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. ;)

Blue Time

I really like layered skirts. It seemed to be the perfect time to make another one that I could wear during the winter with my flannel slip, but also lightweight enough that I could wear during the summer, too. So, I dug this fabric out of my plastic tote and got to work using Simplicity 5752 (which I cannot find on the website). I'm tall and I wanted it quite long, so I had to lengthen each layer to get it the total length that I wished. I forgot to get a picture of the vintage nylon hem tape that I used on the hemline.

A story of flannel

I've made quite a few flannel items since the beginning of December and I decided it would be best to compose them all into one post.

These were a Christmas gift for my younger sister along with the dark purple turtleneck.



Cuff detail with the fancy stitching I did on it:

I made these for my brother, also for Christmas. As I was at the cutting counter I remembered, so while the clerk was cutting my other fabric, I had a few minutes to browse for something suitable. I would have chosen this one if I'd had hours to choose it. I really, really like it and so does my brother. I used McCalls 9638.



I decided to make the back of the pockets a solid black.


Again, another Christmas gift. I made two sets of these pjs for my younger brothers using Simplicity 4381. I should have moved the buttons up farther; I'll do that next time.


Collar detail:


The wavy stitch on the pockets and hems:


I've wanted to wear more skirts this winter, but I freeze every time I wear them. So I made two flannel slips to wear and they are much warmer! I didn't want ordinary white, so I made them in fun colors. For both of them I traced off existing slips. This pink one is my shorter one and I used the wazy stitch again.


This blue one is very long and very cozy. I was originally going to put lace on the hem, but didn't have enough, so I went with a ruffle and bias tape instead.


It seems that I make something flannel every year. ;)

Cranberry Celebration

There is kind of a story behind this blouse. I bought the fabric almost two years ago intending to make a Christmas shirt. Shortly before Christmas 2006 I realized that more important things must take precedence. I set it aside quite sadly.

This year I finally started by making a mock-up and then cut into the fashion fabric only to realize that I was short on fabric. Very depressing, I assure you. I asked my dear mother to get me some that would go with it. In the store lighting it looked much more purple and the solid fabric was the closest match. At first I was leary of it because it is quite a different shade, but I decided to use it anyway. Now I am very glad I did. I love the combination.

So, after some long sewing days (including other things, too), I knew it wouldn't be finished in time for Christmas. I kept on sewing though and even worked on it Christmas Day while I waited for our holiday guest to arrive. :8o

By that time I only had some hand sewing left to do and the front closure. I barely had a chance to work on it while our Christmas/New Years guests were here, but picked it up again once everyone had departed. I was determined to finish it then and after I attached the buttons I decided to line the solid sections. I did all that by hand while sipping tea and staying warm. :D

At last it was done and I just had to wait until another snowfall to photograph it. *deep breath*

This is my first synthetic shirt. I normally stick with natural fibers, but I couldn't resist this fabric when I saw it it on clearance. The bolt said 100% linen, but it cannot possibly be right. It is not linen. I'm guessing it is polyester. *Note: it is much more burgundy than the pictures lead you to believe.

I used Vogue 8196. Other than size alterations, I changed the bottom sections to be flat instead of gathered. I knew gathers don't look good on me, so I used some pieces from another shirt pattern. I am really pleased with the way that part turned out.

In fact, I am pleased with the way the whole thing turned out. I think I might make this shirt again in a cotton print for summer. I just can't decide if I should do the long sleeves for protection from the sun or the short sleeves.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Pattern link for "Pretty Snowflake":

A Christmas stocking

~front~



~back~



~an unfinished one~

Taken from Country Christmas Crafts by Better Homes and Gardens.

.finished recently.

.pink. take two. love the flower.



.bright blue. won't get lost.

Vintage crocheting patterns...

...for this winter. I'll have lots of fun and frustration figuring them out! :D




~Kyna

Newest patterns

"Tie in the blue" skirt

Simplicity 4044 - I pinned the pattern pieces together to eliminate the front and back seams. Love this skirt, but packed it away for next summer!

~Kyna

Brown houndstooth travelling suit!

I used Simplicity 4129 for the jacket and I made the skirt pattern myself. I did love the stir we created at the airports! :D








~Kyna

Dress with purple jacket...

...for a friend! I started on a Sunday and had to have it finished before I left on vacation that Thursday morning, plus I only could work on it before and after work. I used a highly altered dress pattern that I have made before. The jacket is Butterick 4792. I shortened the sleeves and the length. Before my friend headed to the wedding, her aunt pinned inverted pleats into the sleeves and back to make it more fitted.

"It's in the blue" skirt

Butterick 5041. I can't resist beautiful clearance fabric! *sigh* I love pretty linings, lace and bias tape hems, too. Those three combined=practically perfect in every way! :D

The best denim skirt I have ever made!

I used Vogue 8315. As you can see, I altered it quite a bit. :) Immediately noticable is that I made a skirt and it's a dress pattern. I also narrowed the flares down two inches on each piece just so I would have enough fabric and it's plenty full without those extra 16+ inches!



I had to taper the top pieces in to fit my waist and drafted my own waistband pattern. The belt loops and the topstitching make it more casual, but with the right top and shoes it is quite dressy! :D The waistband facing and the hem facing are both brown cotton. I love doing that, but forgot to take a picture!

It works great with sandals for warm weather and I am looking forward to wearing it with tall boots this fall/winter. It is a very versatile weight 100% cotton denim from Joanns, purchased with a coupon, of course! :)