Pattern Porn 5/4/11

The internet is a very dangerous place. Oh, I don’t mean for kids in chat rooms and people on dating websites and the Craigslist killer, though all of that is certainly true, but I mean for sewers (seamstresses? tailors? what’s the right word for this, anyone?). Because you might, say, be glancing at a project on Burda Style or checking out a blog or an ad and all of a sudden you think, pleated skirt from the 30’s,  it must be mine! And you find yourself trolling the internet for the skirt, or the perfect bolero, or hat making classes (I have….searched for all of these things, true story) at 2am on a Saturday when all normal people are either sleeping or partying, and because you are on your 5th glass of wine (or more, no judgment) you are like, of course I need a 1970’s parka, it’s all my wardrobe desires! And this is why I keep my wallet with all those nice credit cards FAR away from my computer. My philosophy is, if, in the light of day, you see that same item (or in this case, pretty pretty pattern) and you STILL want it, and if after some coffee and maybe another day or two you are STILL thinking about it, then you are allowed to buy it. If it’s on sale. And the shipping is low. Did I mention I’m cheap?

So, Sunni of the Cupcake Goddess did this amazing sew along with pencil skirts. One of my goals for this summer/year (did I mention that my one year sewversery is coming up? No? Well, it is! Which means, goal time!) is to sew some things that are more fitted. Right now I’m making a pair of capri pants (SCARY) from this burda pattern. I used a fabric I don’t mind burning because it could all go horribly awry, sigh. And I bit the bullet and got this pattern so I will, someday, make some trousers. DUH duh DUUUUUH (cue lightening):

So when I saw Sunni’s amazing photos in her lovely form-fitting make Joan Harris proud skirt, I thought, that’s it, this is the year for fitted garments. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love me some full skirts, and plan on making full skirts and full-skirted dresses, but I’m also going to delve into the scary world of close fits and tailoring. Wish me luck. And so, with much deliberation I bought this:

From Etsy Shop LisaAnne1960!

Don’t you adore it? The shop link is here, she has the cutest things. I initally got it through a google search of “1960’s wiggle dress” which drew some….odd responses. But as it turns out I love every single view, and can see myself making this baby over and over. Well worth the 8 dollars plus shipping, don’t you think? Here is the wiggle dress view:

I’m in love. And these are the other girls, I mean views, I mean mad men characters, I mean, what?

But that’s not all, gentle readers, that’s not all! You see, I have found myself hoarding, both fabric (which, in my defense, I didn’t really expect to get massive yardage from one trip to my grandfather’s house, but never look gift fabric in the mouth, right?) and patterns. I really didn’t mean to, guys, but it happened. It’s interesting because when you look around everyone has a different defination of “a lot of fabric” and “a lot of patterns”. However, when I tell my mother that I don’t have NEARLY as many patterns as all the other kids she looks at me with SUCH disapproval, I want to cry. So I need to make some of these things people, stat. Things like this:

I love this new Butterick I just bought (on sale!) Have any of you made it? Bow back! Precious! It's 5605 and it's currently on sale, go buy it!

And this:

A New "Vintage" Vogue pattern from 1946. Thoughts? It's 8728

And this charming pj set I got from Franolina, another great Etsy seller:

And then there is this vintage pattern I couldn’t help but pick up at Decades, a vintage store on Fabric Row:

And why did I buy this pattern? I would love to say just because it’s cute, because it is, but mostly because it says this:

Pounds thinner, eh? Not only can vintage patterns LOOK good, but they can help you lose WEIGHT! What’s not to love?

I don’t know how I feel about this next guy, but it came with the above pattern and I feel like it could either be cute, or hideous, like, you know, most things:

And finally the patterns I found in my grandfather’s attic. First up we have the very swinging 60’s:

Don't you just adore their hair?

And then, finally there is this puppy:

Which has the CUTEST little details:

Have you ever seen any of these vintage patterns? Or made them? Or the modern ones? And isn’t looking at patterns fun/destructive? Be strong, people, be strong.