On Upcoming Sewing Plans and Ideas

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.♥

On “84, Charing Cross Road”: A Book Review

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. ♥

On National Poetry Month!

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! ♥

On a Skirt for Spring and Making a Scalloped Waistband

Over the past several months I seem to have been sewing up a storm of spring and summer clothes. And this past week, after finishing a 1950’s sundress, I decided I would revisit Simplicity pattern 3773 for a third time, using some wonderfully lovely cherry blossom print I bought a few months ago. As some of you will remember, this was the pattern I wrote about improvising last summer here. Well, once again I did not have enough fabric (this print was subtly one directional, which I didn’t notice when I bought it) and went through that process again. Then I decided that I wasn’t going to use a zipper or snaps for the side opening, but that I was going to use buttons and hand-stitch the holes.

I didn’t have enough printed fabric for the waistband, so I went with green and while I was at it decided that I wanted a scalloped waistband not a straight one as the pattern called for. Having never done a scalloped waistband and owning no patterns with one, I sat down at the computer to do some research and found almost nothing of any help. I remembered several other bloggers having either worn or made skirts with the scallop in front, so I searched for a few of those pictures to use as a reference and went to work drafting my own pattern piece.

First, I measured a piece of tissue paper to match the length of the original waistband. For the width, I made it a bit wider than the original because I wanted to allow room for the arches on scallop, in addition to the fact that I wanted a slightly wider band anyway.

(Click to Expand)

On the original pattern the center line is marked, which I transferred to mine so I would know where the dip of the scallop should go. I also marked the seam allowance at the bottom. Next I sketched out half the scallop to one side of the center line. Then I folded the piece in half on the center line and traced the other side, which gave me matching arches. Having done that, I went around the top edge and marked the seam allowance. 

Next I cut out two pieces, stitched them together along the top (NOT the bottom or sides), and clipped the curves. While I don’t know if it was really necessary, I added interfacing to the scallop so it would lay flat instead of flopping forward.

 

After that I followed the pattern instructions for attaching it to the skirt.

(While this is not a terribly wonderful set of instructions, if know of anyone else who might find this helpful, feel free to share the link)

Of course, now having a scalloped waistband, I wanted scalloped pockets! (Just think of it as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie sewing project) I drafted another pattern, made bias tape out of the same green fabric I used on the waistband for the curves, and sewed them on. Finally, I made more bias tape for the hem and…viola, finished skirt!   

Happy Spring!

♥♥♥