What Katie Did !

What Katie Did ~ Lingerie

From London & L.A

The Limited Edition Rita Bra.

This red semi sheer underwire bra has detailed circle stitching and soft adjustable straps.

New lingerie with a Retro style of the 1940's glamour days of the lovely

Rita Hayworth !



Do you do Sewing Pattern Crafts?

 

 

I have some vintage craft patterns. I think they really are so very cute, but have not got around to making any. I wonder, do you collect or make craft patterns?

They do come in all types, characters and themes. Some are hilarious!

 

 

McCalls 6400.
I thought Id begin with home grown native animals. Kangaroo, Fairy Penguin, Koala & Platypus.
 

 

McCalls 2197.
"Watch out little girl, its on your back!"
I like this one particularly. Koala backpack. 1980's.

 

 

Butterick 4168 - "The Jet Setters"
1960's. This is one I found in a rural op shop. I think its a bit odd, that's why it appealed to me.
Each have a name: Lover Boy, Rocker, Mod & A Go-Go.
They are all nationalities if you look at the colour of their faces - black, pink, yellow & white. I didn't know Humpty was all nationalities !
 

 

Simplicity 7367.
1960's. Fun shaped pillows for children or babies. Characters include: Lion, Turtle, frog, Cat, beetle,
pig. A cute assortment of bed throw pillows.

 

 

Simplicity 5739.
Another rural op shop find. I found this one funny, so bought it. I wont ever make it, but Im sure someone will want it and cherish it, so it will be re-homed.
Back in the day before the Onsie terminology !

 

Simplicity 7427.
How sweet is this puppy dog pattern !
It sure shows the history in the beautiful artwork.
I love the top pic showing their cute bums too...

Simplicity 8223.
Classic  Paddington. With his Sou' wester hat and duffel coat, name tag on his chest incase he gets lost.
So very English and so very huggable.

 

McCalls 9255.
1980's Gremlins - A movie I loved as a kid.
This is another persons suit - onsie.
Look at those bat ears !

 

 

McCalls 8311.
I couldn't leave out, everyones favourite non human - E.T.
Have a look at this suit ! Quite a lot of work in his face.
But my favourite bit is the hand with the "special" finger - note the red tip that glowed in the movie.

 

I have seen many amazing Craft patterns out there from the bizzare, to "why" to oh so cute !

Tell me about some memorable favorites of yours



Lost ?? Missing ? Incomplete .........???

 

What do you do with those patterns you find that are not complete?

I don't have the heart to throw them out and so are beginning to stockpile in my sewing room.

I feel, with their age, being no longer in print and historical artwork, it would be shame to throw them out.

 

Sometimes it can be a matter of only instructions missing - I could search for the instructions.

Sometimes, it can be part of the pattern can be made eg: the blouse, not the skirt.

Im sure some people could make the garment due to their excellent seamstessing experience, just because one piece is missng.

 

I could make the envelope into some sort of display or artwork.

 

What do you do with your incomplete patterns?

 



Summer Loving

 

It has been a while between patterns, I'm sorry and I have missed you. Time is the thing, never seem to have enough of it.

I thought I'd celebrate summer and here in Australia, it has been record temperatures. Technically still summer here for another week. So enjoy some summer patter ideas, where ever you may be.

 

Simplicity 5507.



 

1960's beach wear. Modest swim suit with beach coat.

Coat can be sheer or solid light weight fabric with long sleeve or no sleeve.

 

 

McCalls 4047.

 

 

1950's summer top and shorts. Button front top with tie closure at waist.

Bring your lipstick and head for that BBQ.

 

 

Simplicity 5444.
 



1960's Tennis and recreational play suit.

Cute cheeky shorts with pull over tunic top.

 

 

Simplicity 5309.

 

1960's full panel tunic dress. This allows a full panel design for display.

V neck or bateau. I do note here, the red dress with the cat on the front hmmmm...

 

Simplicity 5455.
Sleeveless dress, two lengths. Versatile summer dress as casual as you want.
I really like the yellow version with the front bow, under bust.

 

McCalls 7766.
I like the glamour of this pattern. It can easily be a day dress, but I see an evening dress with shimmer fabrics, sheer scarf and short gloves. What do you see?

 

Butterick 3134.

 

1960's dress. I think suitable for the picnic you are attending this summer.

 

 

Simplicity 7310.

 

Classic 1960's design. I love this retro dress with is sheer fabric over solid and flowing free movement.

