OH! What Fun! Take a trip down memory lane like I did this week when I came across this fabulous website full of vintage sewing patterns! Oh My Gosh - what a treasure trove my new friend Jen has at her site called "Mom's Patterns - Vintage Sewing Patterns - Real Retro Fashion!" This is the place to go for Vintage and Retro inspiration. I know several of my Pink Sisters from MMP are going to really dig these awesome patterns. I am really fired up over some of the aprons, smocks, blouses, and kids clothing patterns Jen has in stock. These are not reproductions, they are the real deal originals!
So, as I was browsing there, I came across a pattern that really made me smile. I had forgotten all about my very first fashion show! This pattern is very much like the one I used to make my end of the year outfit for my 9th grade home ec class. I actually begged my teacher to let us do a fashion show for the entire school and so she put me in charge of organizing, picking the music and directing the other girls in the show, but I also modeled in it.
What a thrill. And my mother was there! She was so very proud of me! She was there in the audience to see me strut my stuff on the catwalk and I think it may have been the most exciting thing she'd ever seen me do. (I couldn't see her reaction though because I refused to wear my glasses while doing my high fashion thang ... I couldn't see clearly farther than a few feet ahead of myself!)
My outfit was made from a lovely light green flocked cotton, I made a short-shorts one-piece romper and a matching open front maxi skirt that I tied on over my short-shorts. I strutted out to the platform, did a spin, and took off the skirt (shocking!!) and draped it across my arm oh so dramatically, pivot, pivot, turned and strutted back off stage! OMG! Good thing I could not see the people watching me, or I'd never have had the nerve to pull that off!
Oh what a wonderful memory this pattern site brought back to me. It's no wonder why I've always loved fabric and fashion and designing!
This site also makes me remember sitting on the stools at the Woolworth's counter browsing the pattern books on a Saturday afternoon with my mom teaching me how to buy fabric and notions and plan out a project. I know she is smiling down on me from heaven as I remember these wonderful moments in time!
Mom's Patterns is so easy to navigate, has an excellent search feature, and all kinds of patterns, not just fashion, but children's patterns, crochet, embroidery, patterns for men, home decor, accessories, baby things, costumes, and from every imaginable pattern company too! Iwas so excited about this site that I just had to write and tell Jen how much I love her site. Well what do you know? I made a new friend! Jen is so nice ... I asked her if I could use some of her images for this post and not only did she offer me the use of the images, she made an offer for all of my blog readers and MMP friends! 
I actually had this embroirdery pattern back in the 70;s and did indeed hand embroider that palm tree and the bird and the mushroom on my jeans! Dang, I wish I had those jeans now!!
Check it out ... Jen says: I created a coupon code 'makeminepink10' which will be good thru next weekend, June 2, 2008 at midnight! Whether the readers order 1 pattern or 100, they'll receive the 10% off. Please also be sure to mention that I ship for FREE to the US & Canada with the purchase of 5 or more patterns! *Small print: Offer excludes Gift Certificates* :)
How about that for niceness!! WOW Thanks so much Jen - You Rock! And to sweeten the pot even more... I will have a drawing on June 1st. from all the comments on this post and the winner will receive a retro pattern of their choice from Mom's Patterns (up to $15.00 value) and of course some kind of little sewn goody from me! FUN FUN FUN! SO please comment, you know how I love comments!
16 comments:
Coool beans, Dianne! You RAWK! =0] I love looking at all these old patterns...they remind me of my Momma too. Thanks for this opportunity, sweetpea! xoxo
I am so excited that Dianne stumbled upon my little sewing pattern corner of the internet and look forward to meeting more Vintage Pattern fiends!! Everyone have a great Memorial Day Weekend, and thank you again, D!!
Jen
http://www.momspatterns.com
Andie I knew you would dig this! Thanks for commenting and Good Luck on the drawing! XOXO - Di
Hey Jen! Thanks for posting, I'm so excited too, I'm already picking out my must have patterns! Thanks for everything! XOXO - D.
Oh Dianne,
You find the nicest sites for all of us. I love 40's style. That Joan Crawford big shoulders look, and the tailored suits, and oooh mandarin type collars that stand up. Woohoo, I get so excited. Don't enter me in the drawing, cuz I have tooooooo many projects unfinished. But thanks. I will visit her site again just to drool all over my screen, lol. And then when I least expect it, my resolve will weaken and I'll purchase a pattern just to hang on my inspiration board for later, lol.
You are so swell!!!!
Theresa @ Cottage Violets
I love love love vintage patterns. I am very excited about her site too!
OMG Dianne, I had that same embroidery pattern in the 70;s too. I embroidered the palm tree and the parrot on a denim work shirt... LOL Boy the 70's are coming back to haunt us at MMP this week. I love it!!! luv, gail
Dianne, What a wonderful trip down Nostalgia Path. I used to sew all my clothes growing up. What happened to me? Now I can't seem to sew on a button. I loved' Jen's site.
Susie @ The Polka Dot Rose
you gotta love those patterns. they bring back such memories. i still have a few of the dresses mom made for me when i was in high school. she made so many clothes for me when i was growing up!!! but the ones i kept where a jumpsuit with duster from the prom and a long tiered green dress i needed for a singing group i was in at church. wow! do you know they are still in a box in the top of my closet??? they are finally back in style! too bad i am not still the same size. =(
Well I guess it is the week for memory lane. I am using some tings from a wedding dress i bought for $20 about 25 years ago. While I was taking the things off I thought about how many yaers I had been making things from this wedding dress.
You are such a fine writer. I love to read your stories. Thank You!
Lilli
Dianne
I remember my friend Patsy and I drooling over the patterns in Woolworth's, she worked there on weekends at the lunch counter. I wish I had a dime for every tube of lipstick or bottle of nail polish that we bought! Oh and the lovely jewelry. Thank for your very generous giveaway.
Lisa
XOXO
www.palepinkandroses.com
Hi Dianne!
Just wanted to stop by and say hello and tell you how sweet you are to offer such wonderful patterns! I just love vintage anything. I'm sure someone is going to have a big smile on their face when they get your giveaway.
Good Luck Ladies!
xo
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows
Dianne! How fun is this! From one sewing junkie to another...you rock! You find the funnest things! Thanks for sharing!
Eilee
www.forgetmenotdreams.com
Love those vintage patterns! I especially love looking at childrens patterns, cute towels ones too! Thanks for sharing with us your passion and talent!
What a wonderful website and thanks so much for sharing it with us Dianne! I'm heading there right now to see what I can find.
Pink hugs,
Debbie
Hi Dianne,
Holy Smokes (we used to say that when I was a kid)! Woolworth's...I thought I was the only one old enough to remember Woolworth's. Remember how much we could by for a buck?? Jen's website is awesome (that is a newer word)! I love to sew and remember many of the old styles. Thanks for sharing!!
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