pattern junkie

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.

Giving Thanks!

First of all, a big thank you to all of you and your lovely comments about Goblin.  It really does help knowing that there are others that are out there that understand the pain of losing a pet.  I'm new to this whole blogging business, and it's hard to know how personal to get online.  I'm a private person in many ways -- which is perhaps antithetical to blogging itself, as some of the most engaging blogs I read are ones that do get personal.  I hesitated mightily before sharing, but in the end felt it was more honest than putting up posts my heart wasn't in or just going silent.  Again, thank you.

Another reason to give thanks: the fabulously talented Sarai has added to her line at Colette Patterns!  Check out the Rooibos and Oolong dresses:

One of the things I love about Colette Patterns are all the little details: the piping and little turn at the neckline on the Rooibos, for example.  I feel they're one of the few companies that really give an option to the "big four" designs.  And the booklets the patterns come in are gorgeous...

I'm restraining myself from buying any of the new Colette patterns until I sew up the two I have.  Unfortunately, I tend to do a lot more thinking and reading about sewing than actual sewing, for which I blame the sewing blogs of the world.  One of the many I love (and I bet most of you know about) is Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing, which has become the daily accompaniment to my morning coffee.  Gertie was kind enough to post my question, "What is plus size, anyway?" and I found the resulting conversation to be fascinating and thought-provoking.  I'll be doing my own post on the ever-changing pattern size chart soon.  Another fun distraction and recent find is The Selfish Seamstress, who sounds like the sharp-tongued best friend you want at your side when anyone rude crosses your path.  Her Selfish Seamstress Haikus are not only awesome, they're available on mugs.  My Christmas list has just grown longer.

Hey, Wiki, You're So Fine! You're So Fine You Blow My Mind! HEY WIKI!

Say it again: HEY, WIKI!

My apologies for getting that bit of the '80s reverberating through your noggin, but it'll be worth it if you don't already know about one of the best vintage sewing pattern resources available on the Web: the Vintage Sewing Patterns Wiki.

That's right: it's all vintage sewing patterns (pre 1990s), all the time.  You can search by pattern number -- browse your favorite era -- browse your favorite styles.  For fun, hit the "Random Page" button.  When I did it today I was rewarded with this lovely pattern:

Since it's a wiki, you can add your own entries and edit others.  Share your collection and make me drool!  Looking for a certain pattern?  Check the "Source/Vendors" link for on-line shops carrying it.  Still can't find it?  Stick a "wanted" notice on a sewing pattern entry to let the world know your desire.

Vintage ephemera like sewing patterns are, well, ephemeral -- and what I adore about the wiki is that it gives us all a place to preserve and share these bits of history.  Check it out!