topic Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns in Home

Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

flickerbulb — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 23:26:41 GMT

I went to Hobby Lobby today and wanted to buy a simple pattern to use for my new sewing machine.

When looking through the Simplicity books, they featured many retro patterns from different decades!

Aprons from the 30s, 40s, up through the 70s!

Beautiful dresses from each era too!

I ended up getting an apron pattern from the 40s and got a floral retro pattern fabric to go with it.

I would like to follow through on this project and get better. My sewing skills are nothing like my grandma's! She could sew all kinds of things.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

SilleeMee — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 23:46:20 GMT

@flickerbulb,

An apron was the first thing my mom taught me to sew. I was very young but I remember it distinctly...it had a curved hem and it was yellow with flowers on it. I miss those days.

Sounds like you are going to have some fun sewing!

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

ceekay — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 23:47:16 GMT

I noticed the retro patterns last time I was at the fabric store. Pretty fun! I put my own retro patterns (60s and 70s) out at a yard sale last year. Not many takers... but it was fun to look at them and recall the fabrics and making them. Good luck with your project!

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

GenXmuse — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 01:01:59 GMT

That sounds like so much fun! I'm looking for a pattern for the sun ray shirts that were all the rage in the 70s. My mom sewed everyone in our family one and we got family pictures, It was such a happy shirt.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

lucymo — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 01:14:56 GMT

@flickerbulb wrote:
I went to Hobby Lobby today and wanted to buy a simple pattern to use for my new sewing machine.

When looking through the Simplicity books, they featured many retro patterns from different decades!

Aprons from the 30s, 40s, up through the 70s!

Beautiful dresses from each era too!

I ended up getting an apron pattern from the 40s and got a floral retro pattern fabric to go with it.

I would like to follow through on this project and get better. My sewing skills are nothing like my grandma's! She could sew all kinds of things.

@flickerbulb Watch out, sewing is addictive, at least for me. I haven't done much sewing for years but everytime I need to sew a little something for a club project I have to go to the fabric store and make something else. Once the sewing machine is out I'm wanting to sew. There aren't many fabric stores anymore just online and it's hard for me to choose fabric there. Have fun.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

flickerbulb — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 01:37:05 GMT

@lucymo

I just want to complete the project! I also have some sewing stuff I bought last year to make Chrismas scarves for my dogs.

I had to go to Plan B last year, but I want to make those Santa scarves this year.

I just discovered an online fabric store whose prices are very good compared to Calico Corners and Hobby Lobby.

They will send you samples for under $2!

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

redwrite — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 04:37:24 GMT

Oh my gosh, Bonanzajellybean, your post spoke to me-my mom did that same thing with that same pattern! We all had to wear matching t-shirts, sewn by my mother, when we went on our family summer vacations. My mother chose a different pattern each summer. I have seven siblings, so I suppose it was easier for my parents to keep track of all of us that way-memories!

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

Azcowgirl — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 09:21:02 GMT

Sounds like fun ! I can't go too long with out getting some yardage to do a sewing project, and it's so satisfying when you enjoy using your finished items (:

happy sewing !

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

Nataliesgramma — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 09:42:25 GMT

My granddaughter is getting into Barbie.....I am going to make some clothes for her. I saw all the cute apron patterns when I was looking in the pattern books.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

docsgirl — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 10:28:25 GMT

I'm getting back into sewing and looked at the Retro patterns...can't believe the prices on patterns but there is always a sale. I saw a coat pattern from the 60's that my mom made for me. It was red. I cannot tell you how much I hated that coat and we had bitter arguments about my refusal to wear it. Of course, you know who won that battle. She also made a hat to go with...hideous. Seeing that very pattern brought back memories and I sat there laughing. I also saw a Retro dress pattern that she made for me. I couldn't wear it now because it was close-fitting and I was very thin back then...how times have changed!!! Enjoy your sewing. docsgirl

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

lucymo — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 11:47:45 GMT

@flickerbulb wrote:
@lucymo

I just want to complete the project! I also have some sewing stuff I bought last year to make Chrismas scarves for my dogs.

I had to go to Plan B last year, but I want to make those Santa scarves this year.

I just discovered an online fabric store whose prices are very good compared to Calico Corners and Hobby Lobby.

They will send you samples for under $2!

@flickerbulb Would you mind sharing the name of the company? Thank you.

Edited for typo.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

flickerbulb — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 12:18:02 GMT

@lucymo

The website is called Warehouse Fabrics Inc. and they are in Alabama.

