Friends, this has been a very good week for me, sewing-wise. Or rather, sewing stuff-wise.
First, the Singer featherweight. Then, the fabulous vintage sewing book. Finally today -- well, you'll see!
 |
| Sly Debi Fry |
Remember how I gave Debi Fry that tattered old 1940 swimsuit pattern to help her complete her 1940 McCall's Project? Oh, readers, what you don't know is that it was full of what looked like ancient moth larvae and smelled like Tallulah Bankhead's old ashtray. And let's face it, that pattern is...I don't know. Show up in that striped number with the little bow in your hair and you'd get sand kicked in your face for sure.
And yet Debi wanted it, go figure!
Readers, remember in The Sound of Music, when Maria first arrives at the Von Trapps', the children do all kinds of evil things to her like put toads on her chair and rubber snakes in her bed? However, rather than scold them in front of the Captain, she cleverly thanks them at dinner for making her feel so welcome, which ends up reducing the guilt-ridden little fiends to tears and they love her from that day forward?
 |
| Louisa's meltdown |
Well, I think that's just the kind of trick Debi is playing on me. I send her, well, that sorry old pattern, and she sends me absolute gems in return, just to show me the error of my ways and make me feel bad. She even gift-wrapped her package and included a lovely personal note, while I mailed my pattern in a recycled envelope that may or may not have had a chili stain on it.
Behold!
As if that weren't enough to make me feel worse than Brigitta, Marta and Gretl combined, Debi ALSO sends me this fabulous McCall's magazine from 1941, bursting with articles, ads, and sumptuous McCall pattern illustrations.
Parenthetically, I am a glutton for vintage women's magazine fiction, and there are some hoots here, like "No Thief Can Steal My Love" by Norma Patterson, and "Money Isn't Everything" by Elizabeth Troy.
Finally, look at these pattern illustrations:
Friends, you can see more (much more) of
In closing, do you agree that Debi's ultimate goal is likely to gain possession of my latest Singer featherweight, or is she -- could it be possible? -- merely a sweet and generous person?
Should I one-up her and send her all my vintage patterns, just to make her feel bad? Strategy, I need strategy!
Have a great day, everybody!
Debi is stunning and you scored like Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAre corns obsolete these days? I remember the words corns and feet mentioned at least once a week by my female relatives
I'm not sure I even know what a corn is...
Deleteyou obviously don't associate with ballerinas.
DeleteI'm sure Debi is hinting that she's like an autographed picture of Cathy in a fabulous '40's outfit!
ReplyDeleteI think that is exactly what Debi wants....or better yet...a joint photoshoot next time she's in town ;-)
DeleteI vote for the joint photo shoot-- pick an era and a look; it would be fabulous!
DeleteAs if Cathy could share the spotlight with another dame!
DeleteDebi needs to consult one Laura Mae, if she has any delusions regarding Miss Cathy Lane.
Of course, a photo-documented cat fight might be what MPB readers truly crave.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth. She surly gave you some serious sewing swag, but I like to think of the sewing community (especially vintage sewing) likes to live by the share and share alike philosophy. I'm not especially enthralled with the actual vintage pattern itself. I use mine like I would a modern pattern. I do like the envelope covers but I much prefer to wear the dress. I'm all for sharing. It's so much easier to swap patterns or borrow them than to hunt eBay and etsy obsessively for a pattern that its expensive and most likely won't get used again. Most of the fun is giving someone something that you know they will be crazy for. Think how happy Debi was when she opened her package. I bet she did a happy dance. I bet she is thinking about fabric right now.....
ReplyDeleteUgh, typos galore. Sorry!
DeletePlease stay after class, Alice.
DeleteI think I wanna read those stories. For a laugh if nothing else... (I still want to see what you do with the pattern I sent you... and Nikki and Gracie say hi)
ReplyDeleteThat first pattern is utterly Maria Von Trapezoid!
ReplyDeleteLOL - my thoughts exactly!
DeleteI think she's just a nice gal who knew you'd love them!
ReplyDeleteps. 4350 & 4360 make my little heart go pitter patter!
Quite the haul! I'm in love with the Simplicity 1558. I love the drape on the neckline of the jumpsuit - is this supposed to be pajamas or a lounge outfit? - and I'd make it in a heartbeat if I had it, except it probably wouldn't look good due to my short stature. I think Cathy would look fabulous in it, though! Maybe with a jacket over it rather than the over-blouse, since it seems a shame to hide that lovely neckline.
ReplyDeleteWell, Debi sure is as feisty, beautiful and sweet as Maria, so it stands to reason. Jsut so long as she doesn't get us all to dress in frocks made from old curtains...unless it is more Gone with the Wind than Sound of Music, I'm not playing!
ReplyDeleteWell, Debi certainly came through, didn't she? But I have to admit - that first pattern certainly has a Sound of Music look to it, doesn't it - high waisted skirt, puffy sleeves. Lots of dirndl about that for sure. I love the magazine; my favorite is 'I'm a success at 55" - 55 years old certainly looks different than that now.
ReplyDeleteDebi is def a keeper as a friend!
ReplyDeleteWow, that Debi! What a gal!
ReplyDeleteDebi knew that you were in need of a refreshing, crisp pleat.
ReplyDeletePeter, I have to ask if you've ever looked at using Lutterloh patterns. You can get some vintage ones to download at various places online. I have a 1941 pattern book from them.
ReplyDeleteOh, that Sly Debi Fry!
ReplyDeleteReally all you need to do Peter, is say "Thank you."
Something will come around that would suit and you won't forget, I'm sure. Those are some fabulous patterns and the ones in the magazine are to do live for with their shaped bodices.
Have fun with all of those, but why would I need to say that to you??
Wow, what treasures! I am sure that Debi wants nothing more than for you to enjoy them. Of course, being a true gentleman, you will show your appreciation in a generous way. Then you can kick the guilt trip.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the first pattern. It has me wishing I knew of a Sound of Music sing-along showing near by, which makes me think of the Will and Grace episode of their S of M sing-along, which makes me laugh myself to tears, which is exactly what I needed to relieve the stress of a long night at work.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again Peter for putting a ray of light into my day just when I need it.
Wow she is so generous!!:)
ReplyDeleteCathy is going to get some stylish new frocks for sure!
ReplyDeleteOk. I have never commented on a sewing blog ever because I don't sew, I ride a bike. And I am not fashionable, I am a bit of a dag (that is Australian for not fashionable) BUT I loved this post, because the only thing that ever incited me to sew was the Sound of Music.
ReplyDeletehttp://troppocycle.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/hills-are-aliiive.html
OK, back to lurking and enjoying the wonderful world of sewing blogs, and this is my fave!
I have a feeling those patterns weren't meant for you-they were for cousin Kathy. Because we all need more cousin Kathy on here. *hinthint*
ReplyDeleteFive steps to daintiness? Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteOh my, that jumpsuit dealy is amazing. If you are feeling bad about Debi being so nice to you, I am sure such a lovely person would really rather you paid it forward, you know, with a random act of kindness to one of your lovely followers???
ReplyDelete