Making Christmas Memories....Twas the Night Before Christmas....

I'm bad...so bad. I haven't written much in a long time. I've been so busy....Yeah, I know, poor excuse. Well, here goes...Twas the night before Christmas...well really, a couple of nights before Christmas, not a creature was stirring, except me at my sewing machine. What to make that I can do in a hurry, look good (not me, the thing I'll be making), and can fit in an envelope with 2 day shipping? Oh, and for 2 little girls.....I could buy something but honestly, my grandkids are blessed...everyone of them. Loving parents and grandparents who buy them things they need AND things they want so I make things for them. This time I had a time crunch, 1 day, to make it and get it out so I went to my stash and found enough fabric to make pillowcases.
I used this tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYWCma9wgM from the Missouri Star Quilt Company

Here's an example of the pillowcase on their site.
Here's the fabric I used:

Cute, huh? I love the colors, bright and cheerful. Adorable owls, cupcakes and beach balls. Fun!
I'd show you a picture of the pillowcases but I sent them out. I've got a schedule to meet!
Not Neiman Marcus stuff but not too shabby and made with love.

Well, have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy and don't forget to make memories. After the batteries are dead, the dolls busted, and the pieces are missing to all the stuff you get, it's the memories you'll have left. Make good ones.

Buying Made in America

Maybe the title should be "Trying to Find Made in America." I saw the news shows about buying Made in America and how important it is to do so. I saw the list of companies who are located here in the States, but let me tell ya, finding the items at my local Walmart is like finding hen's teeth (I've raised chickens…no teeth). For all the advertising Wally did about more American made items you'd think there was enough to buy some….hmmm. A few months ago I decided I wasn't buying anything not made here and had to surrender when I couldn't find USA made underwear. It was close to tragic.
After hearing my husband complain that our dishes were ugly I decided to shop for dishes. I had to give it to him, the dishes were ugly….rust stains that no amount of scrubbing would cure…just made them uglier…so I drove my happy a** to Walmart and started looking. Lots of cute dishes but most made in China. BHG…made in China. Pfaltzgraff….made in China. Ugh!!! Finally, I found made in America….Corelle by Corning, the folks who made Pyrex, proudly made in the USA. A pretty swirled red and gray pattern on white and I was good to go. More expensive than the others but…..I guess it's a matter of putting my money where my big mouth is.
Anyway, my dishes are no longer ugly but the story doesn't end there. I stopped in the fabric section and was looking at some military theme fabric….like Air Force, Marines, Army….nice fabric but guess what….Made in China!! I felt like I was slapped in the face. There was Made in USA military fabric about a year ago. All gone forever? Who would think this would be so difficult? Definitely not me. A woman could go naked looking for Made in America……

Keep the Party Going!!

Yeah, let's keep the party going! Well, OK, not really a drink-alot-dance-on-the-table kind of party but a "I need a good costume to sew for this year's party and the pattern's are on sale at GoofingOff" kind of party. The sale is so good I decided to keep it going until October 30th. There's still lots of great patterns available with something for everyone, even the dog….could be for the cat, too, with a little bit of alterations. I'm not sure if I could talk Mr.Ted into wearing a costume, though…the poodle posse is easy but Ted is another matter. Oh, well….back to the sale…all costume sewing patterns are 30% off…no coupon code to remember because the savings are already to grab up.
Oh…and don't forget, buy 3 or more patterns and they ship for free (US only, please).

Post by Eileen Patterson…forever GoofingOff.

Vintage Fashion Designer Norma Tullo

During one of my thrift shop stops I found this adorable dress pattern, Butterick 4207. The dress was designed by "Young Designer, Australia, Norma Tullo. It was just enough to spark my interest. I had to learn a bit more. 

 Norma Tullo, known as Australia's Original First Lady of Fashion, (1933-1982) was a major fashion designer from Melboune, Australia. She began her fashion career in 1956. Although some of her dresses are in lace or other fabrics, it seems her fabric of choice was wool.  Her designs In 1965, Australian  Women's Weekly reported that the Butterick Company signed Norma Tullo, along with Mary Quant, Jean Muir, and Gerald McCann, for their January catalogue.

