Nancy Drew, or Fashion for the Bungalow

My daughter and I made our way through a 'gently used' bookstore last night. We found several first edition Nancy Drew books (Trixie Belden, too... but her style was not so developed). I had fun sharing my memories of Nancy, Bess, George and Ned. My daughter looked through the books with curious interest, holding each as though it were a foreign object from some long-forgotten past. Those moments make me smile.

Now, I'm only 29, so the first editions predated me. I still remember checking them out from the library. Those older stories gave me my first glimpse into the past. I learned fancy words for friends, cars and homes. I also saw how Carolyn Keene (the real person, not the pen name used during my day by several authors) described Nancy's smart outfits. That girl was always put together.

I've collected some of Ms. Drew's best vintage looks. Here, now, for your enjoyment and my daughter's awe:

Pretty blouse with bow tie and matching skirt. Set waves with side part. Perfect for solving crime.

Bess gets my vote for best dressed on the dock. That green frock and matching hat take the cake! All three ladies look so composed, so overdressed by today's standards. Note the bobbed hair; those forward thinking gals.

This is perfect to go riding in that awesome car daddy gave her. Cloche, scarf, riding gloves. Nance knew her way around the accessory counter.

Matching dress, belt and purse. I know the matchy-matchy look is dated now, but sometimes I think it still packs a punch.

Finally: Vogue Patterns!

I have checked the Vogue website a couple times a day for the last week...waiting for Spring to pop up. I admit even to checking it from my iPhone (and that takes considerable patience for the site to load). They've finally arrived!

1233 is everyone's favorite, I think. Those details are beautiful.

1220 looks comfy. Like a modern take on the housedress. Bows around my waist are bulky sometimes; maybe I'd make the sash longer to tie and hang from the back.

8718 should be a good wardrobe builder. The jacket sleeve detail is a little eighties, but I don't mind it.

8714 is a Very Easy Very Vogue pattern. I think it is simply beautiful.

8708 - I think I mentioned before most days I sport a pair of jeans and a button down shirt. I love camp shirts.

8712 is a Marcy Tilton design. I think these look like the step up from cozy sweatpants. Last year I made one of her jackets, and I'm hooked. While her lines seem... bizarre... at times, the lines are flattering and they disguise imperfections.

8719 would be fun made up in linen. My husband wouldn't go for it, but seersucker would be cool, too.

Now, if only Hancock would get some of these in before their $3.99 MLK, Jr. sale is over. Wouldn't I be tickled pink?!

McCall's & Simplicity Spring 2011 Patterns

Call it the January Blahs, but I am ready for some Spring. Naturally, I squealed with delight to find McCall's Spring patterns uploaded on their site this morning. Then I found Simplicity's, too.

Here's the stuff I really like:

M6284

I love the bolero look of this shirt. The lines seem timeless. The pattern looks fast and easy (a compliment in this scenario).

M6292

I like the lines of this jacket. I'll pick it up at the next Hancock .99 sale, and maybe whip it up for the 12-for-12 challenge.

I'm on the fence about this Cynthia Rowley dress. I like the jacket, anyway.

I don't anticipate needing a formal anytime soon, but this Jessica McClintock pattern is great. It would be fun just to play with the bodice pieces, anyway.

Under the right conditions, I would consider paying full price for this pattern. Nice clean pockets, trendy ruffle collar, shorter length. Everything a girl could want.

Hooray for travel appropriate sportswear. These pieces could handle planes, trains or automobiles, emerging unscathed. I want to make the pants set.

Now hear me out a minute. These bed jackets are styled horribly. Rainbow cheetah? But this year my house will be 91 years old. And it can get a little chilly when the sun disappears. I like the one up top there. About half as long. Without gratuitous peace signs.

So there you have it. Now we wait (im)patiently for Vogue and Butterick. Vogue, really. They're my favorites. What shall we do to pass the time? Go fabric shopping, of course...

2011 - A Jacket a Month

I am participating in the Jacket-A-Month 2011 Challenge organized through the Stitcher's Guild Sewing Forum. After reading so many ladies' inspiring blogs about the project, I became motivated to try it out myself.

I already have 3 jackets cut out for myself, my DD and DS...and am making plans for at least 9 more.

