Vintage Coolness

I have reallllly been hating on my kitchen lately. It’s a VERY VERY VERY bright green. At first I thought THAT was the problem. Now, I’m not so sure. I think it might just be that the curtains in there are AWFUL with the bright green. So, I’ve been thinking about making over the kitchen without painting it.

I have some green gingham and some bright white fabric that will make very cute curtains (and will MATCH). Then I started thinking about how to style the kitchen. I was thinking about my bathroom as well. I think it’s a special bathroom that still has it’s original 1920’s feel with claw foot tub and stained glass (faux) window. I need to work WITH that. 😉

As I was perusing Pinterest I came upon a ton of vintage ads. PERFECT!!!! I am thinking about printing some of them out and using them in the kitchen and bathroom.  I have a couple of Norman Rockwell prints already and I am going to use those, too.

Here are a few that caught my eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just a few that I am thinking about using.

I am probably going to use vintage ads/prints throughout the hallways, as well. Might as well make a thing of it! 😉

 

 

Once I get the kitchen done (after the Sewing to Rebuild) I will take some pictures and show you what I come up with!

 

 

In sewing news, I am humming right along. I have another bag and toy made. Today I will be working on the clothing to go with them! I will be showing you all of them tomorrow!

 

 

<3 Pattern Love <3

 

 

While we are packing and packing and packing, I have nothing new on the horizon. It’s been sooooo long since I did any kind of sewing!! I am starting to go through withdrawals now!!! LOL To tide me over, I have been looking at and Pinning patterns. I thought I would share some of them with you! 🙂 You know, I am SUCH an enabler!! LOL

 

Isn’t that DARLING????? Butterick B5901

It’s under things but I’m thinking it would be cute as an outfit if the bodice was lined!

 

 

McCall’s M6689

I love this silhouette!!

 

 

McCall’s M6735

That looks perfect for summer!!

 

Now for the grown ups! 😉

Butterick B5881

Not crazy about the color but I love the silhouette!! I would probably pair it with leggings. 😉

 

 

McCall’s M6758

I LOVE THIS!! It has a definite 60’s Megan Draper vibe, don’t you think???

 

 

Butterick B5895

There is absolutely NO WAY that I could ever pull that look off BUT I love it!!!!!  And I reallllllly want those shoes!! LOL

 

 

 

Simplicity 1609

This is a remake from the 60s…. Yeah, I’m going to have to get this one!! LOL

 

 

Here is a link to my sewing board on Pinterest where you can find tons of patterns and sewing inspiration! 😉

 

 

Easy Peasy Apron Tutorial

 

 

 

 

 

Here it is!! The part 2! 🙂 Actually, I was going to do a pinafore but when I saw how well the apron turned out I decided to leave it. What do YOU think?? Should I leave it as is or go ahead and turn it into a pinafore?? Leave me a comment and let me know!

 

What I used –

1 yard by 12″ cotton Swiss dot eyelet stuff (I am soooo technical!) I got it for a $1 at Hancocks in the remnants bin!! 😉

3 yards by 5″ cotton gauze (leftovers)

2 yards by 4″ cotton sheet (leftovers)

So in all this little apron cost me a dollar. ONE DOLLAR!!! 🙂

 

When I take pictures for the tutorials I usually take 3 shots per step just in case. Well, in this case all 3 shots of the first few steps were blurry. GRRRR!! I think I must have had something on the lens. SIGH… So, I will be telling how but I won’t be able to SHOW you for the first couple of steps. But don’t worry! This is super easy!!!

 

 

 

Step 1 – I cut my yard of Swiss dot stuff into 4 equal sections.

 

Step 2 – Sew 3 of the pieces together with the lace part in the middle. (You can look at the pic of the apron above to see what I mean).

 

Step 4 – Sew a hem on the 2 sides. NOT the top and bottom.

 

 

 

Step 5 – My 2 yards of leftover cotton sheet was in 2 pieces so I needed to sew those together.

