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New Butterick Pattern

I picked this up yesterday while I was out and about. It's starting to creep up to the top section of my to-do list; I'm liking it more and more.

The second baby blanket

This one is lighter weight; just two layers of flannel. I folded all the edges under and machine stitched away; super quick and easy. And, it's incredibly soft.

The first baby blanket

My little nephew needed warmer blankets for nighttime, so Mom offered to make him some. It really was quite funny putting together the combinations with the fabric we already had. We wanted them fairly quick, simple, warm enough, and bigger than normal baby blankets so he can use them for several years.

I like teddy-bears, but they have to be done just right. I remembered having this striped flannel fabric that I thought looked like an "engineer" in my stash, so I dug it out and I knew it *had to go* with the teddy-bears. They're perfect together.

I put cotton batting between them and started quilting. After a few tests, I decided that I liked quilting little ovals around the lady-bugs best. It took me several days with help from a few sisters, but we were able to finish it just in time.

I really think that it will be my favorite!

Wide Leg Pants take 3

After the first two pairs, I discovered that I had enough of this denim (leftover from a skirt) to make another pair. Originally, they were going to be a "gaucho" length, but when the pockets turned out so well, I had to make them full length. That's why they have such a long cuff!

The pockets were styled after my favorite pair of denim pants (that I purchased). I used the measurements and shape. I LOVE how they turned out!!! Both the front and back. I'll definitely be doing that again!

And, what project have I not added cute little touches to? This was no exception. Blue calico with white vine like flowers and stripes adorn the inside of the cuff and the facing for the waistband. Topstitching was easy for this pair, as I did not have to constantly switch thread colors on my machine.

Wide Leg Pants take 2

This was a brainstorm project. I thought of it, and cut it out within a few hours! I've never had a pair of corduroy pants before, so this was an experiment to see how I like them. Brown topstitching makes them easier to iron as that has to be done on the inside.

No pockets on this one as it was a quicky project. I cut the back long enough to just hem them, but I forgot to make sure that there would be enough for the front at the same length, oops! There wasn't. I picked this darling polka dot fabric up at Joanns a few days later so that it would face the hem and they'd be long enough. I also faced the waistband with the same print!

I've practically lived in this pair and the next one you'll see in a few days while I have been under-the-weather. They are perfect for lounging around the house, but they still make me feel like I have dressed for the day, too.

Wide Leg Pants take 1

I always thought I should try that slanted pocket version, but did not get around to it until now. I already knew I liked the fit of the pants, so why did it take me so long to make this view? Probably that little thing called time... but, anyways, they're done now.

Tan top-stitching adds a finishing touch, but it was a pain to do. :)

I used this brown print scraps from my "someday I'll make a quilt" box to make a bias tape to enclose the hemline, face the waistband and line the pockets. Every time I see the little brown print, I have to smile. When I peek into the pockets or fold my pant legs up when that extra length I added is too long for around the house. It's such a cute touch!

I am very particular about the length of pants when they are worn with boots or heels. I can't stand it when they look like they are too short; that's careless and sloppy. To avoid it, I have to add length to all pants patterns I make. It's just an adjustment one has to make.

What do these calico prints all have in common?

They accessorize three different takes on this pattern.

I have always loved wide leg pants. My sister's and I have made several pairs over the years and received many compliments. Paired with the right top, they are dressier than jeans, but work well for festivals, hiking and traveling, too. Flannel pj's fit well under them for extra warmth in the winter, too.

I've tried different patterns over the years and liked most of them with a few changes. I just shared my latest favorite, though. While I'm busy packing and out of town, I've

scheduled posts to highlight each take. Until I return...

A pattern tale

This one is to die for, no?

It's the epitome of a charming housewife, yes?

She was probably a farmwife, as it came in an envelope from The Farmer. But, let's not talk about that right now. I will divulge the saddest thing in my entire vintage pattern collecting career....

...this is not the dress that the pattern makes. *tears* Yes, true. When I finally got around to examining every pattern that I possessed (which I should have done much sooner!), I discovered that the pattern pieces do not look anything like the shapes in the illustrations. You can only imagine how upset I was! I had been looking forward to making this dress for months!

Maybe someday I will feel like trying to piece together the pattern that did show up in the envelope, but for now, I want to dream that this dress will someday become a reality in my wardrobe...

Vintage Pattern Stash part 6

Cocktail and party dresses:

Denim skirt

I have sadly been lacking enough denim skirts and decided that now was the time to rectify it. Well, actually a few months ago was the time, but it takes time to do something about it. ;) This is the second denim skirt I made over the summer, so I'll have to post pics of the first later.

It's below the knee enough that I can wear it with my tall boots and a flannel slip in the winter, but short enough that I can wear it in the summer too with a cute blouse. In a word: versatile.

Professional courtesy dictates that I mention that I used Simplicity 3688, but the similarities are so distant that you can hardly recognize it! Besides narrowing the skirt panels down, lengthening the skirt, and adding extra panels, I moved seams over more than an inch, topstitched all the seams, added a fly in the front and some cool details. The pink you see is the waistband facing! Well you don't see it while I'm wearing it, but you see it in the picture because I showed it to you! And while there is no picture to prove it, I used a pale pink ribbon to hem it!

A peek at my fabric stash!

Yes. I do realize that the majority of them are pink! *smile*

Summer Blouses - two of three

I've wanted to try this pattern for too long now, so I finally picked out some good "mock-up" fabric and set to work. It's not 100% cotton unfortunately, but it's what I had. I raised the split neckline some and I think I'm happy the way it looks. I chopped several inches off before hemming it, otherwise it would have looked much like a sixties dress and that is not the look I wanted.

Next summer I should be able to put this experience to use with some very pretty cotton floral fabric. The longer length options will be good for jeans and I might get creative with changing the neckline some, too.

Summer Blouses - one of three

When I saw Simplicity 2936 while I was on vacation, I had to pick it up! It has the look of a peasant blouse without the extra bulk of gathers at the neckline. I did raise the neckline to adhere to my standards of modesty, but the rest of the blouse was left as is. I used a very lightweight "scraps" that I had in my stash and made this one as a test. It's a good thing that I did, because it's slightly too big for me! I think I'll have to make it again next summer.