Fun Times with the Silhouette!

I mentioned a while back that The Boyfriend bought me the Silhouette for my birthday in 2013.  Here is one of the projects I made with it.

The first actual project I made with the machine was a silhouette portrait (how appropriate, no?) of the Boyfriend and Abraham Lincoln.  I was inspired by the portraits made at Disneyland.  If you didn't know, there are cast members in this one shop on Main Street who hand-cut your portrait in a matter of minutes.  It's novel, but not cheap.  One of the examples on the wall of the store is of Abe.  We were initially going to pay for a portrait with The Boyfriend and Lincoln, but I though it would be more challenging and fun to do it myself.  I know, it's weird, but that's how I roll.

 I used my mad photoshop skills to turn the Boyfriend's profile image into a black silhouette.  I combined that image with a rad clipart file of Honest Abe.  Working in the Silhouette software is not easy.  I'm so used to Photoshop and Illustrator that the software doesn't make sense to me.  And there aren't great instructions out there.  So many tutorials, but a lot of work to watch and try to apply to my own projects.  I'm much more into designing my own things, than downloading from the Silhouette Store.   Here it is:

I surprised the Boyfriend with this on his birthday.  

Not wanting to waste paper, I also decided it would be cute to get a portrait of Pearl.  It was a bit of a challenge to get Pearl to sit still long enough to snap a photo of her from the side. 

 I snapped this picture with my iPhone in my left hand and a treat held up high in my right hand.  

She's such a sport....

(Both frames were found at an Antique Flea Market.  The Boyfriend's frame was $2 and the bow frame was only $1!!!)

Nifty Flea Market / Yard Sale Finds

Look at this cool sh*t!

I go the numerous antique flea markets / swapmeets a couple times a month.  Sometimes I find really cheap vintage patterns, awesome notions, and on rare occasions I get fabric.  Then there are those times you find really cool things.  Like these brass duck pattern weights!

Well, the original purpose was place holders on a dinner table, but they are super heavy and a great size to fit in the corners of pattern pieces.  I use these in combination with metal washers I bought at the hardware store.

The ducks are my new favorite...and if I ever have a big Duck Dynasty themed dinner party, I have the perfect addition to the table.


(The fabric was made into a blouse for myself.  To be blogged about later when I get around to taking photos.)

A little bit of Home Dec.

After I moved,  The Boyfriend and got a lot of new furniture and set up the apartment.  My favorite new piece of furniture was my couch and I was super excited to make my own throw pillows.  I drafted a very simple pillow case with a square for the front and 2 overlapping rectangles for the back so I could easily remove the pillow and wash the cases.  I decided it would be fun to break in my brand new serger I got for my birthday (back in January) to construct the pillows.  My new serger is a Babylock Imagine.  It works so well.  I love how easy it is to use and the feet are really cool also.

The fabric is a vintage barkcloth-like fabric I got at an estate sale my mom and I stopped at on a whim after seeing a sign on the side of the street.  I was originally going to use it for dining room chair covers, but decided to use it for pillows instead.  One day, if I have a kitchen with a small window over the sink, I will use the rest to make a curtain.  I thought it would be cool to pipe around the pillow and found the perfect red-orange vintage piping in the stash.  Unfortunately, I did not have enough for both pillows. I went to Joann's to try to find a match, but the red piping there was not a close match.  I chose a light lime green instead.

Like I said, I used the serger to make the pillows.  The piping foot is awesome.  It worked perfectly!

The Wedding Guest Dress

The Boyfriend's sister got married in Mexico at the end of October and I decided to make my dress to wear to the wedding.  I chose Simplicity 1873 because it was vintage-y and looked pretty simple to construct.  The bride instructed me to only wear certain colors, but I ended up in none of the pictures so it didn't matter either way.  I didn't follow her color instructions, so maybe that's why I wasn't in the photos.  Hahah.  

