The Kitten Explosion... McCall's 5406

This was an experiment, of sorts. A test-run. I found the Alexander Henry "smitten kitten" fabric at the thrift shop (someone had intended it to be curtains from the post-it notes), and pink fabric left over from another project.

 

Hoodie Le Chat Fabric (Timeless Treasures)

I am in love with this Le Chat fabric from Timeless Treasures. I've been looking out for this particular 1940s vintage fabric (cat with umbrellas) since I spotted it in a vintage dress for sale on Etsy. Fortunately someone at Timeless Treasures read my mind!

From Vintage Sewing Patterns

The Boat Trip Dress: Simplicity 3875 (again)

One of my latest sewing experiments: Simplicity 3875. Again. But this time I added a shirred section to the back to allow for my expanding and contracting. I had more fabric to work with  this time so the skirt is a bit fuller. 

The bodice is entirely lined, except for the shirred section which is a piece of the outside fabric folded in half. 

The Confectionary Dress: Simplicty 3238

Simplicity 3238 was originally intended to be made as a halter weskit-style blouse and separate skirt, but for some reason it seemed like a good idea to make a dress out of it (rather than just use a halter dress pattern). A halter dress pattern would have made a lot more sense. The stripe-matching went better than expected.

I can't decide whether I want to tack on the belt or find some sort of a buckle to use with it.

Bound buttonholes for the halter top fastening. And me in the dress, sans belt. Still trying to decide if using a matching dark pink bias hem trim would be too much.

 

Sewing UFO: Kwik Sew 1948 Swimsuit

Actually it is probably more of a MIA, I haven't been able to find it for a while now. I used Kwik Sew 1948, and added a bit of length to the gathered section, and added a gathered section to the back too (why do they make swimsuits with nice fronts and backs that do not match the front?). I was about to sew on the elastic when it disappeared. Let me know if any of you find it!!

Tiptoe Through the Tulips: Simplicity 3875

One of my latest experiments: Simplicity 3875. I made it from some fabric I found online, the print was probably originally intended to be used for aprons. The piece was 1.75 yards x 35 inches wide. The yardage requirement was around 3 yards so I had to make a few adjustments.


I gathered a rectangle for the skirt from what was left over from cutting out the bodice pieces. I made the straps narrower, shortened the bodice (I am very short AND very shortwaisted, and tube-like). Somewhere down the line I decided to make it a halter dress.


The belt is from my closet, I was considering cutting a bit of the green from the hem, to make a belt. Or maybe finding some matching navy and making a belt, what do you think would look good?


I have started on another dress, this one is Simplicity 3238. It isn't actually a dress, it is a halter and skirt set but I am making it a dress. The pink swatch is the fabric I might be using for the skirt portion. Would it be too stripe-y if I also used the striped fabric for the skirt?

A Bit Picture Heavy...

It's been a little over a year since Oy passed. November 27, 2010.

This is the first picture I got of him, someone had found him and was trying to find a good home. They sent me this picture:

He met Hermia.

It was love at first sight.

So precious.

He started getting bigger

He liked harassing the dog.

Every night I would make a nest out of the fuzzy blanket and tuck him in. He would stay there until about 5 a.m., which was about when he would cry to go outside.

And he got bigger.

Very photogenic.

I don't think his canines ever stopped growing.

And so he grew up, big and strong, protector of the household.