Fourteen Easy to Sew Costumes for Halloween

Halloween is still a month away but time will fly as quick as bats from a haunted house. Finding and buying a ready made costume takes time and can be expensive, especially when you need costumes for more than one. These costumes are fairly easy to make letting you get out of the store and take part in the fun. 

Girls' and Misses' Rockabilly Skirts with Applique

Misses' Tutu Skirts Simplicity 0320

Misses' Costumes, Simplicity 0317

Costume Capes for Men and Miss sizes, Simplicity 0326

Wizard of Oa costumes for size 6 months to 4. Dorothy or the Witch. Simplicity 0335

Misses' Fairy Costumes Simplicity 0318

Girls' Fairy Costumes in sizes 4-8 Simplicity 0336

Grim Reaper Costumes for children and adults, Simplicity 0325

Misses' Bar Maid Costume Simplicity 0324 

Misses' Capes Simplicity 0316

Capes for boys and girls Simplicity 0338

Princess and Knight Costume Simplicity 0337

Batman and Princess Capes Simplicity 0339/0701

Princess Dresses Simplicity 0332

Costume patterns are on sale now until October 12 at GoofingOff Sewing on Etsy.
Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing

Easy to Crochet Gifts for the Holidays

I realize it's still September but even if I don't like seeing Christmas lights up before Halloween I do like to get some gifts made before the cookie baking and ornament hanging begins. Here's some patterns to crochet for gifts to get a head start on the holidays.

Christmas Crochet has patterns for these cute little carolers and....

these adorable snow man and lady rattle toys. How about the mouse and puppy? Oh so cute!

Hooked on Crochet has some challenging patterns but it also has some great ideas that will work up pretty quick. The ripple afghan can be done in any colors and would be appreciated on cold winter nights. 

The fishing bear on the bottom would make a cute Teddy for someone and those golf club covers are too darned cute! A think they could even become puppets for a show.

And how about this bed jacket? Any color would work. It could even become a little shawl for a fancy dress when worked in the right yarn. 

OK, so I am a sucker for cotton crochet yarn. It works up quick and has a nice feel to it......and since I am always looking for hot pads for the table these patterns are a given. I love them! An H hook and a ball of yarn and I am in my happy place. The Jack O' Lantern is adorable and the poinsettia (below) would look good on a holiday table. 

Well, that's all for now. I'm still adding more to the PatternHaus shop so stop by. There are more patterns....crochet, knitting, needlepoint, cross stitch, and embroidery.....to get your creative juices flowing before the holiday crazies start. 

Post by Eileen from GoofingOff Sewing, PatternHaus, and Miss Eileen's Vintage. 

The Beaded Bird

Happy, the Beaded Bird

Hi friends! It's been a while since I signed in but I just have to show my new work. I got a bit busy with things at home, like a diagnosis of breast cancer that took the wind out of my sails temporarily. Luckily the tumor was found during a routine mammogram and was very small. And double lucky for me because it didn't get to my lymph glands so I am doing a happy dance, albeit a dance with me holding the girls so they don't bounce while I dance. 
So, back to my new work. With all the doctor's visits and waiting rooms I thought I would need something to do. I took a crazy quilt class and that has lead me to all sorts of places. One place is making beaded bird ornaments.
The birds started as birds made from a recycled linen jacket found at the thrift shop. I love to re-purpose items and that sounded like the perfect thing for the jacket.....except the first birds looked like seals. Like throw me a fish seals and that wasn't what I was trying to do. 
After the birds sat around for a couple of years (yes, years), I looked at them again and took off the wings and started embroidering, then beading them. 

The first one was is cute so I started on another. 

Shalom Beaded Bird

Each bird is different, sort of "when the mood strikes" and "where the needle takes me." Shalom (which means Peace) is a WIP....work in progress. It's good to have them around. Takes my mind off things when I start to worry. 

Well, that's all for the moment. Got to finish Shalom. He needs a few beads. 

