What to Wear?

It's not Christmas, not New Years Eve.

 It's the lull between celebrations and no reason to dress up.

So what to wear?

Its the lounge wear.

 You know what I'm talking about. You're at the Holiday house and you still want to be stylish just in case the paparazzi spot you.

I'm here to help you with ideas.

Simplicity 1168.
Excellent for the Beach House.
Versatile - beach wear or early evening to collect the groceries at the local General Store.

McCall 8413.
Summery, fresh, perfect for the Southern Hemisphere Xmas time.

Simplicity 7605.
Play suit and removable skirt.
Ideal for the neighbours BBQ !

Vogue Couturier Design 1865.
Loose fitting jumpsuit. A variation on the Caftan with a sleeveless design.
Best in the 1970s two tone fabric !

Simplicity 9370.
Very similar to the Vogue above.
Dress up with a wide belt.
Ideal in the floral, that way the paparazzi won't miss you in the garden.

I'm hoping the summer wax has been done for the short leg version.
Maybe just for the little Princess in your life.

Butterick 5133.
This is actually a Pajama for the ladies.
I'm not sure how its actually a PJ without the flannel pants.
However good for the popcorn, movie watching nights.

McCall 5140.
I love the artwork & colours in this cover.
Really feminine, but casual wear and I love the hats and gloves to accessorise.

Simplicity 1189.
I think the use of the satin in these garments is so luxurious and relaxing.
Also very 1930- 1940's.
Ideal for around the pool house !

Simplicity 1189.
A variation on the cover of the above pattern.

Butterick 7462.
So very 1960's. The quilted jacket with the Nehru collar and 3/4 pants.
Oh and wear the low heels to dress it up a little.

Vogue Couturier Design (Galitzine) 2731.
This is for you if you live at Palm Beach NSW.

A variation on the caftan with pants.
Bell sleeve and wide legs on the pants.
Put it on over the bikini after getting out of the pool with a headscarf, before being served cocktails.

Enjoy the recovery time between festivals. Now I have to look for something for the

NYE Party !

Its Christmas Time Again !

We say it each year...where did that year go & is it Christmas already?

Some patterns to inspire the Silly Season.

Always a good idea to wear the vintage apron as a fashion statement

and also to protect your glamour dress.

McCall 2073.
"Instant" Full skirted & very bright & pretty.

McCall 917.
1940's full apron with tie back.

McCall 1597.
This one would be right at home here in Australia.
Note the motif of the running rabbit with snags in it mouth.
I thought rabbits are vegetarians? maybe its a dog?

What to wear on Christmas day?

 Not to worry, simply select from here.

Stylish and full of sophisticated girly glamour.

Vogue 1575
Full skirted dress in long or short sleeve.
Optional back bow.

Vogue Paris Original 1189.
Slim fitting cocktail dress at two lengths.

Givenchy by McCalls 3075.
One of my all time favorites.
So Audrey Hepburn - even the model is an excellent look alike.
You can never go wrong with this dress.

Butterick 'Retro" '52 (4919).
Halter style full skirted dress in two lengths.
Perfect in red !

McCalls 5200.
Full skirted tie strap top.
Very feminine, very flirty!

Simplicity 4688.
1960's bell skirted dress with or without straps.
Over blouse optional.

I did find some amusing christmas sewing patterns to add to your

decorations about the home...

Butterick 4661
Some very cute tree decorations made by you!

McCalls 9490
This I have never seen before - DIY smocked baubles!! LMAO

Simplicity4519.
Odd collection in a pattern - DIY purse, glasses case, collar
and santa stocking.

I wish everyone and all creatures a very peaceful, merry christmas.

May the world find love...

1930's Hollywood Glamour

Recently inspired by the 1930's Glamour fashion, I have been hovering over some gorgeous patters

 that are just screaming to me made up and taken out for a party !

Simplicity 2302

A very cute halter top dress with matching heart styled bolero.

Note the breast pockets (odd place) but I like the whole design.

Vogue Vintage Model 2241.

This is a wonderful "Vintage" reproduction series that I wish they would repeat again.

Gorgeous Hollywood glamour !!! I can see this in a rich satin. The fall of the skirt is beautiful

and I really love the low backs in the 1930's evening wear.

Pictorial Review Printed pattern #9471.

Various style either for evening or day.

With cape (I would think in velvet) or Bolero.

Vogue Vintage.

Another of the low backed style of the era.

Ruffled edge on back bodice and glamour train at rear of skirt.

Hmmm I'm thinking satin or a chiffon .

Even at afternoon tea in her Gingham and straw sun hat, she is all glamour.

