pattern junkie

Kwik Sew Shenanigans

Oh, Kwik Sew, Kwik Sew.  I don't mean to pick on you, but you make it so darn easy.  Really, who was responsible for the lingerie and child pattern illustrations of the 60s and 70s?  You've already disturbed me with lingerie in a field, sexy footed pajamas and Silence of the Lambs-style imagery.  Now I find THIS:

 

I really have no words -- except a vehement "eww."

A Post Having Nothing To Do With Sewing Patterns

I usually try to keep the blog focused on sewing-related stuff, but today I'm breaking that rule.  If you're hoping for tips on organizing your sewing room or musings on cartoon mini-helpers, read no further.

Anyone left?  OK, here's my news.  I got a tattoo for my birthday yesterday!  I'm thrilled with it and can't stop staring at my left inner forearm:

The flash diluted the color a little bit -- that blue is deeper.  (And if you're wondering -- yes, I am that pale.)  "Omit needless words" is my favorite writing advice, a bit of wisdom from the amazing Strunk & White "Elements of Style".  (I re-read it every year!)  I also like the idea of using it as a reminder to ignore the negative thoughts that pop up way too easily in my noggin.

This is my first tattoo, and I really felt ready to get it.  In the past I've thought about it, but was overwhelmed by the idea of something that would be on me for the rest of my life.  But this felt right, and I loved the idea of declaring my love of my chosen profession on my, ahem, 42nd birthday.  Bring on the wardrobe of elbow-length sleeves!

It looks like I hit 100 followers yesterday as well -- double happy birthday to me!  This calls for a giveaway -- I'll post details on Monday!

Attack of the Fifty Foot Scarves

Wowza!  Look at this recent addition to the Vintage Pattern Wiki, McCall's 2255:

Those monogram letters are six inches tall!  And View E, the super-long scarf?  108 INCHES OF SCARF FUN, BABY!!

You know what this needs, don't you?  Wait for it...

Yes!  It needs GIANT EYES and a GIANT ZIPPER!  It must be paired with that other 1970s pattern of legend, McCall's 3057!  (Readers, accept now that I'm going to refer back to 3057 constantly -- it's one of those things that will always make me laugh, much like BIRDEMIC and C.W. McCall's "Convoy.")

If you want to see the back of the fabulous giant scarf pattern, check out Patternaholic's post about it!  But please, if you make one of these, no riding in convertibles -- I don't want any of you meeting Isadora Duncan's tragic demise.

Accident at Astronaut Camp

Something tragic just happened in the illustration for Vogue 7513.  I'm thinking 1950s sci fi and atomic reactors:

 

WHITE:  Don't look.  Don't look.  If I don't look at them I can make myself forget that I'm twelve feet tall.

PINK:  We haven't grown.  Green shrunk.

GREEN:  Yeah?  Then why can I still wear gloves? 

PINK:  Pull them out of your pockets, missy.  We know you have fourteen fingers.

GREEN:  At least I don't have eyes in my throat.  And let's not even talk about what's going on underneath that turban.

WHITE:  Don't look.  Don't look.  I knew Dan shouldn't have messed with the dials.  Whose bright idea was it to have Wives' Day at the nuclear turbo-charge space facility anyway?

PINK:  Anyone up for lunch?  Des Moines is sounding especially delicious!

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?

Quick Tricks

Wow.  I have no words:

"Quick tricks"?  Well, I guess the outfits do provide easy access.

Eww.

A big thank you to Phyllis, who found this gem at Mom's Patterns!  She suggested we file it in the Department of What Were They Thinking, an idea so inspired that I am creating a new tag, "Dept of WWTT," in her honor.

Fabric round robin -- let's do it!

