More Collette Oolong photos

My first version of Oolong in a cotton voile. details on making it can be found here.

Do you ever get obsessed with a sewing pattern ? I have been a little nuts over Collette's Oolong pattern lately. At the moment I am working on my third version in purple velvet. I love this pattern because it so easy to customize.

Here is the second version made in stretch doubleknit. Details on making it in stretch fabric can be found here. I used bias band facings instead of facings, made a short puffed sleeve and gave this pattern more of a forties feel.

Stay tuned to see my purple velvet version which will have added godets on the skirt. I'm just finishing it up. I think that will probably be my last Oolong for awhile. Enough already!

Have a great sewing week.

Today was the first day of school for my three older children. My son is a senior now in high school. I can't believe it!

Giveaway Winner Sertyan

Congratulations to Sertyan, you won my Giveaway pattern! 

Sertyan is a super talented designer and seamstress who blogs from Malaysia. One of the things I love about blogging is getting to know other bloggers around the world via their blogs and vice- versa. For instance, my last pattern winner was Little Betty Designs from Sydney, Australia. You should definitely check out her blog and the blog this week's winner Sertyan from Sertyan's Sewing Corner. I have been a fan of hers for awhile now and really enjoy reading her blog and seeing all the adorable creations she make for her little cutie like this Minnie Mouse Dress below.

Doesn't this dress just make you happy? I know I want one like this for Gigi!

Recently, she has started sewing for herself, and I was excited that her name was drawn from my trusty Mason jar and I can't wait to see her rendition of this pattern.

Sertyan's vintage inspired dress.
This pattern looks a little tough, so no pressure Sertyan ! That neckline does looks pretty tricky. I'm waiting till I find the perfect vintage fabric to make mine. Something slinky and fluid, like a vintage rayon crepe.

1964 Barbie Sewing Pattern! The Cluny Gown

Here is Miss Barbie in her silk taffeta evening gown made by my little Miss Lily with a some help from me. The fisheye darts and tiny pleats were a challenge for her but a big learning experience ! If you are trying to teach your kids to sew this is a great type of project.

The pattern came from this little nifty book we bought at the flea market. Lily collects vintage toys and especially anything Barbie if she finds a good deal! This little book came inside the box for her Sew Handy 1961 child's sewing machine.

We traced off the pattern so we didn't have to cut up the booklet. This pattern tracing material is really a lifesaver. It's available at Nancy's Notions.

Slow down there Barbie! 

Barbie's not about to let Ken behind the wheel of her treasured Corvette. She may look old-fashioned but she's very modern.

This is actually Lily's vintage Barbie corvette which she bought at the Ventura Flea Market. She bargained them down to four dollars. Flea marketing is also a great way to teach your kids how to negotiate, a skill that will be valuable in their futures. It's also a history lesson as the vendors love to tell her all about the toys and where they came from. 

A good cleaning and it was good as new!

The Humble Housedress History

Hi readers! Yes, It's time for a shameless plug! Check out my Burdastyle article about the history of the housedress here .

Thanks!

Red Forties Housedress Made From A Tablecloth

I finished the tablecloth dress! To be honest I'm ready to move on to sewing some more draping styles. I would like to try this pattern in a a rayon challis. It will be a lot easier this next time since I already have all the pattern revisions made. The Collette pattern blog suggests making a pattern you like up in different fabrics since most of the hard fitting work is done in the first draft. I will be putting it in my vintage and repurposed fashion show in September. 

The pattern was mail order and had no brand...

This was the original envelope but sadly there is no postmark. Allin commented on my last post on this dress that it was from maybe 1942 or 1943. Allin worked at the LA County Museum in the costume department.

All the materials were from my thrifted sewing supply collection. The button, rick rack, and zipper were from a yard sale. The tablecloth I bought at the thrift for  2.50$ . The pattern was more expensive, ten dollars, and bought on e-bay.

Scalloped pockets.

 The finished pattern looked too much like a boxy uniform. A little too housedressy. I  lowered the neckline, took in the sides of the bodice, took the darts in, and hemmed it about 5 inches.

Vintage Laundry Hampers:Beauty For The Boring

I will never like doing laundry but at least putting the dirty clothes in a pretty hamper is a nice way to hide all the dirty clothes. I love these old hampers and they really look cute in the bathroom. They also have nifty little holes in them for circulation. And you can stuff lots of clothes into them! I found all three of these hampers at the thrift shop over the course of a couple years for under 20 dollars each. But if you don't mind paying more they can be found easily at flea markets.

A CalforniaAnd Oregon Coast Road Trip

Redwood forests, driftwood strewn beaches, wineries, and giant roadside sculptures, and a crab shack. The perfect ingredients for a Northern California, Southern Oregon Coast road trip to end the summer of 20011.

And to top it off, a San Francisco flea market on the way home.