pattern junkie

I Am Not-So-Secretly Judging You

I love how the women in Butterick 5564 appear to be mocking, well, ME:

GRAY: She's looking at us again.

YELLOW: She's looking at ME.  This color is fabulous.

GRAY: No.  She's entranced by my contrast collar and cuffs.  (stifled laugh)  Look at her.

YELLOW:  I know!  What is that thing she's wearing?  I believe that's a knit...pants and shirt? 

GRAY:  She needs a girdle.  And a longline bra.  Let's not even get into the fact that she's not wearing makeup and that her hair, it's...

YELLOW:  Pulled back in a ponytail.

GRAY: She's still staring.

YELLOW: She's actually contemplating our dresses.  As if the fact that the pattern is in her bust size means she could pull it off!

GRAY: Ha!  A gathered hip yoke.  Dream on, sister!

Little Sisters Are So Easy To Fool

It is too a magic dress.  You put on one if you're going to church...

...and two if you want to be INVISIBLE.

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting

 

Katie lowered her eyes.  Why couldn't Susie just ignore the Girls in Green?  It was so embarrassing!  And she knew that nothing good ever happened when Susie said weird things like "I am quite proficient in the White Dragon style."

At the hospital later the doctors re-wired Susie's broken jaw.  Her broken spirit was beyond their reach.

Costume Countdown: Pirate Showdown

One of the things I love about collecting vintage patterns is seeing how fashions change.  Take, for example, the pirate costume.  Here's Butterick 6731, copyright 1988, again from etsy seller patternmania.   

Next up is McCall's 4952, from their current collection:

If I had to sum up pirate fashion now vs. then?  Less "Margaritaville", more "faux sinister Johnny Depp."  I know the 80s couple is trying to look sinister, but your average "Pirates of the Caribbean" extra could wipe the floor with them.  Hey, even the little girl in the McCall's photo looks like she's ready to take them on.  So, for those considering the pirate look this Halloween, Pattern Junkie HQ presents:

UPDATING YOUR PIRATE LOOK -- DOS & DON'TS

DO utilize kerchiefs and striped bloomers -- the classics are always on-trend!

DO keep hair slicked back and out of the way.  Unruly locks are easy for swashbucklers to grab!

DON'T veer too far from your basic colors of red, white and black.  You're a pirate, not a fruit stand.

DON'T wear a headband.  'Nuff said!

DO wear a skull and crossbones hat!

DON'T be afraid to show off your waist.  Corset it, ladies! 

DON'T use polka dots bigger than a dime.  You're raiding the high seas, not auditioning for the Mouseketeers.

DO lose the parrot.  No one fears a man with a bird on his shoulder.

Preparation is Everything

Nothing beats being well-prepared.  When it comes to sewing, I really have to work on that.  My space isn't organized AT ALL, which means it's not uncommon for me to spend 20 minutes searching frantically for a seam ripper.  This weekend I found a great 1971 book on decorating that has a chapter on sewing rooms -- check this inspiring example out:

Really, who hasn't wanted to shoot their sewing machine at some point?  (Don't even get me started on the violent thoughts an uncooperative serger can inspire.)  Having a whole rack of rifles also guarantees that you don't have to worry about any pesky reloading!

I have to say, though, that I'm worried about what's happening outside the photo borders.  Note the project abandoned mid-stitch and the missing top rifle -- I don't think that white carpet is going to stay that way for long.

War of the Super Shirts

1970s culture wars, pattern style.

Super Shirts (Butterick 4337) vs. Embroidery Design (Simplicity 6380):


 

Organic gardening vs. mind altering experiences

Mother Jones vs. Rolling Stone

The Carpenters' "We've Only Just Begun" vs. The Eagles' "Life in the Fast Lane"

Sorry, Super Shirts.  Ms. Embroidery Design is going to kick both your asses.

Catfight!

Is it wrong that every time I look at this pattern illustration I think Stripey is telling Green exactly where she'd like to put that ice cream cone?