Six patterns.

Lovely. Six patterns in the mail, yay. Six vintage patterns on the way too.
Today's haul includes one each of these for Moggy and I. I'm seeing it in spots!

It's not really cheating!

I'm feeling so bad about not doing enough sewing that I am posting past frocks (and one jacket) in order to prove my sewing chops.
Not that I sew meat!


From the right:

1. Dress in leopard shantung made from Butterick 4513
2. Virgin of Guadalupe dress from some forgotten shirtdress pattern
3. Sundress from Baddana quilting cotton, Style 1079 AKA the seventies-pattern-that-looks-fifties
4. Peephole cheongsam adapted from a couple of other patterns, out of chinese brocade
5. Piped jacket adapted from Simplicity 9474

Avoidence techniques

Yes, so I dragged out a tiny sewing machine table and my old cardboard cutting mat, then I dragged out some patterns... the sewing machine is still in the jungle... where are my scissors? Where are my pins? It is all too difficult. Maybe I should trace off some of the newly arrived patterns... but anyway, instead I have been organising the patterns and pictures on my computer, and added the lovely slideshow on the right (thanks to the lovely Lisa at The Hemline for the inspiration).

Oh, and eating passionfruit sponge from Green Refrectory in Brunswick. That woman can sure bake a spongecake.

Here's one I prepared earlier

Since my sewing room is out of commission at the moment, I feel I need to post some frocks I made before (I don't think I have posted any of them before ...)
First cab off the rank is a delightful sundress in scary evil circus clown print (having rampant coulraphobia, how could I resist?). This is from a fifties-looking-but-actually-seventies pattern I can't find an image of at the mo, but I have made at least four dresses from it. I love a midriff panel!



Next we have a barkcloth sarong dress with flying back panel, made specifically to go to the tiki bar in Richmond, and after seeing a fabulous exhibition of fifties hawaiian resort wear at the museum. This one was adapted from a retro simplicity pattern.

And last we have Eiffel, made from the ever-popular Vogue 9668 pattern, with pink bias binding. I love bias binding too. I love a lot of things.

Oh by the way, for those of you who haven't met her, that is Easi Jane, my vintage dressmaker form (I won't call her a dummy, she's a very talented lady).

I bought these at 11 in the morning, honest!

Yay, got my Building Blocks material this morning. The floral is very green, I shall consider if it needs some thing between it and me.

I also bought these patterns on eBay, how could I resist them? I love Buy It Now on eBay, not as stressful. I have heard good things about these mail order patterns (the ones on Kitty's post below are mail order too) and I think one with the green background will make a lovely housedress. I like the idea of cut-on sleeves on the peter pan collared one too, I am not fond of setting in sleeves... I've asked the nice eBay seller to tell me if she has any other B36 or B38s lying around before she sends me this lot (they were each $4 or $5, so good prices). One or more of these may be made in one or more of the above...

Pattern buying frenzy at frock and roll

Midnight is the pattern witching hour here at "I wanna frock and roll all night". Dangerous amounts of pattern buying go on. Here is a mere selection of the latest purchases. The Anne Adams is for Moggy, a halter wrap! Swoon! I'm going to make the glam Estevez frock, perhaps in black with a black chiffon top panel. Ooh how glam!
I love the Tammy frock, and am seeing it in gingham, and who doesn't need a classic high waisted pencil skirt pattern, hmmm?

When the aussie dollar goes high, the frock ladies go shopping

These are courtesy of the interweb, from the lovely lady at Out of the Ashes Collectibles
So, we have a midriff dress and short jacket (the back midriff piece is missing, so it was super cheap, but I should be able to fudge it).
A chevronable frock: Nice all in one collar by the look of it. I wonder if she would work in Building Blocks?



Then for a bit of a change (2000 isn't exactly retro) there is one of those 'infinite dress' thingies that you can apparently wrap a squilion ways. I rather fancy it for a tripfit - i could make it from something supercheap and see.

Talking of tripfits, Mela Purdie make some nice stuff (and some shapeless smocks) but it is oh so spensy - but good for inspiration. I want to make a version of that highwaistable skirt...

Well, you need something to wear with all these frocks

I'm going all crazzzzy for the heels. These both have that platformy bit under the ball of the foot that makes them not so high for your foot, but high for your height. That doesn't make sense, but I'm sure you know what I am getting at.

I'm going to paint the heel of the black ones black though. The natural leather look ain't working for me.

So, now I need high-heelable events!

PS that's the cut-back cement floor. Do you like my aggregate? Although it's going to get painted over in black I think. A bit like the shoes...

Floral necky

I call her necky, I mean, she's all about the neckline isn't she? I made her in black eyelet the first time.

Here she is with a 2.5cm navy ribbon belt:

Here she is with a narrow pale blue ribbon belt:

Here she is with a thin navy ribbon belt I prefer the thin navy ribbon I think. Another contender for fifties fair-age? (Weather permitting)

Sneak preview

...of today's frock. It's late, she's finished, but the photo shoot will have to wait until daylight. The new shoes are perfect with her!



(edited on Monday to add: There shall be no daylight photos today, oh no there won't. It's dark, rainy and cold! Stay tuned)

I want a new toy, oh ee oh

Make that two toys. I bought these today, and I plan to use them tomorrow. I wonder if they'll change my life? I do find cutting out tedious.

Start your engines...

OK, here's a few of contenders (understanding that my machine is still buried under scales, old pillows, stray styrofoam etc etc... I think she doth protest too much)



























and then some Old Faithfuls:


















What do you think o' them apples, eh eh eh?