Full, Flared Skirts, 70’s Knits, 60’s A-line Dress, and Stuffed Dinosaurs

It’s National Sewing Month and here’s a few fabulous patterns from GoofingOff to get started with.

 

I love the look of this dress with extended shoulders, bateau neckline, cinched waist, and full, flared skirt. With or without sleeves.

 

Easy to wear knits, whether in a pants suit or anything else, were the hallmark of the 1970’s. Check out the cute top and mini skirt! Mix and match separates.

Cute dress from the 1970’s. Hard to find Mail Order A-line Dress pattern with V-neck, bust darts, and center inset that creates a slimming look, with or without sleeves.

So cute! Stuffed dinosaurs for the little ones. Complete with four different dinos to create!

Happy Sewing Month!

Keep your seams straight!

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

Lyla's Pillowcase Dress

I've been sewing lately, sewing almost anything that can't be welded or nailed down. Just looking for things to sew, ya know? Well, our little granddaughter, Lyla, is coming to visit and that is all the excuse I needed to sew something. I've been eyeing pillowcase dresses for a long time but either wasn't in the mood or I was surrounded by little boys. Now I'm surrounded by little girls. Yippee! Little dresses and handbags! Bring it on, baby.


I found this super cute fabric with super fruit (for real, there are pictures of super fruit on it) at a yard sale. When I first bought it I didn't know what to do with it until the idea of the pillowcase dress came up. The fruit and pictures are perfect for a little girl's dress. I found a pillowcase dress pattern at the "Sew Like My Mom" blog and started cutting fabric.

I used a yard sale dress in her size to give me an idea of the lenth for the total dress and armholes since Lyla wasn't here yet.

 I cut two pieces of fabric 20 inches wide by 22 inches long to allow for hem on the bottom and a casing on the top. 

I sewed the side with a 1/2 inch "hem" that would leave a finished edge for the armholes and a seam that wouldn't ravel....or unravel.

I ironed down 1/4 inch then created a casing by ironing down a 1 inch hem along the top on both pieces of fabric. After the casings were done, I sewed the two pieces together leaving 9 inches from the top on both sides for armholes. 

Then I made a 1 inch hem. I used a semi decorative stitch ( I say semi decorative since I have a pretty basic machine).


After sewing the dress together I realized I didn't have grosgrain ribbon for the shoulder straps so I made my own straps from fabric I cut away.

Here's a picture of the finished dress on the little miss.

Easy peasy and fun to made. Sorry about the chocolate cheek. Grandpa was the culprit.

Learn to Sew Patterns

Have you decided to learn to sew? Do you already sew but want to brush up on a few things and don’t have time to go to a class? Looking for some beginner, easy to sew patterns? A few things to think about when you are pattern shopping for easy to sew patterns.

Look for are patterns that have “Learn to Sew” or “How to Sew” written on the envelope.

The less pattern pieces, the less complicated the pattern usually is.

Fast and easy patterns are usually that, fast cutting, fast layout, and easy sewing.

Here’s a few patterns to help you hone your skills while creating some wonderful items.

 Simplicity 9476 Vest Learn to Sew Size 6 to 12 Bust 30 to 34 Complete

Vintage 60s Butterick 3001 Personal A-line Fitting

Simplicity 5546 Craft Apron

Vintage Simplicity 8060 How to Sew Sheath Dress

Vintage 70s Butterick 4291 Fast and Easy Tops

Happy sewing to all. Keep those machines humming!

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and  metal work

New Listings To Goof Off With: Fabrics and Buttons

I know it is the hidden seamstress in me but my heart just goes pitter-patter  (or a couple of thumps that are a little out of line…the doctor says it is I’m OK, though) every time I see incredible fabric and buttons. Lace does it for me, too but not so much ribbon. Oh, back to fabric and buttons. I came into a fantastic stash of fabric and vintage buttons that, as much as I would love to keep them, I am listing on Etsy and Artfire so everyone can have a chance to enjoy them, too. Some of the fabrics are upholstery (handbags, totes, and/or pillows?), some are just too cute (pumpkins for fall), while others are good weight for quilting (or anything else that comes to mind…and needle). As for the button, holy smokes!, there are some gorgeous buttons, some big (gi-normous!), and some cute (bows and kitties). Here’s a few pics.

                     Campbell’s Soup Panel

                    Sunflowers Fat Quarters

                              Pumpkins All cotton (hasn’t been listed yet, keep an eye on this one)

                                  Light Blue border fabric with flowers (not yet)

   Vintage Schner Block Googly Eyes buttons

                Vintage JHB Bow Buttons

Cute little hearts (not listed yet)

Don’t they just make you swoon? Creative juices going yet?

Love ya! Have fun and do a little GoofingOff. It’s good for you.

Post by Eileen

Shops: MissEileen (vintage)  GoofingOff Etsy and Artfire (sewing supplies)  MetalWoodsnWater (unique, unusual, sometimes weird)

12.12.10 New Pattern Listings

  Sometimes I feel like I spend my life in front of the computer listing sewing patterns. Come to think about it, I do spend most of my life in front of the computer listing sewing patterns. I do have other things to do like working, cleaning, and cooking, maybe even a little bit of creating. I just can’t help myself, though. I see a sewing pattern and I have to get it to make them available to others. The thought of the old vintage patterns laying around gathering dust instead of being with someone who appreciates them just kills me so every week I go on my quest looking for patterns to link up with people. Some patterns bring back memories of my youth when I tried to sew EVERYTHING for myself and my daughter. Other patterns remind me of a special occasion, like the prom or homecoming. Still others make me remember a wonderful movie I saw years ago and fell in love with.

These recent listings are modern so they have none of the romance of vintage patterns. Still, they make me think of the time I sewed a robe for my little girl, or a sundress for a friend’s little girl.

 McCall’s 2157 Pants in 5 Lengths

Simplicity 2727 Misses' Robe and Pants

See & Sew 3888 Girl's Romper and Sundress

Vogue 9908 Misses' Jacket, Skirt, and Pants

Since gift giving and creating is on just about everyone’s minds right now, an easy-to-make robe and pajamas pants would be a welcome gift, especially now with the winter chill upon us. The pants and suit would be great now or later. As for the sundress and romper, it won’t be cold forever! Just think, it’s summer somewhere else, like Australia!

Well, got more goofing off to do, like bake cookies for the cookie exchange at work. 7 dozen double chocolate chocolate chip cookies are waiting to be baked.

Happy Sewing!

This post was written by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy.com and GoofingOff.Artfire.com

Goofing Off, it’s what I do best!