Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday Doings

I've been having a busy time this week, what with preparing for next year's job, rediscovering old thrifting grounds, and sewing up a storm in preparation for Promaballoona. I did finish my Leonora shorts, and many thanks to all of you for your lovely, kind, encouraging comments. I feel so much better about them now! Pictures to come tomorrow. In the meantime, a couple of random iPhone snaps to tide you over:

I didn't bring this one home with me from Thrift Town, but I just had to take a picture -- this apparently belonged to a very disgruntled lady, judging by the comments written on the pattern envelope. "Neck opening way too large; armholes too deep; sides too wide, etc. etc. etc." And above the "large" designation, one more "VERY" in all caps. I love seeing these glimpses of the personalities/lives of the former owners of vintage patterns! This lady also apparently had a husband with a 42" chest, as there were at least ten men's shirt patterns from the 70s bundled with this one.

I used to go to Thrift Town all the time when I was teaching in San Leandro; whether I needed to spice up my teacher wardrobe or find costumes for the school's theater production, it never failed me. Well, that was before I started sewing, and now that I've discovered the wonders of vintage patterns, it's still good to me.

Butterick 5927 shirtdress, Simplicity 8098 mod skort-dress, Simplicity 4483 activewear set, Vogue 5462 skirt suit, Advance 8502 coatdress (my very first Advance pattern ever!), Simplicity 6149 girls' jumper and blouse (not my size, but just too cute not to get), and a turquoise-green stretch bottomweight fabric of mysterious fiber content, obviously perfect for the pants in Simplicity 4483!

And because this was just too ridiculous not to share, and on the chance that there might be some former Sanrio-addicts out there, have a not-very-indicative shot of my muslin of my prom dress!

Not very indicative of the actual dress because, you know, Pochacco sheets.
My actual dress is obviously going to be made out of curtains.

It's actually the Simplicity 4257 that Jane sent me for our swap, and it is turning out beautifully! My actual prom dress won't have sleeves, but I thought I should test out the sleeves while I was at it. I ended up taking out all the ease because I couldn't figure out how to insert it otherwise, and honestly, it's no better or worse than with the 2" of ease drafted into the sleeve cap...could it be that sleeve cap ease really is bogus?
Posted by at 9:16 PM
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21 comments:

  1. Cari HomemakerJuly 20, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    I love that Simplicity 4483 is an activewear set, including a hoodie, but also including a skirt. How cute is that?

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    1. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:16 PM

      I think one can be quite active in a skirt, just so long as it's full enough for long strides and one is wearing tap pants underneath!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 20, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    there's a thrift town in the city too! on 17th and mission! much closer than san leandro!

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    1. ElishaJuly 21, 2012 at 2:30 PM

      Yeah, bhuuuut... Thrift Town San Leandro is srsly one of the best thrift stores in the Bay. I find SF thrift stores overpriced/too crowded and therefore hard to find the goods. I don't live in SL, but SL Thrift Town has been worth the trip since my mom took me thrifting when I was a little girl.

      Srsly, comparing two thrift stores with the same name... not like comparing two Targets at all. Not the same.

      Delete
    2. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:17 PM

      Elisha, I'm glad that you understand the awesomeness of TTSL! I've never been to the SF one, but if I do you can be sure I'll review it.

      Delete
  3. RankkaApinaJuly 21, 2012 at 2:10 AM

    I can't wait to see your Proomaballoona dress! I just found your blog, it was the Spiderman dress :) It's so inspiring to see people interested in the same things that I am. Although I should probably use more time sewing and less on blog reading...

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    Replies
    1. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:19 PM

      I'm so glad you find my rather bizarre interests interesting! Thanks for looking!

      Delete
    2. RankkaApinaJuly 24, 2012 at 1:39 AM

      I think it's because I have bizarre interests myself :)

      Delete
  4. MelodyJuly 21, 2012 at 2:33 AM

    POCHACCO SHEETS

    POCHACCO SHEETS

    POCHACCO SHEETS.

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    1. Lenora JaneJuly 21, 2012 at 8:11 PM

      This was exactly my brain's response to that photo.

      Delete
    2. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:20 PM

      Alas, the actual sheets are waaaay too ratty for anything other than muslin-making, or else you know I'd have already made a dress from them...

      Delete
  5. BrookeJuly 21, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    Your mockup sheet it so cool! Can't wait to see the real thing!

    The sleeve cap ease is usually more noticable on period style garments. A lot of times if you pin well, you won't even notice it on most ungathered sleeves - so you are probably a good pinner. =) I'm always amazed at how ease disappears when you pin something well - even if it's a straight seam.

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    1. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:21 PM

      I don't think that I'm a particularly good pinner -- in fact, trying to pin it was so horrible that I just took all the ease out; that's why the top looks so nice and smooth. I wish I could watch a real professional tackle sleeves with two inches of ease, then maybe I could figure out the secret!

      Delete
  6. marcy harriell | oonaballoonaJuly 21, 2012 at 9:00 AM

    "My actual dress is obviously going to be made out of curtains."

    haaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

    a.

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    1. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:22 PM

      I love you. I have never seen such a judicious use of the letter A in a comment.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousJuly 21, 2012 at 9:43 AM

    "My actual dress is obviously going to be made out of curtains."

    Obviously. ;-) Can't wait to see the real thing!

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  8. AnonymousJuly 21, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    I wish we had thrift stores where I live - they sound so useful :( xXx

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    1. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:25 PM

      They are very useful! Thrift stores are a large part of why I can sew so cheaply. Do you not have second-hand/charity shops where you are?

      Delete
  9. angelaJuly 23, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    Your prom dress is going to be awesome! I can't wait to see what curtain fabric you choose! tee hee....

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    1. Cation DesignsJuly 23, 2012 at 10:26 PM

      Oh, it's a doozy all right...it's going to put Scarlett's dress to shame.

      Delete

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