A extra vintage pattern if anyone is interested

Well I've been going thru my vintage pattern "collection" (that word sounds so much better than stash), and came across a pattern that I'd like to find a home for.

If you happen to be looking at this and are interested in it. Place a comment and send me an email with your mailing address.

Back to completing my pattern organizing.....

Pray for me, because.....

A seamstress can never have too many machines, right?

I remember my grandmother used to sew on a treadle machine. I have fond memories of her sewing and asking her to let me work the peddle for her (as I sat on the floor in front of the machine). I had always wanted to get hers, but when she passed on, it sort of got lost.

Well anyway this weekend I went to a estate sale in search of some vintage patterns, and there it was in the corner. A Singer 66K treadle machine, with all of the attachments. Needless to say my memories took over and I just had to bring it home (with some nudging from my partner in crime, my girlfriend). The machine was in perfect working order. I cleaned it, oiled it, and put a new belt on it. I sewed a couple of scrap pieces of fabric to check on the tension:

This week I put my Bernina in for a tuneup, so I've had to put some of my other machines in to active duty. I'm working on another pair of jeans. I've read on others blogs, how its nice to have multiple machines, with one of them setup for top-stitching.

So I sat up my Singer 99K, which I found about 6 months ago. Again, it was in excellent condition. I just had the sewing mechanic look at it, and make sure all was OK. It came with the standard attachments, and a buttonholer, zigzagger, darning, and hem stitch attachments. Not to mention the case which also had the keys. I had originally bought it as a machine to take to quilt classes, since the 830 is way to heavy too try and lug around. I set it up to do all my seams:

The other machine that I sat up is my Old Domestic machine. I found this many years ago at a garage sale for $25. It too has all of the attachments. I set it up to do all of my topstitching on.

Another pointer I picked up from Two on Two off blog, and used upholstery thread from my topstitching.

Boy did this setup made the topstitching so-o-o much easier. Here is the topstitching on one back pant piece:
And of course, I set up the trustworthy Viking serger to finish the raw edges. In addition to these, I also have a Viking Designer 1, and I have a Elna Supermatic.

Now that I think about I do have a LOT of machines. So pray for me, ask God to make sure another one doesn't try to sneak in my car and follow me home :)

PS I'll tell you about my vintage pattern excursion in the next post.

Graduate school graduate, and a cruise

The youngest son got his Master's from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I thought I was done crying but have discovered that as each one leaves home, it becomes more emotional to see the next one leave (Only 5 more years to go before the youngest gets thru Pharmacy school). I assured him that they were tears of JOY! Here he is on that day with the entire family. I feel so blessed. My kids ask me if I'm proud of them. I tell them yes. They have far exceeded my expectations. I was happy that I never had to bail anyone out of jail, and I didn't become a Grandma before my time. So anything beyond that was pure JOY. Sometimes, I just sit and thank God for the blessings he's given my family. I come from a lineage of share-croppers with no more than a 2nd grade education; my parents were the first in their families to go to college. I know my grandparents are in heaven smiling down on my children.


Here also is a picture of my son with his "study buddies" from graduate school. It was my first time meeting them, and they are such an amazing group of young people. They were all fortunate to have each other as friends.
He also has a job comming out of college (which is such a blessing in todays economy). So I'll be heading off with him later in June to get moved in.

Well the family just got back from a cruise to Nassau Bahama. My daughter wanted to do something special for her high school graduation, and considering that the youngest son just graduated with his Master's in Comp. Science we thought why not. This would probably be one of our last chances to do a family vacation. So off we went on a 4 night cruise from Miami, FL to Key West, Nassau, Cocay Bay Bahamas.

It was just nice to be where I didn't have access to cell phones and computers. So it was a VACATION in the true sense. Here we are off the beach in Nassau. I got in the water a little bit, but I'm just to leary of the "lil critters" in the ocean and on the beach. When I saw the Iguana, and the stingray in the water, I was done with the beach.

My only regret is that I didn't get a chance to explore for fabric stores! Believe me, it did cross my mind. Maybe I'll save that for my trip to Ottawa, Canada. But in the meantime I did think sewing :)!

Here are my jean "muslins". Sorry for the fuzzy pix, I tried to take them myself in a mirror. (I
think its time to invest in a tripod!).