Butterick 4207 Size 12, Bust 32 $8.50 

This pattern is one of the ones designed by Ms. Tullo for that January catalogue. It is undated.

Post by Eileen Patterson…forever GoofingOff.


http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/46237771?searchTerm=norma%20tullo&searchLimits=
http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Norma_Tullo

Classic Look for Fall

While listing patterns for my Etsy shop I found this Very Easy Vogue 7210 from 1979. The look is perfect for fall, timeless, classic. It has a retro look that can easily be made into a now look. The pattern includes instructions and pieces for the jacket and belt, skirt, and pants.
The jacket is loose fitting and unlined, perfect to wear over sweaters and long sleeve blouses. It is front wrapped (no buttonholes!!), hip length (hide the butt, another !!), with shawl collar and patch pockets.
The skirt is a straight,  front wrapped skirt that is gathered at front and back to a buttoned waistband.
The pants are slim, straight-legged, and cuffed, with a mock fly front zipper closing.
Simple, timeless separates to build a wardrobe….and still look good.

Keep those seams straight!

post by Eileen Patterson…who is forever GoofingOff!

The Mouse Who Couldn't Cross the Street

No, this isn't a "why did the chicken cross the street" joke. This is a real true story of a little mouse who couldn't make it across the street.
Today, while waiting for the light to change at a busy intersection, I noticed something brown in the street ahead of me. At first I thought it was a leaf but then I noticed it going in a circle, directing its own movement, not a leaf carried by a wind gust. It was a mouse. Now anyone who knows me knows I don't like mice (or too many other rodents for that matter. I am the EEK, It's a mouse person). Despite my dislike of mice, I found myself cheering it on, hoping it would make it across. For a second I thought "It's a mouse. What are you doing?" but then I also thought "it's not in my house so no problem….(good thing because I would be on the table screaming my fool head off). I also thought how often do we root for the underdog…like Rocky,  winning against all odds.  Like no matter who's playing football I hope the losing team comes from behind and puts up a good fight.
Well, the poor little rodent didn't make it but he gave it a good try. He made it across 4 lanes before a truck stopped his journey (told you it was a busy intersection…it's big, too).
I guess I am in a philosophical mood…..Keep trying….don't think about the mouse….Or me on the table screaming, either.

Post by Eileen Patterson….who's always GoofingOff.

McCall 9892 Ladies' & Misses' Blouse from 1938

OK, I'm excited. Very excited. I come by lots of vintage patterns but the ones from before the 1950's are hard to find. Very hard to find, so to find one from the 30's is Holy Cow exciting.
No misspelling…McCall's was McCall back in the 30's.

McCall 9892 size 16, bust 34 inches UNCUT $22.50

I love the haughty look of the models…sort of like Carol Lombard's sister in My Man Godfrey. Like they should be saying "Darhling, please….he's a bum. What do you want with him?"

The blouse is a very classic look with a yoked back, pleats in the front, a front button closure, pointed collar, short sleeves, or long sleeves with buttoned cuffs.
So cool!

Don't forget the Costume Sewing Pattern sale going on now until September 30th. All sewing costume patterns are 30% off.

post by Eileen Patterson….who's always GoogingOff!

New Listings: The 50's Retro Look

Finding incredibly gorgeous vintage patterns from the 50's (or older) is a thrill I have to share. Here's some new listings in GoofingOff Etsy and GoofingOff Artfire.

Butterick 6886 Bust 36 inches UNCUT $18

Simple tops, Quick N Easy to sew, with a round, jewel, or folded collar. Great retro summer look.

Simplicity 4479 One Yard Apron Complete $10

These amazing aprons are one yard aprons designed to use only one yard of 36 inch wide fabric. So cute!