BTW, there is a sale going on at GoofingOff Sewing. All children's patterns are on sale. Next month starts the Costume Pattern Sale. Stop by early before someone grabs your faves at 30% off. 

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff Sewing. 

New Listings At GoofingOff Etsy

Hi, everyone!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I traveled to see family....long over due and had a great time.  I've been busy getting ready for my mission trip to Haiti, too. Got lots of supplies to take with me. Everyone has been generous and helpful. I hope I can do some good.
In the meantime,  I stocked my Etsy shop, GoofingOff Sewing, with great patterns to sew and create wonderful outfits. Here's a few of the new listings:

Simplicity 1229 Misses' Pullover top with Cardi-wrap...for knits Sizes XXS-XL 
I love the look of this blouse. It looks soft and cuddly, just right for winter....and it's an "It's So Easy Pattern" so it should sew up quick. 

McCall's 5934 Misses' Sleeveless Dresses in size 10-14, Bust 32-36 inches UNCUT
Fun dresses for when the weather warms up. I like the skirt variations...

Simplicity 2929 Women's Dresses Size 20W-28W Bust 42-50 inches UNCUT FULL FIGURE! 
Beautiful dresses in large sizes. 

New Look 6956 Misses' Cocktail Dress and Jacket Size 6-16 Bust 30-38 inches UNCUT
Great looking cocktail dress with matching jacket. 

Simplicity 2635 Women's Dress, Peasant Top, Pants, and Vest. Size 18W-24W, bust 40-46 inches. UNCUT
Khaliah Ali Collection for the full figure woman....love the flow of the dress and the look of the peasant top. 

Vogue 1851 Five Easy Pieces.....Coordinates in size 14-18, bust 36-40 inches UNCUT
Separates that create a together look all in one pattern by Vogue. 

Very Easy Vogue 7044 Misses' Blouse Bust 36-40 inches UNCUT
So 80's....but soft and feminine, and easy to sew.

Vogue 9477 "The Vogue Woman" from April, 1996. Misses' Tunic, Skirt, and Pants in size 14-18, bust 36-40. UNCUT
Elegant, well-dressed look. 

Vintage Vogue 7840 Misses' Blouses Size 14-18, Bust 36-40 inches UNCUT

Blouse with a fun little tie.

Vogue 8295 Misses' Skirts Size 14-20, Waist 28-34 inches. UNCUT

Full, flared skirts by Vogue.

McCall's 3254 Misses' Shirt Dress in size 14-18, bust 36-40 inches UNCUT
Misses' shirt dress with a casual, not-too- dressy look.

Vogue 7210 Misses' Slightly Flared Skirts in size 14-18, waist 28-34 inches. UNCUT

I love this skirt!

Vogue 1441 Basic Design Misses' Dresses in size 14-18 from 1994. UNCUT
Nice, basic dresses from Vogue. 

Check out the other listings in the shop. There's great fabrics, trims, books, and lots of patterns to choose from.  Get Free US shipping when you buy $50 or more of patterns.
Free International shipping when you buy $100 or more of patterns. 

Use the coupon code BLOGGIN and get 15% off your order. 

Thanks for looking. 

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing at Etsy.

Free Pattern Make A Sewing Roll: Holiday Gift Tutorial

Sewing Roll by Jennie at JennieStitched

Rain again...lots of rain. We're getting what California needs. Seems there is a disturbance in the Gulf, a stalled disturbance, with lots of rain. Hopefully it won't organize and become a named storm. So what does that mean, you might ask? It means I keep my happy tush at home and get some things done...like laundry, cook a batch of chili, pack Etsy purchases (thank you), and list the wonderful costume patterns I found while thrifting at my favorite shops yesterday. After all, the annual Costume Sewing Pattern Sale is less than a month away. This is the 5th year now and it's hard to keep patterns in the shop for the sale. It starts Septmber 1st and lasts through the month of September so mark your calendars. I'll be posting more about it as we get closer to the sale.

