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.

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.





I like the proportions with the camisole.





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.


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.



The areas that overlap.


The taped pieces...




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.

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.





This looks better on the body.

And the winners are.... drumroll please!

The names were drawn out of a hat (however else would I end up with so many "A"s on the list).

Pattern no. 1 - Angela
Pattern no. 2 - Angie
Pattern no. 3 - Leslie V
Pattern no. 4 - Ruta
Pattern no. 5 - Ty
Pattern no. 6 - Sewfast
Pattern no. 7 - Mary

Just shoot me an email using the contact information on my profile, and let me know where to send the pattern. If this doesn't work, just send me a comment with your email address or with the shipping instructions. Since moderation is turned on, it won't post to the blog and I'll contact you that way.

If I don't hear from you by Saturday 21st of January, I'll move onto the next name on the draw.
So far only two patterns remain unclaimed, so there may still be a chance for someone else to win.

I'll be striking off those people who have contacted me, mostly to keep track myself, so try to contact me before the end of the week. 2012 is all about moving on ;)

I'm going through my fabric now, and might just have a fabric giveaway next, I know, I can always use them for muslins, but some of it is just to good for that and the colors might look better on you. I have at least 3 more giveaways to catch up to my blogaversaries:)

Getting the sewing room organized this year is taking away from sewing time, but I'll be up and posting again soon.

Thanks for participating!

Happy 2012

I hope everyone has washed off 2011 and are brightly looking forward to 2012.

My latest obsession is the black coat that Sandra Bullock wore on "The Proposal" movie. I thought it was a dress but it seems it was a coat. Tailored but feminine and black because I still love it for it's thinning properties.



It could be a dress though...and Meryl Streep wore it, Donna Karan designed it.


Doesn't it look fabulous on Meryl? This might be one of the rare instances where a garment looks better on a real person. Yay!!



courtesy of Style.com Donna Karan Resort 2012