Fabric of Win

I got this fabric about a month ago.  I saw it in the local market and my mum bought me a couple of metres of it as I loved it so much - I wanted to make a circle skirt with it ... Then I had to go back a couple of days later and buy some more, I love the fabric so much, it needs to be a dress.

But the question is, which dress?  It's actually an impossible decision!

As soon as I saw this fabric, it said to me 'big skirt', so I think I need to obey that.  And it's such an awesome fabric with a lot going on that it needs a simple pattern.

At the moment, Retro Butterick 5748 is winning, but I just can't commit until I'm sure this is the perfect pattern for this amazing fabric.

Am I the only one who sometimes gets frozen by this kind of perfectionism?  

Do you cling on to a fabric because it's just so awesome that you feel that you need to save it for the perfect pattern?  Or when your sewing skills are 'good enough' to do the fabric justice?

Do you get a bit scared of those sacred fabrics?

If you have any ideas for a pretty pattern for this one, please do let me know!

12 in 2012 - How did we get to half way already!?

So yeah, it's June.  How did that happen?!

Some of you may remember that waaaaay back in January (which, to be honest, seems like 2 weeks ago to me, but apparently it's a bit longer than that) that I joined in and wrote my own lists for Suzie's 12 in 2012.

Well, Suzie's just reminded me that we're now half way through the year (!!!) by posting a great refection upon her progress so far.  Quite sensibly, she's also revised her lists to add in her wild cards and adjust according to what she's completed (lots - go Suzie!) and what she wants to do.

Oh dear.  I suppose I should do the same ... though it's a far less successful story, alas!

Here's the situation so far:

Clothes to Make:

1. Skirt 1 (Simplicity 2413, paper bag waist).
2. Skirt 2 (slim skirt from a vintage pattern with inverted pleat at back).
3. Skirt 3 (high-waisted skirt from Simplicity 2654)
4. Blouse 1 (anchors fabric, vintage pattern).
5. Blouse 2.
6. Cropped jacket (vintage pattern, silver-grey dupion).
7. Dress 1 (New Look 6000).
8. Dress 2 (Macaron).
9. Dress 3.
10. Men's waistcoat.
11. High-waisted trousers.
12. Coat (McCall's 6442 - the hood, the hood!!).

Not Clothes to Make:

1. House thing 1 - throw (possibly involving patchwork?).
2. House thing 2 - doorstop(s)?
3. House thing 3.  - Patch! cushion cover.
4. Pattern weights.
5. Apron 1 - for that giveaway I mentioned aaaages ago!
6. Apron 2 - giveaway!
7. Apron 3 - giveaway!
8. Yule present 1.  (Well, my little sister's Birthday present *cough*fromlastyear*cough*) - A Kindle cover.
9. Yule present 2.
10. Yule present 3.
11. Yule present 4.
12. Something pretty!

New Things to Try Making:

1. Men's clothing.
2. Trousers.
3. Piping.
4. Actually completing an item from one of my vintage patterns!
5. Actually completing an embroidery item!
6. Doing some more advanced fitting/pattern altering techniques as needed (eg, grading up one of my vintage patterns that is quite a bit too small).
7. Knit a garment (so far I've made a scarf and a snood).
8. Outerwear.
9. Patchwork. - Yay, hand-sewn patchwork, no less!  Patch!  Cushion cover.
10. Making a lining.
11. Underlining.
12. Hand-picked zip (they look so lovely and seem like a relatively simple technique to use for a bit of couture luxe). - I have, in fact, done one of these now (now my favourite method of zip insertion - it makes sewing a zip actually enjoyable!), I just haven't blogged about the project yet.  It's a skirt from Butterick B5466.  The skirt isn't finished, but the zip is in!

Yep, I haven't finished any of the clothes on my list.  I feel bad about that, but it's not necessarily surprising, considering my fluctuating weight situation.  So I need to try not to beat myself up over this one.  Try.

