondering what to do while waiting for Prince Charming, and I am thrilled that I have an extra copy to giveaway! As like last time...

To enter: Please e-mail us your name and mailing address and you'll be automatically added into the drawing. One name per household.
To be entered in twice: Mention this giveaway on your blog/LiveJournal/xanga, then e-mail us with a link to your blog, and you will be added twice!
To find out who won: Make sure you are in by Monday at 12:00pm MST and we'll anounce the winner sometime shortly after we do a random drawing!

We will be done in August...

With our domain name expiring soon, much thought and prayer has been put into our little sewing enterprize that we've had for 7 years now, we have decided to "wrap it up" indefinately. (As they say, number 7 is the number of completion)

Through the month of August, we will put all of our things (apparel and items from the resource shop) up for sale until we can get rid of everything.

Just thought I'd give a little heads up...

REVISED - Fabric for Sale: Cottons

Green floral - 5 yds - $10

Blue plaid (prewashed) - 2-1/2 yds - $5

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Note:

Shipping on all of these will be a flate rate price of $8.95 for Priority Mail.

Items were measured approximately, and many of them have scraps to go along that would work perfect for the little things in sewing, such as back ties, bodice facings, cuffs for sleeves, pockets, etc.

Sold as "one piece" and not by yards.

E-mail us if you are interested.
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REVISED - Fabric for Sale: Tropical Breeze and Flannel's

Purple floral. Tropical Breeze - 9-1/2 yds - $27

Purple roses on green. Tropical Breeze - 10 yds - $30

Cream and burgundy floral flannel - SOLD

White flannel w/ blue flowers - SOLD

================================

Note:

Shipping on all of these will be a flate rate price of $8.95 for Priority Mail.

Items were measured approximately, and many of them have scraps to go along that would work perfect for the little things in sewing, such as back ties, bodice facings, cuffs for sleeves, pockets, etc.

Sold as "one piece" and not by yards.

E-mail us if you are interested.

=================================

Fabric Stash

I loved this post on one of my favorite blogs to visit. At Anna's blog, you can read how to care for your fabric stash and have fun!


I had much fun re-arranging the stashes that were piling up on my table, taking pictures of them (the one above is just one of the piles) and I also sorted some of our fabric that we used to make custom-made apparel for our website. I've decided to go ahead and sell them, and so these will be listed shortly here on the blog.

Dressing femininely

I came across a blog this evening and read this wonderful entry on dressing femininely and wanted to share it:

http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2007/07/reasons-for-feminine-dress.html

1914 Afternoon Dress

My heirloom dress from Sense & Sensibility patterns is finally finished! Well, all except for the silk sash that I need to make to complete it. (Should I do yellow or purple?) =) The front bodice is hanging from the weight of the skirt and built-in-petticoat, but in real life, the front sort of "poufs" out.
The sleeves have embroidery and lace inserted in between the fabric:

The back has the lace, and it buttons in the back:

And the skirt has 6 rows of pintucks:

We believe in modesty, but...

...I hate to confess that poor Arabella has been unclothed for several days now! I normally have things for her to wear, but never had anything after the giveway, and selling a Regency dress on ebay last week.

The project I'm working on however is a 1914 Afternoon Dress that is loaded with hand embroidery, lace insertions, and pintucks. It is made out of a semi-sheer white-on-white checked cotton, with a cotton sheer mist batiste for the bodice and skirt linings. I'm excited to be working on a new pattern and here is a a snapshot of what is coming:


...::::...

Oh, I also thought I should mention that my friend LeAnne, from the Tapestries blog (I highly recommend the magazine they publish!), set up a feed for our sewing blog, so if you have a Live Journal, you can read our blog on your friends page! Click here to add us.

It is now 12:02pm ::drumroll:: and the winner is...

... Heather Anderson! Congratulations! =)

We had a total of 31 entries and considering that this isn't a "well-known" blog out in the blogosphere, I was excited to see that many people enter. =) And thanks to those who also linked to our blog from your own.

Lord willing, we hope to have more giveaway's in the future, so this wasn't our first and last. =)

Apron Giveaway!

