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