New Listings at GoofingOff Sewing

Simplicity 7534 Misses' Mini Dress in size 16, Bust 38 inches from 1968....COMPLETE 

It was a very rainy morning, my day off sandwiched between work days....Lots to do but never too much that I can't list a few patterns. The rain inspired me to make soup...2 pots (tonight and later this week), get laundry done (just have to iron my scrubs...yes, iron..with my 1950's old fashioned iron), and pack weekend purchases. Now it's coffee time and a chance to show off the latest listings.

Vintage Vogue 7734 Misses' Jacket, Skirt, and Pants in size 14-18 UNCUT OK, I really like this jacket. I could wrap up in it and stay warm by the fire. Love it.

Vogue 9382 Misses' Unlined Jackets in size 6-8-10 from 1985. UNCUT A little bit 80's?

Simplicity 5556 Misses' Jiffy Knits Dress in size 12, bust 34 inches from 1973 COMPLETE I love Jiffy patterns.....quick and easy, put it together and go. Yippee!

Butterick 5192 Misses' Jacket and Pants with Ready-to-Wear-Sizing by Designer Connie Crawford. UNCUT
The pattern size is Xsmall to X large. The pattern appears uncut but it isn't factory folded.

Simplicity 8350 Misses Tops, Dress, Skirts and Shorts from Pre-shirred fabric in size 12, bust 34 from 1978. Partially UNCUT 
So I made a dress out of pre-shirred fabric for my candle lighting ceremony. We got our nursing pins and recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge. I still have the dress....somewhere.  I am a disorganized sentimentalist. 

Simplicity 9365 Misses' Blouses for Knit Fabrics from 1971 in size 16, Bust 38. Partially UNCUT
So I was in love with the hairdos on this pattern back in the day. I tried to get my hair to be like view 2....but that's where my hair gets frizzy...like stick-your-finger-in-a-light-socket frizzy. 

New Look 6040 Misses Dresses, 7 views, size 8-18. UNCUT

Simplicity 6001 Girls' Caftans in size 8 or 12 from 1973. COMPLETE

Butterick 4194, Girls' Sew n go Flared Skirt in size 8. COMPLETE A quick flare skirt would be great for the young ballerina or gymnast. 

See & Sew 5541 by Butterick, Misses' Draped Dress in size 8-10-12, bust 31-34 inches. COMPLETE 
Ok, I am obsessed by this dress. I love the drape. It gives it a very elegant look.

McCall's 3715 Girls' Jacket, Top, Pants, and Skirt in size 7. For Unbonded Stretchable knits. COMPLETE A little girl in bell bottoms....how cute!

So, that's it for now. There's more coming..... I have a stack....serious stack.....of stuffed animal patterns from the 80's, all uncut. There's a Christmas in July Pattern Sale coming real soon and all the crafty patterns....dolls, doll clothes, and animals and the like will be 40% off....Like Cabbage Patch and Berenstain Bears.  Watch for it and grab your favorites for holiday sewing.
Don't forget to use the coupon code BLOGGIN to get the 15% discount ....exclusive to the blog.

Post by Eileen Patterson.......who is GoofingOff!

Kasper and Oleg Cassini Patterns at GoofingOff

The 1980's....shoulders got big, then bigger, hair was curly and big. We wore loose fitting shirts with big, extended shoulders and tight, straight skirts and pants. For the first time in my life my curly hair was in fashion and there was no need to try to tame it. Sigh. 

Well, enough about me.....this is glimpse into the world of fashion in the 1980's. Both designers, Oleg Cassini and Kasper, were well-known designers of their time. 

Oleg Cassini was a fashion designer of international fame who designed   Jackie Kennedy's ensemble for President Kennedy's Inauguration.  Cassini is credited designs such as the sheath, the A-line, the little white collar dress, the knit, the military look for women, and later, the Nehru jacket. 

The dress seen here is classic 1985, extended shoulders, deep armholes, funnel neck, and top stitching. The straight lines lend a geometric feel to the design....classic Cassini. 

Simplicity 7076 from 1985, Misses' Dress by Designer Oleg Cassini in size 10, bust 32.5. UNCUT

 Herbert Kasper, known in the fashion industry as Kasper, is an award winning designer who made inexpensive clothes look exquisite and expensive. From 1966-1985 he was the head designer for Leslie Fay Co., Inc. His clothes were described as being feminine and sexy. 

This mid-1980's dress pattern (1985) is signature 80's....extended shoulders, mid calf, loose-fitting top, but has a soft, feminine look. 

Vogue 1544 from 1985 in size 14, bust 36 by Designer Kasper.....COMPLETE

Well, that's it from me.....Happy Monday to all. 

Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN during check out to get the 15% discount in the GoofingOff Sewing shop. 

Post by Eileen Patterson.....who is GoofingOff!