I chose a vintage cotton blend for the self and a cotton broadcloth for the lining.  I chose to fully line the dress.  I fit the bodice one evening a few days before the wedding and made a few changes.  I had to do a sloping shoulder adjustment, but I forgot to lower the armhole so it is a little snug.  I am super proud of matching the print at the CB.  I only noticed the front hiking after I took these photos!  I know what to fix if I ever make this again.


Look at my pretty hem.  I serged the edge and catchstitched it.  The lining was 3-thread overlocked with a very large SPI so it looks like a satin stitch.



























Overall, I'm happy with the dress.  It was freakin' hot in Mexico, and the dress was sweaty, but hopefully I'll never have to wear it in humid weather again.  I need to find a way to style this dress so I can wear it to work.  Suggestions?

A Little Sewing at Disneyland...

I've been loving the vintage sewing displays on Main Street in Disneyland.  Thought I'd share them with all of you:

So cute, I think this is the newest display.  

A close-up of the back wall of another.

And my favorite:  Shot glasses and a vintage sewing machine.  Hard liquor...just what you need after a long day sewing....

Thanks to my latest followers frau tipmatic and chesneykat.  Check out chesneykat's blog at Room for Sewing.

Vintage Contest: 1969 Skirt

Hi everyone! Just finished a skirt I've been planning to make for a very long time, but never got around to it until the Pattern Review Vintage Contest sparked my interest in sewing for myself again.

Here's the pattern:

Vintage Pattern Wiki

Simplicity 8418; ©1969; Young Junior/Teens' and Misses' Skirt in Two Lengths and Mini-Pantskirt: (Including a Tissue Lesson Chart ... "How To Handle Pockets"). The skirt V. 1 & 2 and the mini-pantskirt V. 3 & 4 with patch pockets have side zipper and waistband. V. 1 is regular length. V. 1 & 4 have shaped pockets with button trimmed flaps. Mini-length V. 2 has round pockets. V. 3 has top-stitched contrasting round pockets with flaps.


Here's the review:



Pattern Description:

Simplicity 8418; ©1969; Young Junior/Teens' and Misses' Skirt in Two Lengths and Mini-Pantskirt: (Including a Tissue Lesson Chart ... "How To Handle Pockets"). The skirt V. 1 & 2 and the mini-pantskirt V. 3 & 4 with patch pockets have side zipper and waistband. V. 1 is regular length. V. 1 & 4 have shaped pockets with button trimmed flaps. Mini-length V. 2 has round pockets. V. 3 has top-stitched contrasting round pockets with flaps.

I made view 2, the mini skirt.

Pattern Sizing:

Young Jr/Teen
size 13-14
Waist 26
Hips 36.5

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

The shape yes! I did some additional topstitching.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I glanced at them, and they were very good. Sparce, but good.   The extra information on handling pockets was very cute and had some good information!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I think the pattern was a little long. I made the mini skirt and it hits me just above the knee.  Not a true mini, but I'm okay with that.

Fabric Used:

Denim that was supposed to be 100% cotton from Fabric.com.  I swear they sent me the wrong fabric because there was definitely a lot of lycra in there.  I pre-washed the fabric twice and each time it got stretchier and stretchier as the sizing washed out.  Also, when I received it, there was this bad fold line down the center.  Washing it out and pressing did not work so I worked around it.  Ended up topstitching to hide it.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I added 1" total around the waist, but ended up taking it back in the same about.  I guess with the stretch of the fabric, my 27" waist did not need the extra inch.  Instead of using the half circle shape pocket facing piece, I just cut 1 circle of denim and 1 of the contrast lightweight cotton.  I sewed them RST, clipped and turned.  I really hate sewing on patch pockets that are curved.  Very difficult to get the right shape, so this was easier for me and didn't compromised the look of the design at all. I did a lot of topstitching too!  It was denim and all.  Used a button closure instead of hooks and eyes.   Oh, and a turned down the pockets a little less than in the picture on the pattern envelope.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I woud not sew it again as I have too many skirt patterns I was to try and draft!  I would recommend it though.


