pattern junkie

Pretty Pretty

Repetitive adjectives are the best I could manage upon spying this little beauty:

How gorgeous is that?!  I love the contrast faux corset!  You could do a floral and contrast print as modeled, or make the corset part out of silk...or how about a gray dress with a gray and white plaid bodice, spiced up with a little yellow trim?  Mmm.  Me likey!

Alas, it sold for over $30 on eBay.  Even worse, there's no name or pattern number listed, so it's impossible to hunt down.  I suppose it wouldn't be that hard to draft -- you could take a dress pattern and just cut it up, inserting panels with pointed ends.  Someone get on that and let me know how it goes, OK?

Happiness Is...Space Aliens on Your Dress and a Tiny Waist

Winner for Best. Etsy. Title. Ever. goes to bgitr and her listing for Simplicity 3996:

She called it "I'm happy because I have space aliens on my dress and a teeny waist."

My hat is off to you.  A more perfect caption does not exist!

I stumbled upon this wonderfulness while procrastinating taking a well-deserved break from work and, after laughing out loud, perused the rest of her shop Re-Mod: Vintage Inspired.  There are some amazing patterns at great prices!  I'm exercising self-restraint after a recent pattern-buying spree (details coming soon), but you don't have to.  Check out some of these lovelies!

Here's Butterick 7894, "Dangerous Curves Ahead," in a B42.  I love the asymmetric details.  And only $10.99?!

And how about Simplicity 3009?  Only $5!

Or the stripety marvel that is Advance 4906?  Imagine the hours of stripe-matching madness!  The sense of victory would be worth it, though:

There's even a pattern that was missing pieces, so she went ahead and drafted them for you!

I should note that I have no affiliation with this shop and have never communicated with the owner -- I just loved the title and her items.  Those of you who've never looked for vintage patterns on etsy, do check it out -- there are many wonderful sellers there and many hours to be lost.

A Little Bit of Genius: Gwyn Hug's Pattern Reference Cards

It takes a lot to make me sit up and take notice while my coffee's still brewing, but these sure did.  They're pattern reference cards, but they're way niftier than a mere yardage conversion chart that you throw in your purse.  Behold these handy dandy little babies:

Isn't that great?  Not just generic estimates for "shirt" or "dress" but allowances for the kind of shirt or dress -- since we all know a strappy little tank takes a lot less fabric than a ruffled, billowy pirate shirt.  Genius, I tell you!

For a chance to win a set of cards, check out Grosgrain's How Much Fabric? Giveaway.  If you want to purchase them, go straight to Gwyn Hug.