Monthly Archives: January 2016

Vintage Pledge 2016 Plans

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Hi all,

Just a quick one today. I am really excited to read that sign up has begun for Vintage Pledge 2016. I really enjoyed taking part last year. I managed to achieve my modest aim to try my first vintage pattern in 2015, if you didn’t see my 2015 vintage pledge make before you can find it here.

I was quite pleased with how it turned out. Looking back there were some fit issues, which I could have improved on, but I wore it to a wedding last year and felt quite chuffed with myself. I adored the triangle cut-outs on the neckline. In fact I’m starting to wonder if I should make it again in a different colour with the fuller 50’s skirt…

This year I would like to up my Vintage Pledge game a little by tying a couple more patterns.

In 2016 I, Elie of attieanddora.com, pledge to sew at least 3 of the vintage patterns in my stash.

I don’t have a huge vintage pattern stash, but I dug out a couple for inspiration today.

This first pattern is so 80’s and I’m surprised at myself for liking it, as I don’t usually like 80’s fashion much, but there is something about this style. I think it could look pretty cool in a crisp cotton lawn, I love a good shirt dress.

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This second one was a gift and I’m not sure if it’s vintage, vintage reproduction? It is 60’s I reckon, which is one of my favourite eras in fashion. Anyway, I love this pattern. I’m not entirely sure where I would wear it, but I could even bypass the outfit for now and possibly have a go at making the accessories. I might get some faux fur and try and make that hat or scarf.

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What do you think of my initial choices?

Can’t wait to get started now and to see all the vintage pledge makes!

Teal Hudson Pants

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First post of 2016 and this make may be one of my all time favourites…

I bought the pattern, Hudson Pant by True Bias, a while ago with the intention of sewing myself a few pairs of comfy house trousers.

Sadly, my sewing machine  had been playing up when sewing with knit fabric, skipping stitches etc, and so it took me a while to get round to sewing these up.

I am so glad I did, as I LOVE this pattern. The shape is so flattering, which is hard to achieve with jogging bottoms. I previously owned some RTW ones of a similar style and they were so saggy around the bottom, they made me look like I was wearing old man style PJs…. which wasn’t a great look.

These on the other hand, make me feel awesome and have been immediately upgraded from “house trousers” to day wear!

The fabric I used was a beautifully soft teal ponte from Sew Over It. I was planning a black pair, but I am glad I was a bit more adventurous with the colour as I love them.

Construction wise, I cut out the size that best fit my hip measurement, it was too big in the waist, but that isn’t a problem as when you  insert the elastic into the waistband you can adjust the waist size as you need. I am 5’11” so I added 3 inches to the length of the trousers, as they were drafted for a person of average height.

I followed the instructions and used my overlocker for most of the seams, I think I used my standard sewing machine for attaching the pockets and the ankle bands, but the rest was on the overlocker.

When it came to the waistband I went a bit rogue and decided against sewing the channels for a drawstring. I wanted this first pair to be versatile and wasn’t really going for a “sporty” look. I was worried they would fall down without the drawstring, but I pulled the elastic quite tight, to avoid this. The other problem with missing out the drawstring is that the elastic is prone to twist and fold inside the waistband channel, so I did hand stitch it to the inner side of the waistband to prevent this. The stitches are practically invisible as I got such a good thread colour match, but I am not sure how it will hold up, so I may still zig zag around the waistband as advised later.

This pattern will no doubt be getting a lot more use as I’ve already had requests from family members for pairs and my boyfriend is keen for me to buy the men’s version of the pattern so he can have a pair too. So clearly a big hit.

Teal Hudson Pants (attieanddora.com) sewing shetland