Looking back at this list, I have noticed some things do need editing, slightly, though - my needs have changed over the past six months, so my list needs to change slightly, too (changes in lilac):

Clothes to Make:

1. Skirt 1 (Simplicity 2413, paper bag waist - hmm, I've kind of gone off this pattern, so this is a wildcard skirt.).
2. Skirt 2 (slim skirt from a vintage pattern with inverted pleat at back - actually, this is a lot like Butterick B5466 (see below), so I'm going to change this one to a wildcard skirt).
3. Skirt 3 (high-waisted skirt from Simplicity 2654 - actually, I've started Butterick B5466, which is quite similar, but I preferred the idea of having a waistband)
4. Blouse 1 (anchors fabric, vintage pattern).
5. Blouse 2 - currently finishing the silk crepe blouse - fabric and pattern to the right, just need to do the button holes and hem.
6. Cropped jacket (vintage pattern, silver-grey dupion).
7. Dress 1 (New Look 6000).

8. Dress 2 (Macaron - actually, much as I love this pattern, with the waist band it's not as easily adjustable as others, so it will have to wait; instead step up Retro Butterick 5748.  I already have an amaaaaaaaazing fabric for this, which I have photos ready to post very soon.  So excited for this one!).
9. Dress 3 (after the lovely weather we had a couple of weeks ago, I'm thinking the very summery Vogue 8184 ... that's if the weather remembers that it's June!)
10. Men's waistcoat.
11. High-waisted trousers.
12. Coat (McCall's 6442 - the hood, the hood!!).

Not Clothes to Make:

1. House thing 1 - throw (possibly involving patchwork?).
2. House thing 2 - doorstop(s)?
3. House thing 3. 
4. Pattern weights.
5. Apron 1 - for that giveaway I mentioned aaaages ago!
6. Apron 2 - giveaway!  I've realised it's probably not the best idea for me to make three of the same thing, that's just going to add to the time it takes me to do a giveaway and it's taken long enough already!  So this is a wild card.
7. Apron 3 - giveaway!  Also a wild card.
8. Yule present 1. 
9. Yule present 2.
10. Yule present 3.
11. Yule present 4.
12. Something pretty!

New Things to Try Making:

1. Men's clothing.
2. Trousers.
3. Piping.
4. Actually completing an item from one of my vintage patterns! - Nearly there, currently finishing the silk crepe blouse (see above).
5. Actually completing an embroidery item! - I didn't specify at the time whether this included machine embroidery did I?  Hmm ... Let's say it does, OK?  ;P
6. Doing some more advanced fitting/pattern altering techniques as needed (eg, grading up one of my vintage patterns that is quite a bit too small).
7. Knit a garment (so far I've made a scarf and a snood). - I have started a jumper!  Well, I've cast it on ... not gone much further than that, though, to be honest!
8. Outerwear.
9. Patchwork.
10. Making a lining. - This is in progress - I'm making a lining for my version of Butterick B5466 in an attempt to avoid the dreaded skirt-riding-up-on-tights curse!
11. Underlining.
12. Hand-picked zip (they look so lovely and seem like a relatively simple technique to use for a bit of couture luxe).

And the winners are ...

I'm so excited to announce the winners of these lovely patterns!  A big thank you to everyone who entered!

1940s

1950s

Without further ado, here are the random number generator results from random.org:

Comment number 6 came from the lovely Isis, of Isis' Wardrobe  (yummy 18th century costuming!), Madam Isis' Toilette (fascinating experiments in 18th century cosmetics) aaaand Fashionable Forties (1940s stitchery and style.  Phew, what a busy lady!).  Congratulations, Isis!!

And the first comment was from Rowenna, a long time reader and, dare I say, blog-friend, of Hyaline Prosaic (18th century stitchery and reenacting) and Rowenna, Writing (yes, she's a fellow writer and stitcher!).  Congratulations - I hope this will give you something to work on for post-pregnancy!!!  (Yes, dear Rowenna's expecting!)

Since Isis loved the 40s pattern and Rowenna likes both, I'll be sending the 1940s nightwear pattern to Isis and the 1950s nightdress/slip to Rowenna!  Please email me, ladies: quintefoil [AT] hotmail [DOT] co [DOT] uk

Thanks again to all who entered.  And if you didn't win, don't worry, I've got more giveaway plans, so watch this space!

x

Vintage Underwear Giveaway - extended

There is still time to enter the vintage underwear giveaway!  

