Balenciaga

When I saw this Balenciaga gown in the Vogue 1969 magazine it so reminded me of a very toned down Jessica McClintock style from the 80s.

The text reads: Balenciaga chose black - his favorite color - to fabricate this evening gown from 1951 with a hip-length lace bodice and a taffeta skirt. He manipulated the fabric to make it act like a prop under the skirt, create volume, and give the hem structure. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a gift of Gina Gerardo 1993.

Must be the black tight bodice and satin flounce... makes me want to redesign this Gunne Sax dress to look more like the Balenciaga.  I do love the way the lace moves around the gathered flounce of the Balenciaga gown.

So Many Sewing Patterns

I have collected many many sewing patterns over the years, well, since I began sewing at age 12 and I got a nice used Singer sewing machine for my birthday. I think it was to keep me from wearing all my Mom's clothes she made and to (hint) make my own. A few weeks ago I came upon an estate sale selling 8 boxes of vintage patterns, a few from the 20s and 30s, most from the 50s and a few from the 70s. I couldn't resist and bought all 8 boxes, such a deal. The daughter, Amy a massage therapist, came out from Brooklyn to empty out her mothers storage from when her mother closed her vintage shop in the 90s.

I spent the next several days sorting my 'new' patterns and my 'old' patterns by brand and number and filing them accordingly. So, as I go through my pattern files, some I'll keep and hopefully make and some I'll do a PDF file to sell and some I'll sell 'as-is' in my Penelope Rose studio at Artfire.

Also, as I was going through my old patterns, it brought back many happy memories of all the wonderful clothing I made for myself and my daughters over the years. Another interesting tidbit from purchasing all these patterns is that when I find vintage clothing that has been handmade, I have actually come across the original pattern. I recently sent a vintage dress to Australia and then found the pattern in my collection that the dress was made from, I sent the buyer of the dress a photo of the pattern.

Simplicity from 1949

I also have this pattern below that matches the three unfinished pieces, wasitbands need finishing, on a vintage outfit I found. The vintage skirt, and two tops are in red, with silver and black ric-rac, I was wondering how the set should have been finished and now I have the pattern to complete it. ( in some far off future time)

So here are some photos of what I have to decide on what to keep, what to sell and what to make into a PDF file, either way I love looking at the these vintage patterns.

I am so glad pattern companies decided to print on the pattern pieces, it gets very confusing sewing with unprinted patterns.

Do you have a favorite pattern, company or vintage style you like to work with?

Halloween In Ashland, Oregon

There were some fantastic costumes out for this Halloween in Ashland. I went down to the 'Children's Parade' with my daughter and granddaughter and snapped some very creative costumes. I love it, because people are trilled to have their picture taken on this day showing off their handi-work. Oh, I missed the parade, had to go to the post office and mail some packages, but got some great shots.

Flower children, mod and groovy!

Beautiful Ice Queen and her royal king

Space age, just visiting planet Earth.

Just out for a walk.

Okay these are not really costumes, they are our volunteer citizens, keeping traffic at bay. But like I said I missed the parade so I was able to capture these two taking a break.

Sign says 'Occupy the Empire'

A Knight and his royal Ninja sidekick

One of my favorites, 'The Nightmare before Christmas'

Right O' matey, wench and mead

A lovely group of Carmen Miranda dancers

My daughter told me about this guy, so when I spotted him I had to take his picture, dirty laundry, we all have it.

My daughter also pointed out this girl, Juno

Loved the hairdo, a great looking hip family, don't you think. I spotted this robe at the Goodwill a week ago, it made a great costume.

These snails moved to fast for me to get a front shot.

The perfect Gleena, Dorothy and Toto

My daughter also pointed these guys out, The men are bees and of course the women are the beekeepers :)

I've always loved Popeye and Olive Oil, such a historical love affair.

These girls were to colorful to pass up

Such a great Egyptian costume and the two youngest are bad either.

My granddaughter took a potty break inside the Standing Stone Brewery and I thought I would snap this picture. They also have great food and lots of really good entertainment.

Passes this Viking going into the Standing Stone as I was coming out.

A mime and Robin Hood

Hey this is my neighbor Keri, the pilgrim, and a friend, Pipi Longstocking, her two boys were chasing after candy

These folks were having a blast, he said if I wanted to take a picture I would have to be a member, I said okay, it looked like a fun club.

This little poodle wanted me to be sure I got his tail, too cute!

So psychedelic!

I dream of Genie and the Major, what a great pair.

Another of my favorites was the silver future girl with her family and friends.

These two guys were just hanging out, they were taking to a ninja cowboy.

Lovely lady passing out candy from one of the stores. I had to be quick to snap her pictures 'cause of all the kids crowding in for the trick or treating.

I thought this mouse head was to cool!

And a picture of my granddaughter and daughter, My daughter dressed up later and hit the clubs, she was a circus ringleader, I babysat. and hit the sack.

 Hope you all had a fantastic Halloween and if you have costume pics, please share...