It seems that everyone is having babies lately; there seems to be a case of Baby Fever these days. Which means that one is always in need of good baby gifts to whip up! I transcribed this 1925 baby knits pattern before Audrey made her debut, and I kind of wish I had knit it up for her. But I’m sure someone else will find it useful–for either someone they know or for their own tiny babe. The pattern includes three pieces: thumbless mitts, booties and a cozy bonnet. I hope you enjoy!
Download the free pattern here.
June 17, 2013 ·
4 lovely thoughts
posted in knitting
· tags: 1920s, baby diary, freebies, knitting, tutorial
Sewing. That activity I have had precious little time for in the past two months; aside from a few things I’ve whipped up for Audrey and lots of clothing alterations for me. But this hasn’t stopped me from dreaming a bit about what I could sew (if only the house would clean itself and maybe I could get an extra hour or two of sleep! lol.). I took advantage of morning naptime last week to dig through my vintage pattern stash and pick out a few patterns that caught my eye. I dare say these are entirely overambitious, considering everything else vying for my attention these days, but a girl can dream!
Who doesn’t love a good circle skirt? Did you know you can also make variations of fullness; a 3/4 or 1/2 circle skirt are popular (though I’ve seen 1/4 in some of my pattern drafting books). Simple–and super easy to make! | I’m also loving button front dresses, for the obvious reason that nursing Miss A. makes it necessary to wear things that can open (or easily be pulled down). I love the idea of contrasting yoke and hem sections on this Advance pattern!
I adore this blouse–it looks like a halter neckline but isn’t! The pattern is going to need some serious grading (it’s a tiny 32″ bust, I believe), but this style looks like it might be a good wardrobe staple. | I need to make the tiered view of this Simplicity pattern! Preferably in red with black trim, because I’m susceptible to color scheme suggestions.
I’m slowly wiggling back into my pre-pregnancy shorts, but the ol’ waist still isn’t there. I’d love to make the pleated view up in a soft cotton/linen blend (perhaps in Kelly green?). | This later McCalls pattern caught my eye because again it sports a front opening. I love the playsuit view! Maybe made in a matching fabric to go with that 1/2 circle skirt for a complete ensemble?
I also have a little sewing tip for you! I’ve used large, flat metal washers from the hardware store for years as pattern weights. But have found with some fabrics (like knits or tissue weight silks) that they are just too lightweight to really hold the pattern paper in place. I recently picked up a handful of 3/4″ hex nuts at the hardware store, and have found those to be far more useful (and heavy) than the flat washers. These are a great alternative to the more expensive weights marketed specifically as “pattern weights” from sewing suppliers; I think each hex nut cost $0.50. So for about $6 you could have a dozen pattern weights–which are extremely handy to have in your sewing toolbox!
I hope y’all have a lovely weekend–and maybe have some time to sew! (I know I’m hoping I will!)
June 14, 2013 ·
21 lovely thoughts
posted in sewing
· tags: sewing, vintage inspiration, vintage sewing
I had another post planned today, but decided to post this instead. I was very sad to hear that Esther Williams passed away yesterday. I always loved watching her movies when they were on TCM and have collected pictures of her over the years. She truly had a classy style, and you can’t beat those fancy swimsuits she got to wear in her movies in the 40s and 50s! I always get a bit sad when another icon of Hollywood’s Golden Era passes. I grew up watching mostly movies from the 1930s-60s, so in many ways I’m far more familiar with the movie stars of my grandparent’s day than mine! 
I hope you’ll enjoy these pictures I pulled from my files…
{ click here to continue reading this post }
June 7, 2013 ·
19 lovely thoughts
posted in vintage inspiration
· tags: 1940s, 1950s, vintage inspiration
Casey is wearing: cotton circle skirt: 50s vintage | blue tshirt: Boden, thrifted | shoes: Rita pumps, Remix | belt: thrifted | bracelet: Forever 21
Audrey Leigh is wearing: romper: vintage, thrifted | striped onesie: thrifted | headband: handmade
I keep meaning to capture outfits that are the super comfy ones: long jersey maxi skirts and the like. Something that is very postpartum friendly. But in the past week the vintage bug has bit hard, and I’ve been finding I can squeeze into some of my favorite vintage and retro pieces at last! (Well, sort of: a waist cincher has been helping with certain garments! lol.) So cue the pinup hairstyles, high waist skirts, fluffy petticoats and snazzy heels. Yes, I really did wear this for an entire day (in fact two; though not consecutive). Errands, playing on the floor with Audrey, cleaning, and a few baby messes. Dressing in a vintage or vintage inspired manner can be done when you’re a mama!
Thank you all so, so much for your comments on last week’s (lone! 
) post. I’ve not had a chance to respond to a couple questions, but I’ll try to later this week!
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June 5, 2013 ·
30 lovely thoughts
posted in outfits + wardrobe
· tags: 2013 outfit, baby diary, m&bss, outfit
I think it’s my childhood adoration of the Little House on the Prairie books, and my interest in pioneers and the westward expansion. (One of our favorite games as children was to “hitch” our bicycles [aka "horses"] to the back of a neighbor’s pickup truck and play “covered wagon”. Sometimes our pioneer sagas would last for days!) Even as an adult, I still love the old-fashioned look of sunbonnets. (Though I haven’t worn one in many, many years…) A few months ago Christy from
Little Betty Designs sweetly sent her baby sunbonnet pattern for me to sew up for Audrey Leigh. It’s taken me a bit, but I finally got it finished recently (thank goodness for morning naps!)–and just in time for the sunshine and hot weather we’ve been having!
This bonnet pattern is in .pdf form to allow you to print at home, which I love for little projects like this. I picked out a medium weight quilting cotton in two prints for my version, and used a stiff sew-in interfacing for the brim. This pattern is made up of just three pattern pieces and goes together
seamlessly. Even in my slightly sleep-deprived state, I didn’t manage to mess anything up and was delighted with how well the pieces fit together. The only change I made was to make narrow “spaghetti” tubes for the bonnet ties, rather than use ribbon as suggested in the pattern. I made the smallest size which is approximately 0-6 months, and it fit Audrey (who is 2 months) well, with enough room to grow and fit her the rest of the summer! (There are three sizes included in the pattern, ranging from 0-6 months to 12-24 months.)
If you’ve got a little girl of your own–or one you can sew for–I’d highly recommend taking a look at the Little Bonnet pattern. You can visit Christy’s Etsy shop
here, and her blog
here.
Note: This pattern was sent to me free of charge, but the opinions expressed are my own.
May 29, 2013 ·
29 lovely thoughts
posted in sewing
· tags: 2013 sewing, review, sewing, sewing for littles