Step 6 – Then I folded it down the middle lengthwise and pressed. Pin and sew the sides together. If you had to use more than one piece to get the 2 yards make sure your seam is on the outside when you sew the sides together.

 

 

 

Step 7 – Turn fabric tube right side out (SORRY!! I hate that part, too!!) and press with the seam in the middle.

 

 

Step 8 – Tuck in the ends, press and sew closed. Sorry this one is blurry.

 

 

 

Step 9 – My 3 yards of cotton gauze was in 3 pieces so I had to sew the ends together.

 

 

 

Step 10 – Fold up 1/2″, press, fold up another 1/2″ press, pin and sew hem.  Do the same to the 2 sides.

Step 11 – Sew a gathering stitch across the top of the gauze strip. To sew a gathering stitch on my machine I set both stitch dials to the highest setting.

 

 

 

Step 12 – Remove the DARN CAT!!

 

 

 

Step 13 – Pin the top of the ruffle to the bottom of the apron with right sides together, adjusting gathers as needed. Sew.

 

 

 

Step 14 – Run a gathering stitch across the top of the apron. Pin top of apron to the bottom of the ties, right sides together, adjusting gathers as you go.

 

 

 

Step 15 – Flip over and press the back side.

 

 

YOU’RE ALL DONE!!! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

I think the apron gives the dress a vintage/retro/old-fashioned look. What do you think??

 

As always, let me know what you think. Was this easy to follow? If you have ANY questions, just ask! I would be more than happy to answer them.

Let me know if you make this!! I would love to see it!!

 

Retro Butterick ’47 Is DONE!!!!

YAY!! It’s all done! 🙂 Well, I think I need to add a couple of snaps above the zipper, but other than that, IT’S DONE! 🙂

As you can see, there’s a bit of a gap over on my left side where the zipper is located. I’ll just add a couple of snaps there above the zipper and it’ll be just right! 🙂

Apparently this is pattern is very flattering for my body type. As soon as I came downstairs d said, “Ooh! It makes you look thinner!” I may need to make 10 or 100 more from this pattern. 😉

Check out those shoes!! Those are the pair that I got FREE from Sears for using my reward points!! YAY!!

Here’s a back view of the Retro Butterick ’47 B5209

The dress is a little bunchy in the back but that’s due to me being so short-waisted! LOL

So, there’s another vintage/retro pattern to mark as done! YAY!

Next up will be my purse. And if things go well I’ll be posting a tutorial for that tonight or tomorrow. Wish me luck! 😉

Here are the fabrics I’ll be using.

I had a lovely navy blue that I wanted to use but it picked up SOOOOO much lint that I decided not to use it! The blue here is what is left over from the What a Hoot skirt and the gold and cream is what I won from Handmade by Hilani. I’m a little nervous about this… I have never made a purse before and I don’t think it will be as simple as d’s bag…. But I’m gonna try! 😉

I think after the purse and tops for me I will make some play clothes for the cs. I’ll be sure to post tutorials when I do!

 

Retro Butterick ’47 Is ALMOST Done!

 

 

 

YAY!!! Just the zipper, hemming and pressing left to be done! 🙂 I hate putting in the zipper. Without a zipper foot it’s a NIGHTMARE of pinning, sewing and ripping, pinning, sewing and ripping…. SIGH…. I really need to remember to get one next time I’m near Joann’s or Hancocks.

The pattern has been SUPER easy to follow and so far the fit is excellent since I went down 2 sizes on the bodice… LOL

Anyway, I should finish that up this evening!! Then I will be making myself a purse! 🙂 YAY!! I really need a new one for summer! I’ll be putting up a tutorial for that if everything goes well… LOL You never know… 😉

After that I think I might have to try one of the vintage patterns Mrs. H gave me. Maybe the blouse…

See & Sew 5133

I really need some more tops! OH!! And I want to try this one, too!!

McCall’s M6467

And I still have some retro/vintage rereleases that I HAVE to do!! LOL

We didn’t have church today. We had more violent storms come through last night and they knocked out the power at the church. Too bad the storms didn’t cool us off. It’s still hotter than HECK out there. I hate summer…. I reallllly, reallllllllly do. Give me snow!! LOL

So, what are YOU working on??

