pattern junkie

Sock Full of Gifts

Ah, the wonders of the Vintage Pattern Wiki -- that's where I found these "Sock-Full-of-Gifts" patterns that Simplicity put out in the mid-50s.  The Sock-Full-o Gifts is the ultimate in convenience (or in overwhelming yourself with too many sewing projects for the holiday season): stocking patterns complete with stuffers!  Sure, it's too late to get them done for this year...but there's always next year....

First, for the manly man in your life, there's Simplicity 1801:

Not just a stocking pattern, but also a pattern for slippers, scarf, vest, handkerchief, ties and more.  What really sets the Sock-Full-of-Gifts apart in my book, however, is the completely amazing stocking itself.  Check out the actual COLLAR on the stocking -- because even on Christmas, Dad doesn't get to lounge around.  And the cigarette applique?  Let's just say I never thought I'd have reason to type the words "cigarette" and "applique" right next to each other, and it gives me a strange pleasure to do so.

But the little girl in your life should have a Sock Full of Gifts too -- and she does, courtesy of Simplicity 1803:

 

Aww!  Cute stocking, adorable "pussy cat" apron, sweet little collar, cap and bag --

-- dear Lord, WHAT IS THAT GHOULISH MESS THEY CALL THE CUDDLY DOLL?!

Costume Countdown: I Hear The Mermaids Singing

Today's costume countdown: questionable children's costume patterns! 

First up: Butterick 5597, issued 1991, photo courtesy Spessarite Sole:

Right.  Creating shell-shaped breast pieces for a prepubescent girl?  Nah, that wouldn't make parent OR child uncomfortable. 

Next up? McCall's 2205 from 1985, again from Spessarite Sole's etsy shop:

I suppose sticking them in the flower pots is the only way to keep them on the ground when the wind picks up.

Last but certainly not least, behold Simplicity 8221 from runningalarm:

Imagine opening the door on this group on Halloween night.

MOM AT DOOR:  Look at all you kids!  Jenny, you're such a cute little elf.  I'd better hide the cheese from that mouse --

MOUSE: Squeak!  Squeak!

MOM AT DOOR:  And the pirate and Indian, you're both so scary!  And Timmy...well, uh...

TIMMY: I'M THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN!

MOM AT DOOR:  You're the what?  I'm sorry, I don't think there is a spirit of --

TIMMY: I'M THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN!  I HAVE LEAVES ALL OVER MY JUMPSUIT!

PIRATE: Let me put the jack o' lantern over his head.  That helps a little.

MOM AT DOOR: Yes, actually it -- wait a minute.  Timmy, where's your treat bag?  Are those dried leaves in your hands?

TIMMY: I'M THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN!!  MOM SAYS AUTUMN IS WHEN ALL GOOD THINGS DIE AND THAT IF I WANT CANDY I CAN GO STAY WITH MY DAD AND HIS TARTED-UP HARLOT!

MOM AT DOOR:   ...

TIMMY: I'M THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN!!!

Overwhelming Enthusiasm

I've been pondering over what to write about this pattern envelope for a while: Simplicity 9487 required, I felt, something involving 70s Corman movies, Charlie's Angels, pep squads and bad acid trips.  Finally I've realized this is one of those "a picture is worth a thousand words" situations: there's really no witty caption or clever story that can match the giddy excitement and studied cool of these pattern models.

For some weekend vintage pattern excitemenet of your own, be sure to hop on over to etsy and check out the Yart Sale happening now through Sunday the 14th.  To do a little shameless self-promotion, I'm offering 10% off all patterns in my shop featuring funky collars, a particular obsession of mine.  Many other pattern sellers are offering discounts, so take a look around!

Of Blog Neglect and Weddings

Hey.  Long time, no post.  I have an excuse.  You see...

Reader, I'm marrying him.  (Sorry.  I love Jane Eyre.)

Mr. PatternJunkie and I, after 14 years together, decided to finally getting around to making it official.  I had no idea that planning even a simple, casual affair could entail so much.  So, sadly, the blog has languished.  My pattern obsession has not.

I'm on the hunt for the perfect vintage pattern, which may just be Simplicity 1415.

I'd make the sleeveless version sans bow in front, in a nice shade of blue.  (I'm pale and white/ivory/eggshell makes me look like death warmed over -- plus, I'm a huge fan of color in general.)  For those wonderful peekaboo ruffles I'd use different colored fabrics, maybe even different subtle prints.  Polka dots and stripes -- something very Moulin Rouge-ish.

Sadly, I lost the eBay auction for it -- and weeks of trolling the Web for it have only uncovered it in a B29.  I'm a B34, and am worried that grading up 5 inches is too much of a task.  Writing about it has only reinforced my aching need for it.  Please, if you see this pattern running down the street -- grab it for me, won't you?

I suppose it wouldn't be too hard to adjust a pattern for a simple fitted bodice, A-line skirt dress.  I'm guessing that the back seam of the skirt simply isn't sewn together, and it's the ruffles that push it into the wedge shape.

Speaking of wedding dresses, I just sold an AMAZING wedding dress pattern from my etsy shop.  I've asked the seamstress -- who must have nerves of steel -- to share photos when she's done, but personally I'm worried that this is the kind of pattern that could kill off mere mortals.  Behold New Look 6360, which represents 80s excess like nothing I've ever seen:

It has bows!  Puffed sleeves!  Flowers!  Ribbons!  Lace!  To be exact, it calls for 25 yards of ribbon, 27 fabric rosebuds and ONE HUNDRED AND SIX YARDS of lace!

I can't wait to see this one made up!

Creepy Children, Volume Two: The Endtimes Are Near

Simplicity 7683
Originally uploaded by TheRealAstrogirl

Forget the four horsemen of the apocalypse. It's going to be three gleeful tykes in footie pajamas who usher in the end of the world.

"Creepy Children" is already well on its way to being a regular feature here at Pattern Junkie -- there are just too many to choose from. For another truly jaw-dropping kids' pattern illustration, check out Kwik Sew 1653 over at the fabulous blog Clothed Minds. It's honestly sort of disturbing.

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!

The Go Everywhere Man

Behold the GO EVERYWHERE man -- 1970s dude extraordinaire.  It makes me happy to realize that in the 1970s Simplicity felt that even an international criminal/super spy might need a pattern for an efficient, flexible wardrobe that allows him to blend in anywhere.  I bring you Simplicity 7943:

70s BUSINESS DUDE is our hero's main disguise, as signaled by the large pattern illustration.  The 'stache is tamed.  He's walking calmly.  But note how his left hand creeps toward his pocket...our first clue that he might be more than he seems.  He's ready to grab a weapon (I'm betting a ninja star) in an instant if the situation warrants.

CASUAL DUDE (bottom row, center) is business dude's natural counterpart.  Striped polo shirt, hands in pockets, one leg crossed.  The look screams casual, but check out those eyes.  He knows every exit in any room he's in.  He's alert to any sign that he's gotta go...he'll whip out one of his three passports and don his next outfit, which is...

BERMUDA BUSINESS DUDE (top row, left).  Swap out the pants for plaid shorts and don some sunglasses and long socks, and our international superspy is ready to attend to business in the tropics.  A few dozen bank accounts in the Caicos are required, after all, when your other persona is...

COLOMBIAN DRUG DEALER DUDE (top row, center).  Witness the straw fedora and briefcase.  I need say no more.

JAMES BOND SEDUCER DUDE (top row, right) is an easy persona to adopt with the right stylistic changes.  Add a turtleneck.  Put a wave in that hair and a smoldering look in your eyes.  The Continental has nothing on you now. Finally, we have...

GOLFING DUDE (bottom row, right).  Sadly, Simplicity really dropped the ball on this one -- any astute observer would see right through our hero's disguise.  Who wears a thick ski sweater with Bermuda shorts to golf?  (Only someone with bars of gold bullion or ammunition rounds strapped to their chest, that's who.) And either our guy has cankles, or he's chosen to hide his bankroll in his socks.

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.

Surrealist Pattern Art

Here's a 1964 painting called "The Son of Man" by surrealist Rene Magritte:

In a 1965 interview, Magritte said of the painting:

...so you have the apparent face, the apple, hiding the visible but hidden, the face of the person...we always want to see what is hidden by what we see. There is an interest in that which is hidden and which the visible does not show us.

And now here's Simplicity 4886, copyright 1966:

Wikipedia claims that Magritte's popularity began to rise in the 1960s, which really makes me wonder if Simplicity's pattern illustrator was directly influenced by the artist's work.  (If so, I like to imagine the illustrator snickering at his or her subversiveness, mocking the bourgeiosie as she/he snuck Surrealist art into something as middlebrow and mainstream as a sewing pattern for capris.)

Take a closer look at the pattern illustration and it gets more bizarre.  At first it seems the models are holding the line drawings to cover their faces, but that's not the case.  They're holding the drawings at chest level, meaning that THEY HAVE NO HEADS!  These are three headless bodies modeling capris for the women of 1960s America!  As much as you may want to "see what is hidden by what [you] see," you can't.  There's nothing behind the apple. 

Three headless women modeling clothing while holding pictures of clothing...if that's not a comment on fashion and consumption, I don't know what it.

Of course, it could all be an interesting coincidence...but wouldn't you love to pick that pattern illustrator's brain?  I know I would...

Inexplicable Obsessions

I think I've picked my next sewing project.  I've had Simplicity 9030 for a while now, but I'm suddenly inspired to make it.

I love the simple A-line silhouette and front zipper (it looks like it'll be easy to construct).  But what I really love is that collar: floppy, huge, 70s-era, almost as big as the model's head.  The collar flaps may actually double as radio antennas or wings, much like The Flying Nun's habit.

Sewing patterns with big collars are one of those things I can't seem to pass up.  (Bundt cakes, odd pudding recipes and bad thrift store art also fall into this category.)  It almost killed me to list Simplicity 9026 in my etsy shop: those collars could double as ski slopes.  Someday, somewhere, I'll find it in a B34!

I can't explain why I've got a weakness for big collars -- but really, who CAN explain the mysteries of love?

I'm planning on making the dress in a midi-length with some retro-ish cotton I have.  It's a light grass green with a pattern like iron scrollwork in chocolate brown.  Of course, I also planned to make it in time for Thanksgiving dinner, which seems unlikely considering that's now only about 24 hours away.  It's probably for the best -- that amazing collar is probably a gravy magnet.

In other news, Hot Patterns is having a buy one, get one free sale for Thanksgiving.  I may have to get those gauchos I was mulling over after all...