Vintage Pattern Review: Job Lot 5 (164 - 173)

I haven't posted in a while, and I feel duly guilty. There are good reasons for this, in part I have been working hard....yay. I guess. And the remainder of time I have been travelling and going out...YAY!

Naturally this has left me little time for sewing, although sewing there has been! I have abandoned the two dresses I made and their fit issues. Maybe one day I will revisit them both, but as yet I can't bring myself to look at them and certainly not publish my abortive efforts.

I must accept my status as a beginner! And that muslins are necessary. Boring, but necessary part of the process. I have given in, selected a simple skirt pattern and made a muslin, not a wearable one; just plain and beige. This helped me understand the process for putting it all together and  make something that fitted me and I've subsequently made up a skirt in wearable fabric. The skirt is good to go, but there are two significant errors. Therefore I'm making it again. And again. And again. As many times in fact as it to get it right. 

Anyhow in the absence of posts about sewing, there can only be more vintage pattern reviews. Onto the next job lot, the fifth I purchased. No sign of a single owner for this collection, and its back to quirky electric awesome. No more cloying beauty here.

It begins (again)....

#164

Style: Simplicity 6958

Era: 1967

Size: 16

Would I have bought it? No

First thoughts: I want to dislike this pattern, but I think I'm being overly shortsighted. I feel like I've bought suits like this from British high street stores in the past and like them well enough. I think the contrast lining will make the finished garment lovely.

Difficulty: Medium

#165

Style: Vogue 7705

Era: 1990

Size: 14 -18

Would I have bought it? No

First thoughts: I like these eighties shapes because they remind me of thirties menswear and Marlene Dietrich. Also I am super pear shaped and emphasising the shoulders helps balance me out.

Difficulty:  Medium (I strongly disagree with Vogue on this one)

#166

Style: Style 3307

Era: 1981

Size: 12

Would I have bought it? NO

First thoughts: Horrible. I never admired Princess Diana's style. 

Difficulty: Medium / Hard

#167

Style: Butterick 5580

Era: 1970s?

Size: 12

Would I have bought it? No

First thoughts: At the moment I'm having a love affair with skirt patterns - they suit my current skill level. I'm pleased to own this pattern. I also want a plaid skirt like the one in the illustration. 

Difficulty: Easy

#168

Style: Simplicity 6748

Era: 1966

Size: 16 1/2 

Would I have bought it? No

First thoughts: Anyone that reads my blog on regular basis, and I've calculated (using both science and mathematics) that I have circa ten regular readers, knows I have a lot of patterns like this. So yeah, I'm not very excited to own this. 

Difficulty: Medium

#169

Style: McCall's 9655

Era: 1980

Size: 14

Would I have bought it? no

First thoughts: Love the deep vee neckline, ruffles and floaty-ness of this design.

Difficulty: 

#170

Style: McCall's 7331

Era: 1980

Size: Small

Would I have bought it? No

First thoughts: This is a less rubbish version of #166 - I like it slightly more. So that takes it to 2/10. 

Difficulty: 

#171

Style: Vogue 8123

Era:1991

Size: 12 - 14 - 16

Would I have bought it? No

First thoughts: I'm not certain whether this has potential or not - I think the shapes are quite interesting even though I normally abhor boxy designs. 

Difficulty: Hard

#172

Style: Vogue

Era: 1991

Size: 14 - 16 - 18

Would I have bought it? Not likely!

First thoughts: It has been a while since a pattern has made me say 'what the f'. This crazy ass ruffle dress brought it back. This wins my 'What the Fudge Award' for the month of February.

When I was young girl I used to design dresses exactly like this. Back then if I liked something I wanted lots of it, the designer of this pattern clearly feels the same way about ruffles that my five year old self felt about chocolate. 

I cannot wait to see how mental this looks in real life, although I will never wear this outside. 

Actually I would wear it outside if someone paid me a modest sum, I think I'd do it for £20. It is a recession after all.

Difficulty: Hard - The cutting alone will take the better part of a day. And it will require a stack of material. And more patience than I currently have with sewing.

#173

Style: The People pattern service No.383

Era: 1950s?

Size: Bust 36

Would I have bought it? Maybe

First thoughts: A blouse. A plain blouse. Meh.

Difficulty: Medium