Instead of selling this apron, I decided to have "an apron giveaway"! The inspiration comes from my friend Crystal who recently had a giveaway on her blog. Details's are below:
A lovely 1930-1940's era apron made in a cheery purple cotton that is dotted with orange and reddish colored flowers. The apron in entirely bound with a corresponding bias and features apricot colored buttons on the side pockets. A ladies size small to medium.

To enter: Please e-mail us your name and mailing address and you'll be automatically added into the drawing. One name per household.

To be entered in twice: Mention this giveaway on your blog/LiveJournal/xanga, then e-mail us with a link to your blog, and you will be added twice!

To find out who won: Make sure you are in by Friday at 12:00pm MST and we'll anounce the winner of the apron sometime shortly after we do a random drawing!

A bitter-sweet accomplishment

For a long time, I have admired a blouse seen worn by a friend's friend of mine, and I finally but reluctantly took apart a blouse she gave to me, to make a pattern off of. The results were very pleasing, except...
it turned out to be a size eight! I had forgotten to add room to make it a size 12 so I am having to sell this, as I don't know how long it will take me to get back to a size 8. =P Oh well, maybe someone else will enjoy it!

The machines are buzzing

Today I have locked myself in the sewing room to tackle my growing mountain of fabrics. I say growing because one can hardly contain herself when JoAnn's has such great deals right now and I'm seeing some tropical breeze fabric that I really like over at Works of the Heart and Gehman's Country Fabrics. =)

So what have I been sewing? Take a look:

I finished up this girls dress that was made out of a purple calico tropical breeze, which is now up for sale. This pattern was one that my youngest sister Molly wore often for many years. It's hard to believe that she is no long a little girl, but is becoming a young woman who will be 13 this October!

The item that I started afterwards was a 1930 to 1940-ish apron. I had some extra matieral after I made one up for Leah (my sister who is 18) and after loving the way it turned out, I'm making another one to sell. The only difference between the two is that I'm adding some large apricot colored buttons to the pockets for a little extra "touch."

Making aprons is so much fun for me (as making nightgowns is Erin's, my older sister who will be 25 this fall, favorite) and I am inclined to believe that one can never have to many aprons! Does anyone agree with me? =) I'd love to hear about them and what your favorite patterns are!

Do all good things come to an end...?

After pulling in this afternoon from a family trip out west, I downloaded pictures (I want to say I took around 1,000), and checked my e-mail, I saw that I received an e-mail from where we purchased our domain site, and our site expires in 90 days.

For the last six months, we've contemplated shutting our business down. I have had visions of it branching into a ministry of some kind, but maybe they are just dreams.

Do I here any thoughts or ideas?

Heading out the door!

Well, we are minutes away from heading out the door for our family vacation out west! We'll be back July 3rd, Lord willing, and so orders that are placed will be sent out after we get back.

Lets just say I set a new record this morning with making a peasant blouse in under a half hour! With being in the desert and Grand Canyon, I'm needing another shirt to accomodate 100 degree + weather! =)

See you all later!

A-line skirt pattern tips

A few friends had asked for my A-line skirt pattern/directions and so I thought I'd post on my blog (rather than sending out several e-mails) how I make my skirt, so other's may benefit as well! Please note that this will fit roughly someone who would wear a ladies size 12, so if you are a different size, you will want to add/decrease from these measurements.

My main skirt pattern (I don't have a pattern, actually. I just cut as I go.) is 11-1/2" at the top on the fold and the bottom of the skirt is 17" on the fold. I obviously cut out two of these for a front and back skirt. Since it is a A-line/flared skirt, there is some curve up at the top and bottom. The below picture is a rather bad example of this (poor photo angle) but it gives you an idea of how it looks like:

As far as length, just make it how ever long you want it. On this particular skirt, I'll be putting in 5 one-eighth tucks in the skirt (1-1/2" above the edge of the main skirt along with a 5" flounce for the hem, and so I already figured out the math for this.

Here is my waist bands (I cut two of them out) at 23" long and 3-1/2" tall (1-1/4" finished in the front). These are for an elastic waist, but if you wanted to put darts in the front, make the front band shorter:

I won't go through the detail's of putting the skirt together, as I assume alot of my readers know how to sew.