Butterick 9122 Waist 30 inches $10 UNCUT
Love that Marilyn Monroe look.

Another one of Butterick's Quick N Easy pattern line. A little more flare, great to hide imperfections while still giving a beautiful look.

Simplicity 3408 in size 16, bust 34. Complete.  $22

This dress is fantastic….the perfect summer dress with flattering lines.

Simplicity 3383 Aprons and Pinafore Size 18 Bust 36  UNCUT $22

The apron is so cute with tulip pockets and the pinafore makes a sweet looking summer dress. 

There's lots more but I had to show these off. Enjoy!

Post by Eileen Patterson….who's GoofingOff!

By the Sea: Retro Beach Wear to Sew

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea……old song that sticks in my head when I think of the beach. Even though the summer is almost over in the Northern Hemisphere, it's spring down under and there's always those winter getaways to warmer weather. Bathing suits are required, of course, but loose fitting sundresses, halter dresses, and casual wear are befitting. With that said, here's a few retro beach looks to drool over.

Very Easy Vogue 8664 in size 12- 14- 16 UNCUT $10 Perfect for that special night. 

Simplicity 7520 Loose Fitting beach dress size 12-14 UNCUT $15

Relaxed and easy….

Butterick 9946 Early 1960's Muu Muu in size 16, bust 36 UNCUT $15

Simplicity 7950 size 10 - 12 - 14. This pattern was cut to size 14 (yay!) and is complete

Post by Eileen Patterson….I'm always GoofingOff!

Costume Sewing Pattern Sale 2013

Darn, August went by fast. Seems like the older I get the faster the months fly past me. It seems like I was in the middle of the long hot summer when BOOM!!! September's here and Halloween is just around the corner which means…….(a little fanfare here) the annual Costume Sewing Pattern Sale is here!!! Whoo hooo! All costume patterns are a big 30% off until Sept 30. All of them….and theres a bunch. Here's a few:

Simplicity 0601

McCall's 3663 Medieval Costumes size 6 - 12

Simplicity 3847 Soda Shop Girls

McCall's 3789 Witches and Wizards in kids' sizes 

Butterick 6386 Toddler's  and Children's Costumes: Shark, Dinosaur, Batman, Tiger

There's a lot more in the shop so stop by and check them out. The sale will continue to September 30.

Post by Eileen Patterson….I'm GoofingOff!

Patterns to Swoon Over

Every time I tell the hubby I am not buying any more patterns I make a liar of myself. A pure, shame-faced liar….but then, I am not totally to blame. These patterns are swoon-worthy, just not the leave-them-at-the-store patterns.

McCall's 5009 from 1965

Love the turban. After watching all those old, ahem, classic movies when I was a kid I always thought turbans were so exotic and classy….especially on someone like Hedy Lamar. She was so glamorous.

Simplicity 6215 from 1974…in size 18, bust 40 inches

This cutie patootie is a "How to Sew" pattern. Love the sleeves. The a-line form is perfect to distract (that's a good word) from the full hips that often go along with the 40 inch bust. At least they do in my case. Even in a smaller size it's a little easier to move in that a pencil skirt….

Both of these swoon-worthy patterns are in the GoofingOff Etsy shop…..

Well, gotta go….had to share...

Summer Sundress McCall's 5089

Here's a cutie from 1976, McCall's 5089.

McCall's 5089

 The top is casual enough to wear with Daisy Dukes but take it longer and it's ready for a summer shopping trip. Go a little longer, add white-on-white embroidery, and it's ready for a beach bride. 

Post by Eileen Patterson, GoofingOff

Peace, Love, and Keep Your Seams Straight!

Vogue 1293 American Designer Donna Karan

Vogue 1293

Donna Karan. The name is synonymous with New York and fashion.
Vogue 1293 Donna Karan Vogue American Design Dress and bodysuit in size 12-14-16 from 1993.
Sort of Goth.

Peace, Love, and keep your seams straight!
Post by Eileen Patterson….GoofingOff.

