Pattern hoarding?

Well, I have to admit I've purchased quite an eclectic collection of patterns lately...
I buy patterns that I like (sometimes rather impulsive) I'm not trying to collect things from just one fashion era. Although I prefer dress patterns above others.

   Two patterns from EvaDress:
A 50's style blouse because of the interesting raglan sleeves. A late twenties coat because of the pretty seam lines. It also has an interesting 'stuffed' collar!
I have never made anything from EvaDress, but I like the fact they sell reproduction vintage patterns.
Time to try!

 
Simplicity 2724
I've got this one because of the great reviews on sewing blogs (it is a basic shirtdress pattern)


Vogue 8379 (Very easy vogue)
Again the great reviews on sewing blogs made me buy this basic wrap dress pattern. I loooove wrap dresses and I would love to have a good, easy to make pattern for them. Imagine throwing together a wrap dress in just a few hours!


And the Marfy 2440
Raved already enough about it's forties style elegance. I hope it lives up to my expectations!

Since it is a single size pattern I wonder if I've chosen the right size. The Dutch site I used to order the pattern stated clearly: size 42 in Marfy is size 38 in Dutch size. I normally wear 36, so I figured it must be right. The moment of truth is getting closer! 

I've also spotted an older Marfy pattern for a 60's style coat and fell in love, of course:



It is not a recent pattern though, so I sent an e-mail to Marfy Italy and received an answer the next day! The pattern is still available, so I'm going to order it after I determined my size (= have to wait a couple of days now for the dress pattern...) Isn't it great?!

Just discovered Marfy patterns

 

Ever heard of Marfy? Hints:

- You can't find every pattern on the internet, you only get to see everything if you purchase their catalog

- The pattern illustrations are drawings

- A lot of the designs have a 'vintage' look (most of them have nice, fitted shapes)

- The pattern pieces are pre-cut (by hand!!!) 

- The patterns are single sized (no multisize patterns)
- There are no cutting layouts
- Like most European patterns they don't have seam allowances

- The almost no instructions (or are very brief) and only markings on the pattern pieces
- You must calculate the amount of fabric required on your own
- The sizing goes from 42-58. It is both different from the US pattern sizing and from the European clothing sizes! According to what I can find the US pattern size 10-12 is the same as Marfy's size 42 (this is the smallest size available)

- Therefore they recommend purchasing the patterns for advanced level seemstresses only

Before you think we are going back in time, Marfy is a contemporary (apparently well-known) Italian pattern company. Founded in 1966, it still has an old fashioned feel about it in many ways.

I must admit, it surprises me how little information is out there on the internet about them! You can only find a small selection of the collections, even on the retailers websites. It is all about the catalog!

But, before you think there aren't for you because of all those reasons, on the positive side:

- There are 250 models per catalog and there is even a separate bridal pattern catalog of 200 patterns!
- The few pattern reviews I could find on sewing blogs are all (!) enthusiastic about the fit. I think I might (no, I must!) try it soon!

- The pricing is similar to the big 4, but you get just a single size pattern for the same price of the multisize patterns of the big 4.

Edit: For Marfy patterns through the Vogue/McCall's website click here (they don't ship these patterns to adresses outside the US!) To go to the Marfy website click here then click on 'the collections' to choose a year.
Update: I've ordered my first Marfy dress pattern! It is the blue shirtdress below, with buttons,  forties style gathering and yoke at the shoulders and a flared skirt. The design is definitely vintage! I've ordered the newest catalog too. It costs the same as a pattern, so definitely not cheap, but the patterns will be available for purchase for two years, so let's say, it is sort of an investment.
I think I just have found my first project for this year. Can't wait to start! 

2011 review

Everyone seems to make some kind of review or stats of the 2011 sewing results.

Here is mine:
- picked up sewing again during the summer (after graduating from art academy)
- started this blog and started reading other sewing blogs
- learned that sewing is extremely relaxing for me
- learned that I love sewing and adding finishing touches
- learned that I hate cutting the fabric (on the second place is tracing, both because of slow progress...)
- preferred patterns from independent pattern makers
- made 5 dresses, one blouse and one skirt!
EDIT: almost forgot, I learned that I loooove making muslins before cutting up my fashion fabrics...

I'm back...

I'm back!
Highlights of december in a nutshell. Mostly baking (somehow more baking than sewing, due to the long repair period of my sewing machine)

- In december we've spent a week in London. (My first trip by the Eurostar train and it was great!)
 

 - Made my first frosted orange muffins (I have been baking muffins for ages, but never with a frosting. This one is made with cream cheese):


- I've found a great recipe for Indian Naan bread:


- Still looking for the best Hungarian brioche recipe (although this one looked really pretty with a 6 strang breading which I adapted from a Jewish challah recipe):


- Made a pretty white chocolate 'Tree stump cake' for christmas (the horizontal Y-shape is what we call a tree stump in Hungary):



Further:
- Applied for a new job and got it! (Starting soon)
- Going back to school again for the next three years (will be my third bachelor...)
I won't have as much time for sewing as I would like to have, but I'm definitely going to post every project I make!
I'm still in love with  40's  style dresses, so the next one is going to be something like that.

Crocheted details

The detail picture above is a crocheted insert from a blouse of my Mom's. The blouse was made by my grandmother of beige cotton. It had 3/4 puffed sleeves with openings along the upper seam and I remember it as if it was yesterday... My mom threw the blouse away recently, but she saved the crocheted insert for me. The color has turned a bit reddish somehow, so I'll have to dye it if I want to use it.
My grandma used to make almost all of the clothes we had as children and she used to sew for my mom a lot too. My mom wasn't as driven as my grandma and myself, but she managed to finish a pattern drafting course.

It is made of 'Pearl' or 'Perle' cotton yarn, which is actually a yarn used for embroidery:
    





There are many ways to use crocheted details on dresses. You can use it instead of a waistband or use it to accentuate a yoke on a blouse. My grandma has a few '60s and '70s crocheting and knitting pattern books, there are even patterns for making crocheted gloves. How about a crocheted insert for the Macaron dress? If you have the time you can even make a crocheted wedding gown like in the picture below or like this one!




  
From left to right clockwise: Topshop dress, Modcloth blouse, Claire Pettibone wedding gown

Waiting...

No projects! My sewing machine have been in service for 2 weeks now. It seems to be a rather busy period there... I miss my little (rather heavy) 507!!

Style Macaron dress for winter

Even if it has short sleeves, the Macaron dress is versatile for the autumn/winter months. I've made mine with a corduroy fabric which has more body. Here is my 'winterized' version:

Boots (Airstep), shrug (Esprit - this is basically a tube with an opening in the middle) and a shawl:


 

I'm taking a few days off from blogging - London is waiting!