One of the fabrics I wanted is not available and they called me to ask me to select another. What great service!

They also sent the samples out the same day I ordered!

I was impressed with the quality and prices AND service!

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

violann — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 12:50:58 GMT

I wish my first "formal" experience with sewing had been as pleasant as some of yours, ladies-

(home ec in 7th grade)- all the other girls got to make adorable skirts to wear in the home ec fashion show. My dad, who finally realized that I'd be in 7th grade FOR YEARS, finally finished mine and I skulked through with a C.

But later, a friend did finally teach me more of the rudiments, and I was finally able to make a few pieces that I actually wore in public.

Cheers to all you talented folks who have mastered the skill!

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

lucymo — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 13:07:38 GMT

@flickerbulb wrote:
@lucymo

The website is called Warehouse Fabrics Inc. and they are in Alabama.

One of the fabrics I wanted is not available and they called me to ask me to select another. What great service!

They also sent the samples out the same day I ordered!

I was impressed with the quality and prices AND service!

@Thank you, @ flickerbulb.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

lucymo — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 13:14:03 GMT

@violann wrote:
I wish my first "formal" experience with sewing had been as pleasant as some of yours, ladies-

(home ec in 7th grade)- all the other girls got to make adorable skirts to wear in the home ec fashion show. My dad, who finally realized that I'd be in 7th grade FOR YEARS, finally finished mine and I skulked through with a C.

But later, a friend did finally teach me more of the rudiments, and I was finally able to make a few pieces that I actually wore in public.

Cheers to all you talented folks who have mastered the skill!

@violann I'm sorry you had a bad experience in Home Ec. I learned to sew because of need, if I had any clothes I had to learn to make them. A lot of people were poor and then there was us. I'm a much better person because of it though, I got an education and I can still sew if I want to. Come on over and you and I will make us a cute outfit and go out on the town. lol

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

Noisyone — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 13:19:29 GMT

Have been searching for a retro pattern from the early 50's. It was made with felt &

had embroidered mexican designs on it. My Mother made one for me & it was

so cute. Would love to make one for a special little girl.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

151949 — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 14:46:32 GMT

Aprons are a good way to start. Most fabric stores can direct you to somewhere you can take some basic sewing skill classes. You'll meet other ladies interested in sewing at all skill levels. I have always found classes to be fun and informative.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

151949 — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 16:55:27 GMT

When I was a little girl my Mom's aunt had only one son and some nephews. She desparately wanted a little girl to sew pretty dresses for and 3 months after she married my Mom's uncle - I was born. She made me beautiful things for the rest of my childhood. Sweet dresses and jumpers etc.So by the time I was about 12 I really wanted to be able to sew, and she taught me a lot, plus home ec class and my grandmother a little too. All in all it is a labor of love to me to be able to sew things for my home now. Unfortunately, the costs of fabric and patterns has gotten so high ... I try to reuse as much as I can with patterns. Even thread is expensive now - at my Joanns the embroidery thread has gone from 20 to 30 cents - and it is much smaller. Anyway, I rarely sew clothes anymore but love to sew for my home.

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

docsgirl — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 19:51:14 GMT

If anyone is interested in learning to sew or just needs a refresher course, there is a website called 'anitabydesign.' Anita is a fantastic, passionate instructor who takes you through everything step by step. She teaches you how to read a pattern, how to select fabric, how to understand the various parts of your sewing machine, etc.. Her lessons are sequential. If you don't understand something, you can ask questions and she explains things to you. I've viewed a lot of 'beginner' videos but the instructors assume that the viewers have some background in sewing but Anita really does the very basics and builds one step on the other. I have background and do skip some of the very, very beginner lessons but enjoy the basics as a refresher. I never learned to put in a zipper and am now learning to put in an invisible one. I cannot recommend her more highly and the best part of this fantastic, talented woman is that her videos are free. You can watch over and over again. Her passion and enthusiasm are contagious and I'm so glad to have found her. JoAnn's had 50% and 60% off coupons this week so I really stocked up. Since I hadn't sewn in a while, I was shocked at the price of patterns, fabric (now made in China), thread, zippers, etc., so was really happy to purchase everything with my coupons. Happy sewing. docsgirl

Re: Cool Retro Clothes Patterns

flickerbulb — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 21:04:12 GMT

Thanks @docsgirl

I will check out the videos. I need all the help I can get!