I realised that as we're in BST, comments don't always show as the correct time, so it's all a bit confusing to set a specific time that entries have to be in by, soooooo, as long as your comment is in by the end of tomorrow, Tuesday 5th June, when I will do the random number draw, then you'll still be entered.  

So what are are waiting for?  Go and enter!

Sew Direct Jubilee Sale!

(First off, if you haven't yet, enter my vintage underwear/nightwear pattern giveaway!)

I love Sew Direct!  Just had an email about another sale: 60% off all patterns for members and 30% off for non-members from today until 5th June.  (Again, I really don't work for them, but I do think they're awesome!  I am a member, now, because I just think it's that great a deal!)

The only question is what to get?!



Retro Butterick 5748 - vintage, bows ... need I say more?



Vogue 8766 - something about that pretty lace version keeps drawing me to it...

Vintage Vogue 8811 - there's something wonderfully simple and comfortable-looking about this dress.

Vogue 8184 - the photo doesn't look it, but this design really reminds me of vintage sundresses, with that pretty turn at the top of the bodice.  Bonus features - princess seams for a great fit, lining (yay for Vogue patterns) and straps wide enough to hide bra straps!

Decisions, decisions!

The Best Laid Plans ... (Belated) Vintage Lingerie Giveaway!

[EDIT: This giveaway is now closed, but I hope to do more soon!]


I am so sorry!  I had such great intentions to join in the Giveaway Day - all I can say is don't make any sort of blogging or sewing plans during your boyfriend's birthday!  I spent the weekend before his birthday helping him bake cakes to take to work (we made a lot and then I forgot to photograph them to show you all!) and then the day itself was spent running around on various errands and giving gifts and generally entertaining Mr Magpie.

So, my greatest apologies, dear reader.  Without further faff and ado, here is the vintage lingerie/nightwear pattern giveaway:

  

1940s nightgown and dressing gown (missing the embroidery transfer - boo!)

1950s nightdress, slip and knickers

There are no requirements to blog or tweet about the giveaway (though if you'd like to tell others about it, I wouldn't say no!) or answer a complex question: please simply comment below and, as I'm curious, just tell me something about yourself ... it could be your favourite pattern, what you like about these two patterns or what your first sewn/knitted/crafted item was, anything, I'd love to learn a bit about you! :)

The giveaway will be open for one week, until 12 midnight British Summer Time on Monday 4th June 2012.  I'll pick two winners using a random number generator on Tuesday 5th.  If you mention a preference for one of the patterns in your comment, I'll try to give you your preferred pattern, but if both winners wanted the same design, I'll randomly choose who gets which, if that makes sense (sorry, brain isn't fully engaged to explain clearly in this heat!).

Good luck!

x

EDIT - I forgot to say - I will post these patterns worldwide!

Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway day - 21st May

Is it that time of year already?!  Yes, the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day is nearly upon us and it's with rather serendipitous timing...

The eagle-eyed amongst you might have spotted this pretty in my post about Springpad:

Lovely gathers.  Though, the embroidery transfer is missing.

Yes, it's a new pattern ... But I didn't buy it for myself ...

You see, I was doing my usual "it's payday, let's hit up eBay for vintage patterns" thing when I spotted this beautiful 1946* nightgown pattern going very cheaply.  Normally, whenever I see underwear or nightwear patterns from the 40s and 50 on eBay, they tend to go for £15+.  Soooo... I thought it would make a nice treat for my readers if I did a giveaway, as I'm sure you often have similar problems finding nightwear and underwear patterns that aren't super expensive.  

Plus, I seem to be kind of embarrassingly lucky with giveaways myself (I recently won a £25 Frumble voucher over at the super-kind Handmade Jane's and almost a year ago I won the Dress of Dreams (which still doesn't fit - damn thyroid) over with the lovely Liz of Zilredloh), so it's way past time I gave something back (sorry for being a bit rubbish on that front, I am resolved to do better!).

And then I saw another pattern, similarly reasonable in price:

Blue has taken her knickers off!  How scandalous!!

This one's from 1951 (again, according to the seller) and includes a nightgown, a slip and panties with some really pretty detailing - that bust gathering is lovely and the ruffles on the nightgown are so pretty!

So, I exercised my eBay ninja skills and managed to scoop these two pretties with the intention of doing a double giveaway.  Then I saw the Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway day was coming up and, well, it felt like a sign. 

