Another Bias Tape Pattern

I continue to be fascinated by vintage patterns using bias tape to make appliques.
The newest addition to my collection features ducks, birds, a sun, and a ship.

(click on images to enlarge)

This pattern was a Kate Marchbanks mail order.
The date is not indicated, and the postmark on the envelope is not legible.

The unique thing about this pattern is that there are designs inside for several more items.
Teddy bears:


Lamb and Tulip:


and what they call a Cock Motif
(it looks like Pennsylvannia Dutch to me):


These would make a cute quilt! Especially a baby quilt!
They were used for decorating aprons or children's clothing.
The designs were intended to be used with polka dotted or plaid bias tapes--once plentiful, but now difficult to find.
Then again, I guess it's a lot easier to make your own these days, with lots of bias tape makers on the market.
The designs are embellished with embroidery.

Patterns with Bias Tape

These kitschy patterns from the late 1960's and early 1970's intrigue me.
The designs were intended to embellish aprons and little girl's dresses, dishcloths, curtains, and under picture frames.
A more modern approach might be to use these in quilt squares.

This is a vintage Kate Marchbanks mailorder pattern, with a rooster, sunflower, and Sunbonnet Sam.
Details are added with rickrack and embroidery.
Here's a detail of the rooster's color chart


This Alice Brooks pattern has a nest with birds--one of the nicest patterns for a bird that I've seen.

Also a train, iris, watering can, and butterfly.

This Kate Marchbanks pattern of bird motifs would be perfect on a quilt.
I envision this on a quilt along with the vintage embroidery patterns for state birds.
I posted about another bias tape bird pattern previously. See the post here.
And another here.
And here!

Or you could do state flowers, along with these Kate Marchbanks bias tape floral motifs.


A monogram pattern from 1959

Bias tape Birds

Pattern to make birds from pieces of bias tape and embroidered details.
Mail order pattern from 1969.

These were intended to embellish little girls' dresses, aprons, and towels.
A quilt would be nice too.

In the mood...

Calamity Kim posted one of these vintage mood barometers recently.
In my typical impulse fashion, I HAD to have one for myself,
so I bought one on eBay.

Isn't it fun?!

EBay has made some changes recently that I'm not crazy about.
I really need to wean myself off the site.
But...

While I was at it, I picked up this "Bazaar Boutique Items" pattern, dated 1966.


The items are all identified on my Flickr page.
I love finding vintage accessories patterns like this.

Two fun apron patterns

I just bought two more vintage apron patterns that I thought I'd share with you.
The holster-type one reminds me of the hipster bags I recently posted about on my purse blog.
I mean, really, how fun is that?! Dated 1999.

(click on image to enlarge)

Also, this killer find that combines my love of aprons with my love of sewing with towels. Dated 1967.

I can hardly stand it, it's so good!

Inspirations

Lovely thrift find today, 50 cents.
No date listed.
I love the illustrations.

I have been back-to-back dog-sitting, but will be doing a whole bunch of sewing later this week....
so new stuff to post shortly.

In the mean time,
I posted pics from another of my Japanese Craft Books on my purse blog tonight.
I update that blog all the time, so be sure to check it out!

Clothespin Doll Apron

So cute!
Little dolls made from clothespins, put into pockets in an apron.

From Smart Sewing Magazine, seventh edition, 1953

Aah...80 degrees and lovin' life

Eek, how awesome is this?
Pom-poms on your beach towel? Ain't life freakin' grand?

Circular cover-up or beach blanket or poncho, plus a swimsuit.
Simplicity from 1970.

I used to live for Summer time, but now it's Spring that I love.
Tons of yummy fruit is in season.
Bonfires, and live music, and Cinema under the Stars.The weather is beautiful, with blue skies and a warm breeze,
but not too hot nor humid.
I feel like I've come out from hibernation.

Several years ago, a local pool used to offer
"Dive-in" movie events.
You could float in your inner tube while watching Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Seriously, that rocks. They need to bring that back.

Sewing Vinyl

If I were to describe myself, I would say I'm a "natural" type.
Just a hint of granola.

Meaning I like natural fibers in natural colors.
I love environmentally friendly textiles, like Fox Fibre.
I like leaves prints or leaf shapes. I like earth tones.

How then is it that vinyl is also a love?
Man-made plastic is quite far removed from all I've just described.
Maybe it reminds me of the shiny burgundy patent leather shoes I so dearly loved in third grade. I don't know. I just think sewing vinyl is fun.
At least the clear vinyl is fun.

You can buy clear vinyl in fabric stores under the heading "table covers".
Some people also use it for book covers, baby bibs, and beach bags.

Check out this "futuristic" apron pattern from 1966.
This must have really been avant garde at that time.


Or this tres chic tunic from 1973


Or the funky food dome from this accessories pattern, 1967


Come on, that's fun, right?
I think so.

I just made an apron with vinyl accents. I hope CPS Magazine sees fit to publish it. We'll see...

