Project Salvage - A Retro Jumper!

This is word-for-word from the sewing forum I frequent - sorry if you came here looking for "something more"! ;)

My little sister made this skirt awhile ago, but it was too small so it was boxed away with the rest of her unfinished projects. Last week during a drastic purge, she let it go. Guess who took it?!

Originally I planned to turn it into a shorter summer skirt for myself, but a brainstorm took place and I went to work. Viola! In one afternoon, I had completed (all but the hem) this retro jumper for my twelve-year-old sister!

I didn't use any patterns (I only glanced at one - does that count?). I chopped 9” off the bottom to use for the waistband and bib. I used the pre-cut waistband for the straps and I had to add the bib so that they would be long enough. Leftover scraps from an apron for the lining and two buttons from my stash completed the project.

Enough talk – onto the pictures now!







It's projects like these that keep me sewing!

~Kyna

Life these days

.sharing the table with school.

.pre-shrinking dupioni silk. a precise, time-consuming process.

.making darts.

.caffeine to keep my energy up.

.calculations and more calculations.

.pins in fabric.



.trying not to be sick of that color.

.getting faster and faster.

.giggle fest with my sisters because we are too tired.

All of this means that the bridesmaids dresses are slowing taking shape and getting done. Repeat, slowly. I am gaining lots of experience during this time.

Crochet hook holder

After six unsuccessful attempts to crochet one of these, I gave up and sewed one. I'm not complaining too much though, because I think it goes much better with my handwork totebag and it's far more glamorous! ;)


I didn't use a pattern, but I've seen a few on other blogs. Only scraps were used in this project and I must say I'm starting to love making things with only scraps. I can be so creative! I have more hooks than just these, but I wanted them to blend together in the pictures; I need to get all the same color hooks from now on! And here we have it all rolled up:

Finally done!

I started both of these before Christmas, but finished them just this week. *facepalm* It is a relief to have them finally done.


^Is the one that I showed unfinished in this post. And here is the back of it:





This one is the second favorite of the three I made. I used scraps from a beautiful fabric for the back and lace that I got from my grandmother. It makes it quite old fashioned-ish looking.




Taken from Country Christmas Crafts by Better Homes and Gardens.

Recent acquisitions

I've been antiquing with my grandmother and discovered these treasures. I won't say how much I paid for each, but believe me, it was a very good price! I'm really looking forward to making all of them. I know I never will, but I can dream, can't I? I sincerely hope to make all the vintage patterns I have acquired, but who has that much time and as I add more and more to "my collection", my hopes to be able to make them all diminish more and more. *smile*

McCalls 2169 - 1957 - Size 4 - Little girls dress and pinafore. All pieces included. Originally $0.45


Hollywood 1546 - Six years - Girls one piece frock with bolero and pantie. blouse and bodice patterns missing. *tear* I think this is from about the same time, but I'm not sure. Perhaps it's earlier as it was originally only $0.15.



This afghan magazine is from 1954, in "good enough" condition and enticing me to make some. Below I have posted two of my favorites, but there is many more to make. In the second picture, the lady reminds me of Irene Dunne.







I do believe this is the greatest find of all - Aprons magazine from 1945! All of the pictures below are from it and a view of all the opposite sides. Now to decide which to start with when I have the time! *dream* The pattern pieces are inside the back cover, they just need to be enlarged.



While it is not frilly, I think the far right one would make a fabulous apron for messy jobs; it is number 19 in the reverse views.


"Many hands make light work", especially when they are all wearing gorgeous aprons!


"Hmm, it tastes perfect".


"Did you hear about...?"


Cinderella, perhaps?


Domestic Diva has it under control







P.S. None of these are for sale and I have no plans to sell them in the future. ;)