Aunt Em's Quilt Patterns

I spotted this design on Moda's website, United Notions. It's an Aunt Em pattern found here. I love the retro feel of the clam shells pattern and the circle design is quite unique-looking. I'm guesing the clam shells are appliqued or pieced, but haven't purchased the PDF pattern yet. Very tempted to try to work it out myself. The fabric is Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket for Moda.

Also love the beach ball pattern using the same fabric:

Lisa Congdon

I have just re-discovered this amazing artist of 'A Collection a Day' fame. Lisa photographed or sketched a collection of objects every day in 2010 and posted them on her blog. (You can view the blog here, which is now also a book.) Her paintings, drawings and patterns are very colourful and remind me of quilts, often featuring symmetrical patterns. Her portfolio and blogare both worth a look.

1950s Trousers

I'm selling these in my Etsy shop, if anyone is interested in them.

FREE Skirt Pattern

My Helena skirt pattern will be available on BurdaStyle tomorrow!!! It is being featured on the homepage by the lovely Alison Dahl! I'm so excited about this opportunity and really hope you enjoy making the skirt. Please post photos of finished products on BurdaStyle and in my Flickr group. xoxo

Pockets

Do you like any of these or none at all? Need to get them on before the weekend photoshoot!!

Kaffe Fassett

Thrifted Ikat

Liberty Tana Lawn

Broadening horizons...

So, years ago I collected costume. Then I sold most of it, because I thought it was wasteful to keep it in an attic where it was hardly ever looked at. I thought it should belong to people who wore/ looked at it more than me (and I wanted the cash!). Since starting up my business venture (still very much in its infancy, I'm afraid to say), I have researched the vintage fashion industry in more depth and discovered that it is absolutely vast! I knew it was big, but not mahoosive! I don't see why I can't diversify my Etsy shop to include vintage clothing and sewing patterns. Plus, this will bring traffic to my store (hopefully), encouraging people to take a look at my handmade sewing patterns.

Here's what I found today to list:

Two 1970s, cotton, shirtwaist dresses

1948 Needlecraft book

Flying Suit Pattern

Funky, 1960s coat pattern

Vintage Goodwood

First ever Vintage Goodwood! What a amazing festival! I was so awe-inspired by the fashions, hairstyles, make-up, not to mention the music, art, design.... the list goes on. It was really well organised and thought out and so not like any other festival I've been to. There was mud, but there were wood chippings; there was fast food, but made from good quality ingredients; there was shopping, but wow the vintage wares on offer were incredible!!!

Tea and homemade cake

Sewing Class

Vintage cars and costumes

The Highstreet

Glamping!

Vintage Vogue #2

I chose to use chambray, broderie anglais and a fine white and red stripe cotton for detail. Some initial sketches to show how I arrived at my adaptation:

Adapting the pattern. I stuck the shoulders together to redraft into straps. I had to add some paper towards the neck and take it away from the shoulder- you can just about see the new stitching and cutting lines. I then cut the pattern into two again, but lowered the shoulder seam onto the front bodice, as I wanted to see the broderie anglais creeping over.

I then drafted a yoke onto the front and back pieces. I added seam allowance onto the yokes and bodiec pieces where I split them.

Beginning construction:

Vintage Vogue Competition

I am entering a Vintage Vogue competition via Sew Direct. You start with a current pattern from the Vintage Vogue range and adapt/ customise/ modernise in any way you like. I am using V1171 and going for Steven Alan/ APC/ red, white and blue inspiration.

Collection of images I'm drawing inspiration from:

Adapting the pattern to fit the shape/ silhouette of my adapted design:

First Custom Order

This is my first custom order via Etsy. My chambray skirt was featured in a Treasury and a lovely lady contacted me about it. She subsequently ordered a skirt and top combo! Here are the results.