Oriental Influence and Mandarin Collar

I don't know how young I was but I remember my mom, the fashionista, talking about "mandarin collars" and Suzie Wong dresses. I saw the Suzie Wong movie years later and thought about how Hollywood influenced fashion, sort of like the influence The Great Gatsby is having today. Here is a pattern from the late 1950's with "slim-lined Oriental influence....and Mandarin collar."
The envelope is gone with time. The previous owner salvaged parts of the envelope and pasted them on a Manila envelope. Good thing since the front picture and envelope back are in good condition.

A very rare estate sale find.

Turning Heads...Strut Your Stuff

I'm sort of a mousy kind of person. I don't like to draw a lot of attention to myself, just sort of happy being an observer (long time self confidence problem). I love watching people who create an entrance, who are confident enough to pull off anything....or almost anything, with a dramatic flair. So....I went to a conference a while back and sometime through, in walks a woman wearing a dark red cape. She sort of stopped the show without saying a word and without the apologies I would have been making. So envious....not evil envious just wish I had the confidence to do that envious. She later told me it was the cape that did it. When she puts it on she becomes a bit taller, holds her head higher, and looks wonderful....and she did.
Sort of like when I was a clown...I could have fun and act silly with the makeup and the hair...I was another me. Well, sort of like that.

Butterick 3361 in Extra Large

Simplicity 3940 This pattern includes a caplet for Mom, a coat for the young miss, and a matching coat for the fur baby. Talk about turning heads!

Simplicity 9029 Ok, not a cape but dramatic just the same, especially with the detachable fur collar. Imagine going to a Christmas party or the ballet wrapped in this!

I Am Not a Hoarder

Really, I'm not but I think I have some serious tendencies. I think my real problem is I have more money than sense and, with that money, I a) buy things I think I can make or b) buy things I think I can sell. It's only later when I arrive at home with the boxes (yes, that is plural...boxes) I realize I have a problem. Well, a few problems, not enough time to make everything I think I can or should, not enough time to take pictures and list my vintage finds to sell, and most importantly, where do I store all these treasures. My guest room is over run, my treadmill is covered (I swore this would never happen), and there are boxes in the hall way. At least I don't have a trail through the house (I do have one in my sewing room and office, though) but it is still a problem to one who prizes organization. So what to do?
Well, I had to have shoulder surgery (holy cow, talk about ouch!) and thought I would use the time off to re-take my house. Good thought but there's a lot and I am not ready to have someone come in and throw out everything like they do on TV. I'm a little slower...and it's less traumatic. After all, I'm post op. My motto is "How do you eat an elephant?" No, not with salt and pepper....One bite at a time or in my case, one box at a time. I am almost through box one. Here's some of the goodies:

These ribbons are from an estate sale. There's more already posted in the GoofingOff shop. In the MetalWoodsnWater shop are things for beach decor and in MissEileen you can find vintage bottles. There are also vintage crewel and needlepoint kits available.  I'm just getting started.
Remember, I'm not a hoarder....really.

Old Movies

There are some movies that touch our hearts, that transport us to another place and time. Regardless of how many times we've seen them they stay special to us. We can recite the dialog, know each part by heart, yet we are drawn to them and watch them over and over again. My hubby loves action flicks....Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicolas Cage or The Transformers. He loves them and gets all excited...."Check this out"....."I had a car like that"....."Eleanor".....I guess for me it's the "chick flicks" that make me smile and stop me. I love "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. They fall in love and he hangs in there through it all. The New York City setting makes me sort of homesick (just sort of).  Even the music at the end of the movie "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is just right.  Enjoy.

New Fabric and Pattern Listings On GoofingOff

I added a few more patterns and fabrics to the GoofingOff Etsy shop. Here's a sample:

Nautical fabric Sailing Ships fat quarters. Yardage available, too!

United States Marine Fabric in fat quarters. Yardage available, too, on request. 

Lots of costume patterns.

Simplicity 5403 Poodle Skirts.....I have poodle skirt patterns for girls, too!

Simplicity 9769

Simplicity 3809

Simplicity 9966 

Stop by and check them out!

Peace, love, and Happy Stitching!