I spent several hours Saturday on Ebay looking at Vintage Patterns. I found this store, "Linda's Sew Be It" which was chock full of all kinds of vintage patterns, and I was in love. I think I bought another 5 or 6 patterns and I have just won two more auctions! But people I'm done now...truly I am...because all of the time spent on Ebay has inspired me.It solved a quandry that I was 
struggling with but had no answer to. See I love a lot of the new styles being shown by all of the pattern companies...but they lack a sense of style, an elegance, a sophistication that I want to bring to my work wardrobe. Now this is not to say that I haven't purchased a few of these patterns but it is not the direction that I want to take my sewing in...especially since I sew primarily for my work wardrobe.
struggling with but had no answer to. See I love a lot of the new styles being shown by all of the pattern companies...but they lack a sense of style, an elegance, a sophistication that I want to bring to my work wardrobe. Now this is not to say that I haven't purchased a few of these patterns but it is not the direction that I want to take my sewing in...especially since I sew primarily for my work wardrobe.
If you look at patterns and wardrobes of women in the 50's and 60's they had a femininity to them that I think is lacking in many of today's patterns/wardrobes. There was a care taken with dressing, an elegance and a love of the woman's shape, that is not apparent to me today. Now there seems to be an emphasis on body parts...too much in my humble opinion and it just seems that a graciousness is lacking...and that sensibility is what I want to bring to my work wardrobe. I want to wear suites of jewelry (earrings, necklace & bracelet or pin that all match) with my suit or jacket/dress combination or dress alone. I want to look sophisticated and well put together yet effortlessly like I just rolled out of bed looking that gorgeous! *LOL* And the pattern details that I found in the vintage patterns on Ebay have inspired me...
It inspired me so much that I am calling my spring/summer sewing, "The Summer of Sophisticated Dressing!" I found seam, fabric and notion details on vintage patterns that take a simple sheath dress to another level. I have inserted pictures of them throughout this post. These are the details that will appear in my summer dresses.
Then this arrived in the mail today:
Sent to me by my friend Sharon, author of the blog, "Adventures from the Sewing Studio." This is the perfect dress for the black/white toile fabric. This pattern combines two looks that so define the face that I want to present to the world this summer! And....it is in a size 20! Be still my heart...not a lot of grading up, not a lot of figuring out how to make it work...just a lot of making it work for my figure! *LOL*
So Sharon thank you so much for sending me the perfect pattern to start my sewing quest for "Sophisticated Dressing"!!! Somehow I will incorporate this look into my pieces for the June Capsule Contest and my "no-plan" sewing for Summer! Stop laughing y'all...this is just parameters...a direction to aim in...not actual planning! *smile*
That last pattern is lovely. Looking forward to seeing you work your "Summer of Sophisticated Dressing!"
ReplyDeleteI am not a vintage lover but these patterns are beautiful!!!! I LOVE that last one!
ReplyDeleteIs the sizing different on vintage patterns than the ones being made now?
Amen Sister! I totally agree about today's pattern choices. This is perfect for you - your own "Return to Camelot".
ReplyDeleteWow, Carolyn, you've really hit the nail on the head. I could never figure out why I dislike modern fashion as much as I do and I think you are right. We can be feminine and sexy without flashing too much flesh. I've sewn quite a few vintage patterns myself lately and I find that the additional fitting details make for a much nicer garment. I read on someone's blog once (and I'm sorry I don't remember which one) that wearing clothes made from vintage patterns made this lady have better posture because if she didn't stand up straight the dresses didn't sit right. So, I think I'm with you this on this one and will make more vintage this year.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - you have summed up exactly how I feel about vintage patterns. It's like you're in my head! I am so over the whole "how much skin can we show" looks of the modern world. I've had enough of the three Bs - boobs, bellies and butts - poking me in the eye everywhere I go. I desperately crave sophistication and tasteful dressing. There is nothing sexier than a well-dressed, well-coordinated woman that feels good in her own skin.
ReplyDeleteLike Adrienne I haven't acquired a taste for vintage, but looking at your patterns, there appears to be more shaping, which some of the rtw garments lack. Now I'm itching to mossey on over to Ebay...lol
ReplyDeleteYou are a great writer, I love reading your stuff.
