So my microfracture, torn meniscus and chondromalacia knee surgery recovery is coming along very slowly. I am still on pain meds and in physical therapy several times a week. It is gruelling and painful, but I am seeing improvements with each session.
While it is frustrating to be laid up, I have been able to get some sewing projects completed. I am not up for photographing them on me just yet. If you follow on Instagram, you can see them and my daily musings there.
While laid up, I found a listing for 600 retro/vintage sewing patterns for $125! I was intrigued knowing full well I do not have the space to store them, or life expectancy to sew them. I contacted the seller and asked to see sample pattern covers in my size hoping she would split the lot. She shared some beauties, but said she was unwilling to break it up. In a moment of great restraint, I told her I could not take them all, but asked her to let me know if she changed her mind.
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| 600 patterns |
Fast forward 2 weeks, and she had no takers! She called and I now have 96 more patterns in my stash. I don't have room to store them, but I can probably get these made in my lifetime.
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| My haul |
Here are my new additions. I have decided not to tell you why I chose a particular pattern. I think you guys know my style and can see what appeals to me in them. Some of these "are so me" it will be easier for you to spot the odd pattern. I chose a couple of them to round up the price to a whole number. I wonder if you can tell which those are?
Whew! Did you look at all of those? High Five! I think I got some good ones in there. Did I get too many jumpsuits and bodysuits? How many shift dresses are too many? What do I make first? I will contemplate those questions while I continue to heal.
Happy Sewing,
Bianca
What an amazing haul! I would struggle so hard as to where to start. Have fun those are some great styles.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marci!
DeleteSome great ones there! I still have some of those in my stash from when they were brand new!! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLol! I will have a blast with these and hopefully keep them for my daughter's stash.
DeleteFirst up...sending you positive thoughts on healing your knee!
ReplyDeleteand WOW....you have a fun, fun, fun pattern stash now...although I suspect you've always had some great patterns in your stash. You've given me a lot of flashbacks to my childhood. I totally rocked the Simplicity 7284 hot pants look! I also remember wearing the vest over the shift dress, 2085, although often it was crocheted.
It's interesting....yes there are lots of shift dresses, but they each have a slightly different silhouette! I can't imagine how you will decide what to sew.
The one that sticks in my mind is McCalls 2444 the white with the red trim on the right...and SO CRAZY....Simplicity 2444 is one of my current go-to patterns. Sweet serendipity! That would be the one I would have to make first!
Thanks for the well wishes. Fashion wise, I often feel l was born in the wrong decade. I can't resist these styles and enjoy trying to make them current.
DeleteI spend too much time to decide which to make first. I may employ the tried and true method of eenie meenie miney mo! :)
I went through a phase a few years ago where i was constantly buying vintage patterns at flea markets, craigslist, thrift shops, and estate sales. I know have hundreds of them and feel so overwhelmed by them! I've sewn many but have just ordered cardboard and bags so I can start selling them, since most aren't even my size. I bought an old file cabinet and it helps to organize them.
ReplyDeletealso, the old patterns 60's and older seem to fit better than new ones.
DeleteI know the feeling of being overwhelmed by so many vintage pattern treasures. There is only so much time and so few occasions. I think my inability to store them at this point will be my limiting factor. That and the side long look for my husband when I buy something new. Good luck with your destashing.
DeleteSending you good thoughts as you heal! Yes, you have purchased some really fun patterns. I look forward to seeing your creations.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tomasa! I'm chomping at the bit to use them.
DeleteHow fun these are! Happy healing--hope it speeds up for you!
ReplyDeletezomg! so many great patterns there! hope you didn't have to get on the floor to look through them all!!!
ReplyDeleteI know!!! It was kismet, she had a tiny footstool just the right height for me! I chose the Multi-kini mainly for the image!! I groaned when I saw the vacuum. I had to get it to show my daughter. We have a Roomba and I want to show her the "good ole days" :)
Deletep.s. The orange Multi-Kini...yes yes yes!!
ReplyDeletep.p.s the woman's day pattern where she's vacuuming...omg!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great haul! I love when you post your vintage patterns! I always see one or two that I know my mom made. Oh how I wish I had kept her patterns!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad my stash pics are well received. I am excited, but I don't want to appear to be bragging. I use these posts to digitally catalogue my collection for my pinterest board. I am glad to help others take a trip down memory lane.
DeleteI can see so many of these as just right for you! Thanks for sharing. It's so much fun to look at them. Praying you feel better soon! Also, I'd love to follow you on Instagram if you don't mind sharing your handle.
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa these are definitely my era! Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. I would love to connect on Ig! The link at the top right will take you there as well as this link: https://www.instagram.com/thanksimadethem/
DeleteI think I tried to follow someone that I thought was you! No wonder they never approved my follow request. I thought maybe you were just really private on Instagram! ;)
DeleteFirst, I agree. Praying for you to have continued healing. Second, OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS!!!! How come when I start looking for patterns I can never find them? Every single one of these patterns is awesomeness!! Who is this woman and how do in find out if has any that I can buy? I am screaming right now because I am so jealous of how cute you are going to look in ewach of these. Too many jumpsuits? Shift dresses? No such thing. I wrote down a few that I thought you should do first but dang, anyone would be great. But if you had to choose I would from Simplicity 7975 or 7976 or 8541✂✂✂�� I think the one pattern out of sorts is the rain jacket. Lol but you could make it cute .
ReplyDeleteThanks for the well wishes! I responded to you on Ig about other patterns before seeing this. This is "Awesomeness!" I love your suggestions for first sewing projects! They are at the top of the pile! It is funny that rain coat is one I chose on purpose; I love the tent style :) The odd man out was the Mccalls 6555 "Jamz" with the circle duffle bag :) Also, the doll pattern. I am not a fan of sewing them, but I have a little miss with a nursery of babies. I plan to teach her to make some doll dresses.
DeleteIf you are serious about buying some of these, I can put you in touch with her. Even with shipping from Texas, it might be worth it. I grabbed all the size 12's and the few 14's she had in this era though :)
It definitely is a great top and I plan on making one based off these sewing patterns! GORGEOUS.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! Love them. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a brand & number for the 14th pattern photo? It shows sizes 10 & 12 but nothing else. It's the dress with princess seams and the inverted center pleat, one in red and the other in blue & white. Thanks!
Hi Jane, I love that one. It is Butterick 6624.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteMy past life flashed before my eyes...size 12 34 bust.. those were the days. I used to wear Prue Acton RTW here in Austrslia...a great designer.
ReplyDeleteWith my injury, I can't exercise. I will be tweaking the size on these for sure. :-)
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DeleteWow, what a find! There are some beauties in there. Good luck choosing what to make first.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing haul! Will say healing prayers for you. Keep on taking it easy - surgery is a major insult to the body and it takes as long as it takes - hard to do when you are a busy mom like you! Looking forward to all your makes from this incredible pattern collection. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen! It's getting easier, but I still have to take it slowly.
DeleteOh my gosh, girl! What an amazing find! There are some seriously cute patterns in there! I know this post is old, have you sewn with any of the patterns yet? Also, why haven't I thought about checking Craigslist for patterns!?
ReplyDeleteBrittany
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