Several readers have sweetly asked if I know whether my grandmother made up any of these patterns. Sadly, I do not–I don’t have a lot of photos of her, so I can’t dig through the family album and see if she sported any of these in family snapshots! (Though I may have to see if I can find some family photos at some point…) I suspect she did make a few of these; some have fairly obvious pin holes and notations on the pattern instructions.

I’m nearing the end of the pile with this post–I suspect there will only be one more next week. But I hope you enjoy looking through these gems as much as I did preparing this post!

This post is part of an ongoing series cataloging a collection of my grandmother’s patterns. To view previous posts, please click here.

Remember that 50s Simplicity pattern I posted recently? Well, curiosity got the better of me, and I just had to try it. Don’t mind the fact that it’s really too chilly for a short sleeve top (that’s what sweaters are for, anyway)–the simpliness of the top appealed to me. Would it look a flattering as the envelope illustration?

The pattern piece is just a large rectangle. For a size small you only need 5/8 yard of material, for a medium-large 3/4. The pattern calls for a jersey material, so I opted for a beautiful pink, wool-blend jersey I picked up on a recent fabric shopping trip. I love the drape, although 100% wool jersey is still far superior–though a bit too expensive for my pocket book at the moment!

The only seams on the top make up a T shape along the back. The two short ends of the rectangle are sewn together to about halfway to allow for the waist-split, and the one of the long edges is sewn together, leaving an opening at either fold for the arms to pass through. Super easy! The edges are turned under and hemmed with catchstitches and a hook and eye sewn at the waist. I serged all the raw edges just to keep things neat as well. The top took me less than an evening to complete from start to finish.

Putting the top on and arranging all the fullness that falls around the neckline is a bit tricky, which is why this top won’t go on my list of “favorite blouses I wear all the time”. Because it is a bit fiddly to wear. I could tack down the folds permanently with stitches, but too be honest, I’m on to other projects right now and just don’t feel like dealing with it. lol. It’s a sweet top, but will probably be relegated to occasions that I’m not engaged in a lot of movement (on most days I sprawl and flail about a lot)–so things like dinner out.

Also wearing: thrifted skirt and brooch | MAC Viva Glam I lipstick

On a humorous note, I only realized after taking these photos that I resemble a giant pink Valentine! It’s still a little too early for that… lol. (More photos here.)

Pattern: Simplicity #4538 (1950s vintage). I made the original size to fit a 30″ to 32″ bust.

Fabric: Wool jersey blend.

Alterations: None.

Techniques: Catchstitching and serging the edges (if that can be called a “technique”).

Make Again? Perhaps. Although I’d be curious to see this in a tshirt jersey, I’m not rushing out to make it right away. Maybe later in the year!

So this is my last 2011 sewing project! I usually prefer to model finished projects, but this week got super crazy and the time I had set aside for photography ended up tending to a mess Mr. Freckles made (augh!!!), so the dressform had to do! (More about this dressform below–I’m really excited about this!) So now that I’ve made this rather long-winded explanation, on to the skirt!

RIght before we took off to visit family for Christmas, I crazily decided to whip up a skirt for myself. I used some gorgeous wool fabric I won on a blog giveaway last year and a half circle skirt pattern as my base. It’s one of those projects that goes together in an afternoon (well, not counting the time you need to let the bias stretch–vitally important!)–with just one seam it’s super easy! Even despite using a invisible zipper–usually the bane of my existence. I’ve been wearing it at least once a week since I finished it! Plus it’s got a super-cute, surprise lining: bubblegum pink satin!

Pattern: Loosely based on Chie’s half circle skirt pattern (just lengthened), but you could also easily draft your own. Note: the lining is cut from the exact pattern, just 1″ shorter at the hem.

Fabric: Lightweight 100% wool for the outer shell, and pink satin for the lining.

Alterations: Since I was using Chie’s pattern, I opted to leave off the scalloped waistband and just drafted a straight one. I also lengthened the skirt to hit at mid-calf (more of a late 40s/50s length) rather than knee.

Techniques: Double interfaced the waistband for more stability, used a machine rolled hem for both the wool and lining.

