Patterns for .25 each!

In an effort to keep my blog somewhat active until I get settled in Denver, here are some .25 patterns I recently bought in a thrift store!  The sewing bug is getting strong!

<p>

<center>1973</center>

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<center>ca. 1978</center>

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<center>1979</center>

<p>

<center>1980</center>

<p>

<center>ca. 1982</center>

<p>

<center>1983</center>

<p>

<center>1985</center>

<p>

<center>1995</center>

<p>

<p>

<center>Both 2008</center>

2015 has not been my year!

2015 has just been horrid. In January I separated from my husband of 10 years. In February my 16 year old dog died. IN March I moved in with my current roommate. In May I met a man named Chris that I dated for three months. And now in August, I am preparing to move to Colorado on October 1. Sewing has been put on the back burner, unfortunately.

But, I did just buy myself 6 patterns in the McCall' sale:

In Colorado I plan to live by myself and i also plan to sew up a storm. Of course, this probably will not happen until 2016 -- but I am ok to wait until then. I can't wait to move away from depressing Philadelphia.

Dress #3 -- Hollywood 1804 (1939)

I started this dress in January, before my life got knocked for a loop. It sat on my dress form, unfinished, for months as I moved, went out socializing, and adjusted to a new life. Well, I am beginning to cope better I figured it was time to break out the sewing needles again. I have a room in my new place especially for sewing and everything is hooked up and ready to go.

Hollywood 1804 is made out of fabric with little skeletons on it. I also decided to enhance the V-shaped bodice with a contrasting bias tape. Other than that, I followed the pattern as instructed.

I'm excited to get back into being creative. I would like more 30s and 70s dresses :)

Hiatus

I'm taking a hiatus from sewing for a while. My life has been turned upside down and until it gets back on track I won't have time to do anything. I've created a tumblr full of vintage goodness. Please follow me there!

My Tumblr

Also feel free to follow my Instagram @amy__lola (two underscores!)

My FB, is barely in use anymore and I have made it private for now.

I shall return -- maybe in a few months.

Thanks for reading.

Dress #2 -- Decades Of Style 3007 (1930s Button Dress)

Well, looks like my sewing is moving along ok right now! I attempted the Decades of Style 1930s Button Dress to much success!

This was NOT an easy pattern. Intermediate skills AT LEAST are required to make this/make sense of the instructions. There are lots of clipped corners and twisting the fabric "just so" to make sure it is lined up and no open holes or wonk happens...lol. The hardest part was definitely the bodice back:

Those points were a challenge for me. But I somehow ended up sewing them perfectly, along with the ties. I used linen so my ties kind of don't sit perfectly flat, but that's ok. Also, the sleeves "bell" out, but I kind of like that silhouette.

I'm also not too crazy about all those gathers across the back seam there, but it's ok. I can't see them so I won't worry too much..lol. Kinda like how I forget I have a couple bad tattoos on my back! I also added 4 inches to the hem. I had made this dress previously and I remember it was too short for my aesthetic.

With this dress being somewhat complicated, I have NO IDEA how I managed to make it in December or 2008. Then, I only had THREE MONTHS of sewing under my belt. Unfortunately, I deconstructed my original creations a while ago so I can't properly compare, but here is the only photo of it that I have:

Made in the same exact navy blue linen and red buttons! I really like my newest version, though. I will gladly wear this next time I go out with wool tights and my black Merrell "heels."

Dress #1 -- Simplicity 6092 (1973)

First make of 2015! It's a fun 70s-does-50s style from 1973:

I made it very similar to the packaging since I had leftover pink-and-white polka dot fabric -- except I made the collar and cuffs black! I love that contrast and it gives it more of a 50s look.

I made no alterations other than widening the armholes. No idea why, but I have found early 70s patterns to have TINY armholes! I'm also using my new tripod for the first time in these photos (so as not to bother my husband!) I still think I might need to bring it up a bit higher.

Overall, this was an easy-ish make and pretty straightforward.

Dress of the Century: 1970-1979

Let's continue the series of catalog pages with one of my very favorite decades for fashion: The 1970s!

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

Anxiously awaiting a 1970s Fashion Sourcebook to be released February 28!