• Sale Time! •

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It's time for a sale in my Etsy shop! I reached 50 sales last weekend, so to thank you, my lovely customers, there is a sale on through Monday, February 1st. Use coupon code CELEBRATE to take 20% off your purchase.

Also, I just listed some new patterns in the shop!

These patterns and more just hit the shop yesterday. Vintage patterns from the 1970s-90s, plus some more modern styles in a wide range of sizes. And use the coupon to save 20%! :)

Thanks again for all your support of both my blog and my Etsy shop! :) You are all very much appreciated.

• Mom's Original 1950s Dress •

It's time for a throwback post! ;) 

A you can tell, these pictures were not taken very recently, as evidenced by the immensely green backdrop. But since we haven't had the time, weather, or inclination (hello, head cold #3!) to take pictures this past week, it was time to pull up a draft post and get it posted.

This dress is one of my favorites of my mom's dresses! It was, in fact, her first vintage-style dress she ever made. She used Butterick 5920, modifying the neckline and drafting a collar based on a vintage dress illustration.

As you can see, the collar in the top right picture was the inspiration. I think she did a lovely job emulating it!

(Read the rest of that vintage dress pamphlet here.)

The fabric she used is a 1950s reproduction, and I absolutely love it. Pink....floral....polka dots all over...I'm in love! ;)

Since the shoulders were going to be a little too wide, she added vertical tucks on the top of the shoulder, both front and back, which brought in the width without restricting movement or messing up the armscye.

Those red buttons are the perfect accent!! They look totally different on the back side; I used them on my infamous walkaway dress as well.

And...who could help but love her adorable sandals?!!! They're soooo cute, and perfect for vintage styles. <3

Thanks for stopping by! :)

• Blogging Again!! •

Long time no see!! ;) It has been a crazy month so far, to say the least.

First I got sick on Christmas day, and was sick for a full two weeks afterwards, then it decided to come back again about a week later. So I do have an excuse for shamefully neglecting my blog!! :) 

And the other excuse is all the sewing I've been up to! We're working on vacation outfits, three of which I have finished, and am working on the fourth. So to hold you over, here are a few sneak peeks of them!

First off is this comfortable blue 1940s dress, perfect for travelling in the car. And who doesn't love having to make only one buttonhole?! ;)

Next is this polka dot 1950s, commonly known as the "chocolate bonbon dress." This picture was taken before it was quite finished, but you get the general idea. I'm happy to have finally sewed up this fabric! :)

This third one is pretty much my pride and joy. A 1940s sundress and bolero that really meets all my expectations of it! :) I can't wait to pick seashells by the ocean in this!

And lastly is this rayon dress I'm currently working on. In this picture it's actually just pinned to Thelma Lou (no darts in the bodice, unfinished neckline....no back bodice.....you get the idea.) ;) But I am thrilled with how it's coming out, and how easy the fabric is to work with, unlike any other rayons I've dealt with thus far! 

Hopefully I'll have a "real" post up next week, but I had to update a bit so you didn't entirely forget about this blog! ;) Thanks for bearing with me!

See you next week!

• 2015 in Retrospect •

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas! We had a fun time of relaxation, baking and making (way too many) cookies and sweets, watching movies, and playing games.

I made gingerbread cookies for the first time ever, and loved them! I used Lily's recipe and found it to be easy to make and very tasty.

I also made my traditional Christmas-time toffee! I was thrilled that it turned out good this year!

My dad has been making fudge for...well...longer than I've been alive, I think. So it's a definite tradition in this family to always have Dad's fresh black walnut fudge at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is just about the most delicious thing you'll ever taste. :)

And lastly, we made our traditional Christmas sugar cookies!
The recipe originally came from my great-grandma, and it is a keeper! We made....only about 150 cookies. Just a few. ;)
They freeze very well, so they're fun to pull out throughout the year and enjoy.

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Meanwhile, it's time to look back at 2015! It's hard to believe another year has gone by already!

It's been a good year overall; when trials come, you feel like it's been the one of the longest and worst years ever, and you're ready for next year to be a very good one (which is still always nice thought!). But once the trials are over, you realize that there was a purpose in them, and that they were actually for your benefit and learning.

But it's been especially good on the seamstress-y side of things!

I made quite a few garments, while of course at the same time making plenty of messes, plenty of mistakes, plenty of UFOs, but also plenty of memories. The Lord has been very bountiful! :)

first row: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

second row: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

third row: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

fourth row: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

To celebrate the new year, my Etsy shop is on sale through January 1st! Use coupon code WELCOME2016 to receive 16% off your purchase.

May you all have a Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for the coming year.