Paris Designer Original Claude Montana Vogue 1251

Vogue 1251

Claude Montana was a top designer in the 1980's and early 90's known for aggressive tailoring and use of color. This pattern is an example of his work.
This pattern is from 1993, multi-sized for sizes 14-16-18.

Post by Eileen Patterson, GoofingOff, as usual.
Peace, love, and keep your seams straight!

Vogue 8035 Seventies Style

Vogue 8035 from the early 1970's.
Vogue patterns printed before the 1980's often didn't have a copyright date. This is one of them.
An a-line dress with round collar at knee length; shortened to below hip length and worn with pants. Pantsuits were often a preferred look at the office for women as styles changed in the early 70's.

Vogue 8035

Post by Eileen Patterson....GoofingOff.

Upcycled Linen Decorator Pillows

A while back at the local thrift shop I found a dress that was destined for parts unknown. The dress wasn't my style but it was made of linen and had wonderful machine embroidery on it. I snatched up the dress thinking there was plenty of material in it to make something....but not sure what.
My recent shoulder surgery gave me a few ideas.....and a little bit of time to work on them. I took a good look at the dress and decided on pillows. At first I thought big square pillows would be good (and easy, too, the inserts would be pre made) but since I like a challenge, and didn't really want to fool with buttons, I decided to make two small pillows that would be a good size for travel, or support my poor, miserable arm when I try to sleep. (Forgive my whining. Sorry).

Here are some pictures of the fabric I used.

 Each side of the skirt had different embroidered flowers, too pretty to throw away.

I like the natural color of the linen, too. 

I made the pillow cases envelope fashion, no zipper. I had to make the pillow inserts to fit the pillows. 

Here are the finished pillows. One is a little longer than the other but .......

Not too hard to make. Another unfinished object (UFO) out of the pile, and I sleep better with the little pillow to help support my poor shoulder (sorry, whining again). 

I still have quite a bit of fabric left. It was a large dress. I thought a pincushion or two might be nice. Not sure what else but that's the fun of recycling/upcycling.  

Sewing for Love: Mending a Pillow and Cheap, Chopped Chicken Feathers

Weird title? The Sewing for Love part or the Cheap, Chopped Chicken Feathers? So I will explain. Most of us who so do so in part for love, the love of creating, the love of others (watching someone's face light up when they appreciate something you made for them).....stuff like that. Sewing is a hobby for me. I sew OK but not great. I understand the process but I just don't have the talent like others I know. I do it for love.....which leads me to the pillow.
My loving hubby (really, he is a good one...even cooks) has a pillow that he just loves. He shares it with our dog, Annie. I guess one could say it is really Annie's pillow and she graciously shares it with him. Good relationship. Well, this pillow is old. I don't even know where we got it from, who bought it, or anything. It just appeared and it stays on my couch. I have the honor of changing the pillow case every so often, that's it. It's not mine. I'd just as soon send it to the dump, but then I would have to sneak it past 2 instead of one.
I thought I would finally have my way when I noticed a zillion or so feathers in the living room one day. On further investigation I found the pillow had a large tear in it...the fabric is that frail and worn. I told my husband who promptly got a needle and thread and, without further ado, sewed the rather large hole.
I was shamed. Totally shamed. I could have, and should have, sewn it when I found the hole but didn't. He would have done it for me. Total shame so today I mended the pillow properly. I made a new pillow the same size as the old one with two layers of fabric to keep the feathers in. It's plump and pretty now. I showed it to the hubby and his face shone with delight. "I love that pillow" he said.

So what does that have to do with cheap, chopped chicken feathers? When I opened the pillow to use the feathers I noticed they didn't quite look like any goose feathers I am familiar with. It made me think of the Dick Van Dyke Show episode where Laura bought supposedly goose down pillows and he found out they were full of chicken feathers. He sued. In the courtroom he told the judge the pillows were full of "Cheap, chopped, chicken feathers." He won. Seems the judge was allergic to chicken feathers.
Cheap, chopped, chicken feathers kept running through my head while my machine was singing.

