FaveCrafts

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Sewn Retro Vintage Dress Patterns to Die For

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Ok, maybe you don’t want to die for these patterns, after all, in the expanse of time they haven’t. AllFreeSewing has noticed that classic patterns outlive any hot trend we see. What is it about timeless patterns that always draws our attention? Just like you, many of us here at AllFreeSewing can’t help but ohh and ahh over a quality vintage sewing pattern. Also like you, though, we don’t all have time to spend hours thrifting for a cheap but authentic dress. Thank goodness we sew. We’ve gathered some vintage-inspired dress patterns to share and enjoy. Walk with us down this stylish memory lane and save some of these pretty projects to try when you have the chance.

Vintage Dress Patterns

Vintage Sheet Dress – What strikes us about this vintage dress pattern is the way it nods to more than one decade of fashion. The pattern certainly recalls Victorian fashion, but what about the length? This long dress would certainly fit the standards of the turn of the century, but don’t you remember wearing radically long dresses like these in the 70’s as well? A relatively easy-to-sew pattern, this tutorial will not only give you a great dress, but tips on sewing a skirt, bodice, and sleeves.

Vintage Sheet to Maxi Dress

30 Minute Sheath Dress – Apart from being absolutely fabulous for its simplicity, this dress pattern is totally mod. Break out your sewing machine and whip up this retro dress in less than an hour. The latter half of the twentieth century certainly made waves in terms of fashion, and this dress proves it.

30 Minute Sheath Dress

Couture Inspired Dress – Is it just us, or is there something about this Couture Inspired Dress that takes you back 60 years? This free tutorial from V&A is truly inspiring for every sewist out there. Sew up this dress in time for a celebration such as a wedding, birthday, or Saturday (you really need no excuse).

Couture Inspired Dress

A Gathered Dress – Perhaps this vintage dress pattern should have been named, “Soda Fountain Frock”, because that’s exactly what comes to mind when you glance at it. Of course the nostalgic road can be slightly dangerous to tread on; after all, no decade was perfect. However, the style from this sewing pattern evokes a convincing feeling of care-free fun. Learn how to make a dress like this one and enjoy your day as if you didn’t have a care in the world!

A Gathered Dress

Vintage Heirloom Dress – Did you think we could resist posting a pattern for babies? Of course we couldn’t. There are so many baby dress patterns out there, but we think this one is really retro. You know that this dress tutorial is irresistible. Just imagine your daughter, granddaughter, or second-cousin’s best friend’s kid in this darling dress. These instructions offer essential sewing tips such as creating a bodice and hemming advice. It’s the perfect project to practice with because it’s child-sized and adorable.

Vintage Heirloom Dress

Did you like this roundup of vintage dress patterns? Find more mod projects with our 21 Retro Vintage Sewing Patterns + 14 New Patterns collection; it’s one of our most popular!

What’s your favorite decade in terms of style?

Throw Back Throw Pillow: National Craft Month Project & Giveaway

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We’re hitting a big number in our National Craft Month Giveaway with day 20. Come visit our blog every day to enter to win a different prize of the day. Find the contest rules and enter below.


We hope everyone has Cre8ted time to craft this month. If not, why not make time this week to sit down and make something. The Cre8time movement is perfect this month and you should check out all their other free project ideas, besides this awesome pillow project from iLoveToCreate.  Designing new elements for your home decor can be intimidating, but as you all know, National Craft Month is all about trying new crafts! The fabulous designers at iLovetoCreate want to help you take your furniture on a trip back in time with this groovy Throw Back Throw Pillow.

 

Throw Back Throw Pillow

All you’ll need is the full pattern, and in no time, your room will have a little piece of 60s style in it that’s full of fun. iLovetoCreate knows all about bringing style to your crafting, so you’ll be missing out if you don’t take this opportunity to learn how to add some retro flair to your pillow patterns.

The Ultimate Craft Guide: 25 Free Craft Projects for Every Crafter Free eBook

 

This pattern is included in our free eBook, The Ultimate Craft Guide: 25 Free Craft Projects for Every Crafter. Celebrate National Craft Month with us by crafting the great projects in this free downloadable eBook written just for you!


 
ENTER TO WIN TODAY’S PRIZE

Cre8time Fabric Crafts Prize Pack

Today’s prize is a Cr8time Fabric Crafts Prize Pack from iLovetoCreate. In order to win today’s prize, all you need to do is:

* Like the FaveCrafts Facebook page here, AND

* Like the iLovetoCreate Faceboook page here, AND

*Leave a comment on this blog post below telling us:

What would your throw pillow say?

 


OFFICIAL RULES FOR DAILY CONTEST
  • There is a maximum of one entry per person. The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
  • You must “like” both the FaveCrafts and the iLovetoCreate Facebook pages to be eligible.
  • Winner will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post below.
  • Winner will be announced here on the blog tomorrow as well as contacted by the email address provided.
  • You have until tonight, March 20th, 2013 at 11:59p EST to leave your comment on this post. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
  • Contest open to anyone 18+ in US and/or Canada.

SUPER BONUS – WIN $1000 Gift Card!

Win Michaels $1000 Gift Card

Don’t miss your chance to stock up your craft stash and win a $1000 Michael’s gift card. You can enter each day to win this amazing $1000 Shopping Spree at Michaels. There are still 12 days before National Craft Month ends, which means you can still visit the FaveCrafts blog each day to hear about the latest prize.

 

Good Luck!

Geek Crafts Roundup: Have a Nerdy Holiday

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I’m Haley Pierson-Cox from The Zen of Making, and this is your bi-weekly dose of geeky goodness.

Deck the halls with golden snitches and death stars (fa la la la laaaa)…

Now that we’re all feeling nice and festive, here are six DIY holiday projects that will have you spreading some seriously nerdy holiday cheer in no time flat!