ReplyDeleteBingo!!! You are so right about vintage patterns. I have bought too many to count or mention for the reasons you have stated. I love being ladylike and I love ladylike fashion. That's why I've always loved dresses and why I liberated myself and said I'm wearing hose (which is also ladylike) and I don't care what the fashion police say. ;op
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I can't wait to see these dresses made up. At least I won't have to kick your butt to get them done. LOL!!!
Somewhere along the way, home sewing fashion turned from feminine styling to season after season of "bleh". There have been a very few exceptions, of course, and we all have bought a Threads collection pattern or two. As I journey more and more into sewing the clothes I truly WANT to wear, I'm finding "vintage" patterns satisfy my personal standards of taste, construction, fit and fashion aesthetic far better than what's coming out today from the Big Four and beyond. Which is why I am eagerly anticipating three "new" patterns from Lanetz Living this week. Yippee! I would rather have one well-made dress than a closet full of any season's frumpy separates.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - you hit the nail on the head. I love looking feminine and wearing a skirt and low heels to go to the grocery store or what ever errands I have to run. I just feel better about myself when I look better.
ReplyDeleteOnce again - thank you. g
Carolyn, like many others who already commented, I fully agree. Here we have high summer temperatures now and it's really bad to see what it does to the clothing style (which is casual here anyhow). NO style and far too much skin.
ReplyDeleteLove your patterns, and I must so not go to Ebay!
Hmmmmm. I read in someone's blog that she was going to be more spontaneous about sewing and not always sew with a plan. I thought it was you, but I guess I was wrong! This sounds suspiciously like a plan to me. LOL But, I'm glad to see you so inspired and I can't wait to see what you sew.
ReplyDeleteI love the vintage patterns and have a feeling your versions will have us asking you to show us how to do them. mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, you could not have been more precise in your observations. I have not been able to put my finger on it, but even though I do like the styles today, I just can't get all that enthused about actually sewing them. They always seem to be missing something. I have quite a few vintage patterns, and perhaps I will have to go searching for more. I, like you, would love to look elegant and sophisticated. At 50 years old, I have never looked right or felt comfortable in trendy clothing, and I think it's my mom and grandmother's influence. They were such elegant dressers, that I would love to emulate their style and sophistication. You truly are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove the patterns. Now I have another ebay site to visit! Love your sewing plans for the summer.
ReplyDeleteLove the tie neck dress, it follows suit from your TNT tanks; see, ebay is not all bad... But, your toile inspired me to find some, Fabric.com has some under european linen on the clearance.
ReplyDeleteGreat patterns, and if you want the jewelry "sets" check out Coro on E-bay. I have some of my Mom's sets and I have purchased a few more off E-bay. Coro is of that same era.
ReplyDeleteI found some photos from when I was in college (around 1966) and what struck me was how dressed up we all were. Hairdo's that required sets and dryers, nylons, skirts, nice sweaters and blouses, nice dresses, careful makeup. In a way, I am glad that things are more casual now but surely we lost something...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see photos of your finished clothes from these patterns.
Thanks for your blog. I sew clothes, too.
Lovely patterns and I agree totally with you. Vintage patterns have greater detail. That's why I love vintage! Mary
ReplyDeletePatterns like that are what made me decide to sew my own clothes. Where can you fnd that kind of elegance these days?
ReplyDeleteAnother amen and hallelujah. I could not agree with you more that today's patterns seem to completely miss the boat on true style.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention that you so very rarely see any modern patterns with models that looks over 22, let alone er, um, a certain age (Vogue's incredibly small line excepted).
I love surfing vintage pattern sites for the eye candy. I find the old patterns incredibly inspirational. The big 4 pattern company web pages, not so much.
I miss the elegance. The panache. The unflinchingly, unapologetically feminine. Even when it is silly. The verve. The sophistication. And everything classy and chic that I so wish the pattern companies had not abandoned!
Carolyn, what pattern # is that one?
ReplyDeleteI totalally agree with you and what a lovely theme "Summer of Sophisticated Dressing" is! I'm so looking forward to seing your summer wardrobe come to life!
ReplyDeleteGreat sites for vintage patterns:
ReplyDeletehttp://lanetzliving.net/
http://www.oldpatterns.com/
http://sandritocat.ecrater.com/
I've had lots of success with these sellers and they have amazing selections.
Be warned! They are quite addictive!
Happy sewing!