Sew for Victory: Simplicity 3688 (1941 repro)

The second part of my Sew For Victory project, was a pair of trousers.  Although it IS possible to find vintage patterns for trousers, they are a pain in the backside because they tend to be the smaller sizes and I end up having to re-size them.  I do own a couple though, but this is my favourite trouser pattern.

 

I'm not the only one to make them.  Tasha has made them and so has Frances and yes, so has Debi.  And there are several participants in the Sew For Victory challenge who have made them too :)

My 1941 trousers and 1943 blouse.

Here are my completed trousers, with the already finished blouse.  So... I cropped the pictures.  I am pulling the most awful faces in them ALL (except the back view LOL) and I am not sure why. 
I have the slightest suspicion I have not quite gotten the lining quite right at the bottom of the legs.  Try as I might, I can't quite get them to sit right there.  I don't care though, because they are THE most comfortable trousers I have ever owned. 

Back view.

This silk blend tweed is a beautiful fabric I found in the Joann Fabrics' red tag 1/2 price sale, some time before Christmas.  There was just enough to make these trousers, with a very little left over.  I fell in love with it, and bought the last of the bolt.  But, being a woven pattern, it has the tendency to fray.

Nubby silk-blend, herringbone tweed.

So I used my new sewing machine to overcast the edges.  Oh my goodness, did that take forever or what?!  But, overcasting is one of the new things I can now do!

My new embroidery machine.  Expect to see more about that soon.

It is a very cool machine.  I can use it to embroider and more, and actually used it earlier today to make some curtains for the kitchen- with some special decorative elements.  More on those in another post though!

Please excuse this night-time photo.  You can see the lovely lining though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I fully lined the trousers, because the tweed is a little scratchy.  I can't remember if the blend had wool in it or not, I forgot to re-read the bolt tags before it was thrown out.  I lined it with a soft and silky Bemberg rayon.  They are the most comfortable trousers EVER!

Another night-time photo.  Because I cannot photograph these while wearing them.

The buttons are rather lovely aren't they?  I found those, yesterday, in an antique shop.  Four of them for 59 cents.

Side view.

There is a lot of back story to these.  First I had to redo my side opening- because I put it on the wrong side initially.  I was originally going to leave it there, but I knew it would really bother me.  The fastening on these trousers is a point that really bothers me.  For some reason, every time I make these, the zip does not come up far enough.  Which means there is a slight gap between the zip top and the button flap.  The other pair I made was the same way.  Which means I need to remember to ignore the notch on the side and sew a little higher!  The issue for me, has been that it tells you to sew the zip to the trousers an inch below the waistband.  Next time, I shall ignore this!
Adjustments:  I am just tall enough I need to make several adjustments to these.  1.  I added an inch to the leg length.  I have real problems with leg length- my legs are long enough that regular length never is quite long enough for me, but the tall sizes are always TOO long!
2.  I also added an inch to the upper area of the trousers- above the crotch.  I apparently also have a long torso compared to the ladies of the 40s.
3.  I lined them.  I also had to French seam the lining, which made the zipper opening even more trouble- but that is my own fault for not planning ahead!

The pattern is a great pattern though, with the exception of the zipper area, I have found it to be a trouble free pattern- highly recommended for anyone wanting to start out with trousers!

Anyway, there are my Sew For Victory clothes, completed.  I might have a few more things made by the end of the month (my sewing queue is getting long) but we'll see!

Sew for Victory: Simplicity 4864 (1943)

So I pretty much finished my 1940s blouse.  It still needs a pair of shoulder pads put in, and a GOOD photo of it in bright light.  Sorry, you are going to have to deal with my instagram and washed out photos (because it is WAAAAY too cold to go out and try again!).

Here is the front.  With a 22*F windchill I am shivering!  My hair is up in a snood I made because I got tired of it blowing in my face the FIRST time I tried to get photos.
Those are my wearable muslin version of the trouser pattern I will be making next.  As you see- another blue piece of clothing :)

The trousers are actually very slimming.  You can see here from the most unflattering side view, how my mother physique is rendered less apple-like ;)    The wind is blowing, so things are not exactly placed as I prefer!

