Santa brought my very first sewing machine when I was 8 years old. Before that I hand stitched little dresses for my Barbie dolls.
MamaPeach was always my inspiration when it came to sewing. I have two older sisters and mamapeach would sew clothes for us. I have very fond memories of a poncho trimmed out in rows and rows of rick rack in varying sizes and colors. I also remember very clearly a gaucho pant/bolero vest outfit made of thin whaled kelly green corduroy, again trimmed with rick rack. I wore this with my patent leather faux lace up (zipper on the side) boots from the Sears catalog. I think I was 9(?) years old.
MamaPeach always told me that if I learned to sew, she would purchase all the fabric and patterns that I wanted. SO, I was off to the races!
Betsey Johnson designed patterns for Butterick in the 60's and 70's and I think I had them all. I made the short version of this dress when I was 11. Polyester of course and I used red on the bottom like the picture and brown on the top. I LUUUVED that dress.
My MOST ambitious endeavor when I was just a wee little 6th grader was this pattern.

I made this suit for myself. I distinctly recall shopping in the fabric section of the Almart (that's right ALMART, not Wallyworld) in Knoxville, TN where we lived at the time. I picked out a pastel striped heavy cotton for the slacks and jacket. I made the long sleeved ruffle trimmed blouse to go with. I picked a coordinating pastel patterned cotton. Darts, button holes, set in sleeves, facings. Yes, I was quite the ambitious seamstress when I was 11 years old.
I'm sure I must have worn this with my tan leather platform sandals. Everyone had those sandals in 1971. Purchased at Baker's Shoes in the mall with baby sitting funds :->

Oh wait, now I remember. I had white clogs, exactly like the ones the model is wearing on the pattern. Also purchased at Baker's I'm sure.

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