Simplicity 6435 Review ,First Time with Plaid!

This spring I really lucked out, I got a big box of patterns at Goodwill. Though listed 1$ each I got the whole box for a dollar! One of my favorites was this:

 

A 1960's simplicity 6435 pattern. I love it! Its very "Oxford Chic". I sort of feel like a privileged English student in it. I got some fabric on sale, but I was a little worried because I had never used plaid before. But when the concept was explained to me I found it was a lot easier than I had expected. Though I not say I would love working with it again. I was so afraid of it not matching up right. But with a lot of careful patience, I managed to make it match up quite well. 

What I did was found a stripe on the fabric(a white one)  and set my seam allowance on it. I made sure my centers were even. and I matched up the bottoms so they ended at the right part of the fabric. I used a rotary mat and it was very helpful for measuring everything up right. I won't go to in depth because it would be confusing without pictures.Speaking of pictures I tried to have my brother take him. Big mistake! I found all the pictures were taken at unflattering angles, as well as unflattering closeups of my butt and face. So I seem a little ticked off in the pictures because I am. Hahaha(well it does sort of go with the look doesn't it?)

REVIEW

Pattern Description:
Dress with high round neckline, collar and back zipper. Has simulated front button closing, purchased belt, top-stitching and an A-line skirt. Roll up set in sleeves.
Pattern Sizing:
 Vintage sizing 10, 31 bust
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Exactly, probably one of the closest I have seen with a vintage pattern.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes they were very easy
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved this pattern but it was a little old that it sort if disintegrated while I was using it. I liked that it had different options, no sleeves, pin tucks. Sleeves were a nice size as well.
Fabric Used:
A gray, blue, and black plaid. I can't remember the exact fabric but I will go out on a limb and its probably some sort of cotton wool blend.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None, but I sort of wish I had increased the bust a little(which is something I would never think I would have to do in a million years!, in fact the pulling at the bust makes me a little happy heehee)
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would absolutely sew it again! I'm actually thinking of making the version with the pin tucks.
Conclusion:
If you see this at a thrift store, Etsy, ext I would pick it up immediately before it gets snatched up! I feel it is a very versatile garment. I can wear it pretty much everywhere. Its such a classic style to that it can be made again, and again especially with the variations it offers.

The only good picture he took!

 Side

Details

So what do you think? Oh and one tip! If you have smaller natural waist line, try getting belts in the little girls sections. They are only 5 dollars usually(much cheaper than adult belts) I have found they are great since many of my vintage patterns call for belts.

Antique Photo Maker and Poladroid

In my last post I was looking through my photos and thought it would be cool if they had "vintage feel".  So I looked into some photomaker/enhancers. The first I used was Poladroid, at first I was a little afraid to use it(I never like to download free ware) but it is safe, albeit a little foreign but their misspellings can be funny.
The program is really cute. A little Polaroid camera pops up. Some may not like this, but you do have to wait
for the photos to "Develop". I thought this added to the fun of it, but to those who are impatient it may not like it.To add to the authenticity of the experience, you never know how each photo will come out, Just like a real Polaroid!Sometimes they are light, sometimes dark, green cast, blue cast, brown cast, ext. I like this, but I wish that perhaps you could control which one you would get(but I suppose that would take away from the "fun" of its spontaneity.)
Here's a picture of it on my desktop:

I like this its like a 70's model Polaroid

 Another I really like is the Bakumatsu Koshashin Generator. It makes your photos look "100 years old" Whats nice about this one is that you don't have to download anything.
http://labs.wanokoto.jp/olds

Why it make my lips so scary big?

I have the snooty look in this one lol

Ghostly...lol

The best thing about these 2 sites is that they are FREE!:D
I really wish I could get a polaroid camera, but since they stopped making the film it is riculously expensive for a pack of 10 photos...like 100$:( I guess Poladroid is a good alternative, I bet they would make alot of money if they allowed users the options to print them out.

Simplicity Pattern 3673 Review

This is probably one of my most favorite patterns of all time...It's so fabulous...

Review

Edit:
I forgot, I did not do the hem by machine because the fabric was heavy, I carefully hand stitched so it wouldn't be lumping, or have big lines. I also noticed that if I used the steam iron on to high a setting, the fabric would discolor a little and the seam would make an impression onto the outside of the garment. So I would use a lower heat if you use the same fabric as me.
Pattern Description:
1950's reproduction pattern, lots of darts, fitted, long, empire waisted
Pattern Sizing:
size 8
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes,exactly
Were the instructions easy to follow?
yes, but could be vague at times.Also I believe it did not say to under stitch the lining but it is very important you do so, especially if using a thick fabric like I did.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved this pattern! It was so awesome and fitted. Not to retro that its costume, I always get tons of compliments when I wear it.
Fabric Used:
Faux Suede, and I didn't have any problems with it what so ever.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
none
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would sew it again, 100 times again! Its awesome! I don't recommend it for beginners because there is lining and lots of darts.
Conclusion:
Awesome pattern, but some construction details might be difficult for those just starting out.
Now for the fun part! Pictures!

