Vintage Playsuit Sew Along 2014

How exciting! My very first sew along! Now that my situation is a happier one, I finally feel like this is a sew along I can join in, participate, and complete!   The Girl with the Star-Spangled Heart is hosting the sew along. For the month of May it is all about inspiration and planning. MANY years ago I found a playsuit on etsy or ebay or the like that I fell in love with and knew I wanted to make it. I saved it to my computer, but since then my computer went kaput and the playsuit has since drowned in the deep sea of the internet. The only thing I remember about the novelty patterned playsuit was that it had a Peter Pan collar in matching solid color. I can't remember if it was a button front, button side, or a 2 piece. Which is a shame because I really wanted to make that playsuit! 

About a year or two after I saved that playsuit to my computer I found the strawberry fabric of my dreams and I knew it was meant for it. The fabric features large red strawberries and on a bright blue background. So I bought 4 yards of this fantastic fabric, washed it and folded it and let it sit until I was ready to sew it.

What was I waiting for? Well I was "weighting" for me to lose weight. Ahahahahaha here I am 5-6 years later still waiting for that weight to be lost. When this sew along was announced I instantly remembered my fabric that was so patiently waiting to be sewed up and thought, "Screw it! I'll just take it in when the time comes that I finally kick this out of shape mess I have become." So I have the fabric and a barely there memory of the playsuit I adored, so what will my actual playsuit finally come out to be? Over the last couple of years I have acquired a small handful of playsuits. but none of them have a Peter Pan collar, so for this sew along I am going to have to switch out the collar with a Peter Pan collar from a blouse of similar design. For this mash up I am using New York 608 and Simplicity 3638, both from the 40s.

  Being that the collar is a matching solid, I think it will be fun to line the inside of the sleeves with the matching solid so I can have the option to cuff the sleeves as well as make the skirt reversible (if I have enough of the strawberry fabric) with the matching solid. This should help balance out the otherwise lonely solid collar.

One thing I am unsure about is the breast pocket. Should I include it in full solid or in printed base with solid trim, or should I exclude it completely? I already know that I will have to alter the length of the pattern. I am built like a praying mantis. Long legs and a LONG torso! Only I am not nearly as cite as these little buggers. I usually end up having to add 3 inches the all the waists of my sewing projects. One thing that is hard for me with my sewing is my lack of a dummy (other than the sewer!) It tends to make fittings and evening hems a bit difficult as I have to move around and hold things in place which alters the correct fit. It's also a bit frustrating to have to put on and take off repeatedly and getting stuck by pins even more so, just to ensure a proper fit! So a muslin is definitely a must with this project! Needless to say I am super excited to get started on this sew along. I've been wearing my sailor playsuit that I sewed up a few years ago so much people are going to think that is the only thing I have to wear! I am super excited to see what everyone comes up with! Playsuits are such a coveted vintage wardrobe essential I know I will be drooling and filled with envy over the gems that everyone comes up with! Are you joining in? What will your playsuit for the summer of 2014 be?

Paradise Palms Prom Party

My friend, Palamino got me this beautiful glittery corsage!

This post will not be illustrated as exciting as the title implies. I will explain why shortly. It will also be a quick post.

Some of you may know that for a week now I have been living in Las Vegas. I was finally able to pack up all my junk in a truck and take a 3 day trek across country from Kenosha, WI to Las Vegas, NV. My puppy butts made the trip wonderfully and I couldn't be happier!

This past Saturday the community of Paradise Palms had their monthly get together of home owners. My friend, Jaede (who was the one who originally suggested I move to Las Vegas nearly 3 years ago) lives in Paradise Palms and she invited me to the get together so that I could meet everyone in one fell swoop.

Paradise Palms is a community of Mid-Century Modern homes with (most) owners being part of preservation and restoration vs update and rejuvenate. Most residents love vintage even if they don't adopt it as their fashion style. Luckily for me, a lot do! I like to think of Paradise Palms as the Palm Springs of Vegas.

As I had mentioned, my friend Jeade invited me to the get together which was a prom themed party. Having just sold my 50's prom dress and unable to find the box with my 40's formal in it in time, I unfortunately could only wear a 40's day dress to meet the lovely people of the community. No one seemed to mind thank goodness -- although I was disappointed I couldn't dress up. We all know I love an excuse to put on the high glam!

The party was hosted by a lovely couple, Asia and Joel. They were very welcoming and had delicious finger foods and a "prom photo area" set up in their beautiful home. I opted not to start snapping away pictures of their home and guests only because I didn't want to over step my welcome and be that person that would be all, "I don't know you, let me take pictures of you and your guests and post them online -- because I have a blog." So the only pictures I have from the evening are below from the "Prom Photo area".

I met many fascinating people that were beyond welcoming and friendly. Excited for living and not just for football and fish fries. Meeting these people solidified my thoughts that I made the right choice after all by moving back west. It was a pleasure speaking with everyone, even briefly and I am excited for future get to-gethers!

On to the photos...

Posing like a dorkhole with Kelly.

My face is pudgy, but I am working on that. LOL Kelly is adorable!

Jaede and me. She looked lovely even though she had 5 mins to get ready straight after work. 

Palamino and me. He was a gem helping me move all my stuff from the truck to the apartment!

New friends! Denise, Jaede, Olga, me, Stacey, and Jasmin.

With Jasmin of "Vintage Vandalizm" Check out her blog!

Jasmin and me acting like ladies.

Jaede with her husband Mike.