Patti Page's Magic Dress

Patti Page's Magic Dress Designed by Joseph Fretwell III early 1960's

One of the benefits of selling patterns is the things that come with them. People who sew are a little bit pack rat. They save newspaper clippings, magazine articles, swatches of fabric, and old patterns that struck their fancy. One woman called her mom a "Wanna-do." "She wanted to do lots of things but never had the time so she kept the stuff...just in case she found the time" she said. 

In one of the Wanna do's pattern boxes I found an magazine clipping from "This Week", a magazine that arrived on Sunday mornings with the newspaper. This clipping was about Patti Page's Magic Dress. Patti Page was a popular singing star (How Much is That Doggy in the Window) and had her own TV show on ABC in 1960-1962. The dress was designed by Joseph Fretwell III, her designer (he went on to do costume design for the Exorcist and the French Connection). The dress was described as "Anywhere---Anytime Dress. According to Joan Rattner, Mr. Fretwell "came up with the idea of the basic dress with added parts.......you'll welcome this interesting way to look different as well as pretty from morning to late evening with only one dress."

The Dress that has everything.

Part No. 1: The dress is a "slim, flattering sheath with a scooped neck and slim belt." One is advised to "make it in a firm fabric with contrasting textured trim. 

"Part No. 2: A luxuriously full overskirt, belted over the dress and open down the front. "

"Part No.3: A matching easy-fitting jacket finished off with a shaped band just short of the hip bone."

"Part No.4: A filmy trapeze worn over the dress for evening. Made very full, its light chiffon folds are belted in front."

The pattern cost $1.50 and was available through the magazine using the "coupon on page 14 .....that makes you eligible for entering a $1000 teen-age sewing contest. 

Anywhere---Anytime dress

Alas, the coupon is long gone and the dates were carefully cut from the clipping. Despite this, it is still a treasure to enjoy. 

Don't forget to use the coupon code BLOGGIN to get 15% off your purchase from GoofingOff Sewing

at Etsy. The code is exclusive to blog readers so feel special....because you are. 

Love always....Here's to sewing straight seams and irons that stay smooth.

Post by Eileen Patterson....who is GoofingOff.

Friday's Freebie: Crocheted Slippers

I am surrounded by old papers and patterns....surrounded...but patterns like this one.....I'm OK. These cute slippers came from an old magazine page....not sure what magazine but they look like they'd keep feet warm on a cold winter night....and winter will come soon enough. Crochet a few pairs of these honeys while you sit at the pool or in the car during the summer road trip and holiday shopping will be a little less hectic.
Per the pattern: "Crochet these from  Coats & Clarks Red Heart Knitting Worsted. Six ounces are sufficient for a pair; use plastic crochet hook G. Instructions are given for small size, changes for medium and large are in parentheses. Sew elastic thread around top.

Abbreviations:
ch (chain)       sk (skip)
st (stitch)        hdc (half double crochet)
dc (double crochet)   rnd (round)
inc (increase)
sp  (space)           dec (decrease)

Hope you enjoy the pattern. Work these babies up and keep the tootsies warm this winter. Handmade is always appreciated. 

Love ya!! 

Post by Eileen Patterson....who is GoofingOff 

Summer of '66: Five for Summer

While trying to organize (a forever project) I found this in a magazine from 1966. Cute sun hat, oh-so-elegant turban for those bad hair days, and sleeveless, casual dresses for summer. 

Enjoy!
Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN during check out to get 15% off your purchase from GoofingOff Sewing. 

Mid Week Listings At GoofingOff Sewing

It's mid week and almost July. Has anyone else noticed how fast time flies the older one gets? I spent my youth wishing I was older, couldn't wait until I was 16, couldn't wait until I was 18 and independent....now I know better than to wish my life away. I learned to savor each and every minute, especially the anticipation and build up of special events...after all, the events go so fast.

Well, enough of that. Got to get to work. 

Here's a few patterns recently listed in the GoofingOff Sewing Shop on Etsy. The patterns are Stretch & Sew from the 1970's. They were designed for stretch fabrics (hence the name) and have all sizes in each pattern. All are uncut and never meant to be cut. The purchaser would trace the pattern onto paper and use the tracings to cut the fabric. Two great things came from that.....complete patterns that were uncut. Woo hoo!

The styles were often classic looks (OK, not all. Safari jacket, anyone?) like cardigans and sweaters, T-shirts, tabbed collar shirts, etc.

Stretch & Sew No. 200 Raglan Sleeve Top and Sweater, Size 28-42 

Stretch & Sew No. 770 Classic Blouse Sizes 28-30-32-34-36-38-40-42

Stretch & Sew No. 350 Ladies' Shell Size 28 -42. Includes four collar variations.  ..... Love the do!