1. Retro Space Age Stocking Tutorial from Tried & True

2. Death Star Ornament from Chris McVeigh

3. Golden Snitch Truffles from Girl Meets Bowl

4. DIY Star Wars Snowflakes from Matters of Grey

5. Gingerbread TARDIS from therru and pnr on LiveJournal

6. Tutorial: Nerdtastic Felt Ornaments from Nerd Jerk

Need something nerdy to fight those cold weather blues? Check out my Geek Crafts Roundup: Cozy Yarn Crafts right here on FaveCrafts!

Geek Crafts: Swingin’ Mad Men Roundup

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I’m Haley Pierson-Cox from The Zen of Making, and this is your weekly dose of geeky goodness!

Love it or hate it, you have to admit that the polished, modern—and sometimes completely over the top—style of AMC’s Mad Men is completely irresistible. Whether you’re a Don, Joan, Betty, or Peggy, there’s something in this roundup that’s sure to catch your eye!

Maybe you’re more of a book nerd than a TV geek? Swing on over to my Geek Crafts: Recycled Book Roundup right here on FaveCrafts!

1. Mad Men Cookies from Not Your Momma’s Cookie

2. Joan Holloway Brooch from Mad in Crafts

3. CRAFT Pattern: Sally Cardigan from Nikol Lohr on CRAFT

4. Mad Men Headbands from BurdaStyle

5. How To: Make Your Own Mod Eames-Inspired Drinking Glasses! from Curbly

6. Mad Men Mittens from Staci Perry on Ravelry

What about you? Are mad for Mad Men?

What’s Your Mad Men Style? 8 Retro DIY Fashions

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The season 5 premiere of the show “Mad Men” is this Sunday and I’m ridiculously excited! It’s been over a year since last season’s cliff-hanger ending and I know the premiere is going to be packed full of drama.

But even if you don’t watch the show (which you should) or have just tuned in a few times, there’s still one big reason why you should be excited about the return of this 1960s-set show.
What’s that, you ask?

The fashion.

Every single episode of this drama is packed with so many amazing retro and vintage outfits, you’ll feel like you’re actually living in 1960s New York.  Now doesn’t that sound like fun?!

From Betty’s full skirts to Peggy’s bow-accented cardigans to Joan’s sexy, curve-hugging dresses, the costumes on this show are spot-on period perfect in every way. The fashions are so visually interesting that they’ve inspired a resurgence of retro fashion. Stores like Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers now have their own “Mad Men” inspired clothing collections.

But what if you want to add some retro-vintage “Mad Men” fashion to your closet without going broke?  Since we’re all crafty people here, might I suggest making your own vintage-inspired clothes?  Plenty of craft bloggers and regular Janes have already started making retro outfits for themselves and are showing them off (and sharing their tutorials and tips) online.

I’ve rounded up some of the best DIY vintage styles I could find, but you should also check out all of the “Mad Men” fashion ideas on Pinterest. There are so many fabulously chic retro outfits you can make!

Betty Draper Inspired Outfits:

This Festival Fancy Vintage Top crochet pattern is actually from 1956 and is totally something Betty would wear, especially with that belt!


This full, gathered skirt is perfect for Betty, who loves showing off her figure with flattering waistlines.

This knit pullover sweater is just the sort of thing we’d see Betty wear on the rare occasion when she’s not out socializing.

Peggy Olson Inspired Outfits:

With its high waistband and big bow, this fitted pencil skirt is without a doubt something Peggy would have in her closet.


This pleated skirt is another item that would be straight out of Peggy’s wardrobe. It’s so playful and innocent and fits her character to a tee.

Joan Holloway Inspired Outfits:

This gorgeous, figure-flattering sweater captures Joan’s fashion sense perfectly. When you wear this knit top, you’ll feel elegant and confident, just like Joan!

The feminine shape and bold color of this curve-hugging dress are so Joan! Nothing says the fabulous Ms. Holloway like a sexy silhouette!

More Mad Men Fashions:

This playful fitted cardigan is actually named after one of the “Mad Men” characters: little Sally Draper, Betty’s daughter.

After that little retro fashion show, now I’m even more excited for the season premiere (if that’s even possible)!  How excited are you?!?  Also, if you’re hosting a Mad Men party for the season premiere, be sure to check out these 60s inspired dishes that could have come right out of Betty’s kitchen!

 

What’s your retro style?  Are you a Betty, a Peggy or a Joan?

 

Help a Reader: Pineapples, birds and toys!

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It’s that time again – help a reader!   So if you’re in a jolly mood and ready to help a fellow crafter-in-need, here’s this week’s Help a Reader request. If you can help or have any suggestions, please post your answer in the comments.  Please try to supply instructions and/or links.  Have fun!   =)

Alice asks:

“I was looking for a crochet  pattern for a 56-60 inch round pineapple pattern tablecloth.  I can’t seem to find one online and hope you could suggest a source.  There seem to be a lot of free sites but I have trouble navigating them.  Thank you for your help.”

Grady asks:

“I have a friend who wants NFL logo patterns that she can crochet.  Do you have such?”

Nadine asks,

“Hope you can help!  I’m 74 yrs old still crafting for the Guild.  Looking for (to make)  a child toy that was around when I was a kid:  A man use to walk around our neighborhood with these paper birds that would tweet.  They were on a string attached to a wooden dowel and when you would swing them around they tweeted like a bird.  Please let me know if you can help me find these.  Our spring craft affair is coming up in May.  Thanks!”


Feeling helpful?  Here is this week’s Help a Reader request. If you can help or have any suggestions, please post your answer in the comments.  Please try to supply instructions and/or links.  And also, please remember to have fun!  =)

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty