Mad Men Sewing Contest

McCall's 5550 Pierre Cardin

The TV show Mad Men starts August 16th. Banana Republic held a casting call contest. When I was in San Francisco - the windows where full of Mad Men inspired clothing. The vintage sewing blog: Sew Retro is hosting a sewing contest based on the characters from the show. The prize will be a gift certificate for $25 worth of patterns from my company (Patterns from the Past) plus free shipping. You must be a member of Sew Retro to participate in the contest.

What you probably don't know is that I sold 7 patterns to the Mad Men Costume dept. in April. I can't tell you what I sold them until I see them on the air. Who where they sewing the patterns for?? The costume department usually purchases vintage clothing for the show - so I was thrilled to hear from them. I am a HUGE fan of the show. Stay tuned for more info!

Another Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest

Contest Date: June 17- July 17, 2009

Subject: Vintage Sewing Contest for children

Contact: Sewing Mamas

for more details.

Prize: $20 spending money at Patterns from the Past

Off to Costume Con 27!

Back into the past I go!  This weekend I'm going to Costume Con 27 in Timonium, Maryland.  On Saturday May 2, 2009, I will be lecturing on the history of sewing patterns at 9 AM and hosting a Hairspray party at the consuite at 4 PM.  

What did I pack?  I made a Simplicity 8329 - a Maleficent Costume from the 1987.

For the the Hairspray party I have clothing from the 1960s and a clown costume for the Historical Masquerade from the 1920s.

Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest!

Simplicity Designer's Pattern 8283

Patternreview.com is hosting a Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest.  First prize is a $100 gift certificate to my store, Patterns from the Past. 2nd prize is a $50 gift certificate to my store.  If you were planning to work on a vintage sewing project between between April 1 - 31, you should consider entering it in the contest!  You must use a vintage sewing pattern printed between 1920  - 1976,  not one of the new reproduction patterns.

I will offer a 15% discount at Patterns the Past during the contest.  The discount coupon code is contest.

Good luck with your projects!

Garrison House Days

Every year the 2nd grade classes from my town go to the local Garrison House. They dress up in "Colonial" style clothing. The girls wear mob caps and  dresses.  The boys wear loose shirts that are belted and tucked in their pants to pretend they are wearing knickers. The kids love this trip. It is amusing what the kids will wear to it.   This is one of the few field trips they remember.   It makes for amusing photos when you produce the 4th grade yearbook.  My daughter is on the far right in the picture below.  I love her toothless grin.

The parents volunteer to give  tours of the historical buildings and to work on colonial crafts with the classes. Many of the adults dress up with the kids.

I recently acquired this pattern and it reminded me of the time my kids went on this trip.  This pattern is from 1976.  The height of the bicentennial craze.  I remember being a kid in 1976.  There where a lot of people dressing up in colonial style clothing then.  "Little House on the Prairie" was  on TV.   As a historical costumer, I cringe at how they designed this dress.  It has a big zipper up the back.  This pattern isn't even marked as a costume.   Laura Ashley was in fashion.  Those where the days!

Simplicity 7776

Can't refuse reuse!

In the past few years I have had discussions with Girl Scouts in my town about doing her Gold Award around having our town not use plastic bags. Another young Girl Scout asked me to sign a pledge to not use plastic shopping bags. Both girls got me thinking about all the bags I use for shopping. It took a few months, but I finally gave up my new bag addiction. I have a bunch of bags that fit nicely in my purse. I drive the store owners crazy by providing my own bags. The supermarkets are more used to the bags. I am happy to report that I got through black friday without acquiring a single new bag. I have very few plastic bags in the house to re-use, and none to throw out. It really took an effort at first, now it is 2nd nature. I think I've gotten my daughter in the habit too.

Here is group in England (morsbags) supporting the use of reusable cloth bags.

Do you want to make some of your own shopping bags to use up your fabric stash? Try some of these vintage patterns!

Simplicity 6912

This one would look great in vinyl or a durable canvas. You do not have to add the pom-poms unless you want.

McCall's 5630

This pattern shows you a interesting way to make a tote bag that looks like pants. I thought it would tell you how to cut off jeans or a skirt to make it into a purse. No, this pattern has you cut out the pattern and make the purse from scratch. They are nice and don't have you insert the zipper.

Last year, for my son's holiday fair, I created purses made from old jeans. They where based on instructions from Threadbangers. I was told they where not a hit. Not enough bling. I have a great messenger bag made out a chino pants. It holds all my cub scout items, and it looks great with my uniform.

This year I made purses out of Men's ties. I have been told there where a hit. I have not had luck selling them on etsy. I love working with the different colored ties, the problem is due to their shape the inside of the purse is larger then the flap.

7 Things I Would Never Tell My Father Meme

My Elana cousin (once removed) tagged me in this Meme.

1. I would never tell my Dad to organize himself.  People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.  I'm not as bad as my dad - but my house is definitely chaotic.

2. I would never tell my Dad to cook. I don't think he can do anything other then boil water for tea.  

3. I would never ask my Dad to write something.  His dyslexia is worse then mine.  I think he wrote me a postcard once in camp.  I could hardly read it.

4.  I would never like to have a major argument with my Dad.  He is stubborn!

5. I would never ask my Dad about a novel.  He can not read for pleasure.  He does enjoy many technical books and retains an incredible amount of information.

6.  I would never tell my Dad that he has too many puzzles.  He loves them all.

7. I would never ask my Dad to find something quickly.  It is somewhere, but where did he put it???

The tag: Do share 7 Things We Don't Know About You or...7 Things You Would Never Tell Your Mother/Father.

I tag: Mickey Coburn, childhood friends: Lucy Lee, Jamie Beaman and my Cousin Devs