I'm so thrilled that we have a group to do the fabric swap, and I'm already eyeing my fabrics to see what gets sent on a journey to find a new home!  Participants, here's what to do:

1. Email your name and address to me at patternjunkie1 (at) gmail (dot) com by Tuesday morning.  (This is the correct address -- yesterday I managed to post it incorrectly.  You can also click the "email me" button in the top left corner of the page.)
2. Optional: if you'd like, include in your email a description of what kind of fabrics, lengths and colors you'd be most happy to get.  You can also include photos or descriptions of fabric you'll be sending.  Don't stress about this step -- it's strictly optional, and is just a tool to help people get the sorts of things they're hoping for.
3. I'll compile all the information and email it to all participants.
4. I'll kick the round robin off by filling a medium size Priority Mail box with fabric.  (Depending on what fits, I'm looking at sending some semi-sheer pretty chiffons, vintage flowered fabric in oranges and yellows, knits, a pink stretch velvet, a vintage tablecloth, some solid color bottomweights and whatever other fun surprises I can find!)
5. I'll send off the box along with a list of participants and the fun will begin!

Phyllis raised a good point about smaller pieces, so I'm doing away with the minimum one yard requirement.  Remnants and pieces less than a yard can make great details or small projects like pouches and baby clothes.  Try to aim for a mix of lengths in what you send, though -- getting a box full of scraps won't be any fun.

Here's a piece of fabric I can't decide whether or not to send.  I'll never use it -- it's just not me -- but I don't know if anyone else will be interested.  It's a 3 yard length of Vera Wang silk chiffon that I received in one of Fabric Mart's "mystery boxes."

Yup, it's a pale cheetah-print silk chiffon embossed with gold flowers that are about 17 inches tall.  The photo doesn't really capture the shininess and pure goldness of the gold.  This fabric absolutely baffles me.  It's so out there that I don't know if it CAN find a happy home -- if any of you are inspired by it, let me know!

Anyone up for a fabric round robin?

Raise your hand if you have WAY too much fabric.  

Good, I'm not alone.  I'm always telling myself not to buy more fabric, but then something like THIS comes along:

It's a three-yard piece of nice cotton that cost me a whopping 80 cents at a thrift store.  I mean, it would have been criminal to pass it up, right?

Anyway, years of great steals have resulted in me having plenty of fabric -- and plenty, unfortunately, that is not the best color for me, the wrong weight, etc.  You must be in the same boat, right?

Here's my proposition: a stash round robin.  No, it's not actually REDUCING your overall stash, but it will give you the illusion that you have!  Plus, you'll get exciting new fabrics that just might inspire you.

How would it work?  Simple:

• The first person fills a medium-sized Priority Mail box with unwanted fabric.  (I suggest that the minimum amount be one or one and a half yards; pieces smaller than that can be hard to use.)  No unloading of complete loser fabrics -- I promise not to send off this weird pink shiny stretchy-yet-crinkly fabric that has mystified me for years).
• Then it's to the post office to send to the next person on the list!  Domestic Priority Mail flat rate for a box that size is $10.70.
• Person two gets a box of fabric and does a little happy dance.  They take any fabrics that tickle their fancy -- it might be 3 pieces, it might be the whole box.  Then they replace the fabrics they've taken with stash orphans and send it to the next person on the list.
• The round robin ends when the first person receives their box, completing the circle.   

Whattaya say -- any interest?  Leave a comment if so, and I'd love to hear any other suggestions!  (International friends, postage costs are going to limit this to the U.S., but leave a message anyway -- perhaps other people from your part of the world are game for it!)

Specs Appeal

Normally I'd consider a long formless duster incredibly boring, but check out Simplicity 2495:

 

I adore the blue cat-eye glasses that Blue is wearing -- so much so, in fact, that her whole look strikes me as cool.  Shoes to match your glasses?  A coordinating dress and long vest?  Sign me up!  (I guess this "styling" the Project Runway judges keep yammering on about is important.)

I bet she makes a mean martini and has a wicked sense of humor.  She knows where to find cool beatnik coffee shops, works in the best bookstore in town -- and even though she can't carry a tune to save her life, she's fearless at karaoke bars.  I think I want her as my new best friend.

Dancing to a Different Drum

 

I hear the mermaids singing -- they sing for ME!

Butterick 4014, 1971