A new green dress

I love shopping for clothes.  There's something thrilling about going and trying on new things, seeing what fits well and what really doesn't.  I love looking at new designs and seeing how I might make them.  It isn't always about buying the things I try on…but there is something very satisfying about finding an outfit I love and making it mine.

Unfortunately, my wallet isn't bottomless.  Unfortunately, some days when I go to try on clothes, nothing fits and I leave feeling dejected.  I leave feeling like there is something wrong with me and my body, even though it is the clothes I tried on that were wrong!

On days like those, there is really nothing better than coming home and finding the perfect fabric, the perfect pattern, and going to work making something that I know I will love, that I know will fit, that I know is in my budget.

That's how I feel about this dress.  I could never have found something like this in a store that fit my body and my personality so well!  But when I combined this amazing green and white chevron cotton with my favorite Simplicity pattern (which I've now made three times….), I found a perfect dress for me.

I've made a few changes to the original Simplicity 1609 pattern.  The pattern has the front in two pieces, instead of one piece cut on the fold.  I didn't see any reason to not cut it on the fold, so that's what I've done for this dress and the last dress I made from this pattern.  I also changed the neckline from a crew neck to a boat neck-type look.  I also made the back a v neck.  While rummaging through my stash for a proper zipper, I only came up with a 4-inch zipper, and so I had to add buttons to the top, with a lapped zipper and a hidden snap below.  I think it turned out decently.  

Overall, I am incredibly happy with this dress.  I like it both with and without the belt, and think I'll be able to wear it a lot of places.  I wore it on Friday for my sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner, and plan on wearing it on a regular day as well.  

Sometimes it's great to go shopping and find ready-made things that fit perfectly.  But most of the time, I find my favorite outfits are ones I made with my own hands.  

Happy sewing!

Sewing with a Singer 66

I've been on a serious vintage kick, and it's NOT just sewing retro clothes!

Okay, so it IS sewing retro clothes…but on a vintage 1925 sewing machine!  Say hello to my gorgeous Singer 66!  It has a treadle, does NOT plug into the wall, and sews like a beast.

 

In college, we had an old metal machine that was fantastic to sew on while angry.  You felt like you were really accomplishing something, with all the clanking noises it made!  This machine is even better.  Each stitch says "KlUnka-klUnka," and the treadle shakes back and forth.  (Haven't had any complaints from the downstairs neighbor yet…)  Now, I know sewing machines aren't supposed to sound like that, but it's so satisfying!

It has some beautiful details that you would never see on a modern machine.  The gold decals, the ornate silver covering below…it all makes you feel as if you are sewing on something that was truly made with love.  

The Singer 66 was the very first sewing machine put into mass production, and was made for nearly 50 years!  It truly is an incredible machine.  Though it is very basic compared to today's models, it has a bobbin winder, adjustable stitch lengths, and will work during the zombie apocalypse!  

Above, the bobbin winder.  Below, a video showing how the bobbin winder works.  Listen to that great sound!!

I knew for my first project, I had to make something that was vintage.  I spent hours searching through 20s and 30s patterns for a dress or shirt I liked.  Eventually I found a Mrs. Depew pattern I liked, but was too impatient to start sewing to figure out the French enlargement process.  So, I pulled out an old favorite: Simplicity 3688.  

I made the pants once before from a cotton, and was happy with just about everything except for the height of the waist.  I know it is the style of the '40s, but I cannot do the under-the-boob waist-line.  I took about 3 inches off the waist, and it still is pretty high.  

Last time, I noticed how incredibly wide the legs were, but I decided to keep them wide for this pair.  They are really comfortable, but not as dressy as they could be.  Next time (because there will surely be a next time), I will have to make them a little narrower.  

From the above picture, you can see on the left the snap placket peeking out.  I've become addicted to snaps.  Zippers are a pain!

The heart-shaped pocket I put on the front.  

Excited to see what sewing is to come with my new sewing machine!!