Sewing up "Kitty" #2

ok, so here is my starting point--the pattern that i am trying to re-size and get upgraded for production. I have adored this pattern in my collection for years, but have not made it up before, since it was a really small size. I really didn't have the motivation to up-size it for only me. So after a few days of sewing i finished the first mock-up!













Here is my dear friend, Sarah, wearing the first make up of the dress. Doesn't she look cute? Ok, she is headless. She made me do that on account of not wearing any make-up or cute hair at the moment. And, no, you are not going to be required to keep on your other clothes while wearing this dress. In the interest of being quick, and also since i knew it was going to be big, we left her clothes on. The pockets in the front were a big hit. They are so cozy and convenient. and at just the right height for resting.












Here is the dreaded zipper, oh he who shall not be named!!! After 3 tries it finally went in smoothly and looks good. I am actually really happy in how it ultimately looks. However, in mid-stream i was seriously considering the alternate instructions to put in snaps.














Ok, so here is Headless Sarah being all model-like. In trying it on i found that the fit, although fitted in the picture, actually allows for quite a bit of ease. So, for a smooth, snug fit, Sarah could wear a almost 2 sizes smaller. I was happy that the neck is a not-too-low scoop and that the shoulders and waist sit very nicely. When i get it on someone who is the right size i will have some cute shots made--hemmed with heels and heads not cut off.
My next job, after i finish a few friend projects, is to sew it up a second time in the yellow floral, with the 3/4 sleeves. I may go ahead and size it up or down one size, since the original came out so beautifully with no real adjustments needed.
thanks for looking!

I finally got to work!! Kitty, first attempt.

So, i finally got most of my other projects from the sewing box finished. Whew! I can finally devote more time to my main project/quest for this year--making up and resizing "Kitty" for a general audience of today's ladies. I had already cut the pattern out back in May, setting it aside when i knew i would start in without finishing my long list of already started projects. So i reluctantly put it away. But there it was, all cheery and smiling at me with it's cherry red and pink plaid as i started this week! And it went together very quickly and easily. I am really glad that i was able to finish it up in just a few days of sewing, about five hours or so. Not bad for a first try and having to redo a few bits here and there. In the first picture you see the bodice without any darts and a bit of the trim laying by.
Here in picture 2, you can see the skirt front all finished with the trim pinned in place ready to be tacked on. The hemming and gathering of this trim was one of the most time-consuming tasks. It really made me wish i had a serger. However, i do not, so know that i only have a plain,old machine. Because of that, i find that it is better for me to use old methods of finishing and construction, since i do not have very many gadgets.

The only part of this little scheme that was not smile-inducing was putting in the zipper. I would insert here the sonnet i composed entitled "Zipper, How i hate thee!", but i will spare you the sorrow. Just know that even if you have sewn many, many things does not mean you do not have weak areas. Mine is zippers. I will admit that i had to rip/re-sew this side zipper THREE TIMES. I will also admit that i spoke very harshly to
said zipper, and i am sure it is a tongue lashing it will not forget! After consulting my favorite sewing guide (circa 1943), i was able to do it properly. On try #3. sigh.
So, after putting in the sleeves tonight, the only thing left was to hem it! I left that alone for now, since i want to set the hem to the length best for whomever will model it later.
I did, however, have a little try-on tonight with my dear friend, Sarah, to check the fit. After taking her measurements, i found that she was actually (gasp!) smaller than i had guessed. She matches the measurements for a size 14, while the copy i have made up is a 16. Even being a size too big the dress has a lot of ease built in. I will post the pictures of the finished dress tomorrow. So happy to have finished my first attempt, and just as glad that i still love it made up! It made up to look just like the picture, which is always a risk with a pattern. cheers, Aunt Kat

40's verses 50's part 2

Well, i have some other reasons why in chosing styles from one era over another. One big one is economy. I truly love the sweeping, dreamy styles from the 50's, however, they are so much more expensive to make. Because of rationing and "making do", most patterns from the 1940's era use a smaller amount of fabric--about 3 yards--and they use every little bit. In contrast, on most post-war dresses, it takes 3 or 4 yards for the skirt alone. Which means you can forget thrifting any fabric for re-use unless it is a wedding dress.



