Monday 22 February 2016

Vintage Pledge 2016


As March is fast approaching, I thought I'd better officially sign up for this year's Vintage Pledge before the year runs away with me. The Vintage Pledge, now in its third year, is co-hosted by Marie at A Stitching Odyssey and Kerry at Kestrel Makes in a bid to encourage us to sew up some of our beautiful vintage patterns more regularly. Last year, I made a rather rashly thought out pledge to sew up a vintage halter neck top pattern, which I then had to abandon. But I did still end up sewing three garments from vintage patterns last year, so I don't consider it a failure. 

 For this year's pledge, I've chosen to be purposefully vague:

"I, Jane, pledge to sew up two vintage patterns in 2016 - one suitable for summer and one suitable for winter." 

I'm already hard at work on my topper, which takes care of the winter part of the pledge, I just need to decided on a summer pattern. Interestingly, all three patterns I sewed last year (herehere and here) were ones I'd used before, so it would be good to step outside my comfort zone. One thing I'm reasonably sure of is that it won't be a dress pattern. I already have at least two summer dresses in the pipeline for this year and in all honesty, I don't think I can accommodate many more. My total dress tally is probably far fewer than lots of other sewing bloggers, but it's still more than enough for me! So I'll be concentrating on separates pattern, with these three currently on my shortlist:


Vogue 8696 from 1955 - a sleeveless version of C would make a very chic bow blouse.


McCall's 4168 from 1957 - which has a lovely gathered waist and shoulder detail. 


The wild card is McCall 8061 from 1950. These 1950's shorts are almost identical to a red pair I own from Vivien of Holloway - with a high waistband and patch pockets to the front. The problem with my VofH shorts is the sizing: the waist to hip ratio is 12 inches, and in order to get a comfortable fit around the waist, the hips are ginormous. I ended up taking in the inner and outer seams to reduce the hips, which sort of works but they don't look great on. It would be good to make a pair that actually fitted properly!  

I'll let you know once I've made my mind up. Which pattern do you think I should make?!  x



17 comments:

  1. I like the mccalls top with the gathered detail, but it sounds like the shorts would be the most useful.

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  2. I love the gathered waist, what an unusual detail

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    1. It's lovely isn't it? I haven't seen it before. x

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  3. You can always use more blouses. Now a tip for your shorts. Use your waist size. Then for the hip area use tissue paper to add to the pattern area. I have used this method & it works. If we use our hips the waist & all the adjusting messing it up. Try this tip for your shorts or a pair of vintage pants. I have to do this with vintage patterns because the sizes are so different from todays. Email me if you have a question. Regretfully, I can't help you in person. I wish I could. It would be a fun weekend! You may need to add to the gathered bottom of the McCall's top, unless it's cut on the bias. Now back to the thrift store to get that Vogue pattern, if it is still there.

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    1. Great tips, thank you very much! Will definitely take this on board if I make the shorts. x

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  4. I'm loving the McCall's blouse with the gathered details. So pretty! But the shorts are great too... Really. I'm no help at all. LOL Whichever you choose will be fantastic I'm sure! :)

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  5. I like the McCalls blouse pattern. Just tried to find one on Ebay :-( didn't find one. The gathered detail looks brill!

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    1. Thanks Claire! I've never seen one before, I bought it from another sewing blogger when she was having a pattern sale - total luck! x

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  6. Mmm, whilst they're all lovely designs, it sounds as if the shorts are what's needed most. And THEN.....make the other 2! Gathered details on the McCalls is gorgeous! (I'll bet you're looking forward to sunny days soon-ish!)

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    1. At the moment it looks like shorts, then maybe the gathered McCall's blouse if I'm feeling particularly industrious! x

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  7. Yay! Thanks for joining in again...I'm so excited about your topper and I adore the patterns you've shared here :o)

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    1. Thanks Marie, thanks to you and Kerry for running it again! x

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  8. I have to say all 3 are fantastic, but after I made shorts that actually fit me and don't look like I'm about to do a P.E. Lesson, game changer! I have to say that they are so useful! So im pushing for the shorts! They are all great options so whatever you choose will work!!!

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    1. Ooooh that may be the clincher! We should meet up for that cuppa soon and I can pick your brains about vintage shorts making! x

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  9. I would make that blouse with the gathered waist. What an unusual detail!

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