With warmer weather headed our way,
lately I have been very happily perusing vintage summer wear patterns and, to
my great delight, earlier this month happened upon a wonderfully inexpensive
1956 McCall’s 3732 blouse set pattern. As you can see from the photograph there
are three different versions, all of which I am eager to make: back buttoning
with a tab in front, front buttoning with pointed collar, and front buttoning
with a peter pan collar.
As you can also see, I have some
fabrics picked out for my marvelous pattern. The red heart print was originally
planned for another blouse pattern, but I think it is much better suited for
this one. I also wanted to use the yellow fabric for another blouse (photo to
come soon) only to find that there wasn’t quite enough. As for the
pinkish-purple fabric…it’s a reproduction mid-century modern print from the
Victoria and Albert Museum! This was a surprise to me as I rarely look at the names
on the selvage when I’m in the store and what a pleasant one it was at that for
me to have chosen it with a 50’s blouse in mind! Unfortunately, as to what
exactly in the museum the print was based on there is no indication either on
the fabric or anywhere I’ve looked online, although I intend to keep searching since
I would certainly love to know.
At the same time I bought the 50’s
reproduction fabric I also bought these three.
The green floral print I actually
already had some of, but not quite enough to make a complete clothing item from,
so hopefully now I have at least the amount necessary for a simple skirt or
maybe a even a jumper. Then there’s the red, white, and blue flower print that
I think I might use for a 60’s sleeveless blouse if I can get through the
process of grading down a pattern size. The cherry print, on the other hand, I
cannot make up my mind about. Having only bought three yards of it and it being
rather thin, I am a bit limited as to what I can do with it and because of that
I do want to make sure I pick something I’ll absolutely love. First I thought I
might make it into one of the blouses from the above pattern. Then I decided
that it might look cute if I used it for something with slightly puffed sleeves
(Combine the blouse pattern with my McCall's shirtwaist dress pattern sleeve,
perhaps?). A playsuit also crossed my mind, once again, though, the fabric is a
bit thin and probably would be better suited for just a top. So many options! It just seems to be one of
those prints with a lot of possibilities that I would happily use for about
half the vintage patterns I own!
Anyway, in the coming months you will
certainly be seeing some blouses popping up in my sewing posts and, if I can
ever decide on what I want to make, a cherry print something-or-other.♥
About the book…
In
1949, Helene Hanff sent a letter from New York to Marks & Co., Booksellers
in London inquiring about several books she was interested in obtaining
and with that started a correspondence that lasted for two decades. It was these letters that were published in
1970 providing us with the charming book 84,
Charing Cross Road.
Over the
course of 20 years, the letters show the friendships that formed between Helene
and those at the book shop, in particular manger Frank Doel, following the ups
and downs of their lives whether it be Helene’s progress as a writer or temporary
rationing in London.
What I think…
As
a book lover, one thing I particularly like is reading about which books Helene
was looking for, finding in reading this a second time that I even have a few
of them or now know more about certain authors than I did the first time I read
it. In her own witty and outspoken way, Helene provides a very clear idea of
her likes and dislikes thus painting a distinct picture of herself through her
reading choices and then her opinions on them.
Furthermore, I enjoy the
snippets of what was going on in the lives of those writing the letters, which became
more personal as the years went by. Reactions to things such as sending money by
post, rationing, family, friends, and in general what was happening in the
world at the time are perfectly delightful to read nestled in among the
discussions of books or just on their own.
I do wish there had been more
letters included as there are some referenced that are not in the book.
However, I see this as probably being a matter of necessary editing or the fact
that papers often go astray or aren’t kept.
To sum it all up…
While very short, just under a hundred pages, this is a truly heartwarming non-fiction read. Offering a glimpse into the lives of those who loved books and formed a
friendship overseas through correspondence, this little book is an absolute
gem. ♥
April is National Poetry Month in the U.S.,
as well as in Canada! While poetry is important year round and by no means
limited to just this one month, I must say that I find it rather lovely to have
a set time in which people can collectively celebrate it.
Poetry is
important for so many reasons. It allows for expression, serves as a creative
outlet, provides a connection with others, and offers a means of learning about
the past. It can be as equally comforting as it is thought provoking moving us
from laughter to tears to bone chilling fear to moments of understanding. There
are so many types of poetry both in form and style. It can be whimsical and
strange such as that of Mervyn Peake, funny and amusing like that of Edward
Lear and Lewis Carroll, dark and brooding like Edgar Allan Poe’s, reflective
such as Emily Dickinson’s, and the list only goes on from there…Really, in
poetry there is something for everyone regardless of interests, age, ideals,
and pretty much anything you can think of under the sun!
Being both a reader
and writer of poetry, I truly do love the experience that comes with both.
Discovery of a new poet is delightful and revisiting the old and familiar can
be equally so. When writing, there’s the enjoyment of putting my ideas on paper
and seeing where I go with my poem and what it becomes (with the exception of
sonnets, which become miserable things that were supposed to be sonnets). And
these are just a few things I gain from my fondness for poetry.
Whether you prefer
reading, writing, or doing both, as this month goes on it’s a wonderful time to
catch up on a favorite poet, find a new one, or write some poetry of your own
in celebration of this age old practice! (The Academy of American Poets also
offers a rather extensive list of things you might do to celebrate here, including participating in Poem in Your Pocket Day, and some other fun
stuff!)
Happy beginning of National Poetry month! ♥
