2007 Wardbobe Contest

I've finally finished my entries to the PatternReview.com 2007 Wardrobe Contest. The photo to the left is the composite of all the item I contructed. Below are some the combinations that can be assembled from the items. I'm happy with the results. All of these clothes can also be combined with the black items already in my wardrobe to increase the options.

New Vintage Dresses

Here are my two latest vintage dresses. The first is an authentic vintage pattern. I haven't found a date on it. It is made from cotton fabric from E-Quilter.com and the ric rack is from the Ribbon Jar. The button, which are silhouettes of my breed of dog (Belgian Tervuren) were a gift. The pattern called for thread gathers at the waist, but I did really smocking. Finding smocking patterns for adults is that look nice is really hard. I think this pattern works well. The pattern also called for a side snap closure. I put in an invidible zipper instead. The only pattern adjustments I made were to increase the waistline a little and move the darts to the correct local. next time I make this pattern, I will increase the circumference of the sleeves, they are more snug than I am used to.


This dress if the famous apron dress from 1952, reissued by Butterick (4790). It is constructed from cotton fabric from E-Quilter.com. Instead of using a button on the back, I used ribbon, its more adjustable. In the front I used a pant waistband hook and eye and placed the buttons just for show. I also stitched the back side of the bias binding by hand. The result is neater and doesn't take long while watching TV.

Sewing Retro

I have decided I love retro style dresses. Here are two that I've recently completed. The first is a Simplicity Pattern made with 60's style fabric from Fashion Fabrics Club.

The second is a Butterick pattern made with retro 50's fabric from Make Me.

Wardrobe Additions

Here are new items completed for the Pattern Review 2007 Wardrobe building challenge.

Wardbrobe Plan 2007 Storyboard

Here is my plan for the Pattern Review contest. It is a bridght summery combination of pink and green.

The first completed top and pants are shown above.

The black print fabric arrived yesterday, it's wonderful! Can't wait to start cutting it out.

Starting a New Project

Well, I've finally started a Blog. I recently joined a sewing contest at Patternreview.com, called SWAP 2007. It is a project to sew a wardrobe of clothing, 1 jacket, 4 bottoms, and 6 tops so that when you go to your closet to get dressed, everything goes together and can be interchanged. I often sew this way, if I buy fabric for a jacket, I'll get coordinates for pants and tops.

I've been sewing for years, at least 40yrs for myself, my mom, my sons, my friends and even for other people for money. My favorite things to sew are jackets, they give you lots of sewing time and impact for the money. I also love to knit, and have dabbled in spinning and weaving.
Spinning is very relaxing, but I don't have much time for it. I like the product from weaving and the planning, it's the execution that's boring. Sitting in one place throwing the shuttle back and forth.

To pay for this creativity, I have to go to work. I'm a chemical engineer and have done some very interesting and important work, but most of the time I'm bored. I'd rather be at home creating.