The Portion of my Inheritance

I refashioned a T-shirt using a vintage pattern to make Aria this simple little summer top.

I used scrap knit fabric for the front and back bodice trim, as well as the shoulder straps.

The pattern was a size 7 but it was a little too big, so I had to do some adjusting.

 “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”  Psalms 113:3

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I was able to sneak in a quick and easy skort pattern for each of the girls before summer got away from me.  Love both of these vintage patterns.

They were not exactly the same but similar enough to be look-alikes.

This is the type of shorts that I wore growing up and I really like them.

The bright fun fabric was given to me by a friend. The girls loved the colorful lady bug print.

Both of the tops were made out of knit tanks that I purchased at Walmart for $3 each.

I finished the edges of each top according to the supplies I had, so they turned out a little different.

Hmmm, I wonder if I could sneak in just one more pattern?

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.”  Matthew 24:32

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Summer has ended and school has resumed but I made one last ditch effort to sew for my girls. It was literally last minute when I sewed the last stitch, the evening before school started.

I am all about comfort and if I am home for the day you will find me in my Old Navy pajama pants and a T-shirt. In the summer it is the form of cotton with short or under the knee length. In the winter it is flannel or fleece with big fluffy slippers.

But I just can’t seem to get past the cute little pj’s of the 60’s and 70’s. I have always loved pajamas and I have a basket full of pajama patterns, mostly vintage.

So, let the pajama game begin.

I love that this pattern comes in two styles, each perfect and fitting for each of my girls.

For Aria the more slim fitting style. She does not like loose fitting clothes and this set comes with a more tailored button up top and little shorts.

For Aniyah, the baby doll pajama. Even though I used the same pattern, which is a size 6, because of the elastic I was able to make it fit her. I did cut some off the bottom to make it shorter, but did not worry about reducing anything else on the top. I did adjust the bottoms a bit.

I trimmed the sleeves and the panties with a double sided elastic trim. I just folded it in half and stretched it as I sewed.

Aria’s fabric was purchased from JoAnn’s several years ago and I must confess that I actually cut her pajamas out last summer but never got to them.

Aniyah’s fabric was giving to me by a very dear friend. Thank you my beloved Carey!

Both girls loved their new pajamas. I could not have counted how many times Aria thanked me for them. Makes me want to drag everything out and start all over again.

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you   Psalm 116:7

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My neighbor of 34 years called a few weeks ago and asked us to come over. When we arrived at her house she was hard at work sorting and cleaning. She told me that she was going to turn 96 next month and she wanted to make sure that her fabric would go to someone who would appreciate it and use it.

So the three of us sat in one of her bedrooms that had obviously been used for her sewing room. Her sewing machine sat in front of a window, safely tucked into a sewing cabinet, the kind that looks like a single desk. Remnants of her sewing years lay scattered throughout the room. Two plastic sewing cases sat next to her machine along with a couple of bags of fabric. The room was now used for storage as she explained to us that she could no longer sew.

I went through the dresser that held her beloved fabric, drawer after drawer and Martin put the fabric in bags as I made my choices.

There were times that when I pulled out a piece of fabric her eyes would lite up, and I would see a memory splash across her face and she would say, “Let me see that one!”

I understand.

There were a lot of beautiful fabrics, but I definitely had my favorite.

The instant I pulled this fabric out I knew it was meant for Aria. It matched her bright, fun and spontaneous little personality. Happy flowers covered it with brightly colored jewel dots in each center. The soft polyester fabric had the 60’s vintage look and probably is in fact from the 1960’s, or close to it, and I knew immediately what pattern I was going to use.

This 1960’s peasant dress pattern is not the first of the peasant styles. This style has been around forever and has recycled and turned up in just about every fashion era, and I have made my fair share of them.

This pattern is so easy to sew up, just a few pattern pieces and just a few seams.

One of the things that I love about the peasant look is the elastic around the neckline. I left a small amount of fabric above the casing to make a soft ruffle.

The pattern also called for elastic at the waist but I chose to put a belt instead. My plan was to get a blingy turquoise belt, but I have not found one yet, but I am still on the lookout.

Aria changed the look also by adding her cowboy boots, giving it more of a western look.

This dress will always be special because of the fabric. It will be a reminder for me of my dear neighbor and of the joyous day we sorted through her fabric.

