Monday, January 30, 2012

100 Year Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic






Images courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

I've chosen to participate in the Vintage Pattern Lending Library 1912 project (a mouthful, I know!!). Here's an excerpt from the project.

" Welcome to the Vintage Pattern Lending Library 1912 Titanic Sewing Project!
With the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, there seems no better time to be motivated to tackle one of the Vintage Pattern Lending Library’s archives largest projects. The scanning and digitizing of the patterns and magazines of La Mode Illustree – once France’s foremost publication of fashion of the era.

We have 345 Test Sewers that have volunteered to sew patterns that probably haven’t fit living people for 80 years to document what they did and give results. The pattern packages will be downloadable pattern sheets, a translation into English of any construction information, and a graphic of the garment.

Construction and cutting information for these patterns are very vague, usually amounting to only a paragraph or two. These patterns come from a different era without all the luxuries that we have come to rely on. They may have no instructions and no markings."


Here are some samples of the patterns they will issue for the project. VPLL

Maybe now I can clear out some of those home dec fabrics, and laces that are languishing in the stash.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Hotpatterns Cupid Cami & Tap pant

It seems like I have Valentine's Day on the brain! There is a free pattern available on Fabric.com from Hotpatterns for a Camisole and Tap pant. The scalloped edge camisole made in the previous post needs bottoms, since I'm using them as sleepwear now. As always whenever I start out making muslins I end up actually wearing them.

005

007

I like the proportions with the camisole.

009



Here is the link to the PDF pattern download Hotpatterns on Fabric.com

As per usual, you will need to know sizing, which is not included.
Hot Patterns size chart

The pattern itself is 25 pages, so have the printer loaded before you start.

Notes:
1) Separate pages into groups
a) Instructions - numbered 6,12,18

b) Front cami & short - 1,2,3,4,5
7,8,9,10,11

c) Back cami & short - 13,14,15,16,17
19,20,21,22,23

It's easier to group them and assemble them like this, since only the waistband piece and a small triangle of the back waist overlaps the two groups. You can trim the waistband piece off the end later and the small triangle this allows you only have to look for a surface that fits 10 taped pages instead of 20.

And if you are a visual learner....

Here are the two sections.
001


The areas that overlap.
002

The taped pieces...
003



2) For the camisole, there is no pattern piece for the bias binding, the instructions tell you to gather enough 1 1/2" strips to finish the front, back neckline and armhole ties.

3) The yardage requirement is specified at 2 1/4 yards of 60" (1 1/4 yd for cami and 1 yard for the pant)

4) Elastic is 1/2" wide and long enough to circle the waist

They are very full, I would recommend something very thin and with some drape. Without the narrow hem at the bottom they fall about mid thigh on me.

I don't think I'll be making them again, they aren't really practical for me, but the set is cute together. At least now I am ready for Valentines day!!



Thank you to everyone that participated in the pattern giveaway, you should all have either received or will be receiving them shortly. If you do make up the pattern be sure and drop me a line, I'd love to see what you've done with them. If not, no pressure, I know how busy things can get and how sometimes we turn into collectors because of it. It's all good.

This year I'll be including more giveaways. I'm organizing my sewing room (yet again) and I'm sure to find things that want new surroundings. So stay tuned.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Camisole project

There is a sewing blog from New Zealand that sponsored a lingerie sew along in December and I missed it preparing for the holidays. You might have missed it as well, so head on over and have a peek at some pretty wonderful renditions of this pattern. Her name is Sherry, and she's a pattern maker who shares her knowledge. She's a great resource if you want to stretch your skills and she has a few tutorials to follow as well.

Buzzybeesworld



The pattern is based on a "B" cup, like most of the pattern companies, so I needed a few rounds to make it my own. I'm pretty pleased at the results.

Ruby slip cami version front - wearable muslin

Ruby slip cami version back- Wearable muslin

This looks better on the body.
Ruby slip cami version 2 - wearable muslin