pattern junkie

Monday Morning Eye Candy: 1930s Lounging Pajamas

Perfect with coffee and the Sunday paper in a nice heavy silk.  I'm swooning!

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Baby Got Back, Part II

Usually back views are relegated to the background, but they're the main attraction in Vogue 348:

Not that there's anything wrong with the front -- I'd say it's pretty sharp.  Still, I'd find a reason to walk backwards into rooms if I were wearing this.  Having to look over your shouler while talking would cramp your neck, sure, but I think it'd be worth it.

Monday Morning Eye Candy: 60s Cool

Ah.  To be as hip, as cool, as "with it" as these women in their gowns from Vogue 7148:

They don't merely walk.  They slink.  While your hair is sliding out of place and sticking to your skin, theirs remains perfect.  Their champagne glasses are always filled.  Witty bon mots and sly double entendres drop from their lips with ease.

Yeah, I hate them too.  But I do love their outfits.

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Baby Got Back

Nothing has made me want to put a few extra yards of fabric on my tush as much as Vogue 484 here:

And with perfectly matched stripes, no less!  It's simply scrumptious.

Monday Morning Eye Candy: More 1930s Ruffles!

OK, so it's more like Monday afternoon/early evening eye candy.  But who doesn't want a nice little pick-me-up come late Monday?

I don't know why I'm such a sucker for ruffles in the MMEC feature.  I'm not a big ruffle-wearer in real life.  Half the time I try them on and feel like a clown, and for some reason I'm convinced they make my face look round.  (Which, even as I type it, I know is an absurd statement.  But isn't it just the kind of advice you'd read in a woman's magazine?  I mean, the other day I was leafing through one at the supermarket and ran across a handy sidebar on "How To Wear Bracelets After 40."  I was utterly baffled.  As far as I can tell, you still put them on your wrist.)

Anyway, enough about my personal mixed feelings on ruffles and onto to this purty, purty slice of goodness, McCall 7954.  It manages to make the ruffles elegant instead of girly, don't you think?  If I had a steady stream of elegant cocktail parties to attend, I might just try it out.

 

 

Art Inspired by Vintage Dresses

How beautiful are these vintage dress watercolors by etsy artist JoJoLarue?  I think they're absolutely drool-worthy!

I love the neckline -- and the twirly skirt, of course.

If I had a ball to go to, this is what I'd want to wear.  It's in blue, no less, which is a great color for me!

You can get the dresses on notecards, postcards and art prints.  I'm thinking they'll be perfect to top off my sewing room when it's nice and organized.  Now if only the dresses themselves would appear magically in my closet...

As an added plus, the dress prints are on sale today via Heartsy.  (I know I've mentioned my addiction to this "Groupon for etsy" site before, so I warn you -- it's dangerous!)  But...should you take the plunge...sign up through this link and get $5 off your first purchase!

 

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Ruffles Galore!

Oh, how I love the exuberant ruffles of McCall 8258:

Four rows of ruffles at the hem!  It looks like it would be so much fun to walk in -- you'd swish and rustle and make a grand entrance.  Let's not even get started on what it would be like to dance in it.

It's from 1935, but I can't be the only one reminded of this dress style that was so popular in the 1970s:

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Delicious Draping

Put down that latté and take in the pretty that is Vogue S-4730:

The draping!  The bows!  The way the two women are just so, so elegant...while clearly ready to give anyone a piece of their mind if need be.

Personally, I don't think I have the build for a hip bow...but this pattern is almost enough to convince me to try.

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Superfly!

Some regard the 70s as the worst of times in fashion.  I have to confess that I have a weakness for them.  Not for the hippie-ish headbands and caftans, but for the capital F FUNKY that abounds, from bizarre polyester prints to flared pants and (of course!) big collars.

So this week the 70s get some eye candy commemoration thanks to McCall's 2594 here.  That collar!  Those clean princess lines!  And oh, do those pockets make my heart go pitter pat.  In a coat like this, how could you ever feel frumpy or lack confidence?  That coat says "I KICK ASS -- even when wearing a crocheted beanie and granny glasses."

Monday Morning Eye Candy: New Vogues Edition

As you probably know, Vogue released their new spring patterns a week ago.  I don't know about you, but I found several drool-inspiring dresses.  There are the two great Donna Karan offerings, 1219 and 1220, which both feature lovely details.  I'm also lusting for 1233, but you all know what a sucker I am for big collars and 70s-inspired fashion. 

Which to choose for eye candy status?  In the end I decided upon 1232 by Pamella Roland.  Check it out:

I love the curved seam along the front and the asymmetrical hem.  The flower's cute, but I think the dress would be just fine without it.  What I adore most of all is the ruffle at the bottom.  It manages to be sophisticated rather than little girly, and it seems like it'd be an awful lot of fun to wear. 

By the way, I found a photo of it in her spring collection -- quite pretty, don't you think?