Pattern Palooza Part 2

Even more lovely patterns that need new homes!

1. Butterick 6041 Size 16 Bust 34 $8 plus shipping

 Who doesn't love a smart bolero? This pattern offers two collar options, three sleeve options and your choice of pockets or not.

2. Advance 5859 Size Medium Bust 31-33 $8 plus shipping

 This pattern is for the gal who loves outdoor adventures! Make this pattern up in wool, corduroy or even denim for all of your outdoor activities and camping this summer. Note: This is an unprinted pattern.

3. Simplicity 3468 Size 16 Bust 34 $10 plus shipping

This smart 1940s dress pattern is perfect for that girl who wants to look elegant even at home. The classic lines will make you look chic in both the more casual version or the one with the fabulous ruffles.

4. Simplicity 3938 Size 12 Bust 30 $10 plus shipping ****sold

 Yet another really fabulous early 40s pattern! This one features a dropped waist and really cute bow details! Note: This is an unprinted pattern.

5. Simplicity 4321 Size 14 Bust 32 $10 plus shipping

 Right now is the perfect time to sew up your very own playsuit! This one can be made up as a crop top with shorts or skirt OR a very cute day dress! Note: this is an unprinted pattern.

6. Simplicity 3144 Size 15 Bust 33 $10 plus shipping

 This blouse and skirt pattern can be made up as chic separates or in matching fabric to give the look of a dress. The sleeveless version is perfect for summer while the 3/4 length sleeves are perfect for spring and fall.

7. Simplicity 3997 Size 12 Bust 30 $10 plus shipping

This early 40s dress features great gathered details. Make it up in rayon with short sleeves for summer or a light weight wool with long sleeves for winter. Note: this is an unprinted pattern.

8. Simplicity 3977 Size 14 Bust 32 $10 plus shipping

 This pattern is the perfect blank canvas dress. Show off a great novelty print. Make it up in a solid to show of a really fun trim. The neckline is perfect for showing off a great necklace or novelty brooch.

9. Ann Adams 4814 Size 14 Bust 32 $10 plus shipping

 This Anne Adams patter is a really cute dirndl style dress. It also really reminds me of Renaissance costumes. Either way you choose to style it, you'll be cute!

10. Simplicity 1936 Size 18 Bust 36 $12 plus shipping ***sold

 What a cute 1930s pattern! It has really cute fluttery sleeves and is perfect for some really special buttons. Note: This is an unprinted pattern. This pattern is also missing several pieces from the shorts pattern: L shorts underlap, M shorts overlap, P front shorts belt, R back shorts belt. All of the pieces for the blouse and skirt are included. This is reflected in the price.

To purchase, please email me at girlwiththestarspangledheart[dot]gmail[dot]com. I still have several other patterns for sale. Thanks!

Pattern Palooza

I adore vintage sewing patterns! Aren't they just so cute! Too bad I really only enjoy sewing them up once or twice before moving on to other patterns. Since I have too many, I'm going to be selling some this week. Click the link to see some of these patterns made up. Enjoy!

1. Simplicity 1659 Waist 24 Hips 33 $5 plus shipping

 A basic 1940s bias cut skirt with great drape and and option for cute pockets or a shaped waistband.

2. Simplicity 3895 Size 16 Bust 34 $10 plus shipping ***sold

 A super cute early 40s dress with cool pockets. Jazz this dress up with embroidery or topstitching.

3. Simplicity 3517 Size 16 Bust 34 $10 plus shipping ***sold

 A great early 40s shirtwaist dress. It sews up smartly in both solids and prints. Note: this is an unprinted pattern.

4. McCall 9242 Size 14 Bust 32 $25 + shipping ***sold

 This smart, sporty 1930s pattern is in amazing condition! It definitely hasn't been sitting in an attic or basement somewhere. I particularly love the fluttery sleeves of view A.

5. Simplicity 4366 Size 14 Bust 32 $10 plus shipping ***sold

This pattern includes the jacket and pleated skirt patterns. It just screams 1940s college gal to me.

6. Simplicity 4413 Size 16 Bust 34 $10 + shipping ***sold

 This smart dress gives the look of a suit without the hassle of all of that tailoring! It would be equally yummy in wool for fall or linen for summer.

7. Simplicity 1983 Size 15 Bust 33 $20 plus shipping

 This pattern circa 1947 is perfect for all of your special occasion needs! I particularly like view 1 with the bustle which is inspired by late 19th century styles. I even used this pattern to make up a wedding dress!

8. Simplicity 2502 Size 16 Bust 34 $10 plus shipping

 This post-war 1940s patterns is a perfect sun dress pattern! View 1 is perfect for prints while view 2 has fun hip accents.