 

At this point I am too cold to really care!

I tried a new technique I read about yesterday, in the newest issue of Threads Magazine.  Covered snap fasteners.  And a locking stitch to sew them in place.  I haven't had a chance to really see how well it will hole up though.

 

I managed to find the perfect buttons first try!  These orange buttons matched the fabric scrap I took with me, and I knew they were winners!  I was also fairly pleased with the way the bow turned out, although it took a few tries.

 

Here you can see it in my instagram photo - NOT set in place though.

 

Simplicity 5385

Normally I am not a fan of patterns from the 1960s.  Oh don't get me wrong, I think many of the 60s fashions are beautiful, but I prefer those from the late 30s through the 50s, much more my thing.
So when I found some vintage patterns in an antique shop for $1 a piece, I wasn't about to turn down the patterns even though they were not all from my favourite eras.

And this was one of the patterns I found.

Simplicity 5385- from 1964.  The notation says "This skirt really fits".

I found the annotation on the envelope especially fun :)  The pattern is from 1964, and features a shift tunic/dress and an a-line WRAP skirt.  Yes, a wrap skirt.  It immediately went on my 'to-make' list.

It is a fairly quick make.  It is a two-piece pattern, seamed down the front.  Two large patch pockets are placed on the front, and the skirt is fastened with a snap and ties that come round and are tied in the front.

The back of Simplicity 5385

You can see the fun design, here, on the back of the pattern envelope. 

So, when I decided to make it, I chose a poly-cotton blend, twill, bottom-weight fabric.  I wanted it to be sturdy and casual, and this seemed like a good choice.  I finished it last week, just before starting my Sew For Victory Challenge!

The front of my skirt.

The added advantage of a heavier weight fabric, is that it helped it to maintain it's a-line shape, which is always nice.  Please excuse the awkward pose, it was pretty cold out ;)  And please excuse the wrinkles, I had already sat down in the skirt.

And the back.  I find this one rather flattering!

The back allows you to see the 'wrap' of the skirt.  I *did* learn a few things with this. 
1.  When making a back wrap skirt, you need to make sure the fastener at the waist is far enough over that the skirt won't flash people as you walk along.  A petticoat is also a good idea ;)
2.  Watch the scissors.  They will manage to mysteriously cut a hole in your skirt if you don't watch.
3.  When enlarging the pattern, you might like to add length to the wrap ends to prevent the fastener placement being as much of an issue ;)

The large pockets are also awesome.  Not that I have used them for much except putting my hands in and for holding the fabric for my 1940's blouse when I went to choose buttons (more on that later... I'm almost finished!).
Yes, you'll have noticed that I once again chose blue, which is one of my staple wardrobe colours - it goes with a lot!
You can find a great post about vintage wrap skirt patterns at the Midvale Cottage Post.  I love the linings in the skirts featured, and would definitely consider making this one again, only with a lining!

Back soon with an update to my sew for victory challenge!

Sew for Victory

Well, Happy New Year, Happy Valentines Day and more to you.  Yes, it has been a while since I got a post up.  Much of January was spent with the family being ill, the rest was just a trying time of getting back into the rhythm of life!
I have some great things I want to share with you, but as always, some of those will just have to wait until I can manage to get a good photo during the day.

First and foremost, though, is a sewing challenge hosted by the fabulous Rochelle of Lucky Lucille.

Yes.  A vintage themed sew along!  All those participating will sew a 1940's/1940's inspired pattern.  You can go see all the details here, along with a fun video featuring Rochelle's really cute dog Lucille :)

What am I making?  I shall be sewing some more trousers from the Simplicity 3688 reproduction pattern.  No biggie, I have made them before, along with lots of adjustments, so I am saving them for last.

They are very flattering and comfortable to wear, and my wearable muslin (toile) has seen a LOT of wear.  Tasha at By Gum By Golly made a fantastic pair just a couple of weeks ago, for Debi's Sew Grateful week (this is the final post, you should definitely look at the rest).  You have to check both of those out if you haven't already!