McCall's 5718 is already cut in a red velveteen. I am making the blue view A from the envelope. For some reason, full length sleeves are forever in my way. A crazy swirly red and orange lining will be a nice contrast; this is my first lined jacket. That sounds horrible, but I usually prefer a Hong Kong finish on inside seams. Bulk is just not my thing. So. This pattern should push my skills. Which is the whole point of accepting a... well... challenging challenge.

Now for other pattern ideas:

This is Vogue 8623. I'm sure I picked it up at a 99-cent pattern sale. I have a green & cream woven fabric already purchased for this. So I should make it. I should. But we'll see. The fabric has been languishing in a tote for the better part of this year. And it's not getting lonely in there.

Vogue 1099 would be a fun spring-into-summer jacket. Everyone on Pattern Review (where, for the record, I also obtained these images) highly recommends it.

Vintage is my favorite. Vogue 2934 would be perfect for a special occasion, perhaps. Most days I find myself in jeans and a button down shirt (I give myself bonus points if it's blue or plaid). So truly I would only wear it to church or a special event. So maybe.

Now Simplicity 2603 would fit in well with my daily wardrobe. I think it would pack nicely in a suitcase, too. Would it be fun in a kelly green? With a navy blue tank top. Maybe for March.

I don't sew many Butterick patterns, for no particular reason at all. This one is in my stash, though. And I think it could fit the bill for summer. Plus it looks pretty straight forward. That should increase my chances for finishing all 12 projects!

Isn't this so Fame meets Jane Fonda? Wouldn't I look eighties fabu out walking my cockapoo? I think this would be a fun pattern made up in terry cloth. It is McCall's 5985.

I just picked up this Burda pattern a couple of weeks ago. Black or gray wool is what I'm thinking here. Really, I love all the blitzy buttons.

A couple of Claire Shaeffer blazer patterns are possibilities. Maybe another vintage pattern (I have a wooden box of my grandmother's old patterns). Or a nautical themed summer swing jacket a la Beach Blanket Bingo. I'll be digging around for inspiration and, honestly, I have some time!

Solid Ideas

Reduce, reuse & recycle your craft area.  Here are some things worth hanging onto.

• If your clothes are past donation status, remove buttons, zippers and any decorative detailing before throwing them out
• Save frozen juice cans so the kids can make pencil holders (dad always needs another for his desk) - try gluing a winter felt scene with seed bead snowflakes...think outside the can
• Organize embroidery thread or small skeins of yarn on an old coffee mug rack
• Consider scrapping your worn clothing - one day your kids may sit under a quilt or blanket and reminisce about their old favorites (cut out those adorable t-shirt icons and iron-ons, too)
• Look over your empty laundry soap boxes/containers and all of those tubs from the kitchen - paint them or paper them and store an infinite amount of notions
• Your favorite paper catalog can be cut up for scrapbooking or a tiny paper project - for free!
• Grab something from the trash or recycle bin, drag it into your workspace, and force yourself to be creative (look what those designers can accomplish with car parts or coffee filters on Project Runway).  You'll feel better knowing you've been environmentally responsible.

I'd love to hear more crafty conservation ideas from you.  

Book Report

Twinkle Sews by Wenlan Chia

I was in my favorite mega bookstore the other night and looked though about 20 craft books before deciding I could not live without this one.  Wenlan Chia, who previously authored knitting books, has successfully created a sewing book and pattern disc.  In true Project Runway spirit (she references the show in her introduction), the clothing borrows from the past and is most remarkable in its superbly executed details.

Anyone looking to advance their sewing technique beyond "Sewing for Dummies" would be intrigued by these projects.  I can't wait to try out one of the six raglan sleeved tops, and the diamond pleating showcased on the Balancing Act shirt will be a new technique for me.  Chia uses exquisite fabrics, and reminds the reader the value in spending a little more for quality.  Silk-and-viscose velvet, stretch tweed (wool, nylon & Lycra blend), and viscose-linen are among my favorites.  

Look for more posts to come as I try my hand at a few new looks.  With sizing from 0 to 16, I can reprint any number of times (I'm thinking homemade Christmas).  Bottom line: I would recommend this book to anyone looking to branch out beyond simple sewing techniques.