More views of the skirt:

Hope you all like it!  Vote for me :)

1940 Vintage Illustrations

In my Creative Design Analysis and Collection Development class, my instructor brought in a couple of vintage books to share with the class to give us some inspiration and a look at vintage pattern drafting.  One of the books she had was falling apart, but had the most beautiful illustrations in it.  Luckily, I was allowed to scan a few images.  I went down to the Annex, where students have access to a ton of computers, crappy printers, and a couple scanners to scan the images real quick in the middle of class.  No scanners were available and I had to wait.  I got annoyed and nicely told some girl, who was looking at her facebook, NOT SCANNING, to move and that the scanner stations were 15min only.  Facebook, I mean, come on!  She was pissed, but moved anyways, and I got my beautiful illustrations. I think I can scan more next week.

In other news, I'm working on my Red Dress and not loving it or my class. I expected more instruction and feedback on my design, but it seems like the class is more of a free for all. I regret not taking Industry Pattern instead.  I think I would have learned more.  I haven't learned a thing yet in class, just using what I learned from other classes. And the class is a waste of time too.  For the first 3 hours, nothing happens.  It shouldn't take 3 hours to talk about individual designs.  It didn't in my other pattern classes! It's ridiculous.  We spend most of our time wandering around, looking at other people's designs, chatting, or waiting for feedback.  To add insult to injury, there is absolutely no room to work on patterns.  Oh, and we don't get to keep the dresses.  We are paying for fabric with our tuition, but the dresses get donated to the American Heart Association.  Thats all fine and dandy.  I'm all for charity, but the dresses should be auctioned off, not kept crammed in the directors office for YEARS.  I'm not happy about that.
The longer I attend FIDM, the more I would not recommend the school.

On to new Followers!

Thank you:

Ms Hepburn  I think this vintage blog is great!  I was referred here because Ms. Hepburn featured the hat pattern I was inquiring about a few posts back.  It was so weird because I designed my red dress before school started and then found this blog. My dress is very similar to one of the 1930's patterns displayed on the blog!  Her post was almost 2 weeks after I designed my dress, and I swear I had never seen that pattern before!  I should have been a designer in the 30's.

Kimberly, who's been blogging about corsetry and boxers.

Kelsey.  She has a sewing blog, and a tea blog! I heart tea!

I can't believe I have almost 150 followers.  Thanks everyone for following!

Vintage Hat Pattern Vogue 6121

My mom and I found this cute 1960's head scarf pattern at the flea market today.  It was such a good deal that we didn't even bother to open it up to check for all the pieces and instructions.  Well, we should have because the instructions are missing :( Views A and B seam pretty self explanatory from the pattern pieces, but Views C and D confuse me.  I think I could figure it out, but my mom could not and she was hoping to make a hat/scarf today :)  Bummer, huh?

Does anyone have a copy of this pattern and could scan the instructions for me? I'd be forever grateful and the good karma fairies will make a visit I'm sure :)  The wonderful pattern site Blue Gardenia has a copy of the pattern in mint condition, but it is too pricey for me.  

I also got this sweet children's book "Love is a Special Way of Feeling"

I love the illustrations in it

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  It's back to sketching for me..... :(

The Fabric Haul (Picture Heavy)

Thanks to everyone who commented here and on Sew Retro about the stinky fabric.  We washed the last few batches of fabric with vinegar, but the smell didn't come out completely.  I think I'm going to have to wash it again and try laying out small batches in the sun.  I do not have a clothesline, but maybe I'll have to rig one up in the backyard.  We are too lazy to wash the fabric again and lay in the sun, so I think we are going to make a "stinky bin" and put all the fabric in there.  When it is time to use it, I'll just wash it again.