So, ladies and gents, tune in on 21st May (which is also Mr Magpie's birthday!) for a chance to win these patterns.  I'll probably give them away separately so two people will have a chance to win.  And I will be shipping internationally, to spread the love!

Hope you all are well - I'm off to tidy my sewing corner (I should take some photos now it's finished, too!) and *gasp* do some sewing while I pretend I haven't got any marking to do (I do.  Boo!).  

<3

* According to the seller - I'm not that up on dating nightwear patterns that I could say if I knew 100% this was 40s or 50s, though I think it looks more 40s.

Micro-blog: Yum

I love this woman's aesthetic taste.  Pretties!

Super-Amazing Organisational Tool - The answer to pattern and project management?!

OK, I'll start this off with a disclaimer: I'm excited and therefore this post is likely to contain many exclamation marks.

Remember my Excel spreadsheet of fabric and pattern management? 

Yeah, it isn't exactly sexy, is it?  Well, it's definitely flawed.  I have kept up the system, but its main failings are:

• I can only view it from my phone if I convert it to PDF, which I therefore have to do each time I update it ... and I'm not saying that I buy a lot of vintage patterns, but it gets updated a lot.
• It's a spreadsheet.  Spreadsheets are, well, boring.  (Sorry to anyone who finds spreadsheets thrilling ... though you might need specialist help!)
• The pictures are quite small and there's only really room for one.
• The inclusion of pictures at all makes for quite a big file.
• Did I mention that it's a spreadsheet?

The first one is perhaps the most annoying, and so I've been looking for a good organisational system, programme or app that I can use equally well on my laptop and my phone.  My criteria weren't exactly demanding:

• Combining and organising text and images with notes on patterns.
• Being able to sort patterns according to how much fabric they require.
• Aesthetically pleasing.
• Being able to group patterns, pictures of fabric and inspiration images by project.

At least, I didn't think it was too demanding, but everything I've tried just wasn't quite right.  I thought of Pinterest, but that seems more focused on the image side of things ... plus I can see myself getting addicted to it and I need to save my time for actually doing things!

But then my stepmother posted this article about Springpad.  The article explains it better than I can, but, in short, Springpad does all those things ... and more!  You create 'notebooks' for each project, which you can use to organise and collect images, notes, to do lists, calendar reminders, alarms, products (with links to places to buy them), videos, bookmarks, recipes, music and more. 

I've only had a quick play around, but already I'm hooked.  I've started knitting my first jumper/sweater (eek!) and I've collected video tutorials for certain sections, pictures of the finished top, as well as a link to the pattern's Ravelry page.  Instead of bookmarking these things and having to search through folders, I've got all that information in one place.  It's simple, but perfect.

And you can share your notebooks or keep them private.  For instance, say you've got a group project - you can all work on it and receive alerts when someone else updates it.

Or if you've got a grocery list, you can share that with your partner or housemate, you can both update it and when one of you goes to the shop, you've got access to it there on your smartphone.  Or, even more bonkers, you can put recipes in your notebooks and Springpad will create a shopping list for you!

I'm still experimenting at the moment with the best way to arrange it all, but I can see myself having notebooks for each of my projects with mood board images, pattern details and pictures, as well as pictures of the fabric and links to tutorials for features I want to try out (like bound buttonholes).  I'll also be looking at how to record all my patterns, but the great thing is that I can tag them with the yardage, so they can be sorted by amount of fabric required.

Is it sad that I'm super excited about this?  Yeah, I thought so.

Patchwork & Quilting Supplies

I picked up some sewing goodies online last week:

Normally I wouldn't post about such an uninspiring combination, but I need to say two things about these products:

• Basting pins (that's bent safety pins to you and me) are amazing.  I only used them on the little bit of quilting for my sister's Kindle cover, but they made pinning so much easier.  Really.  Love them.  Totally necessary.
• Those needles.  They are sharp little buggers!  Much to my shame, this is the first time I've ever bought decent hand-sewing needles, and I can see that they're a different beast entirely to the cheap-o ones I usually use.  I just lightly dinked my finger on the point while sewing and it bloody hurt.  They're so thin and sharp, they sew like a dream.

That is the end of this public sewing announcement.