Vintage 1960's Sewing Patterns

My sister and I spotted one of those hot pink "ESTATE SALE" signs as we were driving down El Camino after our early Saturday morning hike at Stanford ....just  like Hansel and Gretal  following bread crumbs...we followed the signs for 5 miles all the way to Mountain View. 

It was the second day of the sale and the house had been pretty much picked over.  I was just about to leave empty handed when... I spied two boxes on the floor... filled with original sewing patterns from the 60's and 70's.  They  were the real deal...how do I know?  The date was written on most of the patterns. 

Purchased  over a dozen patterns.  Here are a couple of my faves:

I just can't wait to sew my next  "Mad Men" dress... sewn from a true honest to goodness original pattern from the mid sixties.  Which one would you pick?

Baby Bonnets

I loved putting hats on my kids when they were babies.

A handmade knit hat for newborn Sophie

 I picked up this floral print hat in Sweden for sweet Adeline:

And a little velour aviator cap for baby Peter:

Easter 1986..in carrying out the tradition of my childhood, I made Peter's outfit and Sophie's dress

So now when I am invited to a baby shower, my signature gift  is a little homemade hat.

Here is my newest hat for a little baby boy who is due in a little more than a month:

I love bonnets/hats on babes!

The Domino Effect

It all started with this twin solid maple bed.


You might think this is just a plain ol' ordinary bed
Not to me. No siree.
This is one very special bed
For it is the bed I slept in as a young girl living in Palo Alto
It has an identical twin since it is part of a bunkbed set
When we moved to Los Altos my younger siblings slept in the bed
At one time or another, each of my three children slept in the bed
Since I have changed the "bedroom" into a sewing room
I needed to find a new home for the bed
It was just taking up too much space
I wanted it to go to a good family
So I asked Mr. and Mrs. Shoe
Remember the two will soon welcome a little Shoe
And the little guy would someday need a bed
When he graduates from a crib
But unfortunately no takers
They suggested I sell it on Craigslist
Little do they realize my sentimentality for this bed

My sister suggested that I move the bed into the larger bedroom
So I put Plan B into motion..
Before I could move the bed I had to first....
Empty the large bookcase in the larger bedroom
Move the large bookcase in the larger bedroom away from the wall
Then move the dresser to where the large bookcase used to be
Next take apart the bed and move it to where the dresser was
Then empty and move the small bookcase in the sewing room
Next move the large bookcase to where the small bookcase was
Then move the small bookcase next to the newly moved bed
Next move in the antique armoire given to me by another sister
And place it in the corner
Next move the doctor's cabinet from the kitchen
And place it next to the black/white enamel topped table
Move the teak drop leaf table to the opposite wall
And turn the large white IKEA armoire ninety degrees
Whew..more than a few drops of sweat on my brow
And a wee bit strain on the back
How about a peak of my sewing room now?
Drum roll please...
Tada....




Check out the plentiful areas for storage
And the unimpeded space to cut, create and sew...
Just need to hook up the tune machine and the television
If you come by for a visit you'll hear some humming
And see some smokin' machines
And don't be a bit surprised if it is difficult to pry me outta here

Peek Into My Sewing Room

Adeline says to me, "Your sewing room looks pretty but when are you going to start sewing?"

DZ chimes in, "I think she gets more pleasure in just decorating..."

Ok...I heard enough already. I thought, you haven't seen nothing yet!

So, I went to work. Beautiful has been threaded, each spool of thread in its proper slot...the fabrics are cut...and we have been humming. I won't show you what I have been creating yet since I am giving them as gifts and you wouldn't want me to ruin the surprise would you?

Sewing and creating is so much more fun when you have your tools and supplies organized, and all in one place. Also, it is nice to have a whole room! If one's attention is required elsewhere, all you do is shut the door to the mess.

Do you want a peek at my sewing room thus far?



The bookcase came from DZ's grandmother's house. I painted it gloss white and love the fresh look. I bought the "flower" rug at Ikea. I've seen the same rug placed in a child's bedroom..I like the cheerfulness it brings to my room. The little green child's desk came from DZ's childhood (I think his dad made it for his brother)...and makes the perfect table to hold my small ironing board. Notice the Liberty of London round boxes? They hold sewing tools, patterns. The can with the flower under the table was for dirty laundry ..I've repurposed it as my garbage can...it sits at the perfect height to throw in the scraps. The chair is an actual "sewing chair" and came from a seamstress in town. and the enamel topped table was once used in a doctor's office.

And check out the vintage iron ...I bet you can't guess where I got it... ...at an estate sale!


Initially, I thought it would just be a great thing to place on a shelf, you know, a "decorative object". But oh no, as I was putting together a doll quilt top this weekend, my Rowenta iron was just too big and heavy, so I decided to try out the iron, and waaalaaah...it works perfectly, is lightweight and even has a reservoir for water if you are in need of some steam. I am in love with this little iron. Plus, I love the black and chrome. You might think I am a bit crazy oohing and aahhing about an iron. Well maybe I am...in more ways than this one.

More to come as soon as I get my dear DZ to hang some shelves and other things.