 And they mounted four rows of stones on it. The first row was a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald;  and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond;

Exodus 39:10-11

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I am so excited! This pattern is definitely in my top two of favorite vintage patterns.

The jumper has darts in the front and back bodice and there are four buttons up the back. I personally prefer bias binding to facing, so I opted to use the same fabric for the bias that I used on the shirt.

The cotton fabric for the jumper was purchased at JoAnns. I love the variations of color and dots in it. I am very partial to polka dots, so this fabric also is in the top running for favorites.

I also love the fit of this pattern. I did not have to make any alterations at all, a perfect size 2.

One of the things that I love most about this pattern is the shirt. I love the vintage shirt patterns and I am always keeping an eye out for them. But I sometimes miss the shirts that are included in other patterns. Huge bonus for me this time around.

I love, love, love the sleeves on this shirt. It folds up, then is sewn in to make a cuff. It fits wonderful and I will definitely be making more of this shirt pattern.

I used a cotton polka dot fabric purchased at JoAnns.

I used a  smaller polka dot cotton fabric for the bloomers.

This pattern is a top choice for the next mission basket. This pattern was found in this Etsy shop. Stop by and check out the rest of her amazing vintage patterns.

And if you were wondering what my other favorite vintage pattern is, you can find it here.

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I like to add to my vintage pattern collection as often as possible, Etsy being my main resource. But the prices of vintage patterns has gotten out of sight, making it harder for me to purchase them. I really appreciate an Etsy shop that has reasonable prices on their patterns. This particular shop is a wonderful example, and this pattern came from this shop.

I made this pattern for Aria with fabric that I have had so long that I can’t remember where I got it. Chances are it was purchased at JoAnn’s.

It’s a simple little dress with a contrast fabric button tab in the front. I used bias strips to finish the neckline and arms with the same contrast fabric.

It zips up the back.

Aria is past the stage of ruffles and lace, but she is still in love with color, so this was the perfect choice for my little-big girl.

A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:7

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I can not even tell you how many patterns I own, I honestly don’t know. However I do know that it is a lot! But when you get an idea in your head of what you want a project to look like, it doesn’t matter how many patterns you own, you go looking. My search almost always takes me to Esty.com. And it almost always finds me looking in the vintage section, my favorite.

And so, when the order came in to make matching pajamas I searched until I found this little gem.

How precious is this? And don’t you just love the little bed jacket?

This pattern has a pioneer feel and I can’t wait to make this for my granddaughters-in every color!

This nightgown was made in a cream color cotton, purchased at Hobby Lobby, and it is trimmed with red piping.

It closes in the front with two vintage buttons and It has a full ruffle at the bottom.

This pattern definitely is going down as one of my all time favorite vintage patterns.

The boys pattern is adapted from this pattern:

“And you shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics.” Exodus 40:14

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Most times I will choose a vintage pattern over a modern day pattern. I just loved the simple lines and I love recreating that old time feel that you get from those patterns. Many of the vintage patterns that I have take me back to my own childhood, dresses that I remember wearing, pj’s that I loved and the buttons, belts and buckles that made the 60’s style so cool and complete. 

There was not a date on the pattern envelope, however there was a note inside from the person I purchased it from that told a brief description of it and she said it was from the 60’s.  I love that it came from Hancock fabrics and I love even more that the pattern was only 65 cents in it’s time and the receipt was still inside the pattern.                                                                   

This pattern is a size 8, and Aria is a size 6 so I had to do a little adjusting in the sizing.                  

The pattern called for neck and sleeve facing, but I opted to use bias tape in a contrast fabric.                          

The pattern also called for a zipper, but I used buttons down the length of the back. I wanted the dress to look as much like Anyiah’s Diaper shirt and bubble outfit as I could, so I used the same buttons on both outfits.   

I used the same fabric as I did on Aniyah’s, the bold flower fabric also being vintage.                            

I LOVE the details in this pattern, the center front curves in at the shoulder and it really stands out with the two different fabrics.  

Love this pattern and already have more plans for it. Aria was very happy with her new dress and that makes it all the more worth it. Even though both girls have different outfits, they are made in the same fabric and with the same buttons, so they match. Each made to fit their own fun personalities.                                                                          

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  Ecclesiastes 4:9

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