Stretch & Sew No. 300 Set-In Sleeve Top and Sweater Sizes 28-44

 Here's one for the guys so they don't feel left out. 

Stretch & Sew No. 1750 Set-In Sleeve Tab Front Shirt Chest Sizes: 34-48

Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for a 15% discount. It's exclusive to blog readers and followers. 

Post by Eileen Patterson.....who is GoofingOff

Thank You, Dad

This morning there is a trend going on....Thank You Dad. 

Fifteen years ago I lost my dad to heart disease and diabetes. I often think of the things he taught me and his influence on my life. 
He wasn't a perfect man but he was my hero....even if I would have argued the point in my teen years....I was such a shit. 

Thank you, Dad.

Thank you for teaching me to put jelly on my peanut butter sandwich to keep it from getting stuck on the roof of my mouth. 

Thank you for showing me the proper way to eat pizza....fold it first. No fork necessary because that's how us New Yorkers do it. 

Thank you for teaching me about my faith, for teaching me about not mixing milk with meat, that catfish don't have scales, and giving me my love of it. You were awesome when you stuck up for us when someone tried to give us milk to drink with a roast beef dinner. You stood taller than your six feet that day. I was so proud to be your daughter. 

Thank you for my "let's do it" attitude. When there was no synagogue at Floyd Bennett Field NAS you got approval to build one there...in addition to your own duties. So many people pitched in, even us kids. I beamed with pride when it was dedicated. One man's dream can be powerful.

Thank you for my love of country. You spent 20+ years in the Navy. You did it well. As the son of immigrants you believed in serving the country that provided a great way of life and allowed dreams and visions to become reality. 
I am proud to be a Navy brat and the daughter of a veteran. This is a great country and I am proud to live here.

Thank you for telling me I am smart and could do whatever I wanted to do...that I had it in me. You thought it was OK for me to love to read and gently scolded me for reading instead of paying attention in my less interesting classes. "Put the book away even if you are in the middle of the page." You didn't think I was weird when I would read the encyclopedia. 

Thank you for telling me I had the right to get angry, that my anger was valid....and thank you for telling me to forgive or that same anger would eat me up and ruin my marriage. We are still married. You didn't pick him for me but for the first time you approved of someone. 

Thank you for teaching me good manners....and to say Please, Thank you, and Excuse me. I taught those words to my daughter and she taught them to her children. Your legacy lives on.

Thank you for teaching me to set the table with proper placement for silverware and napkins. Comes in handy when I eat at nice places. The napkin goes in my lap.

Thank you for enforcing dinner time at the dinner table and encouraging conversation there. My husband and I still eat dinner at the table and save things to discuss over dinner. It brings us closer together.

Thank you for teaching me geometry....how an angle stays the same regardless of how large the triangle is..and how it is necessary for carpentry when school math had no practical purpose. I found out that algebra has a practical purpose, too...in nursing. 

Thank you for showing me that family comes first...that sometimes you have to sacrifice for your children, that working to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads is more important than getting your dirty or lack of sleep....that honest work is a blessing regardless of whether it is cleaning toilets or working at the top. 

Thank you for teaching me forgiveness....for accepting my "I'm sorry" when I was 18 for being such a shit when you first came home from Nam. You hugged me and told me it was OK and part of growing up....my growing up.  

So, thank you, Dad. You are still missed and thought of often. You might not have been perfect but you were perfect for me. 


Post by Eileen Patterson.....GoofingOff

New Listings at GoofingOff Sewing

Summer's here and it's hot outside....sometimes a little too hot to go out and play. What's the alternative? Sit on the couch and eat bon bons? Not likely. I like to create and sewing is one of my favorite pastimes. Here's a few new listings in the GoofingOff Sewing shop for summer fun. 

Vogue's Basic Dress Pattern 1774 Size 14, Bust 34 inches COMPLETE This honey is from the late 1960's. 

Vogue 8428 Misses' Jacket, skirt, and pants in size 8-10-12. UNCUT  So late 80's, early 90's. 

Butterick 5390 "Fast & Easy" in size Lrg-Xlg-XXL, bust 38-48 inches UNCUT Love, love, love the peasant top look. 

McCall's 4865 Misses' Pullover Tops and Poncho. COMPLETE All sizes. Cut to largest size. Includes embroidery transfer How cute is this?

Simplicity 7003 Misses' Shawls from 1975 UNCUT I love a shawl, especially in the summer. Maybe a prayer shawl in some inspirational fabric?

Simplicity 7852 Maternity Tops in size 12-14, Bust 34-36 inches COMPLETE it also includes a pattern for a baby bib How cute! 

Vogue's Basic Design  1198 Dress and Jacket Size 14, Bust 36 inches COMPLETE The basic dress and jacket from the 1970's. 

New Look 6272 Misses' Dress, Top, Slim Pants, and Kimono with belt in size 8-18, bust 30-40 inches UNCUT Love the dress....SALE Priced!