Eileen Patterson

Oriental Influence and Mandarin Collar

I don't know how young I was but I remember my mom, the fashionista, talking about "mandarin collars" and Suzie Wong dresses. I saw the Suzie Wong movie years later and thought about how Hollywood influenced fashion, sort of like the influence The Great Gatsby is having today. Here is a pattern from the late 1950's with "slim-lined Oriental influence....and Mandarin collar."
The envelope is gone with time. The previous owner salvaged parts of the envelope and pasted them on a Manila envelope. Good thing since the front picture and envelope back are in good condition.

A very rare estate sale find.

Turning Heads...Strut Your Stuff

I'm sort of a mousy kind of person. I don't like to draw a lot of attention to myself, just sort of happy being an observer (long time self confidence problem). I love watching people who create an entrance, who are confident enough to pull off anything....or almost anything, with a dramatic flair. So....I went to a conference a while back and sometime through, in walks a woman wearing a dark red cape. She sort of stopped the show without saying a word and without the apologies I would have been making. So envious....not evil envious just wish I had the confidence to do that envious. She later told me it was the cape that did it. When she puts it on she becomes a bit taller, holds her head higher, and looks wonderful....and she did.
Sort of like when I was a clown...I could have fun and act silly with the makeup and the hair...I was another me. Well, sort of like that.

Butterick 3361 in Extra Large

Simplicity 3940 This pattern includes a caplet for Mom, a coat for the young miss, and a matching coat for the fur baby. Talk about turning heads!

Simplicity 9029 Ok, not a cape but dramatic just the same, especially with the detachable fur collar. Imagine going to a Christmas party or the ballet wrapped in this!

I Am Not a Hoarder

Really, I'm not but I think I have some serious tendencies. I think my real problem is I have more money than sense and, with that money, I a) buy things I think I can make or b) buy things I think I can sell. It's only later when I arrive at home with the boxes (yes, that is plural...boxes) I realize I have a problem. Well, a few problems, not enough time to make everything I think I can or should, not enough time to take pictures and list my vintage finds to sell, and most importantly, where do I store all these treasures. My guest room is over run, my treadmill is covered (I swore this would never happen), and there are boxes in the hall way. At least I don't have a trail through the house (I do have one in my sewing room and office, though) but it is still a problem to one who prizes organization. So what to do?
Well, I had to have shoulder surgery (holy cow, talk about ouch!) and thought I would use the time off to re-take my house. Good thought but there's a lot and I am not ready to have someone come in and throw out everything like they do on TV. I'm a little slower...and it's less traumatic. After all, I'm post op. My motto is "How do you eat an elephant?" No, not with salt and pepper....One bite at a time or in my case, one box at a time. I am almost through box one. Here's some of the goodies:

These ribbons are from an estate sale. There's more already posted in the GoofingOff shop. In the MetalWoodsnWater shop are things for beach decor and in MissEileen you can find vintage bottles. There are also vintage crewel and needlepoint kits available.  I'm just getting started.
Remember, I'm not a hoarder....really.

Old Movies

There are some movies that touch our hearts, that transport us to another place and time. Regardless of how many times we've seen them they stay special to us. We can recite the dialog, know each part by heart, yet we are drawn to them and watch them over and over again. My hubby loves action flicks....Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicolas Cage or The Transformers. He loves them and gets all excited...."Check this out"....."I had a car like that"....."Eleanor".....I guess for me it's the "chick flicks" that make me smile and stop me. I love "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. They fall in love and he hangs in there through it all. The New York City setting makes me sort of homesick (just sort of).  Even the music at the end of the movie "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is just right.  Enjoy.

New Fabric and Pattern Listings On GoofingOff

I added a few more patterns and fabrics to the GoofingOff Etsy shop. Here's a sample:

Nautical fabric Sailing Ships fat quarters. Yardage available, too!