 

 

 

I’m BAAAAACK….to Sewing!

SHEW!!! It feels SO good to be sewing again!!! I have really missed it this past week!! I haven’t gotten very far with the Retro Butterick ’47 B5209 but at least it’s a start!!

I can’t wait to get this one done!! I think it will end up being my favorite so far!! 🙂

Oh my goodness! I just realized! It has been more than a WEEK since I have been in a fabric store….. Oh my GOSH!! Am I sick? Someone call a doctor!! I think there’s something wrong with me!!! YILES!!!  😉

There are some great sales going on for McCall’s, Vogue and Butterick patterns! All clearance and out-of-print patterns for $1.99!!! And there are some retro/vintage patterns in that! 🙂 Make sure to click on the clearance and out-of-print links instead of the sale link. It was acting sort of wonky last night.

I managed to actually read a whole book last week! YAY!! I finally read the latest in the Sookie Stackhouse series, Deadlocked.  It was SOOOO good! I just love that series. But I felt that it ended on sort of a cliffhanger in a way.

I am behind on my True Blood viewing. I watched the first episode of this season but haven’t had a chance to watch the others. I have to fix that!! LOL Even though the series is SOOO far removed from the books I just can’t stop watching! But I do wish they would make MORE of an effort… This season seems to be going even farther away from the books.

OH! I have a better picture of that weird almost entirely white skunk!!

Isn’t that weird!! He isn’t very afraid of us, either. NOT good! Not good AT ALL!!! We need to figure out a way to discourage him from coming to eat in our yard!!

We had some major storms move through area last night. A lot of people are out of power and the heat is AWFUL!! I hope you all are OK!! We were lucky and managed to keep power and had no damage. SHEW!!!!

We ended VBS last night. My group of little people did SO well with the program!! They managed to remember most of the words and movements to all the songs!! I was so proud of them! There were some moments, though, where I thought we might lose them. LOL They started to get pretty rowdy a time or ten. 😉 But they did great. I hope they all come back for Sunday School and church. I’m going to miss them.

So, how are YOU spending the weekend? Working on any cool projects? Reading any great books?? Seen any good movies?? LOL

Patterns, Patterns and More Patterns

SHEW!!! I am EXHAUSTED!!! And it was only the first night of VBS! LOL To quote d, “It was like trying to herd cats with ADHD.” LOL I think that’s an apt comparison.  We had nine 4 and 5 yr olds! NINE! But I had 3 helpers. I don’t even want to think about how it would have gone without them! LOL But it was FUN!!!! Tonight ought to be, too!

Music was our first stop after the opening BUT the music system wasn’t working properly. That led to the other ladies and me trying to think of every church song we ever sang as kids.  We sang “Jesus Loves Me” several times. 😉

OH! D got a compliment on the bag I made for her! YAY!! 🙂 She was thrilled!

A sweet friend from church gave me some patterns last night! YAY!!! Check them out!

YAY!!! I ❤ retro patterns!! 🙂

I am HOPING to start cutting the fabric for the Retro Butterick ’47  B5209 tonight, BUT that will all depend on how much energy I have left over….. LOL

The cats are very put out with me. There’s been no sewing for them to sleep on or mess with! LOL

C1 isn’t wearing something made by me today. Is it crazy that I feel sad when she wears something store bought?? LOL She has tons of store bought clothes in her closet but I just LOVE it when she wears something that I made for her.  Oh, well…. Maybe tomorrow. 😉

 

 

 

Upcoming Projects

This is going to be a VERY busy week for me. Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow and I will be teaching the 4 and 5 year olds! I’m a little nervous and VERY excited!!!! I spent part of the afternoon fixing up my room. 🙂 I’ll take some pictures tomorrow once I have it all finished.

This week I will be working on…..

Retro Butterick ’47 B 5209 – I LOVE that hat!!!!

I’ll be using this fabric!

