pattern junkie

In Which the Pattern Junkie, Having Posted a Vitriolic Screed, Confesses Her Hypocrisy

2009-12-11T15:50:22-08:00

After yesterday's post, I have to come clean. I bought this bracelet from an etsy seller about a year and a half ago:

Ahem.

Well. SOMEONE was going to wear it, right? The pattern had already been destroyed, after all. Better that someone who loves sewing buy it than -- I mean, I've always meant to do an interview with the seller for the blog, but I've been terrified to ask the "where do you get your patterns?" question, and -- my intentions were noble, really -- I was honoring my love of sewing --

I feel shame.

In Which The Pattern Junkie Seeks a Fainting Couch, Having Suffered a Nervous Collapse

2009-12-10T18:59:27-08:00

One day you're happily traversing the web, looking at eco-friendly craft projects, when you stumble upon THIS:

Sewing patterns as WRAPPING PAPER? Vintage envelopes torn asunder and fashioned into GIFT TAGS?! All to end up mixed in with bows, Scotch tape and half-eaten candies in a big black plastic trash bag come Christmas Day?

Granted, the author of the article specifies that she uses incomplete patterns that would otherwise never make it to the thrift store shelf. But my obsessive side needs to know: did they get cataloged in the Vintage Sewing Patterns Wiki first? Did no one think of sending them to Pattern Rescue? Look at the great sleeve ruffles on the blouse on the left! I need to see those!

Heart in my throat, I clicked on a link to another article, which provided EIGHT more crafty ways to use sewing patterns. Horror of horrors! It didn't advise crafters to use incomplete patterns! My mind reeled, imagining the treasures that had fallen victim to hot glue guns and pipe cleaners.

It's not that I'm against being green. Here at Pattern Junkie Headquarters I have an extremely eco-friendly approach to vintage sewing patterns, based on the classic guidelines of "Reduce, Recycle & Reuse:"

1) REDUCE the number of sewing patterns on the market by buying them by the boxload on eBay

2) RECYCLE a small percentage via actual sewing or via selling in my etsy shop (proceeds which are used to fund activity #1)

3) REUSE them by storing them and dreaming over them, occasionally mounting a snarling defense when Mr. Pattern Junkie suggests that "maybe we could get rid of this junk."

I'm a big fan of creativity and re-use, and have to admit that these projects are clever. It's better than sending them to the landfill (though you could stop by my house on the way to the landfill. I'm just saying.) There's also a good argument to be made that it's better to use these old patterns in creative ways instead of just letting them sit in a garage or attic somewhere. Isn't it better for them to see the light of day as a bookmark than sit in a box for years?

I say no. For me, vintage sewing patterns don't need to be anything than what they are. I know I'll never make all of the hundreds I own. I'm fine with that. A reader once wrote to me that she loved patterns because they allowed her to imagine different "selves" for herself, and that's true for me, too. I suppose all fashion does this, but I find it to be more visceral with patterns. I go through my collection, matching pattern and fabric. Will I evoke mod London in a dandy-style coat and dress, or 50s Paris in a "Vogue Paris Original" pattern? Even the instructions fascinate me: the changes in technique, the new things I can learn by scanning those pages.

So I'll say it loud and proud: KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY SEWING PATTERNS!

McCall's: Destroying Your Child's Precious Self-Esteem, Pattern by Pattern

2009-12-09T19:09:35-08:00

Let's take a closer peek at the symbol and writing in the upper right-hand corner, shall we?

And I thought the Husky boys had it bad.

Pattern Junkie on the case...The Bishop Method

2009-12-08T15:15:18-08:00

Today I was in the process of listing this Advance pattern in my shop when I noticed the writing on the bottom right-hand corner:

"This pattern features The Bishop Method of clothing construction." Curious to know more about the Bishop Method, I pulled out the instructions. No help there -- it's one of those amazingly efficient one-sheet instruction pages that you so often find in older patterns.

A little more poking around revealed this pattern on etsy, which offered a teensy bit of info on the mysterious Method of Bishop:

The Bishop Method, apparently, features fitting with "Key Grain Lines." Hmm. Well, I DO agree that grain lines are important. In fact, the first rule of sewing that my mother drilled into my head was the importance of aligning the grain before cutting out the pattern. (The second was "Never trust Simplicity patterns," which may not be quite as universal a rule.)

