I am glad you enjoyed my post on list/organizing. Organizing and therefore scheduling has become, since this past year, my life preserver. If my 2008 me met the now (1956) me I would probably be amazed at 'all that I do'. But, since I have come 'along for the ride' from 2008 to 1955 then 56, I am happy with my progress but not satisfied. That is to say, I am probably the most content and calm I have ever been in my life, but I feel like I need to always keep that little 'fire in my belly' to want to do more or improve on what I do. I will always find that one drawer that I might only open sometimes to be met with 'clutter' and think, "well, there is a rainy day project". But, I don't think nor would I ever want to think I am 'perfect'. In fact, to strive for perfection without the idea of ever reaching it might be a good overall life goal. I shan’t ever be there, but what a ride anyway! It gives one a road to travel but no fear. Onward!
Today it is a small post as today is my JANUARY DRESS CHALLENGE day. I promised myself one new homemade outfit a month, so today I am starting it.
I had originally planned a mélange’ of a dress pattern I have and a repro 1950’s bolero a friend made my into a dress, but have put that off. This one is challenging enough.
Well, off to work. Let me know if any of you are joining me for this month’s challenge and if you are you can comment here or I have started a Topic in the Forum on the website for discussion and to upload photos to share, so let’s get to it!
Good luck with the challenge! Love the fabric
ReplyDeleteI bought a vintage pattern in a thrift store (a skirt and blouse that together look like a shirtwaist dress). Haven't been motivated to sew it yet, though.
ReplyDeleteThat's going to be a lovely dress! Good luck with the project and please post pictures when you're done! :)
ReplyDeletevery pretty fabric!! good luck
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful pattern you are using. I have one cut out but have not sewn much of it yet, so here I go. I hope I can finish it before the end of the month as it is so late now. Although I am sick and off this week end, I will try to get some of it done. Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteI love your Butterick pattern. One of my goals for the New Year is to replenish my wardrobe. I had a favorite, but well-loved dress, took it apart, ironed it and used it for a pattern. The first dress, sewn a while back, came out remarkably well. I intend on using this pattern for my "Theme and Variations" wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteCommitments and obligations have cluttered the rest of January. I might take the challenge in February. The pattern and fabric are waiting. My wardrobe needs the help!
Music, Art, and Home Economics
Sad news! my machine just broke on my tonight. I am so upset, as I have planned today and tomorrow to sew up my dress and now it will not work and I have no extra money in my budget to even think about a sewing machine repair. I feel as if I am letting all of you down as well. It is so frustrating I don't know what to do. So, no sewing for me this weekend.
ReplyDelete50's gal - What kind of machine do you have? I have been sewing on early 60's Singers my whole life, and have recently developed a fascination for them. . . and have acquired a few more. I've learned that one can do a lot for herself in fixing these machines! If you have such a machine you might be surprised!
ReplyDeleteLove the dress pattern, by the way.
Remember you are in 1950's and you have lived through the depression and the war. You might be able to get a neighborhood handy man to take a look at it. I often get my hubby to fix my things ( sometimes he has to research how to fix it )
ReplyDeleteIf it is my old model I often have tension trouble and he gives it a few adjustments. But if your motor is burned out well then...
That is such a lovely dress, I remember my mum wearing similar things when I was a young girl. The Vogue dress is gorgeous! Although I knit and stitch I've never really done any dressmaking, my sewing machine languishes in a cupboard under the stairs! Maybe I should get it out and have a go.
ReplyDeleteYou are right and I will try and fix it myself. It was just so upsetting, I wasn't sure what to do. But, a woman like me, living through the Depression and the war, WOULD have first thought, "well, let's take this apart and see what can be done!"
ReplyDelete50's gal (and everyone else) - there is a Vintage Singers yahoo group. . . the members are very knowledgeable and helpful. . . but I've gotten a ton of information regarding fixes to my machines via the archives. They also have manuals, etc. in the file section. No doubt there are yahoo groups for other types of sewing machines as well.
ReplyDeleteWOW thank you mama kitty. I am not sure what a yahoo group is, but I shall find out. I only just, since staring one myself, really found out what a forum is! Silly me.
ReplyDeleteWow - yes, thank you Mama Kitty. I have two vintage Singers - my grandmother's and one that I bought 30 years ago at a yard sale. Both sew beautifully. (lucky, aren't I?) Sorry for the "me"
ReplyDeleteThat Vogue pattern and the fabric are gorgeous. I can remember my grandmother having a dress made out a similar print, although the dress style was different. Hint: I don't know how much you have sewn so... if you use white collar and sleeve cuffs, make sure the blue doesn't bleed.
50's gal - a Yahoo Group is an email distribution list that you sign up for, and generally links together people with common interests. There are thousands of them; I'm on the vintage singers list, some homeschool lists, and a couple of local groups I'm involved with. The types of messages people post depend on the purpose of the group - information about a particular subject, upcoming events, questions, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou are so amazingly awesome. You really ARE one to take on a project (learning to build a website…learning to AND living in the 50s…learning to sew…) and succeed. You really do amaze and impress me. Thank you for sharing your zest with all of us!
ReplyDeleteZebu-You are a sweetheart for saying so. Really, what I do is just normal for me. I am glad I can amaze or impress. Perhaps I simply don't bother to think rather or not I can and just do it. Maybe not always the best approach, but it does make life interesting!
ReplyDeleteOh, packrat, I did not think of that, but I actually, since I am now borrowing a friends machine for the week, have decided to put that pattern off until next month's sewing with different material and am going to try, afterall, to make my own pattern idea with the fabric I have shown you and see if I can make it work. There is a particular style I often see in the 1950s where the sleeves and bodice are cut from one piece and have a sort of modified smaller 'bat wing' look, but I cannot find such a pattern to use. SO, I am going to try and cut the top out as two pieces and but in seams/darts to adjust the bodice to fit me and than add either a gathered or pleated skirt to it. I will show my results and my mistakes (of which I hope there are none!)
ReplyDeleteDear Friend, did you get your machine fixed? I am a member of the aforementioned Yahoo Group. What model/make is your machine? I'm sure several of us could help you diagnose the problem and probably fix it for very little money.
ReplyDeleteI believe that blue material with white collar and cuffs would be very smart.
good luck!
Kay-I did fix my old machine. It is an old early 50's Husvarna, but now I have a brand "new" 1959 Singer 500 "ROCKETEER"!
ReplyDelete