I have seen some re-prints in modern patterns copying this very design, but claiming it as their own. Fashion just keeps reviving !

 

 

McCalls 6276.
 

A very sweet 1950's pattern that can have a full gore skirt or straight skirt.

Bateau neckline with low back.

Just lovely and quite a glam for evenings.

 

Simplicity 7855.

 

Evening Glamour all over ! Perfect for the evening cocktail party .

Stunning V neck line with optional ruffle trim.

short or long length.

Choose the colour and fabric that makes you shine !

 

 

Simplicity 3903.

 

Bell dress with V low back. Varying lengths depending on the occasion.

Over skirt with back bow.

Accessorise with opera gloves.

 



Call The Midwife - Fashion

I recently watched "Call The Midwife" a BBC mini series of a woman working as a midwife in the poorer district of east end London in the 1950's. Beautifully told and filmed, it inspired me to take a look at what they were wearing.

The three midwives looking so smart in their Nursing uniforms.

They would get on their push bikes and see their patients in the community.

Simplicity 4084.
I have had this pattern for a while, but really love the style - so classic Trench.

Butterick 3007.
Double breasted coat with or without belt.
I adore the model here with her hat on !

 

Simplicity 9612.
Double breasted Trench Coat. Short or long.
Can be used as a raincoat trench or wool coat.

 

 The Skirt suit. I love the detail on the front faux pockets, princess cut jacket &

front side pleat. I would say its almost late 1940's.

 

Butterick 3084.
Versatile options for a skirt suit pattern (1960's).

 

 

Simplicity 8474.
 

Butterick 8298.
A very cute skirt suit. Curved jacket front hem with darts. Collared with single button closure.


 

Roll neck dress with full gore skirt.
 I imagine this has a low cut back

McCalls 4303.
Full gore skirt with or without roll top collar.
Beautiful party dress !

McCalls 9611.
1953 full gore skirt with roll neck collar.
V neck back collar with bow.

Three quarter length coat, single breasted with turned cuffs.
Jenny wears this so very well. Scarf finishes the look off.
Id suggest white gloves too !

Du Barry 5088.
1940's coat with reversible hood. Really cute this pattern.

McCall 6450.
1940's single breasted coat in 3/4 length.

Lastly, how could I forget the all important nurses uniform dress.
Always a dress, never pants or culottes unlike today.

..and cape...

I like all the variations in this pattern. The detailed pleats are so cute !

I'd like to dedicate this entry to my great great grandmother Margaret Shields
who was a midwife in the 1950's.

 



I Love The Cook Islands

I know it's been a while since my last post, but I did have a lovely holiday.
If youre in the market for a reasonably priced, beautiful, unspoilt, tropical holiday, amongst people who are genuinely lovely and year round climate is warm, the the Cook Islands is the place to go.
Forget overcrowded Hawaii, forget commecialised Fiji or over priced Tahiti. The Cook Islands has all the benefits of those places minus the negatives.

I will be back there next year...

Tropical Island Holiday.

I have just booked a holiday to the Cook Islands ! A beautiful, tropical, slow paced location, with white sandy beaches and clear turquoise blue water. A private villa on the beach in a 5 star resort.
So....what to wear, I hear you say ?

Im going to rummage through my boxes of vintage pattern treasures. I also found some summer modern patterns to throw in as contenders.

I really love this pattern and bought it last summer to make a full panel print dress.

The sleeves are kimono style. I feel they really make the dress stylish.

Its a Polynesian pattern, but don't you think the collar is more Asian?

Very sexy in both lengths - sexy Bond Girl style !

A very pretty day or evening dress, depending on the length you desire.

Wonderful with dressy snadals with a bit of sparkle.

I think the side split is wonderful and so polynesian.

Simple design, with its sleeveless semi fit dress, with or without a belt.

I cant have my Man going without a Hawaiian style shirt.

I love this 1950's Simplicity pattern. Look at those chiselled shoulders !!

I know its modern, but its Island wear for sure.

I love the neck line on this. Can be made as a loose fit dress or a casual shirt.

I love the colours and artwork in this. but most of all the full length dress with bateau neck and side splits.

Dont you just love the Vogue wardrobe patterns. So many pieces in one.

The shirt and 3/4 pants for shopping day trips, the long white dress and hat for the yacht and Im not sure what to do with the poncho?

So I have a couple of months to make a list and get sewing !