Vintage Woe

Don't we all get sucked into the nostalgia of vintage patterns. The images, the hairstyles, the patterned fabric, wanting to look a little bit like Joanna Lumley...I have realised I am not a fan of the actual patterns, you know the actual process of making a garment from them.

 

I finished this Summer WIP today made from some Amy Butler fabric I bought in April when I had a job and a little bit of cash flow. I cut it out so carefully using the fabric pattern dead centre...

I tried to make this dress here but it was way too small, lesson number 1 Vintage patterns are not the same sizing as todays size 12.How did women move their arms? They must have needed to in order to use a twin tub!

 

Number 2 lesson all the pieces are not always there so I was missing the sleeve piece which would have been my preference and the neck facings so I had to use bias binding.

 

First version was so tight!!!

 

Number 3 problem the tissue is so thin and has been folded so many times that my cutting out was not very accurate, I tried ironing the pieces first.

 

I think I have been spoilt recently with the patterns from Ottobre, they are designed for real woman who eat cake. I can make the patterns out of stronger pattern paper so they are more robust and the people in the pictures are real so it gives you a better idea of what an item will look like.

 

I am not much of a moaner but it is goodbye to vintage patterns for me for actually making garments, I wouldn't say no to some of the packet covers in frames though. On the plus side that half made, scrunched up tunic dress is now in my summer drawer for next year.

 

Have you used them? Do you now look like Joanne Lumley in 1967? Do you just get them out and stroke them? Let me know because there is much angst here and someone must be doing a great job of them.

 

Jo xx