So, in the interest of being thrifty AND fun, i would choose a swing-y 40's style. Easy to make, easy to wear, and much less expensive to sew up.
And hey, the shorter hems show off those gams--which for most of us is the slimmest part of our lower half. Much more flattering in general to show a little calf with some cute wedge heels.
And who knows? maybe someone will ask you to dance!

Why the Forties?

Well, one may ask me "Aunt Kat, why the 1940's ? why not some other time period?" well there is a good reason for that. Not because i don't like other periods. I have a dear love of turn of the century women's wear and children's clothes. And as far as my figure goes, the 50's is a much more flattering silhouette. The clothes our grandmothers (and for some our great grandmothers) wore during the second world war stand our for several reasons. There are many factors that came together to make such fun, yet sensible fashions of that time. Fabric shortages meant shorter, more manageable skirts, and less fussy-ness in general. The activity level of women was much higher in general--everyone had to do their part and you couldn't have many different outfits because of rationing--your clothes had to do double duty. So comfort was a premium concern, and movement. Shoes were sensible but flattering--most people were on their feet all day.
By contrast the early 50's are full of whimsy and fantasy and seriously lacking in the sensible department.I have many gorgeous gowns in my pattern collection from this era and i drool over them regularly. I love the full, crinolined dresses of the 50's and the wasp-waist look--but spend all day in it NO WAY! In just a few short years we went from clothes in which you could sweep the floor, run to catch the train and then dance away the night--to full, mid-calf skirts, sloped, tight sleeves, corsets and high heels. You would look beautiful standing still, but doubtful you could raise your arms over your head, much less do anything useful.
So in my opinion, the 1950's is a really beautiful place to visit, but you would be much happier living in 40's fashions.

these are the two other patterns that i could not get to show up right on my previous post.

Vintage girl dresses

So, among my other umpteen projects, i would also like to try out these patterns that i am in love with. I am considering resizing one or all of them along with the lady's patterns that i have selected, since a child pattern takes less room and therefore less cost in printing. Here are my three current favorites with fabric i have already. First is a late 30's, pleat-front number. So cute in a ladybug print with white cuffs and collar. I am planning to embroider daisies on the collar and use ladybug buttons. Pretty cute, i think. It is a size 6, for now, so i will have to think of someone extra cute to make it for....hmmmmm.....
Then here is my second choice...a swinging little 40's number with a shaped yoke and buttons on the side for closure. And i realize that these pictures are not how i wanted them to be, but i am not sure how to get them in the right order. sigh. Now i cannot post the other ones at all. I will figure this out eventually.
So the second one is going to be a blue with a blue floral for the yoke , sleeves and waist band. with blue buttons.
The third one is a side buttoning dress from the late 3o's. I am going to make the view like the blue one with short sleeves and a bow. I have enough of this pink satin, and though dressy, it will be Small One's size next spring. Any votes? Which one do you like the best? Which do you think would be the most popular for others to sew?

This is my inaugural post, and it is freaking me out.

Don't get too ramped up folks, just testing out the old blogging skill set. There are so many things you have to DO to be able to post successfully. I feel like my PawPaw when remotes came out and he decided that it was a plot to keep him from his blessed Welk show. But i digress. I am trying to figure out how to add all the charming freebies that people like the Impossibly Peppy and Talented Cynthia have shown me, and yet i am still at a loss. Perhaps i will figure it all out, but i am sure not before saying "Kids these days...when i was a girl in the '80's..." at least half a dozen times. I am trying unsuccessfully not to suffer from "Blog Envy", which i am sure is one of the deadly sins. This was supposed to be low-key, remember, Kat? oh yeah.

Here is my current wonder girl, Kitty. Making this sample, then resizing the pattern to modern sizing 6-14 will be my first set of posts. I have already cut the first sample out of a charming yarn-dyed,cherry red/pink plaid so it will look very similar to the view on the right. The second sample i have planned is a mustard yellow calico with small rose and white stylized flowers. It is very "feed bag fabric" and i am planning to use the 3/4 sleeves on it, so i can see the difference. I may also use eyelet for the ruffling if it does not look too juvenile.
Ok, so that is all i have going on right now.
cheerio,
Aunt Kat