I shall also be making this lovely blouse... view 3.  That would be the bow blouse on the far right.  I purchased this pattern for the bow blouse and the scalloped blouse, so I am excited to start sewing on it.  In fact, I started today, so maybe post later with the fabric and more.

On an artistic note, I found something fascinating the other day, pertaining specifically to the illustrations on these patterns.  I hope to post more on that later!
In the meantime, follow along with the other sewists on Flickr, and perhaps I might get my instagram groove on later!

A Williamsburg Christmas: Part 2

So, back to the Williamsburg decorations.  Where possible, I have tried to put what was in the wreath.  I am sure I have missed something somewhere.  I hope you enjoy the exploration of Williamsburg.

 Maybe decorate just one side of a wreath.

 This is the wigmaker's house.  I think that wreath might have 'hair' on it!

Flower in the corner from dried leaves and a shell.  Plain wreath.

 Dried flower header with locust pods.

 A rope wreath with flowers and greenery.

 Twine wrapped header with dried stuff.  That's technical jargon, that is ;)

 Cotton, dried flowers and seed pods.

 A simple bunch of dried flowers and grasses, wrapped in cloth.

 I love how this one looks like there is a sheep in the middle of it!  Looking closer, you can see it is actually a 'nest' of grasses and flowers, with a cotton and feather chicken sitting on eggs :)  Clever, huh?

 Shells.

 Dried flowers.

 Seedpods, flowers, cotton and grasses.

 Window decor with dried oranges and dried herbs.

 Corner decoration... dried flowers and dried peppers.

 Orange clusters, evenly spaced.

 Dried herbs, seed pods, arranged in a diamond pattern.

A pinecone with moss, dried herbs, sweetgum pods, dried oranges and cinnamon sticks.  It is a marvellously clever window decoration.

Dried flowers.

Really great garland consisting of dried fruit.

Shells, dried fruit and dried flowers.  Sprays of wheat around the outside.

 I had a model for this one :)  The garland is a spectacular creation of flowers.  Chrysanthemums I think.

Paper birds and hearts, and a couple of playing cards.

 We interrupt this broadcast to take a look at the kids modelling knits.  And showing their true colours ;)

 Dried herbs and flowers, with a spray of feathers!

 A prizewinner with wheat and corn.

 The wreath and the window decorations match rather well.

Grapevine wreath with seedpods.

Dried fruit in the center, surrounded by wheat around it.

I love these corner displays on the roping.  I wonder how they hold them on?

 Dried fruits and seedpods.  And docent ;)

Altogether, you can see my model and a house with wreath, header and window decorations.

A nice pineapple with oranges surrounding it.  And a wreath of greenery and berry sprays.

A very simple window decoration- fir branches with an apple in the centre.

This wreath is pretty amazing when you look closer.  Dried flowers, seed pods and the like.  The header matches and also has a couple of wooden spoons.

I have always loved the steps on this building.

This wreath is a prize winner.  There are playing cards cut to look like flowers on this one.  And a pixie who is modelling her brand new (knit by me) pixie hat.

 Another pretty header.  You'll notice my light is fading fast at this point!

 Even the taverns decorate.  Shells, dried flowers and ale cups dominate this one.

 The town hall gets in on the act too.

This is a wreath with osage orange fruit on it- they are the giant balls that look like brains ;)

This wreath is at the milliners- a dried grapevine with dried flowers in a most unique display.

This picture is one that annoys me terribly.  A couple of people just stood there in my way, and did not want to move AT ALL.  So my photo is really blurry, which is a real shame as this spray is one of the more spectacular.

The Governor's Palace, even at a distance, is always spectacular.

My favourite house in Williamsburg- it is tiny!  It has fruit on the wreath, which is far harder to see now.
These two photos are a little blurry, sorry.  Light was fading fast!

 Fruit... I think the top left orange is mouldy- so even the ones there suffer ;)

Even the stores in Williamsburg get in on the act- this is window in Barnes and Noble!