Readers, it's maternity week here at MPB and it may be maternity month. For we've suffered a bit of a set-back -- nothing serious, mind you, only one of the Etsy sellers whose maternity pattern I purchased sent me the wrong item.
So instead of receiving this:
I received this:
McCall's 2433, which makes either a short "lounging coat" (pictured up top, cat not included) or longer robe, is from the mid-Fifties and definitely has a "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" and "Auntie Mame" vibe to it.
I'm not a huge fan of Chinese jackets but they were very popular in the mid-Fifties and have never entirely faded from American fashion. Anyway, it won't be part of Cathy's maternity outfit (nor is it even her size; it's a 31-32" bust) though the seller did say I could keep it. Perhaps I'll make it part of a giveaway. It comes complete with an embroidery transfer, though I have no idea what to do with one. Are you supposed to embroider over it?
Anyway, while I'm waiting for the correct outerwear pattern, Simplicity 3216, to arrive, I can start on the other part of the outfit. Advance 8152 came yesterday, so today I'm going through my fabric stash to see if there's anything suitable for it.
Many months ago at the flea market I picked up many, many yards of five different vintage cotton fabrics, one of which I used to make Michael this flowered shirt.
Poor Michael is recovering from a nasty bout of the flu (which I had better not get), by the way. Here's my view of him at this very moment:
Anyway, the fabric I'm thinking of using is this -- which I think has an appropriate period feel and also coordinates with a pink cotton stripe that was part of the same haul.
I also have this oyster cotton sateen that might work for the coat, as well as some green cotton that could be a skirt if I decide to do the skirt as a solid.
Maybe the stripe can line the coat. Or I can use the stripe for the blouse and make the coat out of the floral. I'm going to have to meditate on this a bit. I think I like Version 3 of the blouse, the gathered front with the bow tied neck band. I'm open to your suggestions, not that I'll necessarily act on them of course!
The skirt is one of those vintage maternity types with the gaping hole at the top to accommodate a growing belly, and this one has a strap that the skirt waistband loops through to hold it up. Weird, right? Still, I'm determined to make it as directed.
And that's all the excitement today here at MPB headquarters. Thoughts, opinions, caveats?
Have a great day, everybody!
(Watched this last year and found it excruciating...and not in a good way.)
I see a slight problem. Where is Cathy going to get her 'bump' from? She needs one, otherwise those clothes will just hang off her.
ReplyDeleteWeren't you taught "the birds and the bees?" ;)
DeletePoor Michael!! I hope he feels better soon. May you stay well, Peter. Looking forward to seeing Cathy spring forth in her new mat wear!
ReplyDeleteAh, but I LOVE Auntie Mame! "Patrick, I'm going to open doors for you -- doors you never DREAMED existed!" And the progressive school where they act out the male fishes and the lady fishes. What's NOT to love?!
ReplyDeleteI hope Michael feels better soon, and that you escape the flu bug unscathed. When my better half is sick and I am determined to remain healthy, I sometimes sneak around after him with a can of Lysol, disinfecting everything he touches or breathes on. Apparently this is not endearing...
Poor Michael! I see at least one of the dogs is being his nurse. Being sick is so much better when there is a pet keeping you company. Hope he recovers quickly. Hope you don’t get it. Lots of hand washing should help.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like the flowered print for the blouse with a green skirt. Or maybe the oyster for the skirt. Oh dear, now I’m not sure either. I’m sure that whichever you choose it will be spectacular on Cathy.
"Love is a Many Splendored Thing" was on cable recently. I tried to watch, but I just couldn’t sit through it. It definitely has not withstood the test of time.
Chances are the "embroidery transfer" is transfered (clue in the name) onto your fabric using a hot iron - that's the usual way. Cathy needs an embroidery book.
ReplyDeletePeter, I think those are iron on transfers. I hope Michael feels better soon. Aww Puppeh is keeping him company.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen In the Mood for Love? It gave me a new aesthetic appreciation for the cheongsam.
ReplyDeleteWill you be making clothes for the little bundle of joy once she/he arrives?
ReplyDeleteOh, I just had a little mixup with a pattern seller too! I opened up the pattern for a lovely 50's dress and found only the 4 pieces of the skirt. NONE of the bodice pieces were there! I was so disappointed. The seller gave me a refund, but still I was sad.
ReplyDeleteAnyway your maternity ensemble is going to be gorgeous no matter which fabrics you use. I vote for floral top and green skirt OR if you have enough of the oyster sateen, what about matching skirt and coat?
As to the embroidery transfer... it's a heat transfer, most likely. Which means you cut out the desired bit, hand baste it where you want it, and then "stamp" it with the iron to transfer the pattern. Then you embroider over the top of your transferred pattern.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I must have really missed something...something big! Cathy is pregnant and needs maternity clothes??? But how? Why? What am I not getting here? Oh well, I'm sure they'll all come out lovely and it will be nice to see them anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the fabrics you've chosen for Cathy's ensemble. Boy do I wish you could sew my maternity clothes for me! But with only 4 weeks to go, it hardly seems worth it, now. The little ones are sure fun to sew for. Do you have outfits chosen to make for the little bundle of joy?
ReplyDeleteSympathy to Michael, and a vote for a solid colour for the skirt. On the other hand, that's just 'cos I don't have the presence (heightwise or personality wise) to carry off two patterns. Cathy has both.
ReplyDeleteWhen is Cathy's bundle of accidental joy due? I'm dying to know how far along she is.
ReplyDeleteSeptember, I believe, but she's quite big already. It may be twins!
DeleteOMG...the possibility of twins is beyond exciting...probably not so much for the rather unfortunate Cathy LOL I wonder if she gets stretchmarks and will they curtail her modelling career? After twins, surely her swimwear modelling days will be over; non??
DeleteAs ElleC already asked, will you be sewing for the bundle(s) of joy/poo/vomit/spit?? Oh i hope so...I am currently teaching myself to crochet edges so i can make an authentic layette with petit crocheted edges on both the garments and wrap/swaddle.
Exciting times ahead at MPB...*sigh*
So, So exciting!! Does Cathy have a doula?
ReplyDelete