9. Simplicity 1541 Size 14 Bust 32 $10 plus shipping

 Party dress anyone? This pattern features a fabulously full skirt and the option for a wrap or boatneck top.

10. Advance 8511 Size 12 Bust 30 $5 plus shipping

I don't know about you, but I love sleeveless tops for summer! Beat the heat with this 1950s blouse pattern or stick with a more classic look with short sleeves.

If you are interested in a pattern or two, email me at girlwiththestarspangledheart[at]gmail[dot]com. If you have been eyeing any of the hats from last week, let me know because I will be listing them for sale elsewhere soon! Thanks!

My Konmari Journey Part #17: Sewing Patterns

Today I'm going to Konmari my sewing pattern stash. This means taking out every. single. pattern. I own and laying them out on the floor all at once. *gulp* When they are all packed away, it sure doesn't look like I have that many.... I have an extensive collection of vintage patterns and quite a few reproduction patterns plus historical patterns that I've drafted myself. Ok. I can do this!



 I included a nice pan over of all of my sewing patterns and while you can't see 100% of each cover (not enough space!!!), there are some really cute ones! I ended up deciding to purge about half of my vintage patterns. Now before you panic, they are not going to go to a donation center (alas, most places just trash vintage patterns :( ) and I'm planning on selling some of them but I haven't gotten around to that yet. I did pitch a few modern and repro patterns that I cut up and made alterations to because they won't really be useful to anyone else.

It was really liberating to let go of these patterns. I have a much different sense of style than when I started on this vintage journey and it's nice to let go of patterns that aren't me or that I don't think I'll ever make. Instead, I can just focus on the ones I really, really love!

Have you ever let go of patterns? How large is your pattern stash?

Patterns Galore

I have bought quite a few patterns recently. But I can't help it! I want to wear all the 30s things so I need to sew all the 30s things which means I have to have all of the 30s patterns. Or that's what I tell myself anyways.

McCall 9242 is a darling two piece dress with several cute sleeve options. And it's a very early printed pattern which surprised me when it arrived.

The next four I bought in a lot on ebay and got a pretty good deal.

 Advance 807 is a fab 30s suit pattern. McCall 2802 is a cute dress pattern with options for short or long sleeves. It has an unusual envelope so I think it must have been a mail order or correspondence dress making course pattern.

Simplicity 2760 is missing the skirt pieces but seeing as it's very similar to McCall 2802, I can easily switch out the pieces. I'll just need to draft up a waistband. Simplicity 1936 was the pattern I was most interested in! A darling 30s playsuit! It's missing the shorts waistband and the little button plackets for the shorts but since they look similarly shaped to the button placket on the blouse, they shouldn't be too hard to draft up.

 I also did some shopping at the Vintage Pattern Lending Library! The skirt I've already sewn up and I can't wait to tackle the dress! The bodice has such great details!

And some more exciting news on the sewing front, I have a serger! :) It was given to me quite a while ago but I never got around to getting it work. I finally bit the bullet and bought the supplies I needed to get it working. Yay!

Beginner's Guide to Vintage Patterns: Part 3 Care and Keeping of Patterns

Vintage patterns can be in quite delicate condition so it's important to take the proper care so they don't get damaged.

Whenever, I first get a pattern I always take everything out and check to see if all of the pieces are there. It's also a great time to take a peak at the instructions and look at how the dress is constructed. Now, I personally don't like to put the pattern back in the envelope since I often further damage the envelope when stuffing the pieces again.

If any of the pieces are crumpled, flatten them out gently. I have heard that ironing on low heat with no steam can help particularly wrinkly pieces. To keep all of the pieces together, I put them in a clear plastic bag. If the pattern did not arrive in a bag, I use gallon sized zip lock bags. Comic book protective sleeves also work well.

When I go to use a pattern, I trace it onto sheets of tracing paper. You can get them in the drawing sections of craft stores. The pieces are too small for some things so I tape them together with scotch tape. This keeps you from damaging the pieces while cutting and is perfect if you need to make any pattern adjustments such as an FBA. If you have an unprinted pattern, take this opportunity to translated into printed directions.

I also photo copy the pattern cover to stick in a separate zip lock bag. It's also a good idea to photo copy the instructions, but since they are in a rather awkward size for home copiers, I usually skip this step unless the instructions are in particularly bad condition. (Shhh! Don't tell!)

Always store your vintage patterns in a cool, dry environment. I have some vintage pattern storage boxes that work great for vintage patterns. I also have one drawer of a plastic organizer full of patterns plus a second drawer for all of the traced copies. Comic book storage boxes are also a nice option.

It is also important to store your patterns away from other vintage and antique things like lace and linens since they can spread different kinds of molds to each other.