Bubble...ish...ous......Skirt That is!

Bubble skirts are back, or so they say. I remember the fall of 1959 when the NEW Bubble, Balloon and Hobble skirts hit the market place. I was 12 years old and entering Junior High School. My friends and I had gone downtown to do our Back to School shopping (with a bit of cash and Mama's Charge Account Information in our pockets ..........they didn't carry plastic in those days)

There on the Courthouse Square (or at least across the street) in the J C Penny window was the funniest looking skirt we had ever seen. It was called a Bubble Skirt and we couldn't see any way you could walk in it, but we all had to have one. The colors were intense. A wine and a deep forest green. I got the green one and my girlfriend got the wine colored one. I think I wore mine, once to school and once to church. You just can't put a 12 year old (no matter how grown up she thinks she is) in a hobble skirt and expect it to survive.

Imagine my surprise when I found this pattern. It was like going back 48 years to the time of yesteryear.

Sweetness doesn't just come from sugar

And Hollywood isn't just for the stars. Despite today's "let it all show" styles, sweetness never goes out of style. I used to favor the Gunne Sax styles in the 70s (but never could afford them), and I still gravitate toward the sweet, pretty styles. I love lace and frills.

My daughter, alas, is all tomboy in her style. She is not a dressup person, and loves trendy-wear -- with no skin showing, if that's possible -- but I think her style comes mainly from the fact that she works with animals on a daily basis. Can't get all dressed up when you're mucking out stalls at the barn. LOL

I grew up working at church and in the library, so this sweet 40s Hollywood pattern is right up my alley. Plus, I love that it's versatile: you can make it as a dress or make a bed jacket. I love the dress, and would wear it to a wedding, in rayon, in a floral print. Add some pearls and pumps and I'd definitely be feeling pretty good.

And the bedjacket? I'd make it in pink satin. It might not go with the book I'm currently reading (
The Afterlife Studies), but I'd feel pretty, nonetheless.

I think that's what is so nice about being able to create one's own garments: you can create your own sense of style, regardless of the trends, AND you can alter the pattern so it fits. More on that tomorrow.

She's a Lady

I spent the day organizing my house and garage, dressed in a grungy pair of shorts
and a T-shirt. It was definitely not a pretty sight, let me tell you, but the
fruits of my labor: a well organized abode. I may even get a sewing project
started, now that I can find things.

And so, in search of a pretty, lady-like frock, I came across this gorgeous
60s Sheath Dress with Matching Popover pattern. Maybe it's not for a pear shaped girl like myself, but isn't it sexy? I'd make it in a floral print like shown, only in blue or green, and use the view on the right.

It's classic Jackie, straight from the early 60s, and va-va-va-voom WOMAN.

Trends in Maternity -- Vintage versus New

As I was strolling down the avenue the other day, doing a bit of window shopping I spied a Motherhood shop that made my eyes pop out. Yes I'm an old lady and a bit of a traditionalist. No I don't believe we shouldn't use the word pregnant or hide in the back room when expecting that little bundle of joy, but the current trend of wearing tight tank tops and bare midriffs does upset my sensibilities just a little bit.

With that thought in mind, I realize that there may be others (I'm sure I'm not alone) who share this thought and either really love vintage styles or just want to be less exposed.

www.cemetarian.com has several vintage maternity patterns from the 40's through the 80's and there are more in their eBay Store Chez Cemetarian.

I'll admit it

I am addicted to sewing patterns. I need a sewing pattern 12 step program, quite frankly, because I just love patterns. It probably goes back to my grandmother, who worked for Pictorial Review in the early 20s, but who knows? I don't do much sewing, but I do love to look at the patterns I have -- and I have thousands.

My favorites are probably the 30s, just because they are so beautiful. I also love the children's patterns of the 20s, because many of the illustrations remind me of Mary Englebreit's illustrations (it's good to be queen). The 60s are fun for me too, because they remind me of sitting by my mom whilst she sewed us new clothes on her Necchi sewing machine.

So all in all, I guess that you can say that I love sewing patterns. I'm hoping that some of you will join me in a common appreciation for the blueprints of fashion, and tag along for a little blog adventure. Meantime, I'll share this lovely 40s tiered dress pattern, newly listed in my store. I can't imagine wearing this out to the movies, but it sure is pretty, and from the days when women dressed like women. Gorgeous, isn't it?