And at some point I want to make d a purse out of this….

I’ll also be attempting a purse for myself out of this……

That is the fabric I won from Handmade by Hilani. I think it will go nicely with a navy blue. 🙂

It will probably be a slow week sewing wise but I will at least post some great patterns and fabric pictures to keep you entertained. And when I DO make the purses I will be sure to include tutorials. 😉

I hope you all are enjoying the tutorials. I would LOVE to know if anyone has tried one out.

Don’t forget to check out my Pinterest boards. TONS of great stuff there!!!

c1 wore her Fab Mod Dress to church this morning. She loved it. It looked very comfy. I wore this with my petticoat. It was nice and comfy in the heat! 🙂

So, what are YOU working on????

Fast and Easy Fab Mod Dress Tutorial

 

The Fab Mod Dress

 

Here it is! A new tutorial! 🙂

 

What you will need –

1 yard of fabric

2 buttons

Double fold bias tape

Scraps of coordinating fabric (for pockets)

 

Measurements – child’s chest, length for armholes and length of dress

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1 – Remove cats from fabric!!!

 

 

Step 2- Fold fabric 1/4 width of chest +1/2″. Fold going into a slight slant. (The dress is slightly A-line.)

 

 

 

Step 3 – Cut length, width and neck line

 

 

Step 4 – Cut armholes

 

 

Step 5 – Take front dress piece and  place over folded fabric. Cut back piece while using front piece as a guide.  You may want to pin it.

 

 

This is what you should have.

 

 

Step 6- Remove cat from your work area!

 

 

 

 

Step 7 – Take your scraps and find something to use as a guide to cut them in the shape you want them to be. Well, I guess you could just eye-ball it…. LOL  Cut 4.

 

 

Step 8 – Pin 2 pieces together and sew up 3 sides. Do the same to the other 2 pieces.

Turn right side out and press.

 

 

Step 9 – Turn down 1/2″ from the top and press.

 

 

 

Step 10 – Figure out where you want to place your buttons on the pockets. Sew the buttons on.

 

Step 11 – Pin the pockets on the front and sew the 3 sides.

 

 

 

 

Step 12 – Place the front and the back right sides together. Pin the tops of the dress and both sides. Sew them together.  Press your seams.

 

 

 

Step 13 – Open your bias tape and pin it around the neckline and armholes. Sew it in place and press.

 

 

 

Step 14 – Turn a 1/2 over on the bottom, press and turn it in another 1/2″. Press and pin.  Sew your hem and press again! (I pressed the whole thing one more time.. LOL)

 

Now you are DONE!!! You just made the Fab Mod Dress!! 🙂

 

 

I hope this was easy to follow! Let me know if you make it! I would love to see it! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Ooooh!! More Retro Butterick!!

Looky at what I grabbed at Hancock’s today!!!

The Retro Butterick ’60 – B5747 for $1.99

The Retro Butterick ’47 – B5209 for $1.99

AND

The Retro Butterick  ’46 – B5281 – $1.99

I was in a hurry so I might have to go back and see if they have the other Retro Buttericks while the sale is still on!! :)) They also have the McCall’s patterns on sale for $1.99.

It’s been another busy day of running around like crazy!! I haven’t gotten a chance to do a bit of sewing!! WAH!!! But I do know what my next project will be….. AND there will be a tutorial if it turns out right. LOL Fingers crossed!!!

Have you all seen THIS???

SIGH…. Isn’t it GORGEOUS???? SIGH….. I think I will start making my Christmas list soon. It’s never to early, right??? LOL Simplicity has a retro line, too!! I NEED THEM!!!! LOL

Check this one out. It’s not retro but it has that certain look to it. Well, at least I think so… LOL

Another to add to my Christmas list! LOL

Here’s another modern pattern that looks like it walked straight out of history.

For more vintage patterns, real or reissues, check out my Pinterest boards. My Crafting and Sewing Ideas board is FULL of them! 😉

 

Hoping to have a tutorial for you tomorrow, if I can get the cats off the fabric….

 

SIGH……………