Further googling revealed copies of "The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction" by Edna Bryte Bishop available on etsy and Amazon. Never one to turn down an excuse to buy a vintage sewing book, I ordered one -- hopefully I'll be able to report back soon. Anyone out there know more about Advance's Bishop Method?

TEACHES GIRLS TO SEW

2009-12-07T11:10:19-08:00

Reader Margie sent in this fantastic sign that she found in a box of patterns (dated from the 40s to the 70s) that she was given at an auction. (Note to self: attend more auctions!)

I have to say I nearly spit coffee through my nose when I first saw it. I love how the VALUABLE PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION offered by Presson Patterns is much more important than any frivolous entertainment they might provide. There will be NO GUESSWORK and NO MISTAKES! The poor little zombie girl with the doomed expression seems to be marching off to another miserable lesson now. She'd probably much rather be playing with the mechanical construction toys, but gender roles aren't to be defied...

Fear The Plant

2009-12-04T10:41:28-08:00

Yellow: Tulips! How pretty! What a sweet way to welcome us to the neighbor--

Blue: Here. Take them.

Red: Everyone in the neighborhood has them.

Yellow: It's uncanny how they match my dress. They're the exact same shade -- wait. Did you embroider them on your pocket?

Red: What? No. We haven't been watching you.

Yellow: Excuse me?

Blue: Please please take them. They're hurting me.

Yellow: Why won't either of you make eye contact with me?

Blue: They make me...do things.

Red: We all love tulips!

Blue: And so...will you.

Giving Thanks!

2009-12-01T17:36:21-08:00

First of all, a big thank you to all of you and your lovely comments about Goblin. It really does help knowing that there are others that are out there that understand the pain of losing a pet. I'm new to this whole blogging business, and it's hard to know how personal to get online. I'm a private person in many ways -- which is perhaps antithetical to blogging itself, as some of the most engaging blogs I read are ones that do get personal. I hesitated mightily before sharing, but in the end felt it was more honest than putting up posts my heart wasn't in or just going silent. Again, thank you.

Another reason to give thanks: the fabulously talented Sarai has added to her line at Colette Patterns! Check out the Rooibos and Oolong dresses:

One of the things I love about Colette Patterns are all the little details: the piping and little turn at the neckline on the Rooibos, for example. I feel they're one of the few companies that really give an option to the "big four" designs. And the booklets the patterns come in are gorgeous...

I'm restraining myself from buying any of the new Colette patterns until I sew up the two I have. Unfortunately, I tend to do a lot more thinking and reading about sewing than actual sewing, for which I blame the sewing blogs of the world. One of the many I love (and I bet most of you know about) is Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing, which has become the daily accompaniment to my morning coffee. Gertie was kind enough to post my question, "What is plus size, anyway?" and I found the resulting conversation to be fascinating and thought-provoking. I'll be doing my own post on the ever-changing pattern size chart soon. Another fun distraction and recent find is The Selfish Seamstress, who sounds like the sharp-tongued best friend you want at your side when anyone rude crosses your path. Her Selfish Seamstress Haikus are not only awesome, they're available on mugs. My Christmas list has just grown longer.

Returning Soon...

2009-11-21T08:42:32-08:00

Sorry for my week-long disappearance from blogland. As I'm trying to post regularly now, I feel like I owe my little circle of pattern-loving readers an explanation. Last Friday, my husband and I awoke to find our dog having seizures and took her to the emergency clinic. To make a long story short, she's no longer with us. While she had been sick, we hadn't expected the end to come so soon or in such an ugly manner.

It's been a tough week. I'm used to having that sweet furry lump lying on the couch next to me as I write, and sitting down to do my job -- much less blog -- has been hard. It was only three and a half years ago that we brought her home from the L.A. East Valley Shelter, a scared thing who had to be coaxed into the house...but soon enough she appointed herself Queen of All Couches, appropriating the softest spot in every room for herself. She was with us for far too short a time.

I'll be back after Thanksgiving. WIshing all of you a lovely holiday!

Party dresses for my alter egos

2009-11-12T19:02:11-08:00

I guess I've been looking for outside motivation to help me get to the sewing machine lately, because I seem to have gone a little competition-mad. First I signed up for Pattern Review's Wardrobe Contest (10 coordinating pieces in 2 and a half months), then I jumped on the Wardrobe Refashion bandwagon.