Post by Eileen Patterson.....who is GoofingOff!
Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for the 15% discount...exclusive to blog readers.
Stay cool, use sunscreen, stay hydrated, and keep those seams straight!

Random Act of Kindness Challenge

It looks as if summer is upon us no matter what the calendar shows. 98 degrees with an index of over 100....in the shade. That's bad but real bad for those who have to stay outdoors. 

Today I stopped at the doc's....no biggie but the parking situation is difficult to say the least. The security guys were super nice....had a spot for me in seconds. I kept looking at them thinking about how they were dressed (boots, long pants) and how hot it must be for them. I thought of the job they do.....keeping me safe.....how unappreciated they are at times and  how nice they were despite the fact they were roasting in the heat.  I thought I needed to do something nice to let them know that at least one person appreciates their efforts.

When I left the office I stopped at the store and bought them big bottles of ice cold Powerade. They were pretty surprised when I brought it to them.....and grateful. The best part was the feeling I got from doing it. A random act that I didn't have to do, no one paid me to do it, no hurrahs or pats on the back. 

So, here's the challenge. Do an act of kindness for someone. It doesn't have to be big or expensive. Give a compliment. 

Open a door. 

Buy a meal. 

Pay it forward. 

The reward is wonderful. It doesn't cost much and the receiver carries the good feeling with them forever.....and so do you. 

Post by Eileen Patterson....who is GoofingOff

Summer Handwork for Road Tripping

It's not summer yet but the heat makes you think twice. Temps around these parts are 98 degrees in the shade and over 100 with the heat index (heat + humidity =fried eggs on the sidewalk). It's too hot to be in the garden past 7 AM.....the pools feel like bathtubs.....think I will stay indoors until it is just a little cooler. Here's a couple of things to pass the time away while cooling off. 

Chorus Line Crewel Stitchery Kit by Monarch Horizons

Persian in Roses Counted Cross Stitch by Dimensions.

 Both kit are complete and unused....ready to go. Small enough to take along while traveling. 
Stay cool, y'all. Remember to wear sunscreen when out in the sun and drink plenty of fluids. 

Post by Eileen Patterson....of GoofingOff

Collectible Costume Patterns

Costumes are special. Whether  for Halloween or a part in a play the costume helps transport a person into another character in another time and place. Here are two estate sale finds now available at GoofingOff Sewing. 

McCall's 1951 from 1955 in size 6.....Robin Hood costume with tights, tunic, and slippers. COMPLETE

McCall's 1485 from 1949 in size 6. Panda, Rabbit, and Cat. COMPLETE

Lots "new" listings added daily to GoofingOff Sewing. Be sure to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for a 15% discount...exclusive to blog readers. 

Post by Eileen Patterson.....GoofingOff

New Listings in GoofingOff Sewing: Cook It UP

Aprons are so versatile. Great to wear while cooking....obvious...but fun for the backyard barbecue or entertaining. Good for protection when welding or doing shop work.....and it's nice to have extra pockets when doing a yard sale. Here's a few recent additions to the shop.

McCall's 8231 Men and Women's Aprons COMPLETE

McCall's 5826 Men and Women's Aprons. Red Letter Transfers included COMPLETE The pattern also includes a pot holder pattern and an oven mitt pattern. I love the reference to the movie "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice," the so popular movie of the 60's. It starred Natalie Wood, Robert Culp, Elliot Gould, and Dyan Cannon. It was about sex...my mom wouldn't let me see it. 

McCall's 2925 Misses Apron and Pinafore in size Small COMPLETE

Post by Eileen Patterson....who is GoofingOff.  Stop by and see the latest additions to the shop.

Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for your 15% discount exclusive only to blog readers.

Zippered Chain Purse: A Free Sewing Pattern

While going through some my latest pattern acquisition I found some papers with this pattern in it and thought I would share. Enjoy!

The pattern looks like it could be made using many different types of fabric. 

Enjoy!

Post by Eileen Patterson....who is GoofingOff. 

Lots new listings in the GoofingOff Sewing shop...Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for your 15% discount exclusive to blog readers.

Summer DressListings

I love summer.....I think I said that more than once, but really, with patterns like these, how could I not like summer? Gorgeous and sexy, ready for a summer date night or wedding. Dreamy!

70's Fashion Butterick 6719, Misses' Cropped Halter top and skirt size 10

McCall's 3230 Wrap-Around Pantskirt in size Small, Waist 24-25 inches

McCall's 5770 in size 16, bust 36 inches. Gorgeous from 1961!

Butterick 3514 Misses' dress, size 6-10, bust 30-32.5 inches. UNCUT

Use the coupon code BLOGGIN to get an additional 15% off your purchase. 

Post by Eileen Patterson....who's GoofingOff!