United States Marine Fabric in fat quarters. Yardage available, too, on request. 

Lots of costume patterns.

Simplicity 5403 Poodle Skirts.....I have poodle skirt patterns for girls, too!

Simplicity 9769

Simplicity 3809

Simplicity 9966 

Stop by and check them out!

Peace, love, and Happy Stitching!

Free Crochet Pattern: Handy Mitt Potholders

I was going through my stack of vintage magazines and found this pattern in a Woman’s Day from the 1970’s.

They are called Handy Mitt Potholders and would make a great gift for the cook on your list or to keep.

Size: 8 1/2 inches from lower edge to top.

Materials: Aunt Lydia’s Heavy Rug Yarn (rayon/cotton)

For solid-color mitt: 1 (70 yard) skein each peacock No. 740 and spring green No. 605. For Striped mitt: 1 (70-yard) skein each peacock 740, spring green No. 605, brown No. 420, phantom red No. 140 and cerise No. 115. For both mitts: Aluminum crochet hook size G (or international 4.5 mm).

Gauge: in pattern st 5 groups = 3 inches, 3 rows = 1 inch.

Striped Mitt:  Starting at wrist edge with peacock, ch 17 to measure about 5 1/2 inches. 1st row: In 3rd ch from hook work 1 sc and 1 dc (1st group made), * skip next ch, in next ch work 1 sc and 1 dc. Repeat from * across (8 groups); ch 1, turn.

2nd row: *Skip dc, in next sc work 1 sc and 1 dc. Repeat from * across, ch 1, turn.

Repeat 2nd row 4 times more. 7th row: Work across in pattern, ch 3 at end of row. Mark this edge for thumb. 8th row (thumb inc): In 3rd ch from hook work 1 sc and 1 dc, continue across row in pattern as established; break off peacock, attach green; ch 1, turn.

Working in pattern with green, work even on 9 groups for 3 rows more, ending at marked edge. Do not ch 1 at end of last row. Break off green, turn.

Next row; Make lp on hook with brown. Skip 1st 2 groups, work 1 sc and 1 dc in sc of next group, continue across in pattern to end of row (7 groups); ch 1, turn. Working even in pattern on 7 groups, work 1 row more with brown, 3 rows with red and 3 rows cerise.

Next row (dec row): With cerise, work in pattern across to within last group, work 1 sc in sc of last group; ch 1, turn. Following row (dec row): Skip 1st sc, work 1 sc and 1 dc in sc of next group, work in pattern across to within last group, work 1 sc in sc of last group; ch 1 turn. Repeat last row twice more, omitting ch 1 at end of last row. Break off.

Thumb: 1st row: Make lp on hook with brown. Starting at outer edge, work in pattern st across free green sts (2 groups); ch 1, turn. Continue in pattern on these 2 groups only for 3 rows more. 5th row (dec row): Skip 1st de, draw up lp in each of next 3 sts, y o hook and draw through all lps on hook. Break off. With brown, work 1 row sc evenly on all edges of thumb sts. only. Break off.

Second Side of Mitt: Make another pieces in same manner.

Finishing: Edging: with red, work 1 row sc all around edges, except wrist edge, of both pieces. Joining: With red, sew both pieces together from the right side. Wrist Edging: With red, work around wrist edge as follows: Work 2 sc in each sc around. Break off. Loop: Attach red with sl st to wrist at seam edge and crochet 2 inch chain. Sl st in each st of ch. Sew end of ch to mitten to form loop.

Solid Color Mitt: First side of Mitt: Using only peacock: work as for striped mitt.

Second side of Mitt: Using only green, make another piece in same manner.

Finishing: Using only green, work as for striped mitt for edging, wrist edging, joining and loop.

A pattern like this can be modernized using “now” colors and different yarn. Try two strands of thick eco-friendly cotton yarn or maybe make your own yarn out of old t-shirts.

Post by GoofingOff

Peace, love, and Happy Stitching!