Vintage Sewing Patterns!

I bought a box of 1950s-60s patterns on eBay with the plan of using one or more for my plaid dress.  Most of the patterns are 32 bust, I'm 34/36.  Several others are half sizes (petite).  I think I can alter my dress block with good results.  Hope you enjoy the pattern pron!

I can't decide whether this is "sexy date night" or flight attendant.

If I run across some winter white dupioni or suiting I might have to make it up, with 3/4 sleeves.

One of my favorite pictures, not sure it would work on me.  Maybe wool doubleknit in version 1?

I immediately saw Jacki of Modern Twist in this dress.  She wears vintage so well!

I like view B for myself.

I don't normally like the angled darts of the 60s but I might try this dress, sans bow.  Assuming I don't have trouble grading up a size.

The lone 40s pattern of the bunch, with nice button detail down the front.

I'm not sure what I think of this pattern.  The a-line skirt is nice...

I really like the tie neckline, though the skirt looks too full for my everyday wear.  Bearing in mind that I almost always wear jeans ;)

Simple, straight fit, kimono sleeves, though how flattering is it on women without giraffe necks?

Love these pleats!  Plus the pattern is proportioned, so theoretically I wouldn't have to fuss with the bodice length (I'm 5'8").

(Am I the only one picturing an infinite line of ever-smaller women?)

I'm considering using this bodice pattern and the pleated skirt above for the plaid dress.  Especially if I can match the bodice darts with the skirt pleats.

I have four Mail Order patterns now and really like their flattering lines and architectural feel.

And a couple later patterns that I found at Goodwill.  I can see myself wearing these...if I ever get the time and energy to make them!

Women, Crafts and Building

So often I read sewers and other hobbyists write about how their wonderful husband built their sewing area.  Why aren't we at least helping, if not doing this ourselves?!?  Or does post feminism mean that we're back in the bad old days?  I can't be alone in this feeling...

Locked Up

Last night I was out walking with a friend when we saw that Volunteer Park's Water Tower was open.  There was another group up top so it seemed safe to venture in.  We climbed the spiral stairs, looked at the amazing nighttime view, then came down.  That's when we noticed the door was locked--cast iron doors with a heavy chain and two large padlocks .  Well, surely the second door was still open, right?  Nope.  Park security had locked us in!

Thankfully we both had cell phones.  After trying the park security line, with no success, my friend dialed 911.  We waited about 15 minutes, enough time to take some pictures and be very glad we weren't stuck for  the night.  Then the police let us out.  They were quite nice, too.  Thank You SPD!!!

Oops

The bad couch is gone!  Nice mover guys came and took it away this afternoon.  As they took it out I realized that the couch I wanted would never have fit into my living room.  Ameer Radwan at Couch neglected to mention that the frame he ordered flares out at the back--a lot!  At least 9" from seat to upper back!  A straight backed couch, like the one I had, would have fit fine.

So now I'm going to experiment.  I shall take my upholstered chair, masking tape a large piece of cardboard to the back to replicate the desired height, and see whether it fits through my truncated hallway.  I love doing this kind of thing.  Before I moved in here I measured everything, graphed it out to scale, used scale furniture models from a previous move, and decided on furniture placement.  Worked out great!

Understanding

Women wearing Abaya and Niqab

I saw a woman from the bus the other day wearing an abaya and niqab.  I felt very conflicted.  I want everyone to be able to dress as they wish.  My (very Western) feeling about Muslim body coverings is that often they're not a choice and that upsets me.  The idea that there's something sinful about women's bodies is one I find abhorrent.

Cultural law and expectations vary greatly in the Muslim world.  "According to Saudi Arabia's Shariah law, women's clothing should meet the following conditions:

• Women must cover their entire body, but they are allowed to expose one or both eyes in necessity.
• Women should wear abaya and niqāb thick enough to conceal what is underneath, and the abaya should be loose-fitting.
• Women should not wear brightly coloured clothes or clothes that are adorned so that they may attract men's attention." [Wiki Niqab page]

Whereas in Syria, women are barred from teaching and university while wearing the niqab.

While ruminating on this I read about The Understanding Project.  I'm so happy to find people doing something about a problem rather than just decrying it.

After all, isn't the point that we're all people no matter what we look like, or how we dress?  I feel quite chastened.