Label Love

A couple of years ago, the nice people at The Dutch Label Shop contacted me about trying their personalized labels.  Time went by, and I got distracted with one thing and another, but when they contacted me again, I decided having some pretty labels to add to my one of a kind clothing might be fun.  [The fact that I had the opportunity to examine a lot of wonderful vintage clothing up close and personal in the last year and see so many amazing vintage labels may have pushed me over the edge!]

The site offers a wide variety of fonts, colors, and symbols to customize your very own label.  Of course, I had to complicate matters and design my own.  PicMonkey was surprisingly helpful in this regard.  

When I couldn't decide on one style or color, I just went for it and ordered three variations on a theme.

I love how they turned out!  And I still can't choose a favorite . . . I will have to see them in action to make that decision!

[Disclosure: The Dutch Label Shop provided me with a coupon code which was used to purchase these labels, but the opinions posted here are my own.]

Pale Pink Orchids

Sometimes a plan takes some time to come together.

When I designed this fabric, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  I love the skirt from Vogue 4203 and wanted to pair it with Vogue 8701 to see how they would work together - I suspected things would go swimmingly!

So I carefully cut out my precious self-designed fabric.

When I ordered my yardage, I mis-remembered how much fabric the skirt requires.

My mistake meant that I had enough fabric left to make a matching jacket for my dress.  Love it!

I have been meaning to make another version of Vogue 9082 for years, and this was the perfect opportunity.

I thought the outfit deserved something extra, so I made a fascinator out of a length of petersham ribbon and some Russian veiling that I had stashed away.

I really love how this outfit turned out!

And I don't promise that I am done with this skirt pattern, either.  The only question is, which bodice to try next!

Dress:  Made by me, Vogue 4203 / Vogue 8701
Jacket:  Made by me, Vogue 9082
Belt:  Made by me
Fascinator:  Made by me
Earrings:  Vintage
Shoes:  Remix "Babydoll"

[Disclosure:  My Fabric Designs provided me with a coupon code which was used to purchase this fabric, but the opinions posted here are my own.]

New Simplicity Patterns for Winter

On a whim, I clicked through to the Simplicity website last night, and there were new patterns!  I am not as excited about these as the last batch, but there are some vintage reproduction goodies.  This hat pattern, for instance, is pretty fabulous!  Sure, I would have rather seen hats from the 1930s or 1940s because I find the silhouettes a bit more interesting, but this pattern is really pretty special.  I just love that pointed hat silhouette!!

And once again, we have more apron pattern options.  These things must be super popular, because they keep producing them.  Don't get me wrong, this one is cute, but do we need another simple apron pattern in the collection?  I will be curious to see the appliqué pieces, which isn't something I recall being included with aprons . . . so maybe this is something new.

And here is another one.  This has the added oven mitt, which is super handy (I may actually want to make myself one of those!).  There is also a head scarf and selection of bags included.  I don't really understand the accessory combo here, but there is a lot included, so I suppose that's a good thing.  And now I really want a hand made oven mitt . . .

Here is another vintage reproduction from the 1950s.  The "simple to make" does not excite me, but this is a cute little nightgown.  I would rather have a dress or skirt, but at least Simplicity continues to share more vintage designs.

There is a skirt that I am interested in, just in the contemporary section of the catalog.  At first glance, I passed right over this one, but the shaped waistband with the center front buttons is very cute.

The lesson here is to always look at the technical drawings.  There is some good stuff here!  I am not really an asymmetrical skirt opening kind of girl, but there are a lot of nice options to be had in one pattern.

And to end with something cute, here is an adorable stuffed animal pattern.  I will never get around to making one of these, but they sure are cute!

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2018 Holiday Vogue Patterns

Vogue released their new Winter/Holiday Collection this week, and as you can probably guess, I am most excited about the new Vintage Vogue design!

I love the line drawings on this one; the back, especially, is gorgeous.  This will definitely be added to my collection.  My only hesitation would be fabric choice.  I think this needs a solid color in order to fully appreciate the style lines, but I have a really difficult time finding solid colored fabrics that I like.  But I am up for the challenge!

I am also drawn to this Paco Peralta outfit.  It probably has a lot to do with the fabulous textured fabric, but this one has some definite possibilities.  I would almost want to extend the top into a dress.  Maybe?  Sounds like more work than I will probably want to do, but I love the look.

And do I need another shirt dress?  No, absolutely not.  But Vogue 9345 has so many different options.  The oversized sleeves are a bit much, in my opinion, but can you ever really have too many classic garments in the closet?  And this one has Dior darts, which I am fairly certain is different than my other shirtdress patterns.  The straight skirted version is also très chic with the pleats. Yep, I guess I need this one too!

I own a tiered ruffle skirt somewhat similar to the full length version of Vogue 9349 and I love it!  Which reminds me that I haven't worn it in a while, and I must remedy that situation.  My skirt has has an elastic waistband which I always ended up covering with a sweater, while this one is a wrap skirt.  I don't especially like yoked waistbands on my body, but I think I may have to try this pattern out.

This dress is part of Vogue 9351, one of the Vogue Wardrobe patterns, which includes a jacket, pants, a jumpsuit, and the dress. So, lots of bang for your buck.  I am drawn to the raglan sleeve, but I think the style lines may end up being a bit too "modern" for me.  This is one I am going to have to think about.  But I love how many different looks and neckline options are included here . . . very creative and that extra effort is very much appreciated.

This looked like any other halter neck dress at first glance . . .

But Vogue 9343 has a covered back and cut in shoulders.  So what I first thought looked rather boring turned out to be a wonderful surprise.  I certainly don't need another excuse to make a formal dress . . . but wouldn't this look amazing in a jewel toned velvet!

And I had to include this Badgley Mischka gown.  From the front, it looks like perfection . . . and then they cheapen the whole thing with oversized grommets?!?  I am sure this will be a popular pattern, but it looks like the designers felt the need to do something "different" and this is the best they could come up with.  I, for one, am not impressed.  I found this version of what appears to be the same dress, minus the gross grommets, with an added sheer sleeve.  I like that one better.  There is a boned bodice foundation included, so at least the construction methods are going to be good.  And I suppose I could also forego the back detail for a classic look . . .

So, not the most exciting pattern collection I have ever seen, but there is some good stuff to be found.  Do you have any new favorites?


[Click on image for source]