As far as other detail's for the skirt that I mentioned such as tucks and ruffles, the possibilities are endless to spruce up a basic skirt pattern.

In the entry I posted earlier, that had 3 one-fourth inch tucks in it. The tucks/pin-stripes are easy to put in. All you do is make a "big hem" of how many inches you want, sew it, and then iron the tuck towards the hem.

And the ruffle: I must confess my selfishness in not wanting to give out my secrets as to what I do (it's fun to have something of my own...!) but I know that isn't Christ-like, so here is what I do....

It is basically a circular flounce that has no gathers. (If it's easy and I can save time, I like it!) You cut it out in a semi-circle and MUST make sure that the inside circle will match the hem of your skirt. So if the hem of my skirt, on a fold, is 17" then the inside of my circle must 17."

Here is a picture of the inside of my semi-circle cut out to 17." From here, you can determine the length of your flounce. If you want something smaller like this, I cut my ruffle out to 3", so once it's sewn on a 5/8" seam, you have a flounce a little over 2." If you like something bigger in my previous post, and like what I'm cutting this one out to be, cut the ruffle out to 5-5/8." Here I am marking the fabric, taking the measuring tape as I go along to get it right:

This is what it looks like cut out. Since both sides are on a fold, you'll need to cut one of them for your side seam. So you will need a total of 2 of these for the front and back skirt.

And that is it!

As far as yardage, for a 5" or larger flounce you'll need around 3 yards or so. For a smaller flounce, 2-1/2 yards should do.

For fabrics, I have found that I really like linens for the the flounces. They seem to drape really well. This one is a slate blue linen, and in the previous post the skirt was made out of navy linen. However I have done skirts with flounces out of cottons and polyesters, and they all turn out great.

Have fun making skirts, and if you do make skirts like this, would you mind sharing pictures with me? I'd love to see them and other might be inspired too if I were to post them on my blog (hint, hint)! And I guess I'm off to the sewing room to finish up a nightgown (from a 60's pattern with lots of alterations) and start on a new dress and headband (I found this cute pattern here) for Molly before we take our vacation this weekend.

Coming soon...

...making an A-line skirt with special details!

Once I get started, it's hard to stop...

This afternoon I finished up another Regency dress for ebay after the first one sold so quickly. It's so much fun to sew them; quite addicting I might add. =)

My next one I hope to make in a cross-over gown (if you've seen Sense and Sensibility, it is the gold colored one Marianne wears) which will be a new pattern to explore.

While browsing on ebay, I came across some lovely fabric that is an antique reproduction for the early 19th century. It's what I call "perfect" for a Regency gown! It ends tomorrow and I have a bid on it, so we'll see how it goes.

The "Feature of the Week" will be posted shortly.

In the Shop...

Well, I was in the mood to sew today (I guess my sickness for it wore off quickly...) and sewed up a Regency dress for ebay. I decided to offer it at "Buy-It-Now" and with a lower price, as I have several of these that I need to make and want to get them sewn up and out of here. =)

Interested? Click here to see it.

The decision has been made!

I decided to add lace to the dress instead of ribbon, but I found a lace that I liked better than the white that seemed to blend in more with the dress instead of really standing out, but yet give it that "finishing touch." What do you think?

And the sister who took the two pictures below doesn't normally take pictures, but they give you all an idea of what the dress looks like on a person. =)

Mission, ie, Skirt Accomplished

Ah, such a good feeling when I've accomplished something that turned out good for once and that I actually like it. =)

Anyone else here ever make something and then you end up despising it once it's finished? About a month ago I made an everyday dress for summer out of some fabric that I just LOVE and it looks like a potato sack on me - still not sure what do with it and here it was out of my favorite "Betsy" style dress pattern (from our catalog). Something when wrong somewhere... I'd like to think that I lost a few lbs, but that hasn't happened yet so far. Must get back to walking... =)

Sick of sewing

Yes, you read correctly: I am sick of sewing. Despite all the hectic things going on after returning from a trip (violin related), having a nasty cold, and preparing for my younger sister's graduation and open house this weekend, I managed to be able to sew up in one day (ie, today) a friends dress that she'll be wearing for a wedding. It had to be done today as she leaves tomorrow.