In the meantime.....
The holidays are approaching like they do every year and every year I try to do too much....make gifts, bake cookies, cook for a crowd....I'm sure y'all go through the same thing. Well, I found this great looking sewing roll by Jenny at Jenny Stitched. She made this roll for a friend and posted the tutorial. It is worth a look-see and do. Click HERE to go to her tutorial (or click on the picture. She did a fine job and I want to show her work off).
I will post more easy-to-make gifts every week so we (yes, me, too) aren't pulling our hair out trying to get things done at the last minute. I paid too much for this 'do to pull it out...and I want to sip wine with friends. Maybe I host a cookie bake AND sip wine. Hmmm....

Jennie's Sewing Roll opened with all the goodies inside.

Yippee! It looks like the rain is letting up a little...maybe the hubby won't have to build a boat after all. No ark, the dogs are fixed....and so is the cat. The only thing that would breed would be mosquitoes...got enough of those already. 

Until next time...Sew On!

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing...and is goofing off. It's what I do best. 

Tom and Linda Platt for Vogue in the GoofingOff Sewing Shop

"Life is complicated. Clothes should be simple." (Tom and Linda Platt). 

Vintage Vogue 1895, Tom and Linda Platt Designers UNCUT

I love Tom and Linda Platt designs....(love the motto, too). The dresses.....simple lines with bold colors and fabulous fabrics.  

An internet search tells little about them other than how they met at the Pratt Institute in 1969, married soon after, and have been working together ever since. Before designing their own line they designed the costumes for the animated figures in the Christmas windows at Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue. (http://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/platt-tom-and-linda/). 

To see new designs...their studio is at 55 West 39th Street, 17th floor, in NYC. Maybe the next time I am up there......it's a thought. 

The clothes they design speak in volumes. 

On the side, the animated window displays in NYC at Christmas time are amazing. Each store tries to outdo the other. Most is in walking distance...and NYC is a city made for walking. I start at Rockefeller Center and walk down toward the Empire State Building. Lots to see and places to go when I need to sit and rest....especially when I wear shoes that felt good when I first put them on (if ya know what I mean). 

Happy Stitching! 

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

Bunnies, Dogs, and Berenstain Bears, Oh My!: New Listings at GoofingOff Sewing

Well, my house is buzzing getting things ready for my Fourth of July/hubby's B-day fish fry. So much to do.....I feel a little guilty about what I got him, a deep fryer (sort of feels like the hubby who buys his wife a vacuum cleaner, ya know?) but he loves to cook and always wanted one. Besides, I want my pot back that he is using to deep fry stuff on the stove. Anyway, back to the party....he is Mr.Entertainment, loves to host, and likes to cook....he needs to have a party and the 4th is a good time for one. The menu.....cheese grits  (this is the deep south), cole slaw, dirty rice (New Orleans style), tropical fruit salad, cake, and fish (of course)....oh and a dog or two for the non-fish eaters. 

So, with all that going on, one would think I wouldn't have time to list in the GoofingOff Shop but I found a few minutes to add stock to the shop. 

McCall's 9326 Berenstain Bears, brother and sister UNCUT
Remember the Berenstain Bears? Great children's books. Lovely stories to read to the little ones. 

McCall's 9325 Berenstain Bears Mom and Pop UNCUT

McCall's 8951 Stuffed Bunnies in 2 sizes COMPLETE 

McCall's 7421 Easter Craft Package LOTS OF BUNNIES!! Complete The giant carrot is a hoot!

McCall's 3999 Stuffed Animals....Bunnies, Dogs, Bears, and Cats Complete Lots of ideas.....new baby, birthday, memory bears....

So, if you have a moment, stop by the shop and check out the new stuff. Enjoy the holiday and celebrate.
#LetFreedomRing #FromSeatoShiningSea #GodBlessAmerica

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.

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