Home Sewn.....Hair?

Today I was possessed with the urge to put my hair in milkmaid braids and stitch them together with strips of bias fabric. I threaded the bias through a tapestry needle and went to it, attempting to hide the ends. I like it, but I wonder what it will be like to take out later!!

Simplicity 8239 Wearable Muslin

Simplicity 8239 Image via the Vintage Pattern Wiki

I have hunted this pattern in my size for a long time, and when I finally got it, it was really for a song! I even drafted my own a few years ago from a tank, but I made the overlap too narrow and I have lived in fear of showing my rear whenever I wear it. So, finally, I got my own copy and sewed it up immediately. 

I made this wearable muslin version from an old bed sheet. The neckline and armholes are bias bound. I made no alterations to the pattern, and it is a bit snug/restrictive through the neck and shoulders. Otherwise, it fits well. Oh, wait! I did shorten it 4". Those pins wanna be free! 

Me and my little model buddy flippin' hair

I think this will make a fun beach cover up for summer.

.....Even a Man Can Do it

Ad by Unique zipper co. from the February/March 1972 International Vogue Pattern Book.

It begins: "Improbable as it may seem, the Unique Invisible zipper is actually that simple to install."

Goodwill Finds: Fagoted Lace Dress by Dauphine

I found this dress at my local Goodwill last week. It will need a fair amount of work to be wearable again- including a dye job, a hem job, and some of the fagoted seams repaired. It appears that it was originally a sky blue color but was either bleached or somehow faded to what is now washed out white/gray. The thing that struck me about this dress in particular was that the fabric is made up entirely of strips of cotton with lace stitched on top that is joined by fagoted seams. The brand is Dauphine, and I love the simple, gold metallic weave label. If you are interested in learning more about fagoted seams, including how to stitch them by hand, check out the Coletterie post on the subject at http://www.coletterie.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/tutorial-how-to-sew-a-fagoted-seam. Also, I know there is a vintage or antique Singer attachment for making these types of joinings that is a hot (read expensive!) commodity.

Does anyone else ever feel like they need to rescue these castaway garments?

Simplicity 9099 in Floral Denim

My husband's shots are always either come hither, goofy, or with my head cut off. I've opted to share some goofy here today....

This is what I like to refer to as "pressure washer chic."

I really love this fabric. The skirt should have been easy to sew, as it is a Jiffy pattern, but I flubbed it up every step of the way. Inside the waistband is a gnarled nest of threads, but despite that it turned out quite well in the end. Good thing, because I might have cried if I killed this denim.

The fabric itself was a thrift shop find. I think it ran me 50 cents or a buck. Here is the pattern. I widened the side darts at the waist by sewing 1/4 less and tapering in 3" down to match the original darts. I also lengthened the front darts 1", cut the waistband larger, and shortened the skirt 4" for a modern mini.

His pattern is a nice basic and sits at my natural waist so I can actually wear some of the vintage tops I have sewn. I am actually planning on sewing another skirt today...hopefully in a Jiffy and minus the forehead smacking!

PATTERN SALE!

I am running a 3 day sale in my Etsy shop, Farmhouse Garden, and all patterns $5 and up are currently 25% off! I also keep a Patterns 5 Bucks or Less Section that always has inexpensive little gems for sale. Come on by and browse....

PSsssst! You can always visit and see what's for sale by clicking the SHOP page under the blog header!

Mommy 'n Me 'n Me (too!)

I made the little one and I some Mommy and Me Christmas dresses. The truth is, I started making mine first, and when my little bunny saw it, she wanted one too. Of course, I spent hours embellishing her dress, and then I was hand hemming mine on Christmas Eve eve! All's well that ends well. I'm sure I could blather on for a while here, but since it's already mid January, lets just do photos and captions, shall we?

Modern

Traditional

Christmas-a-Go-Go

Mommy 'n Me in the Holler

Sewing Together- Melt my Heart!

The Little Diva requested several Fittings

Braiding metallic rick rack

Braided Rick Rack stitched down with clear nylon thread, plus sequins & beads on the holly

Trick for reinforcing center back zipper with selvage

My dress and pattern in the planning stages

Oh, I forgot! It was Mommy 'n Me 'n Me (too!)