Now to the fabric! I did burn tests for almost every piece of fabric and we did really well!  Cottons, SILKS, and a wool! I think some of the cottons could be rayon, but there is no real way to tell unless I put them under a microscope.  Too much work!

I love the little birdies embroidered on the yellow cotton.  I want a little house so I can make curtains out of fabric.  My mom likes the border print floral.  I think it would make a great little vintage sundress or better yet, a pretty skirt!

The rose print is adorable, but I LOVE the silk and the sheer embroidered cotton.  I think they were meant to be used together.  The blue fabric pictured is interesting, but I can't figure out what to do with it.  Probably a muslin.

A really pretty, soft wool plaid and a cotton olive green corduroy.  There is just enough plaid for a skirt and tons of the cord.  I think I want a cord skirt as well.

BEAUTIFUL SILKS from China.  They were in a paper package with Chinese written on it.  The inhabitants of the estate were big travelers.

A gorgeous, funky polished cotton!  I love the sheen. Weird, but cool! I don't know if I would ever wear it, but its nice to have.

LOVE the cotton plaid!

A fun stripe and a red silk my mom has claimed.  I'm not a huge fan, so I'm cool with it :)

Another bundle I just didn't want to photograph. The yellow dotted swiss is best piece of fabric in the bundle! Oh, and there were two rather hefty tricots in nude.  I'll definitely use them to line knit!

Super fun fish print! I'm going to use this one day.  Even though it is crazy.

Cutest fabric from the lot! I hope I get the diamond fabric before my mom does :) hehe.  We think the printed gingham would make a  great apron.

 The patterns were $5 each which is usually a lot for me, but I didn't have anything like them and they were in my size.

I had to post this too.  My mom got this travel kit for $3.  It has never been used, and I think it's just adorable. 

We also bought some cute trims, 2 pairs of funky shoes, interesting costume jewelry, and a beautiful necklace gold and amethyst from the turn of the century 1900 (not 2000). I get it at Christmas.  :)  Oh, and a gorgeous custom sheath dress and coat made for lady of the house.  It is white and beautifully embroidered in black.  The embroidery is also cut out.  I'll have to take pictures and share some of the details.  My favorite part is the quilted coat lining and the hidden pocket.  I get the dress and my mom gets the coat :)

My mom paid for everything, so thanks Mom!

Vintage Fabric Question

Pictures are coming, but does anyone know how to get the smell of old people out of vintage fabric?  You know, that musty smell in everyone's grandmother's house.  My mom and I just bought LOADS of fabric at an estate sale today and even after washing, it still smells funky.

Any suggestions????


Thanks!

Name that Dress Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the "Name that Dress" Giveaway contest.  It was very entertaining for me.  By the way, surprisingly I got an A on the dress.  I know, totally didn't deserve it.  I don't think she graded on whether it was a good design or not.  I got some points taken off for side seam balance and the fact that I didn't add elastic to stabilize the bodice around the neckline.  Frankly, I got annoyed and decided not to do it even though I know I was supposed to.  

There were a few really funny name suggestions.  My favorite was Lady Be Good's suggestion of "Macrape, "but she didn't want the pattern.  I also enjoyed "Revenge of the Turds" by Thorup. But, in the end, I chose:

livebird!!! with the suggestion of Muck-rame.   The name is cute, and I think captures the essence of my icky, icky dress.

Livebird, please email me at:   rofishman gmail *dot* com with your address and I will get the pattern out to you sometime next week :)  You have until next Thursday, Aug. 18th at 6pm PST to claim your pattern.  

Thanks again everyone who participated and for your words of encouragement.  

Also, a big shout-out to my newest followers:

Jessi

Two Wild Roses, bloggers and antique shop owners in Orange, CA

Karen de Vries

Kitty Meow

Texan, she monograms goat sweaters!!!!!

christina

Making Changes of Seams so Simple

Cheryl

Here's a funny picture of Pearl taken a long time ago that I forgot I had.  I hope I haven't posted it before: