Today's piece of eye candy has my heart are a-flutter:
A darling silhouette, yes -- but look at all those button and tab details! Sure, actually measuring and marking them and sewing them would make me lose my mind...but if someone could make a dress like this for me, I would wear it to death! (Cool colors only, please...I look horrible in orange.)
You can find Spadea 1061 at Heavens to Betsy Vintage, which is where I found this drool-inducing image. Click here for the vintage wiki listing.
Ah, Memorial Day -- a time for fun, friends and BBQ. Mr. Pattern Junkie and I are having friends over for ribs, brisket and jerk chicken (Mr. P.J. being quite the king of the smoker), and I find myself wishing for the perfect barbecue ensemble. A quick search of the Vintage Sewing Patterns wiki provided answers beyond my wildest dreams. (It has a knack for doing that.)
First up: this little number, Spadea 602-A:
An Emilio Pucci?! Be still my pattern-loving heart. I'd love to be able to pull off this fetching ensemble, but snug capris would not be flattering to me. Cute as this illustration is, the description is even better:
This way to the beach, barbeque or buffet at home! Double tiers of shaped bands girdle the waist and garter the knees of these snug young pants. For exciting hostess fare that's spiced with Spanish flavor, make them in jewel toned velveteen and embroider the cuffs with swirls of metallic thread.
Snug young pants spiced with Spanish flavor? Love that, although "smug young pants" would be worthy of a T-shirt. What I wouldn't give to see these made up in jewel-toned velveteen and embroidered with metallic thread!
Next up is Simplicity 4061:
Pigs at the grill! A classic really, though I have to admit I've never understood it. It's a little macabre, no?
Here's another his and hers BBQ apron ensemble, this one from the 40s. McCall 1481:
It's another great example of how mid-century patternland men just can't stop having meetings, no matter the setting! Sure, he's wearing an apron -- but the suit and tie are on, and he's reading either an agenda or a memo. (Sure, it could be a recipe, but wouldn't that be in a book?)
Finally, here's the ultimate -- an actual dress designated for BBQ-wear, Hollywood 1989 :
Is it just me, or is this a horrible outfit for eating ribs? (Then again, Scarlet didn't eat at the barbecue, did she?)
U.S. readers, may your Memorial Day be filled with friends, fun, family and food -- non-U.S. folk, may your Monday be the same way!
Take a look at Spadea N-1149:
Beautiful, isn't it? Well, the pattern description is just as wonderful. According to the Vintage Pattern Wiki listing, it reads:
Katherine Hepburn wears it in a film but it has a place in anyone's everyday life. Designed by Charles LeMaire, winner of three Academy Awards, it is an easy dress to wear and requires very little fitting.
Lovely! Did it really say that? I had to know. Luckily for me, the pattern is for sale at Selvedge Shop on etsy, so I found a photo of the back. Yep, that's exactly what it says:
Simply wonderful. I'm posting this above my sewing machine as my new motto: "Beautiful dresses have a place in anyone's everyday life."