Now Sew Retro has to go and complicate things by announcing their November Party Time Competition. I won't sign up (repeat to self: "I won't sign up, I won't sign up") because A) I don't think I'll finish the PR contest, as I've only done 2 garments and am in the midst of a big work project and B) I live in Southern California, where wearing anything more formal than lounge pants and flip flops is viewed with suspicion. I jest -- a little -- but the truth is, I won't be needing loads of flirty dresses for the upcoming party season.

Still, it's fun to imagine a life that demands a whole fleet of party dresses. Here are the dresses -- and by extension, the alter egos -- I'm wanting right now:

Mmm. Here I'm an absolutely fabulous upper crust fashionista with a dash of bohemian flair. It's New York in the late 1960s, and I'm dashing across a Central Park West drawing room to deliver a scathing bon mot to Andy Warhol. Nico and Twiggy may have shorter dresses, but they don't have my wit.

I've had this pattern in my collection for a long time, and I really want to make it -- although it falls squarely into the category of patterns I should avoid at all costs. I look best in things that emphasize my waist. Flowy mod 60s-era dresses designed for Twiggy silhouettes generally make me look like a block of cheese. Witty bon mots generally aren't enough to set off that look.

My next contender would be this one, Vogue 1116:

If I'm Red there, I'm hosting one awesome mid-70s party for the block. So confident, so assured! I've whipped up 300 canapes from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook and styled my hair perfectly, despite having misplaced one of my feet. Plus, I'm wearing an actual "hostess dress," a concept in dressing that should definitely make a comeback. (If I'm Blue? Then I'm in a fern bar, about to give a no-good man a piece of my mind.)

I've had Vogue 1116 for a while and will make it one of these days -- it looks like a blast to wear. The only thing that scares me? That's gotta be one monster hem.

Here's another fantasy party dress, Vogue 1227, found on the Vintage Pattern Wiki:

Clearly I'm an international superspy, perhaps even James Bond's nemesis. It's a cocktail party in Monaco, and this slinky little number doesn't have a hiding place for guns and secret documents -- that's what my poufy hair and chignon are for, silly goose.

Finally, here's a pattern from my etsy shop, McCall's 9619:

This pattern fascinates me: it's from 1953, and so different from the big skirted dresses we associate with that time. Toreador pants, a cummerbund, a ruffled blouse -- what party demands this outfit? If I'm wearing this, I must be in Pamplona at the running of the bulls -- although with that wasp waist, I'm certainly not eating anything.

What are your fantasy party dresses?

363 Days Until Next Halloween!

2009-11-02T16:36:20-08:00

Another Halloween. We've almost finished off the candy 'round these parts, though I'm still trying to figure out how to get the fake bloodstains off of my arms and legs. Don't mind me while I scrub...just take a look at these truly beautiful and cool costume patterns I found while gathering examples for Costume Countdown week. After all, it's never too early to start thinking about next Halloween:

Remember when I claimed all clown costumes were scary? DuBarry 1040B proves me wrong. If I could look this smashing, I'd dress in a clown costume every day.

There's a Spanish dancer/Carmen Miranda hidden in me somewhere, because I love this pattern in Hey Chica's etsy shop. It's sized for girls, sadly -- but oh, those ruffles! I love how the tiny bolero balances out the full skirt. The triple bow action -- one for the waist, one for the bust, one for the head -- is fun, too.

See? My Spanish dancer fantasy continues with Hollywood 1426. I adore the red skirt with the asymmetrical hem. Of course, the hat with veil, fan and rose in mouth just drive it home.

I think the illustration for Butterick 4695 from Selvedge Shop is absolutely amazing! It's child's play to make a man in a devil's costume look suave, but to pull if off for a guy in a footed penguin suit complete with bill visor and literal "wingtips" that restrict all hand movement? Genius! In fact, I suspect that this is an early pattern for an international superspy -- after all, one never knows when espionage might be interrupted by a Halloween night out with the kids!

Last but not least, SImplicity 8330, from runningalarm:

A spider on the head with attached web? Simply brilliant! It's a sad commentary on me that if it came down to choosing between being a Spanish dancer or Spider Webhead here, I'd probably go with the latter...