vintage patterns

Friday, June 25, 2010

I Build A Sewing Table

Well here it is. It is nearly complete, need some finishing details and shelves on the walls to hold all the trims, projects and whatnots. Fabric will be stored underneath. Now time to clear it off and get my projects all over it like a big hug, but I wanted to show you my tools of the trade. I did help build my house and those guys showed me a thing or two. Although working with pattern dimensions is not to different than working out structural measurements, not as many curves to work around, easy!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Studio Work Space Transition

The top picture is the closet where all the vintage purses, shoes and clothes are kept. The ones listed are cleaned, pressed and hanging up, all the others are still in all those boxes. Somewhere in there is a 1950's 60's Catalina bathing suit.

The bottom picture  is where my son's bed is going out and my cutting table is going in and shelves across the wall. I think I'll leave the walls the blue and green for now, my daughter and son picked the paint colors and painted this room when we built the house. Also, on the shelves are some of the collectables yet to list.

When others show their workspace I am so envious of how beautiful they are, mine will probably always be in a state of zanny, busy, movement. I like to work on several projects at a time, uh-oh, I think I need more space.

Believe me this is a step up from my dining room table!

On my flickr page you can find esty's open studio, photos of other esty sellers and their studios at http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsyopenstudios/ Enjoy!

As a side note, still can't find my finished samples of those drafted pattern pieces, they will show up as I continue to organize, I'll do the happy dance!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Swinging the Darts II

I have gathered more information on swinging those darts and slashing and spreading. But now I need to take the cesear salad to my son's birthday party! I'll be back to explain more on this process, not how to have a party but moving bodice darts around.

Picture to the right shows how once the darts are swung (top image to the neckline, bottom image to bust point) the pattern is slashed then spread for the gathers. Need to find the picture of what this looks like when sew together.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

1960s Hounds Tooth Fabric Dress

A great summer lightweight fabric in a soft hounds tooth pattern. Detailed piping around neckline, sleeves and belt makes this dress a fashion statement, very simple yet elegant. There are standard bust darts, and the skirt has three soft pleats for hip ease.

vintage 1960s JC Pennys Young Junior dotted swiss, salmon colored dress

Here is something for a young girl or a  small women, it can be layered with pants, leggings, or jeans. This dress has the pizazz with all the beautiful details. No bust darts here, it is a straight line shift. Find it at http://tiny.cc/cf4hs osovictoria.etsy.com

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Swinging the Bodice Dart

 A fashionable wardrobe can consist of many styles. A woman may be happy with a few styles that flatter her body and is comfortable to wear. But that does not limit the amount of detail that can go into those few very selective fashion pieces. A designer can be very creative when they 'swing the dart' to get the details that explores just the right curves on a woman.

The home sewer can achieve the same results once the technique is learned. Start with a basic bodice pattern, can be purchased with a basic dress pattern, mark the bust point, slash and spread or divide the dart to wherever the desired style detail is wanted.

Using slopers, available at fabric stores, helps give the pattern a smooth curve around the armhole and neckline.

This image is from my early days in flat pattern making. The side dart is swung closed and opened at the shoulder, using the bust point as the pivot point.

This is just a intro to swinging the dart, more design details to come.