7.12.2010

Stripes are evil and pretty

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The other day at a local antique mall I found six vintage sewing patterns, for $1 each! Four from the 1940s, one from the 1930s, and one suit pattern from the 1950s, it's very Dior. And seeing how I fixed my sewing machine last night, I get to make something for the first time in weeks! So today Sam took me to the fabric store, where they were having a half off sale and I picked up this pretty striped searsucker. I have never worked with stripes, nor searsucker, and thought it would be a good idea to play with a chevron pattern in the gored skirt.

The result is a finished skirt on a Monday night, after a day of shouting profanities at the fabric, and beating a chair with a panel of mis-matched stripes. There was lots of seam ripping.

All in all the skirt turned out pretty cute, and hopefully I'll have enough fabric left over to make a little matching hat :)

18 comments:

esme and the laneway said...

Oh dear, it sounds a bit stressful... but the result sounds great! Looking forward to seeing the stripy skirt :)

Brittney said...

I don't think I'd ever have the patience to sew, but I wish I knew how!! I can't wait to see the finished product, I'm sure its gonna be gorgeous! :)

A Broad Named Betty said...

Girrrrl, I hear ya. Just got finished making a 40s pinafore dress out of this wonderful plaid fabric that looked so lovely and innocent and patriotic in the store, but drove my mother and myself to our wits' end in trying to make everything match up. By far the most difficult print I've had to deal with.

Bombshell Bettie said...

LOL those were totally the ones I was going to buy while I was there! I did buy 2 of them. One is up from my store. There were some gorgeous patterns there I can't wait to see what you do with them!

Carys said...

It sounds totally stressful, but I'm sure it will be worth it, I can't wait to see some pictures of the finished skirt (and hopefully hat), and those patterns sound lovely!!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

Oh how glorious!

Casey said...

Ah yes... stripes can be a total pain in the rear to match up, particularly with gored skirts! A lot of sewing books suggest avoiding stripes for skirts with more than 4-6 gores; not that this has ever stopped me. ;) Can't wait to see the finished skirt--I'm sure it's adorable!

♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com

Q's Daydream said...

LOL! Before I even saw I pic I knew just what you were going to talk about! Stripes are amazing and a complete pain in the butt!

Vintagesuburbia said...

Very jealous! What a bargain. I would love to sew but don't have the time and definitely do NOT have the patience (I am very ill-tempered as a rule!). Can't wait to see the Dior suit.

Aimee Marieee said...

Oh I love stripes, but so far I've only sewn with somewhat busy fabric to hide flaws etc. I bought a big checked plaid for a pattern and then realize the bodice and skirt are all eight long pieces and matching all those I knew was beyond my skills! Looking forward to seeing the skirt!!

Erica! said...

Oh wow! Sounds like quite an evening. I do look forward to seeing this stripe-y skirt :)

Erica
danired922.blogspot.com
danired922.etsy.com

Miss Boom said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who yells at my sewing projects! ;)

Anonymous said...

I got that same fabric from Hancock Fabrics. I love their half-off sales! I made a cute semi-wrap dress out of it and I hope to maybe add some pockets too... but stripes are just so difficult!!

archives vintage said...

ohhh....can't wait to see!! :D

Alé said...

I Have a late 50's silhouette bikini made of the EXACT SAME fabric!!
Goodness I can't wait to see your masterpiece. Actually, I don't think any of us can :)

xoxo,
ale

BaronessVonVintage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I think certain sewing projects refuse to come together unless you swear at it. Throwing it against the wall and stomping on it has often helped me with previous projects. :D

Courtney said...

I cuss quite a bit while I sew. Mostly at my machine, I think. I need to replace my machine ever since the Only plastic gear they put in that machine shattered to crusty orange bits last fall. I am Not doing 4 kids costumes by hand this year.
That pink fabric really is quite cute.