A Vintage Pattern Confession & Pledge

Like many seamstresses, I got utterly sucked in by vintage patterns soon after I began sewing. The 1950s was my favourite era  - the gorgeous illustrations give a tantalising glimpse into a glamorous life in which you swan around in a slinky dress with perfect hair. Back in real life however, I got fed up of slaving over lovely dresses which I rarely had the opportunity to wear as they just didn't fit into my lifestyle.

 (To be fair, I've made both of these dresses, but they were both made to wear to weddings)

Of course, some ladies can make glam vintage work for them on a daily basis, but for most of us, it's not practical and frankly, who could be bothered? But after a period of buying said lovely but seldom-made patterns and realising that actually I was buying pretty much the same pattern over and over again, I got a bit more canny. Maybe I should be casting my net wider across the decades as well as getting better at picking patterns which had interesting and unusual features, and that might be practical to wear more often than to a wedding? Great idea!!

I've got a couple of vintage patterns which I've made more than once and have become firm favourites. The one seam skirt from this pattern, made several times:

 

 

 And this dress pattern:

 

Both are classic shapes which I know suit my figure

Here are a few other patterns from my stash:

 This is what I'm making at the minute - fabric already bought and cut. It wasn't until I cut it that I noticed the cute shaped collar and front pleat

Really want to make some nice new nightwear

Love the details of these 1940s pattern, and could imagine both being worn today

This will surely be the year I make some kind of slip or similar...

This dress is very cute and apparently easy, but I'd have to grade it up (can I be bothered?):

Maybe it's time to revisit this vintage classic, previously abandoned in frustration, now I have cracked the broad upper back adjustment?

So this leads me to taking the Vintage Pattern Pledge, as initiated by Marie of A Stitching Odyssey.

"During 2014, I, Kerry of Kestrel Makes, will make 3 items from vintage patterns"

I'm hoping that 3 items will be achievable and am looking forward to making use of some of my stash. Do you sew from vintage patterns and are you taking the vintage pledge?

K x