Here is a side view: The rolled him is where I'm going to have them stop for capri's. Since My muslin turned out better than I expected, I figured I'd just keep them. I've already transferred the adjustments to my paper pattern. The other leg, is the length of the pants leg (cut), this should actually be the length with a hem. So I've got to add about 1-2 inches to my finished pattern.
Here is a front view:

I thought I'd practice my topstitching skills on them, and it turned out pretty well, with patience :)

This is a picture of the front:

Here is the back view. I didn't want to go too fancy on the pockets. so they are simple.

I got my waistband in on yesterday. I got the fit down pretty good through the hips and upper leg. However, I've still got to reduce this some more in the waist (In my pictures at the top I put on a belt with them; but I probably still need to take another inch or so out of the waist).

Jeans in the works

I've joined the "Jeans sew along" on sewing.patternreview.com. My fabric came yesterday. In the meantime, I had some in my stash, that I figured I'd recheck my fit, etc. My pattern is Jalie's stretch denim pants; I so love this pattern.

As usual I had to do my alterations:

• sway back adjustment
• additional width in thighs
• added length at knee, and hemline
• take in at waist

This time I decided to try some top-stitching to make them look like ready to wear. The "muslin" versions are turning out great. I'd like to keep them, but I had just enough fabric, such that, if I try to hem them they'll be too short. I'm thinking, maybe I can turn them into capri's.
I'll have to post pictures tomorrow.

Where Oh Where Have I been?

I know you have been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing. Well let me break it down:

1. Recovering from "Empty Nest" syndrome - In December, it finally hit me that the dynamics of my family had changed. Everyone was home and then everyone was gone.
2. I've been doing a lot of scrapbooking as I try to organize my pictures and memories of when the kids were younger. It's been therapeutic.
3. Looking at going back to school for a advanced degree. I always wanted to go back to school to get a graduate degree, but "life" got in the way. Well now that the kids are all gone, I've got the time (besides it'll help me make this adjustment).
4. I've had to have two minor surgerical procedures. Nothing serious or life threatning; but a big deal for someone who doesn't like being put to sleep.
5. Very busy at work! I've also been enjoying it, usually when you are busy you're also stressed; but its been a good stress.
6. Doing lots of storytelling. If you didn't know I'm a professional storyteller. I specialize in telling American History from the perspective of the African American women that were a part of that history. All my stories are in first person. Well this year I've had an lot of opportunity to share those stories.

Well that's what I've been doing since Dec. of last year! I'm ready to start sewing again, as I discover a new me, and that's a good thing!

Estate Sales, etc

Well I know I haven't posted in a while, other things have just had me consummed; mainly work. It's not that I haven't been sewing, just haven't had the time to blog. So yesterday, I took the day off (mental health, aka vacation), and decicded to just take it easy since we were going to see my daughter's college team play basketball. So I decided since I was up anyway, I'd go to an estate sale that I had gotten an email on.

I usually go if there is sewing related items on the list. The last time I went, I ended up with some amazing sewing books (one by Singer (c 1972) and one by Coats & Clark (c. 1967)). These two books are two of the best sewing books I have ever purchased! Although the diagrams aren't in wonderful color, the drawings are just amazing. Everything is explained in detail from hand tailoring, laying out and cutting, fitting, etc. These two books have become my sewing bibles.

Well on yesterday at the estate sale I walked upon a box of patterns. When I got a chance to look at the patterns, I had over 30 vintage patterns, all in my size! Take a look at what I had in the box:
American Designer #1199

Butterick 9796, Simplicity 2461, McCalls 3130, Simplicity 1236

Butterick 5934, Vogue 9974, Simplicity 4813, Mccall 5760

Simplicity 5309

Simplicity 4556, Simplicity 1721, Simplicity 3598, Simplicity 1537


McCall 4108, McCall 8454, Advance 6726, Advance 2917

McCall 4172, Advance 2753, Advance 2732, McCall 9765

Vogue 5089, Advance 2837, Butterick 9796, Advance 9315

All of the patterns are in tact, except for the Butterick 9796 (missing the bodice pieces). I've posted to the pattern rescue site. I am very excited to say the least. I also have about 10 men's patterns that I haven'had a chance to go thru yet. I already know which ones I'm going to make. Some of the envelopes were barely in-tact so I made photo-copies of the envelope, and placed the pattern, along with the original envelope, in a 5x8 envelope, and taped the photocopy on it.

BTW, I finally completed my other vintage dress. It turned out wonderfully. Before I go to church on tomorrow I'll have to have to take a picture of me in it. And I'm hoping to catch up on my blogging....

Happy sewing!