GeorgiaPeachez

1976 and The Garments with Options

Today's yard sale scores yielded  a huge bag of vintage sewing patterns for the grand sum of $1.  Awesome right?

I love old sewing patterns, especially from the 60's and 70's.  I especially love it when I come across patterns that I made for myself.  I made a lot of my own clothes when I was 11 and 12.  Yup, sure did.  Mostly polyester, of course.

But in 1976 I was 16 and I wasn't sewing garments much then at all.  I didn't return to that until I was in my 20's and by then it was the 80's and shoulder pads were in charge.

If I had been perusing the pattern books in 1976 then I would certainly remember these "stretch knits only" (polyester) onesie patterns.

The jumpsuit pattern.  Only 4 pattern pieces and look how many possibilities.

But this gem is "The Infinite Dress".  Only ONE pattern piece.  A marvel of engineering.  

Well, I didn't make these garments then, but I have the patterns now.  Hmmmm........

 

Sunday Means Mad Men

I'm sooo glad to have Mad Men back on the tube.

I am feeling that 1968 vibe this weekend so I played around with fabrics, vintage patterns and shape.

More of that blue/green combo that I love so, with a little houndstooth thrown in for good measure.

Can't go wrong with a classic chemise either.  

I'm putting this one out there, as tempting as it is to keep though.

Simple Lines

I love the simple styling of this vintage Kenmore Model 87.

Made in Japan for Sears in 1963.  Straight stitch.

Just a beauty!

 

Pink Visetti in the House

I picked up the vintage Visetti that Steve custom restored just for me this weekend.

My wonderful old Singer sewing table does not accomodate a built in machine but rather a tabletop.  I took the box from my old Riccar machine and customized it with a bit of old wallpaper to make it fit to house the pink dream Visetti.

We are just getting acquainted but I should be sewing like a streak pretty soon.

 

Amaze-balls

Steve sent more progress pictures on the Visetti custom restoration this morning.

He said he will have her purring like a kitten for me by the end of the week.

 

Custom Progress

Just got an update on the custom restoration that Steve is doing on this vintage Visetti machine.

Gorgeous!

 

Behind the Scenes of a Custom Restoration

Steve sent some more pictures of the progress on the custom restoration and paint on the vintage Visetti sewing machine.

Can you see the decal detail?

Pretty soon he will start to reassemble the entire machine.  Just like I said, the Sewing Machine Whisperer!

 

Custom Restore in Progress

Remember when I shared with you my own local treasure, Sewing Machine Steve or as I like to think of him, the Sewing Machine Whisperer?

Steve sent me a progress photo yesterday of the custom restoration and paint that he is doing for me on a vintage Toyota made Visetti machine.

Steve said the custom decals will be going on soon and then a lot of clear coats.  The end result is going to be spectacular!

 

 

Bargello Purse Completed

Whew!

This project was a bear to complete.  Of course I picked an old heavy upholstery fabric to pair with the thick bargello needlepoint that I completed.

Add to that upcycled handles that had to be sewn on by hand, this project was uphill all the way.

In the end I'm pleased with my results.  It was an accomplishment just to get this darn thing stitched together.

I'm not done with bargello yet, but you can be sure my future projects will be smaller in scale and scope.

I do love those colors.

 

My Riccar Sewing Machine

I never intended to collect old sewing machines, but I do have a few.  It just happened.

When they coined the phrase "they don't make them like they used to" I swear they were talking about sewing machines.

Today I am sewing with my vintage Riccar.  It is a all steel drive Japanese made machine.  It is just a straight stitch and very powerful.  I pull her out when I need that power to sew through multiple layers, which she does, like slicing through butter.