Thankfully my friend is basically my size, but shorter so that pattern didn't need much altering and it was in the same style dress that I had posted pictures of in my previous post. It went together well, and it looked SO stunning on her. Hopefully I can get a picture of her wearing it. =)

So I have some things that need to be sewn up (I always seem to have something on my table!) and right now I don't have much in the way of finances, but sewing is the last thing I want to do right now. Somehow I need to get out of this mood...

May I prevail upon your good opinon?

I was trying out a fairly new pattern, with a very new sleeve pattern (never tested before in our sewing room) and the dress is for when I perform/play (ie. violin) in public.

However, I would like a bit of your advice, does it look to dressy with the lace? All I have left to sew is the zipper in the back, and so the lace shown below was just pinned on. Does it look to much like a bridemaid's dress? (After I made it up, I realized that I wanted my bridemaid's dresses to look similar to this, should I get married someday...)
A close up of the fabric and lace:

And here is the dress without lace:

Which of the two do you like better?

Another gown

Hesitatingly I decided to list another Regency gown on ebay. One of these days I'm going to make one so that I can keep it myself. Maybe the one that is 100% silk dupioni in cream with a green velveteen spencer jacket? I have yet to make both of those, so we'll see. =)

Up on the "to-do-list" is a 1910's blouse. Remember the one pattern that I was raving about awhile back? I decided to splurge, and when ahead to purchase it. And guess what, it was on sale too. =D

Busy times...

If you have e-mailed us lately and have not heard a response, please know that we probably have received it, but haven't been on the computer much. At this point, I'm not sure if all of them have been repied to or not, so you wrote within the last month or so and haven't heard back from us, we may need a reminder that we haven't answered you!

So what has been keeping the e-mail replier busy? =) Mainly violin. Having a set goal at 18 hours a week of practice time is not as easy to accomplish as one might think. I have done a little bit of sewing and will be adding a couple items to the ladies apparel section hopfully soon.

Wardrobe advice from 1922:

"Always select or make designs that enhance your daintiness, your femininity, your exquisite delicacy and tenderness. Do this with every stitch of clothing you have, from bungalow aprons to bathing suits, from sport costumes to ball gowns. Endeavor to provide yourself with an entire wardrobe of dainty and cuddlesome garments, each piece as bewitching as the wearer herself." --Fascinating Womanhood, St. Louis: Psychology Press

Vintage 40's dress: Simplicity 3778

Sewing with vintage patterns can become quite addicting! And I should also add: not to mention buying vintage patterns! The above pattern is one that I fell in love with, and ::cough:: spent a little more than planning, to secure the pattern when bidding on ebay. A dress that buttons on the side often allure me, so how could I not get it?

Overall, I am very happy with the dress that I made from that pattern. The only thing I changed was instead of doing darts in the upper sleeve, I gathered it. Oh and I added 2 inches to the hem to make it come around mid-calf length than just-below-the-knee area.

Because of paying for my own violin lessons and various other music pursuits, I decided to list this dress on ebay. I also made a coordinating vintage 30's/40's apron that is included with the dress. Check the listing out here.

Patterns for sale

After cleaning out the sewing room and pattern bins, I came across a few patterns that we looked off of for ideas's for custom-made clothing and we no longer need them, so if you do sewing your self, you may be interested in some patterns that I listed on ebay that are all 99 cents!

Oh, and in other news, I have updated our Ladies apparel section and the Nearly New section

Open for discussion!

Today I received the following e-mail, and thought that it would be a great opportunity to post it here:

Thank you so much for your ministry! It is so
good to know that you are holding up a godly standard in dress and encouraging
other ladies in the same!

I was wondering if you could give me
advise or ideas about a modesty seminar/fashion show I am organizing for some
churches in my area (Southern California). From your experience, what are the
most important areas that Christian women are neglecting or misunderstanding in
how they dress? What can I give them as far as resources for modest clothing?
Would you be interested in loaning some of your handwork to show and promote
your business? Are there attitudes/manerisms that need to be
addressed?

Any thoughts you have would be so
appreciated!!

So what would be your thoughts ladies? We certainly don't have "all the answers" just because we are a business! =) So, the floor is all yours! (Please note that anything not appropriate will be deleted)