Smock apron pattern

I just got this apron pattern.
There's no date listed, but I'll guess it's from the late 1960's.

I mean, really, how flippin' cute is this?!
I absolutely love it, and I don't normally like smock styles.

It could be updated with a velcro tie maybe.
The short version would make a cute summer top.
Love love love.

Pajama Bags

Jen just did a post about pajamas, and it got me to thinking about pajama bags.
I mean, you don't really see these anymore.

Or at least they're not as popular as they once were.
But then they (sometimes) doubled as hot water bottle holders, or clothespin bags...and we no longer need those.

I had a hand-me-down dog pajama bag, but according to old patterns I've seen on ebay and by googling, the idea has been around since at least 1910.
It seems to have been most popular around the 50's and 60's.
Either that, or those are the patterns more often available.

I tried to look up info on the history, and couldn't find anything, other than a new pattern for a ladybug design that says,
"Pajama bags are a great way to help a child start the day with a 'touch' of being organized and picking up for themselves."

Or a site selling a new poodle bag with a similar message:
"Moms love this pajama bag as much as girls do because it helps keep the bedroom tidy".

I see Soule Mama has tote bag versions for her two boys.

And Sweet Pea Designs made a doll version.

The Giving Flower made a Clifford bag.

I posted my lambie pattern from the 40's previously.

This Puppy Dog is another pattern I have.

The description says it's a pattern for a stuffed toy or a pajama case.
There is no date listed (I hate that!), but the price was only 35 cents, so it was published a while ago.

I plan to make a little boy I know a version in yellow minkee so it resembles his Doggie Duke. You guys all know that guy.

More ideas/free patterns:

Another dog version.

Ooh, super cute Bagpuss (he's a British cartoon kitty)

Also, here's a pattern for a bag made from a pillowcase.

another lady bug, but this one is a knitting pattern.

a no-sew dinosaur for kids to make.

And of course, a classic entry about the dreaded clown case from Threadbared.

Vintage Dolls of Nations Quilt Pattern

I love this pattern, which is ironic, because I'm not much of a doll person. But I love the idea of world costumes and traditions.
It is a mail order quilt pattern from the 70's (I think).

I remember sending for this through the mail from an ad in Parade Magazine (the newspaper supplement). It is a set of transfers of children from different nations--meaning in their traditional dress.
The outlines are supposed to be embroidered in floss, then colored in with fabric crayons. I wish it had included a color photo for reference.

The layout is bizarre, considering the interesting and odd choice of nations.
For instance, where's England? I mean, they could have used the Queen's guard uniform, you know?
Notice it is all countries, then included is American Indian, Alaska, and Hawaii.


Here is the child representing China. (click on image to enlarge)



And Russia--so different from what we call Russia today. This was when Boris and Natasha were evil, and Maxwell Smart was battling the KGB.
My gosh times have changed. This is pre the USSR. Pre all the countries that area makes up today.

Funky Burda Skirt

I found this pattern at a thrift store. No date is indicated, but I'm guessing the '80s. I'm diggin' all the funky pockets and extra fabric, but I would look like a whale in this. Sigh...

More from Alice Brooks

More pics from this pattern booklet, probably 1950's.


The Santa apron is kind-of fun, but crocheted milk glass? (close-up pic of the apron is in my flickr photo set)



The booklet descriptions read:
Pattern 7015 Big "bear" rug. Loop and stitch in simple crochet
Pattern 7053 Little boy "Butch"...adored by all! He's 32-inches of freckle-faced charm...a life-size playmate for some lucky child. Dress him in Size-2 outgrown clothes; make him the newest member of your family!

Okay, doesn't that sound creepy, Twilight Zone to you? I've always been creeped by dolls anyway, but a life size one? And look at him! Eeeewwww.
I like the rug. And I think the cat may be a pajama bag. I wonder why those went out of vogue?



Pattern 7294 "Monkey shines"
Pattern 7059--A pretty lady loves to "dance"...when little girls whirl her around the room. (Hidden magic, elastic straps attached to her partner's feet)! She's 44-inches tall...a real-life friend

Yeah, okay, so maybe I would have thought this was fun back in the day. Now it sounds sad--here, add to your group of imaginary friends...
Whatever.
But the monkey is cool.

Gingham Apron

Bird Needle Case

This is so cute. Looks like something Bella Dia or Little Birds would like to make.

Macrame Apron

How fun is this?! Macrame bib apron with fringe. 

Clothing made from Towels

Pullover robe from towels, 1965. The sleeveless shift is rather chic, don't ya think? I have a love affair with patterns and ideas that utilize towels. Maybe because it involves recycling. Maybe because someone once made me a robe and I dearly loved it. So now I collect these patterns, and have shared them here. I apologize for the multiple entries versus all on one post, but dreaded computer issues again. This works though.

Longer, simple poncho, 1973

Yeah, the full length one is a muu-muu, but I bet the shorter one might be pretty cute for the beach.

Towel Poncho, 1970

Thirty five years later, and it's back in style. I love ponchos!