Free Dress Sloper and Self Drafted Patterns from Pattern Drafting and Grading, by Michael Rohr, 1961

This is a fabulous pattern drafting book from 1961 that shows you how to make a ton of different really pretty sewing patterns! I've been trying all year to find a physical copy of this book, but unfortunately it seems to be pretty hard to find, especially for a reasonable price. Luckily it's available to …

The Legend of Hell House, 1973

The Legend of Hell House, starring Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill and Gayle Hunnicutt, is an gorgeously executed film in every way. The sets are amazing to look at, the clothes are beautiful, the acting is damned good and the way the entire movie was filmed is just awesome! My older sister recommended that …

Fashion Inspiration from Vintage Sewing Patterns

One of the things I love to do to relax is window shop online for vintage sewing patterns, saving images* of ones I want to buy one day. I don't own these (yet) but they are all on my mental wish list of vintage sewing patterns I want to get my hands on one day. …

1960’s Fashion Inspiration from Simplicity Pattern Catalogues

There is a lot of clothing inspiration to be found in vintage sewing pattern catalogues! Today I'm sharing a few images from two 1960's catalogues for Simplicity sewing patterns. The first few pictures I'm sharing are from the October 1964: (Click to enlarge images) I love the illustrations!  In the first image I love that …

Sewing after Dark with my new friend Harlow, a White Model 1099 Sewing Machine!

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to acquire a White model 1099 Jeans sewing machine, in cabinet, with manual and some accessories, for free. I absolutely love this machine, it works perfectly even though it had not been used in quite a number of years, and the quiet clackity clack sounds it makes …

Winklepickers, 1960

Shoes for the Beat Generation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjvPg_gBOI It doesn't get much more pointy toed than these Winklepickers! Yikes!

Phoenix Sewing Machine commercial, 1960

A vintage commercial for a non-Singer sewing machine! This Phoenix looks like a nice machine, I've never seen any of these before. If someone owns a Phoenix, I'd love to hear about it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyvmKNxGWEQ  

1967 Singer Golden Touch & Sew Commercial, Be the Girl with the Golden Touch!

"Get the most fun out of life/out of being a mother and wife/with new fashion excitement that's all created by you!" What a jingle. Just under half a century before Apple started marketing gold iPhones, Singer was shilling these Golden Touch & Sews to housewives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO5ojdG2QMk I've read before that the Touch & Sew model …

Singer Retail Store Commercial, 1966

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paRJFar_wMk WHOA! Now I kind of want a Singer record player and typewriter! I bet all these non-sewing machine Singer products are next to impossible to find now, though! What a shame, so cool!

Singer Futura Sewing Machine Commercial, 1970’s, Geraldine Brooks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtCFdNqU56M They claim in this commercial that you never have to oil the machine, but that's straight up B.S. The sewing machine would still need to be oiled, they just want you to take it in for servicing/maintenance, which would mean paying to have someone else oil it. Groovy commercial, though!