Vintage Pattern SCORE!

I stopped in to a new-to-me thrift store the other day and--SCORE!!! Vintage patterns for $.29 each!
All of these patterns once belonged to "Ethel", and she wrote her name on each one.

I would have liked to have known Ethel. I think we could have been sewing buddies.

These three patterns for girls' dresses are classic styles, and the Stretch-and-Sew patterns are easily altered.

(By the way, I know these photos aren't the greatest. It's one of my Pet Peeves when, on Ebay or Etsy, sellers don't SCAN their patterns instead of photographing them. Well, I couldn't scan anything right now even if I really wanted to!)

Ahem....

These t-shirts and knit sweaters are also classic in style.

Swimsuits, anyone? What little girl wouldn't look adorable in one of these vintage, yet stylish, suits?

Of the little dresses, this one is tops! The peasant style is back in....style! Stretch-and-Sew patterns were meant to be sewn out of knit fabrics. However, I think I could make this one in a woven and it would still work just fine. I can't wait to try it!

However, this one made the stop all worthwile! I love, love, love these vintage pajamas. The date on the envelope is 1970, and the style just screams "Brady Bunch" at me. I would have been six years old then. Maybe that's why I love this so much--nostalgia.

The sizes range from 4-6 up to 12-14. Again, it's classic! I'm thinking about lengthening the hem and making these for my girls for Christmas--maybe out of a groovy flannel. Or maybe not!

Oh, the Expo!

I spent today at the American Sewing Guild Expo that was held in Indianapolis! What a great, informatinve time!

First of all, I got to see the Babylock Enterprise in action. Wow! I think it was the highlight of my day! The MSRP on this 10-needle machine is $15,000.00. Yep, you read that right! HOWEVER, it IS on sale for $12,999.00. That's $13,000 in my book. A very cool embroidery machine nonetheless. Hope to try one out soon!

I'd love to buy each and every embroidery CD from Kathy Harrison at Custom Keepsakes! She does Victoran lace and embroidery, along with in-the-hoop clothing patterns for dolls and children. All of her work is exquisite! I can see me working on something like this every single day. The heirloom baby christening/dedication gowns are stunning! The photos do not do them justice.

I already have pattern drafting software from Wild Ginger. However, it's great to have a fact to put with a product. Mariette is a joy to talk with and really knows her stuff. I can forsee working with her Users Groups and really using this software to it's potential!

The class called "Running with Scissors" by Pam Damour was very informative, yet entertaining! She knows so much about the home decor business that she's written a book and has pattented several templates and rulers. I should have bought her book while I was there. Guess I'll have to order it online! I'd never even heard of buttonhole scissors, not to mention that I'd never tried them out! She's a wealth of information that isn't to be missed.

I met many interesting people, learned many new techniques, and saw many interesting new products. If they have this again next year, I'm definitely going! Save me a spot!