I adore the long fluid dress with satin. One must be skinny to pull it off successfully !

Butterick Retro '35.

Reproduction series now out of print.

High waisted skirted dress with Bolero jacket.

Yes please, I will take it !

Simplicity 2582.

Belted dress with front single button or tie top.

The long and the short sleeve look lovely and don't forget your gloves.

Magazine page.

I have my eye on the black dress.

The grey one is the back of the same. Love the split back on it with single button fasten.



What Were They Thinking?

Whilst browsing through my bulk bargain purchase (thank you Ebay) I found some rather questionable fashion pieces. Some I would guess will not make it into "classical" fashion. They were really out there !

Ahh the drop waist... style icon. This design never really looked good on any body type. It achieved more of a "no waist & garbage bag" look.

If you want to look half masculine, half feminine this is for you !

Waistcoat, tie and sports coat with a skirt....stunning.

Note the almost 1920's man shoes.

Note the word "Style" on the pattern. Oh yes that's exactly how I would describe this look.

Let me get up close so you can see all this Style. Drop waist top, with band and collar.

Delicious !

Now that you are inspired with the waistcoat look, why not try it this time with you flares?

Trust me this will get your man staring !

Classical 1980's. OMG. The fairy Princess in yellow has arrived to grant your fashion wish !

Lucky for me I have two of these patterns and should anyone want them (sizes 6 - 16) I would be happy to post you FREE...

"Young Contemporary Fashion". Oh definitely. Could you see teens of today wearing this ?

Who knows it might be on next Winters Vogue?

Drop waist...you know how I feel...with the collar and bow. WOW

Laura Ashley. Always a bit flowery and ruffled for me. I think this day dress could easily double as a nightie (for Grandma). My Mum did like the Laura Ashley brand back in the 1980's and it was very popular and expensive. I think it's had it's time.

This has the Eighties written all over it.

A Brooke Sheilds pattern. Look at the perms here. Remember having all those expensive perms !

Lots of taffeta, ruffles and those sleeves !

Gosh I keep coming back to the drop waist and bows - must be a subliminal favorite.

This time with a pleated skirt !

I have saved the best until last... Ruffled, gathered waist.

This is a head turner. You can always use them as Roman blinds when done with the dress !

If there is anything you crave here, be my guest and you can have it :)



Pattern Lovers Find!

What A Bargain.

I had the luckiest day on Ebay. I managed to get these 120+ sewing patterns for $30 !!

Two BIG heavy boxes full.

They range from the 1950's to 1990 and all the yummy years in between.

They were sold by a lady whose Aunt was a seamstress and had also made her sisters wedding dress.

99% of the patterns are in my size - I thought I'd died and gone to sewing heaven.

Today I spent a few hours going through them and so I will share some with you.

Heres the lot ! Some piles are 10 patterns high.

Australian Home Journal 1950's

Fashion Patterns 1950's
This label I have never heard of or seen before - Has anyone else?

Fashion Patterns 1950's
(Australian)

Vogue Couturier Design 2112
Belinda Bellville

I love the back of this dress with the elegant bow.

Vogue Paris Original 1554
Laroche
This pattern even had the original VPO label to stitch into the completed dress.

Vogue Paris Original 1700
Givenchy

Vogue Americana
Oscar De La Renta
I know it has some intense ruffles on its front,
 but theres something about this pattern.

Butterick 2320

Simplicity 4820
I like the crisp pleated skirt on this dress.

Butterick 5516
Its a Windy Day !!
I have been looking for this pattern for the Pea Coat - so 60's

Simplicity 5775
The Jacket is so stylish - note the collar and the tie front.
I think the matching Jacket lining to the dress fabric is wonderful.

Simplicity 7102
The pink left hand princess cut dress is so sweet. The shoulder bows finish it cute.

Vogue 6935
My eye is on the black with contrast white dress, sleeveless.

Vogue 7525
So very 1960's. The flare sleeve and chain belt.
Not sure about the Turban !

Vogue 7014
1960's Double breasted collard dress.
Is that a Nurses cap on her head?

Simplicity 6823
Empire waist Wedding or bridesmaid dress.

McCalls 6110
The colours in the graphic is beautiful.
I adore the gloves to match!

Simplicity 8485
This is one to make you chuckle - THE collar !
What can I say ? Looks like a flower.
(and what about the womans hair !)

I really enjoyed the wade through pattern time. I have so many patterns now to make, that I think my Husband is hoping I won't need to buy one again (Wrong !).

I may just feel a little guilty when I do (for 5 minutes).

I plan to bring you the "What were they thinking" patterns soon...