Make Again? Yes!!! I need more of these in my closet…

I need your help! This lovely dressform (I’m still pinching myself she’s mine!) was a very generous gift from my inlaws for Christmas. I’ve been wanting to upgrade from my Dritz adjustable form for awhile to a professional style form. While the adjustable served me well for many years, I wanted something I could easily drape on and pin into. Enter the PGM dressform. Plus she has collapsable shoulders, which makes getting garments on and off a breeze! I noticed many seamstresses name their dressforms, and figured now that I have a fancy one, it would be cute to give her a name. Any suggestions? I’d love to hear what name ideas you have! (I’ll be taking suggestions for a bit and then I’ll announce my favorite sometime next week… )

I don’t think I’ve ever done one of these sewing “year in review” posts before, but I thought it’d be fun to take a quick walk down memory lane with my 2011 sewing projects. It didn’t seem like I made a lot, until I counted 21 things–including leading two sew-alongs! I guess I did more than I thought… hehe!

 

February was the start of the Swing Dress Sew-Along, but I also managed to whip up a few other things in between. I made a variation on the Sewaholic Pendrell blouse, and a beautiful silk teddy using instructions from a 70s lingerie sewing book. This was my first time making lingerie, and I loved the customization and excuse to work with a length of gorgeous silk charmuese!

 

March was a dress-centric month! First up was the Colette Patterns Crepe dress using a beautiful cotton and wool blend challis. (I eventually modified the sleeves in the autumn, since they still bothered me.) I also wrapped up my version of the Swing Dress for the sew-along. I chose a gorgeous, mint green silk print that had a distinct 40s flair, and had a lot of fun wearing it in subsequent months! Finally I finished the month off by participating in a fun, group sewing project on Mena’s blog and making a late 1910s inspired blouse.

April didn’t see a lot of finished sewing projects, but I did manage to whip up a cute 30s hat using Wearing HIstory’s “Sporty Toppers” pattern. I used a remnant of crisp white linen and some vintage ribbon in a bright plaid.

 

In May I first made another version of the scalloped collar blouse I made in February as part of the tutorial I wrote and shared. I love the vintage lawn I chose for the blouse! The Blueberry Fields dress was next on my sewing list. I loved making this dress (using a modern pattern: Simplicity #2209) using a vintage sheet in a beautiful blue floral. I also used a piped facing method to finish the neckline, which I documented in a how-to here. After that, it was something simple and pretty: a half circle skirt with a scalloped waistband. I used a beautiful, drapy rayon for this skirt, and it proved to serve me well throughout the remainder of the year (until it accidently got mixed in the dirty laundry pile and shrunk in the wash… oops!).

 
 

June was a bumper-crop sewing month for me: I managed to whip out five garments! (This probably makes up for the lack of sewing towards the end of the year…) First up was a version of the Colette Patterns Sorbetto top using a pretty print lawn I had saved in my stash for years. I whipped up a dress using the vintage Vogue reprint #8728 in a lightweight cotton knit to wear while traveling early in the month. I loved that dress and wore it to death over the summer. After that were some lightweight shorts using a tried-and-true pattern I drafted and some polka-dot rayon I reclaimed from a thrift store skirt. I then started to get into variations and documenting my process. First up was the denim cowgirl skirt using Colette Patterns Ginger pattern. I showed in a how-to the method for drafting shaped pockets. My last dress of the month was a pink gingham, 50s inspired sundress using a basic pattern and some drafting know-how (I’d show how to do this in July). Fun!

 

July marked the beginning of my sewing slow-down for the year. But I managed to whip up a cute midriff top out of polka dot fabric to beat the Florida heat! I wore that a lot with everything from shorts to longer skirts. I also completed a tutorial (and another dress) on how to alter a basic, fitted pattern into a bateau-neck sundress and shared the steps here.

As August rolled around, my lack of sewing enthusiasm (a combination of the heat and knowing that we would be getting orders for change of duty station any day) waned quite a bit. I only made one skirt–an attempt to jumpstart my sewing a bit. I did love this nautical-themed skirt made from a vintage 70s pattern though. Sadly, life really picked up pace shortly after I made this, and most of my sewing supplies were in boxes and on a truck. But I still had a couple projects left in me…

 

The next couple months the only sewing I did was for the circle skirt sew-along, which resulted in two finished skirts in October. The first was an embroidered and beaded bee skirt, which took quite a lot of time and weighs a ton, but is so fun to wear! (I can’t wait until spring rolls around…) The second is one I dubbed Winter Nights and is made from a glamorous, flocked-type fabric I found in the outerwear section of JoAnns. This is gorgeous, though of late my life sadly has had few occasions that a very full and fancy skirt is appropriate for! I also made my 40s jeans, adapted from Wearing History’s “Smooth Sailing” trousers pattern. I outlined some of the details of my alterations and construction here.

