New Arrival

My darling baby boy Brydon was born on Tuesday, October 6th at 9:06 p.m. He was a whopping 9 lbs 5 ounces and 21 3/4 inches long. It was truly love at first sight. I can't wait to sew a vintage toddler wardrobe for him as he grows up...but I hope he doesn't grow up too fast!

Maternity Leave

Hi Guys! I'm taking a break from this blog to prepare for the impending birth of my son (he's due September 30th, but could arrive any day now!). Plus, my mom is flying in from North Carolina in a few days, so I have lots to do to prepare for that! I'll be back soon, hopefully posting more sewing projects and less vintage sewing ephemera, since this is technically supposed to be a sewing blog. :)

Vintage Sewing Patterns of the Week!

This week's patterns are all new additions to my own collection. All of them are very easy-going, bohemian 1970s styles - the type of clothing that I seem to always be attracted to!

A really rare design by Kenzo that I'd never seen before tripping across it on Etsy. The pants design is so rad! All of the separates require leather/suede binding, which I'm excited to work with!

A John Kloss babydoll dress/top pattern that I've been lusting after for a very long time. I'm SO happy to finally be able to work with this one!

Gil Aimbez designed a lot of patterns for Butterick in the late 1970s. This one is for a fab batch of separates. I love the huge cowl neck top, skirt and vest!

Tunic blouse and wide-leg pants pattern by Kenzo. Kenzo has ultimately become my favorite of the 1970s Butterick Young Designers.

This pattern falls perfectly in line with my Rhoda obsession! Great layering pieces for the fall, plus a headscarf!

1970s Fashion Icon: Valerie Harper as Rhoda

I have been obsessed with the 1970s television show Rhoda lately. I've been watching episodes from the first season on Hulu. They are all so funny and smartly written. In fact, I can't think of a single television sitcom today that even comes close to the amazing array of characters that populated most 1970s sitcoms in general!



Valerie Harper as Rhoda was a true 1970s fashion icon. She totally rocked high waist, wide-leg pants, butterfly collar blouses, puff sleeve blazers, floaty hostess dresses, scarves and turbans! She even earned her living as a window dresser / fashion merchandiser!

Here are a few vintage 1970s sewing patterns that remind me of Rhoda's amazing style. All were found on Etsy!

Early 1970s Diane Sawyer Fashion Story

Early 1970s fashion story from Mademoiselle magazine featuring a pre-ABC News Diane Sawyer when she was a very young reporter for a Louisville, Kentucky news station!

Book Giveaway - We Have a Winner!

After (literally) throwing all of your names in a hat....

....here is the winner:

Thanks so much to everyone who participated! I will be having another sewing/vintage fashion book giveaway very soon, so please stay tuned!

Vintage Patterns of the Week

Here's my weekly round-up of fave patterns that I've found while browsing around the internet!

1960s "granny" dress designed by Norma Tullo for the Butterick Young Designers series. From my own collection.

I've been obsessed with 1970s turbans lately. This is a rare turban pattern designed by Jean Muir for Vogue. Found on eBay.

Funky 1970s pantsuit & dress pattern. I love the peplum jacket and the ruched shoulder insets and the puff sleeves! Found on eBay.

1950s mail order dress pattern with really lovely scalloped details. Found on eBay.

Sexy, bare-shouldered 1950s halter dress. I love the flounce skirt and mini cape! Found on eBay.

Simplicity Fashion News ~ May 1972

All 16 pages of the May 1972 edition of Simplicity Fashion News for your viewing pleasure (click the images to enlarge them)!

Vintage Sewing Pattern Ads

The first ad (a collaboration between Rit Dye & Simplicity) was found in a late 1960s Mademoiselle magazine. The following McCall's ads are from 2 different 1970s Redbook magazines. Be sure to click on the images so you can read the text from each ad - it's definitely worth it!

Latest Etsy Faves

As usual, there are too many drool-worthy objects of desire on Etsy than my tiny wallet can accommodate!

"Uber Cool 80s Inspired Floppy Top" by veronicadarling. Bright 1980s geometric fabric + empire waist babydoll silhouette + flutter sleeves = LOVE!

"1970s Collage Luminary" by ArtsyChica. Perfect for those of us who are obsessed with the 1970s!

"Upcycled Red White and Blue Mini Briefcase" by GetReadySetGO. I love how this seller breathes new life into vintage suitcases, plus the Mod 1960s vibe on this is very strong!

Cute Alice in Wonderland glittery resin bottlecap necklace by Coolstuffforsale. She is having a huge store closing sale, and this is only $7.00 right now!

Amazing over sized hand knit "bow in crimson" by Softspoken. This seller has tons & tons of enviable style!

Score!

I found some great vintage patterns at a thrift store today, which doesn't happen too often! My only complaint - this particular thrift store likes to mark across the front of the envelopes with a black china pencil.

This one escaped the wrath of the black china pencil! I often find vintage patterns that are in girl's sizes that I really like. I've had success drafting & sizing a few of them up to my size and I'm hoping to do just that with this one!

This pattern somehow escaped the wrath of the china pencil as well! If time allows, I hope to make this cute overalls & jacket outfit for my son when he is officially a toddler.

1970s hooded coat pattern. I have a bunch of wooden toggle buttons that I need to find a use for!

I hate to admit it, but I grabbed this pattern solely for the E.T. hot iron transfer that was inside.

I'm a big fan of 1970s high waist wide-leg pants! Plus, the little topper jacket is SO CUTE (although I would lengthen it quite a bit).

From the 1970s McCall's "Marlo's Corner" pattern series. I've always loved empire waist dresses, especially ones with a bohemian flare like this one. If I'd found this pattern a little earlier in my pregnancy, it would have made a cute maternity dress!

"Meditation or Guru Shirt" pattern from 1968. This is so great! I love how it's modeled as a mini-dress in View 1.