Boleros - cool or ugly?

We have all seen Jennifer Hudson on the red carpet.

Here is my nomination for a Better Bolero.

McCall 7970

Or maybe something simple like this:

McCall's 8068

Both of these jackets have a nice line to them. With the top one having a cool collar. Both straight out of the 1950s. They would go great with a Marilyn Monroe like halter dress like the one below.

Butterick 7280

Are these really that far off from something you might wear today?

To find these patterns and many more - check out Patterns from the Past.

Women in Ties

I have been following the TV show Ugly Betty from episode 1. Fashion, drama, humor - what wouldn't I like? There is one character that catches my eye - Amanda, played by Becki Newton.


I love the way she marches around the office. I also love that she wears ties. Should we start wearing ties again? What about jumpers?

Butterick 6440

or is this how we should be wearing ties?

Here is how to make one of those.

I KNEW I had a tie skirt pattern - or a skirt that looked like it was made out of ties! No ties would be destroyed to make this skirt. I'm not sure if that is a blessing or a curse...

Prominent Patterns 955