MMM '13, Day 13: Leopard print and new shoes

Every girl needs a bit of leopard print in her life. Luckily, I've gone a bit mad with it lately!

I made this dress a couple of weeks ago from the pattern supplement in one of my French magazines; Votre Mode from May 1956. You can see pages from this magazine here.

Featuring on the cover, the pattern is a classic '50s shirtwaist. The pattern is given for the upper half of the dress (with the option to lengthen it into a blouse). The skirt is cut as rectangles and gathered or pleated into the waist seam; I did a gathered skirt this time. I think one thing to note is that the collar is much wider than in either the illustrations or the photo. I think I'll trim it down on my next version; it's a bit excessive.

I used the leopard print cotton poplin I bought just after Christmas, and the large ones of those swirl buttons. I used the sleeves from Gertie's shirtwaist dress. This pattern has two sleeve options: straight fitted or puff. I wanted a puff sleeve, but the one with the pattern (on the cover) is hugely puffy, so a little too much volume for a day dress.

The dress buttons to the waist and has a lapped side zip. I also added side seam pockets to the skirt, so the zip continues down behind the pocket on this dress.

I also got new shoes! It's been years since I had any summer shoes that really worked for me, other than the flat ballet slipper type. I don't do heels well, and a half-size difference between my feet means that a strap of some sort or a high vamp is a must or the shoe falls off the smaller foot! I spotted these when I was doing the food shopping a couple of weeks ago and loved them. I was waiting until I could afford them, but Boyfriend's mum decided to treat me instead. So now I have a lovely pair of summer wedges with a nice '40s feel.

Plus, they happen to match the dress!

Outfit Details

Me-Mades:

Dress: Leopard print cotton, Votre Mode 10 Mai 1956

Knickers: Blue viscose jersey midis

Worn With:

Belt: New Look

Shoes: George at Asda

FPF: Cap Sleeve Classic

Again, sorry for skipping a free pattern weekend back there! Life does get in the way sometimes, heh.

This weeks free pattern is for a beautifully simple short sleeved V-neck jumper. This style is, as the name suggests, a versatile classic. It comes in sizes 34, 36 and 38 inch bust, and is knitted in 3 ply weight yarn. The tension is 7.5 stitches ans 9.5 rows per inch, and uses size 12 and 10 needles (old UK sizes).

I'm trying out PDF files for my patterns. The link below the image should take you to the Google Docs page where you can view the pattern. Hopefully this should make it easier on you all for patterns with multiple pages; you can download a single file rather than having three or four image files that make up the pattern. Let me know if this works ok for you!

P&B Cap Sleeve Classic free pattern

Now that we finally have a scanner I should be more inclined to keep up with pattern posts!

Please let me know if you have any problems with the pattern links- it's my first time using GoogleDocs!

FPF: Bestway Feather and Fan summer sweater

This week's free pattern is for this lovely late '50s short sleeved jumper by Bestway, in a sweet lacey feather and fan stitch pattern.

The pattern is in two sizes, for a 34 and 36 inch bust. It is worked in 4 ply yarn on old UK size 10 and 11 needles.

Free Pattern Fortnightly: For Early Spring

Whoops! I was due to post this at the weekend- sorry about that!

This installment of my free pattern series is one that I genuinely want to knit soon if I can find a colour that catches my eye. From the January 1958 edition of Stitchcraft, this pattern is for a cute short jacket perfect for the "in-between days" of spring. It would also make a nice cover-up for summer evenings made in a colour to complement your summer frocks.

It is knit in a simple mini-cable rib done by crossing stitches, with plain ribbed collars. The tension is equivalent to 23 stitches over 4 inches on UK old size 7 needles (4.5mm), knitted in double knitting yarn. Instructions are given for two sizes: 33-35 and 36-38 inch bust.

I might just go for a simple black version that will go with everything, and maybe add some sequins or embroidery on the collars for a bit of sparkle! A nice light colour would be lovely for summer wear- an aqua or pale yellow perhaps?

Free Pattern Fortnightly: Sirdar Sports Sweater

This is the first in a new regular feature I want to introduce: Free Pattern Fortnightly. This year I want to try and blog more regularly, and have written a proper blogging schedule for the first time in the year and a half since starting up this page! My collection of vintage patterns is not as large as I'd like, but I do have lots and I'd like to share them more often with you all. I will try and post a range of patterns: it might be knitting, crochet or sewing; for men, women, children or home.

This week's pattern is actually one of the first vintage knitting patterns I bought, quite appropriately. Here in Blighty we're in the middle of a cold snap, with a lot of the country under snow (not that we've seen more than a few flakes here on the coast). This early 1950s sports sweater from Sirdar would be pefect for colder weather and knit up quickly in thick wool:

In three sizes for a 34, 36 or 38 inch bust, this sweater uses thicker wool and a tension of 4.5 stitches per inch. It is knit in plain stocking stitch with deep ribbing at the waist and cuffs, with a ribbed shawl collar.

Votre Mode, 10th May 1956

Today I have pages from another French fashion pattern magazine, Votre Mode, dated 10th May 1956. I bought this one as much for the pattern included, a lovely shirtwaist dress or blouse and skirt outfit. One thing I love about this magazine is the size of the patterns: it is given in continental sizes 44 and 50 (which translate to English sizes 16 and 22), with instructions for resizing that produce a size range from 42 to 52. It is pretty rare to find vintage patterns in a range of larger sizes like this!

The cover illustration is of the shirtwaist option, with a ruffle-trimmed button placket and puff sleeves.

The pattern supplement, showing different options including puff or cuffed straight sleeves.

The magazine includes articles on ready to wear items, as well as home-sewing.

Beautiful summer dresses...

Children's wear...

Embroidery designs...

And more stunning dress designs. I love the red polka dot number!

Le Petit Echo de la Mode, June 1951

Today I have images from the 24th June 1951 issue of Le Petit Echo de la Mode. A bit out of season at the moment, so perhaps one for my southern hemisphere readers!

This one is a bit tatty, mostly due to the fact that it has no staples so the pages have slipped out of line, but it still has some lovely pages. Hopefully some of you may have use for French knitting patterns, because this issue has lots!

All images should open up full size if you right click > view image.

Crazy collar anyone?

Modes et Travaux, June 1953

As promised, the other one of these recent buys. This edition comes from June 1953, and is packed with beautiful beach wear, sun dresses and children's play clothes. Is there still time to sew up a couple of copycat items while the weather lasts?

Changing an outfit with a bolero or overskirt:

Oh how I love the turquoise striped dress. Yes, I'm still drooling over that colour, particularly when striped with white!

These embroidery designs are something I will definitely use at some point, as they are included on the transfer sheet. I love the bows and the little kites.

 

Modes et Travaux, August 1952

Last week I was lucky enough to get my hands on two issues on Modes Et Travaux (out of the 6 that I bid on), both complete with their embroidery template sheets. First up today are pages from August 1952.

 

I love these lace blouses- it's hard to choose a favourite between them!

 

 

A set of very sweet embroidered detachable collars (transfer is on the sheet included).

Diagrams for embellishments with embroidery thread woven through a simple row of machine stitches.