Bow before my beautiful darts Muahaha! Joking aside this has probably been the best I've done with darts ever.

the back, different color because of flash

I look stupid faced in this one, but in case you wanted to see it from the side(or my shoes lol)

Bye! Until next time!

Golden Age of Couture Show

I'm finally getting around to blogging about my Frist Experience. I got to go in a group with the all famous Gertie of http://www.blogforbettersewing.com . She is pretty much what all blogger aspire to be, lots of comments, a book deal ext. It was really cool meeting her, I didn't really talk to her at all(she did like my dress though!). While she is pretty on her blog, she is absolutely beautiful in person, she seriously needs to get a new camera her pictures don't do her justice.

People even took pictures of us, the only one I could find I stole from her blog.(sorry Gertie). I always end up getting smooshed into the back of pictures. I'm the tallest blonde girl on the left.
It was a really cool exhibit, it was the only stop in America for the show. We had our own personalized tour, which was nice. The only thing not so nice is a whole girls school trip went and it was super crowded. Also some people leeched onto our tour, that were not supposed to be there. This reallly annoyed me. Now pictures were allowed of the exhibits, but the odd thing is there was no book to buy with the garments. There was a book but not alot of pictures were in it, so I didn't get it.

This was one of the dresses they talked about. Basically the beading was done like this so that across the room the neckline would look scandalously low. They also talked alot about the whole Britain v Paris war. Basically the construction, was meticulous on the British side and they utilized fabric well, but the Parisians could use as much fabric as they wanted so there dresses were prettier.
Here were too contrasting examples from the show:

 

Though the black dress looks simple, it really isn't. All the pieces of dress when spread out look like a flower. It has just a hint of bling on the shoulders. The cream dress is simple, but months were put in to do all the hand beaded embroidery. A single strip of plain fabric was added to the neckline, to give the eyes a break from all the beadwork. 

The Frist museum itself is also really cool. I've seen other exhibits there before, but never new the history behind the museum. The interior is all art deco(as mandated by the government oddly enough), it would be an awesome place for a 1920's photoshoot!

Fashion Forecasting

One of my few talents is that I have a knack for fashion forecasting. I predicted Rompers, and Highwaisted jeans as fads and do you know what the next one is going to be? Lederhose/suspender style skirts like the girl on the bottom left.

Im sensing embroidery too.  That and I REALLY want this pattern, it's just to cute for words. It doesn't look very complicated maybe I'll make one myself from scratch. ^_^ Oh and I'm SUUPPEERR exited about sunday, I get to go to the Frist Golden Age of Couture exhibit. Apparently it's only going to be in Nashville, no well else in the country to lots of people are coming. One person in particular is Gertie, a famous sewing blogger, my friend emailed her cause they're getting a group together and I get to tag along!!! So Happyy!
Heres a link to the exhibit
http://www.fristcenter.org/site/exhibitions/exhibitiondetail.aspx?cid=795
and if you dig around theres a free vintage dress pattern!
Oh wait you don't have to! Here it is!
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1486_couture/create.php
This is the dress

I think might make it....

B5032 Pattern Review

ing

Well I just finished writing my first review. I actually finished this along time ago but It's the only thing I have pictures of at the moment : ) I must admit I don't really like it that much.

Here's the Pattern isn't it so classy? I sewed the dress to but i didn't like it so much...

 Here's the beginning, see my purple lining?

~in progress picture~
ALL DONE TA DA

The fabric is linen, I got it at Joann's and I really enjoyed working with it. And that button was awful working with because I realized my vintage machine's button holer didn't work. So I had to make the button hole BY HAND!!!!
              
REVIEW~

Pattern Description:
A capelet with collar, darts, single button in front
Pattern Sizing:
size 8
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Exactly
Were the instructions easy to follow?
yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the pattern, it seemed a little sparse in the directions though.
Fabric Used:
Linen, purple lining
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I dont think it said to understitch the lining, but I did it any way because it looks a lot nicer, it was difficult to understitich though.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
No, though it came out nicely I realized a capelet is not something I'm ever going to wear.

here is link to pattern review 
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=53223
Thanks for reading! Please Comment!