I made one more skirt in December, but I wanted to save that to show y’all later in the week! I can’t believe that I ended up making this many items! I doubt I’ll be as productive this year, as I’m trying to focus more on quality over quantity. Plus my closet space shrunk a lot in our new place, so I have less storage spots to put all these things… hehe! But I’m already itching to delve into something this year, as well as organize another sew-along and loads of more tutorials. Here’s to sewing in 2012!

What are some of your favorite sewing projects from last year? Do share!!!

This little project is a quick (it took me about 1/2 hour) and easy accessory you can make, based on the fur collar pattern I shared last year. Instead of fur though, this time it’s fabric, which requires a couple of different techniques for construction (hence a whole new tutorial!). These collars would look darling over a cardigan, light jacket—or even a tshirt! Best of all, they’re totally detached, so no worries about having to sew hooks and eyes on things. Wear them just like a necklace! I also made a linen version (with the embroidered C), so it’ll work for those of you in the opposite seasons right now too.

Supplies

• 1/3 yard (or scraps!) fashion fabric (anything in the medium weight range)
• interfacing suitable to your fabric (I used a fusible on one and sew-in on the other)
• buttons, ribbons, lace, embroidery floss, etc.—to decorate or act as closures on your collar
• thread, scissors, sewing machine (you can hand sew this too), iron, etc.

Begin by printing off the collar pattern found here. (Instructions on assembling a print-at-home pattern here.) Cut out the size closest to your neck (or garment) measurement as indicated on the size chart.

Cut the following with the collar pattern: two fashion fabric, on interfacing. If your fabric and interfacing are a bit bulky, trim away the seam allowance on the interfacing.

On one of the fashion fabric collar pieces, fold in half. Carefully trim 1/8” from the inside neckline edge, starting at the center back and tapering to nothing about 1 1/2” from the front edge. Mark this as the under collar piece.

Attach the interfacing to the upper collar (the one not trimmed) wrong side, following the manufacturer’s directions for fusible. For sew-in interfacing, baste to the edges within the seam allowance.

Right sides of the upper and under collar together, pin along the outer edge of the collar, from front edge to front edge. If you’re attaching cords or ribbon to tie the collar on, baste those prior to pinning on the upper collar. Sew, using a 1/2 seam allowance, the outer edges of the collar together.

Right sides still facing, pin the inner neckline edges together, leaving a 2 1/2” gap at the center back for turning. The collar will ripple a bit since we trimmed away fabric from the under collar. Sew with a 1/2” seam allowance, making sure to leave the 2 1/2” opening free of stitching.

Notch the extreme curves on the collar edges, and clip all other curves. Trim seam allowances to 1/4”. Press collar.

Turn right side out and work the seams flat. Press. The under collar will naturally roll to the back of the upper collar (because of the 1/8” we trimmed—magic, isn’t it?). Give the whole collar a good press once the edges and curves are neat.

Turn the seam allowances left open to the inside. Pin and slip stitch the opening closed by hand.

Of course this collar is just screaming for other embellishment too. I stuck to pretty simple things (a vintage brooch), but here are a few ideas:

• Attach ruffled lace to the edges during construction. Alternatively, you could add a contrasting piping to the outer edge as well.
• Lay some pretty lace over the upper collar prior to sew the collar pieces together, and baste around the edges. You’ll have a delicate lace over your fashion fabric.
• Embroider fanciful motifs or initials on the collar (I used a 40s transfer pattern, but there are plenty here).
• Sew just the inner collar edges right sides together, and us bias binding to finish the outer edges.
• Work even running stitches around the outer edge with embroidery floss for a chunk top stitching look.
• Add beads or sequins for some sparkle!

As usual, I’d be more than delighted if you give this tutorial a whirl and want to show off your version! Feel free to either send me an email or post a link to your version on the Elegant Musings Facebook.