The "Costume Look" Dress

Hello again!  I have made the decision on what dress I would like to make first for my 1961 Dress Challenge.  And here it is in all it's glory:

Not a great picture.  It's actually a set with a dress and a three-quarter length sleeve jacket.  It features a fabric-covered belt and the jacket even has fabric-covered buttons.  The skirt is pleated all the way around and has black trim detail around the hem.  Oh the details!  Here is the description from the catalog:

                          The Costume Look, a brief jacket and simple dress, designed with
                          legendary Paris chic.  Handsome textured fabric of rayon enriched
                          with 5 1/2% silk.  Dress zips in back.  Hand wash separately. Shipping
                          weight 1 lb. 10oz. Misses' sizes 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.  Bamboo beige
                          with black belt and band trim...................................................$19.84

Do the math and that price comes out the about $155 today.  I just know I be able to make it for less than that :)

This is a brief post, but I just wanted to check in before I begin sourcing fabric and notions this weekend.  Thanks for reading!

Diamond Jubilee Challenge!

 I would like to make a change to the tone and direction of this blog.  I have decided to start a challenge for myself that I will be documenting on this blog.  I hope this will be very exciting and interesting!

Now onto the specifics of the project!  I have long been a collector of vintage Sears Roebuck catalogs (I own catalogs from 1945, 1957, 1959, and 1961 [pictured above]).  I usually find them on eBay or at local thrift stores and I just love looking through them!  (There is no better way, in my opinion, to study the fashion, home decor, and furniture of a year than to look through one of these catalogs. Seriously, depending on the year, a customer cracking open a Sears Roebuck catalog when it was freshly delivered could order almost anything under the sun!)

Here's a look at the Spring-Summer 1961 edition:

Men's casual shirts.

ADORABLE suits for small boys!

Shoes to die for (look at those stiletto heels)!

That modern "Big Square Look" TV!

Even pick up a pooch on credit (only 10% down).

Kenmore metal sewing machines.

I have decided to use my catalog from 1961 from this project. It's the newest (to me), the styles are suitable for warm weather, and I was simply entranced by the pages and pages of beautiful dresses, skirts, and blouses that I wish I could order for myself.  So, I've decided to challenge my sewing skills and create as many garments from this catalog as possible.  The rules are simple:  sew each garment as close as possible to the description and picture shown in the catalog.  I fully expect this to challenge my design and sewing skills, but I also hope to come out of this with a beautiful wardrobe inspired directly by 1961.

I'm excited to get going on this project!  Up next:  Planning my first garment!

Fall Wardrobe Planning

I know it feels like we've just only begun summer, but fall will quickly be upon us.  I can pretty much tell that autumn is imminent when I can't turn around without hearing something about "Back to School" :P.

In any case, I can't get thoughts of lovely fall wardrobe pieces out of my head.  And a recent trip to the fabric store and a perusal of the new Fall 2013 Catalogs left me dizzy with inspiration and itching to start planning for the fall.

McCall's 6800

First off, I think I'll want a winter coat.  I live in a part of the US that has quite brutal winters with lots and lots of snow, so a nice warm coat is important.  Plus, readers, I've got this kind of "thing" about winter coats:  I just can't get enough of them (wearing them, making them, just plain looking at them!).  McCall's 6800 caught my eye because of the "high-low" hemline and the detachable faux fur collar.  View D even includes a detachable hood.  I'm smitten, guys!  I can imagine making this coat in a thick wool coating with an interlining (for warmth) based on the technique I learned during Gertie's Lady Grey Sew-Along waaay back in 2010.

Simplicity 2154

I am hoping, also, to make Simplicity 2154 this fall.  And in the navy and white houndstooth suiting fabric I acquired at a local thrift store, I think it will look quite "1960s Stewardess" (a look I don't hate :P).  I guess I'll only know if I try it out.

Advance 9453

One of the holes in my wardrobe that I've noticed is a lack of fall/winter work-appropriate dresses.  I hope that Advance 9453 can fix this issue.  It is a fitted dress with a kick pleat that buttons down the front and has the option for short or three-quarter length sleeves.  My best guess is that it dates from the early 1960s.  The bow tie detail on the neckline caught my eye when browsing through my pattern stash.  

I may also feel the need for a few full and fluffy dresses because they're so comfortable and easy to wear at work (and of course, require a poufy crinoline, my favorite!).

Do you have any plans for fall sewing, garment or otherwise?  Please comment below!

For the Love of Presser Feet

A few years ago, in college, I wandered into the school bookstore looking to soothe myself after a tough exam with the purchase of a good book.  Naturally I headed straight for the sewing books and picked up one entitled The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook by Charlene Phillips (available for purchase here or at your local bookstore).  So many pictures of vintage-y, sew-y things! I just had to have it.  It's so pretty.

Well, the pretty met the practical when I recently acquired a bunch of mystery presser feet for my 1971 Singer Fashion Mate 257.  I ran right for the Handbook and discovered a whole wide world of things my sewing machine can do for me.  It's pretty incredible!  There are presser feet that can shirr for you, hem for you, or even understitch with ease.  Allow me to share my favorites with you (all of this information comes from Charlene's book and my own experience).

The more-than-a-little-intimidating Binder is used to quickly and easily attach bias strips (or purchased bias tape) to the edge of your fabric.  To use it, gently feed the end of your bias strip into the front of the Binder and the shape of the metal "scroll" will manipulate and fold the long edges.  Then, slide the edge of your fabric between the folded ends of the bias strip and sew!  Personally, I don't find myself binding much, but I can see how this could be useful.  Plus it looks really cool!

My other favorite new presser foot to use is the Ruffler.  As you might have guessed, you use this presser foot to create ruffle or gathers and sew over them at the same time.  The screw on top is used to adjust the spacing and size of your ruffles.  Just feed your fabric through and start a-rufflin'.  And, guys, it's pretty amazing just how fast this thing ruffles.  With a little experimenting, you may never have to gather the old-fashioned way again.

A couple other favorites:

The Tucker

The Adjustable Hemmer

The Braiding Foot

The Roller Foot

Do you have a favorite special presser foot?  Comment below!