Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Vintage sewing....back when it wasn't vintage...





I just read Marji's post about the first garment she made and also Carolyn's post about some sewing that is several years old.


I think this McCall's pattern was the first thing I ever made. I made the short skirt, the long sleeve top and a scarf as well! I used a pretty groovy knit fabric as well - plain interlock I suppose as spandex was not around back in the early 70's. I still have the top (not sure what happened to the skirt and here is a picture of Ellen modelling it....

Here is a close up of the fabric (and if you check out the shoulders) and a close up of how I fixed the problem of too much fabric from shoulder to bust ...mmm...

I don't remember buying this fabric, but I do remember a very early on fabric experience. It was a red cotton with I think flowers, or it could have been abstract design, that was outlined in gold metallic paint...ahhhh...I HAD TO HAVE IT. I made the following pattern. Unfortunately I don't have any photo of the shirt.I wasn't really happy with the shirt as it was too big and the collar was too stiff - the old interfacing problems!

While I was searching through old patterns I found the following. My sister Cheryl was after one that we both made up way back when - are these what you were after sister dear?

8 comments:

Summerset said...

Wow! That's some knit fabric! Interesting how we hang on to certain things and other things just get moved out of our lives.

Marji said...

What Fun Vicki. Imagine, you've held on to that shirt all this time. What did your daughter think about it?

I'd laugh about the wedge shape dress patterns from the 80's, except that I just finally let go of mine about a month ago...

I just love looking at everyone's vintage projects. Thanks for posting these

Vicki said...

Marji, I don't think Ellen was too excited about the top - she certainly hasn't asked to wear it since!!

Yes, those 80's dresses sure have no shape. I have quite a few from that era. I made the collared one out of a nice blue wool jersey and the other one in a rust coloured unknown fabric.

Tany said...

Really nice, Vicki! I wish I had the clothes I made a few years ago... They are all boxed at my sister's garage. I must go there one of these days and try to find them!

dawn said...

How I wish I had the plaid wool skirt I made in junior high home ec. I hated sewing then!

This outfit of yours is one my 13 year old would love to wear today. Isn't that great?

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Okay this is sad but I am sure that V8833 is still in my pattern stash! Thanks for sharing your first piece with us!

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!!!
I have that (McCalls)pattern too! I made the a long sleeved top too, and I think I still have mine too! I wonder what my teenage dds would think of it. I'll have to go look for it. It's kind of scary that this pattern would be considered vintage now!!!!

Lance Ingram said...

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