Sew Retro

[skinnychik]

How many of you ladies actually sew your vintage patterns with vintage fabric and a vintage machine? (Seriously...you don't use 60 year old thread, do you?) I have a Singer "Portable" sewing machine from the 50s, but it sits in a case in my storage unit. I sew on an almost bottom-of-the-line PFAFF hobby 1022.

Also, once upon a time there was a thread with a modern sizing chart for vintage patterns. Anybody know where I could find that, and perhaps also some good links for buying 1940-50s patterns

 

[Tourbillion]

No, usually just vintage patterns. I don't usually use the Adler anymore.

Some of my thread is getting close to 60 years old. I got some of my mom's and some of my friends grandmother's stuff (she used to work at a fabric store). Now, if I break into my mom's garage, there is some serious vintage fabric there. I also bought some vintage stuff at a fabric store that was closing down. I have 2 1/4 yards of wine and cream checked cotton/wool blend that is looking for the right pattern, not sure if it is a skirt or shirt yet...

Vintage patterns use different sizing that moderns ones. Just go by your measurements, and everything will be fine.

 

[Lady Day]

Wow,

If you do THAT, then your are so beyond hard core its, well, scary.

Alas, just vintage patterns for me. I see no benefit form all of the latter. Ive sewn on viintage machines before, and they can be very temprimental. Or maybe iit was just me

LD

 

[skinnychik]

Vintage patterns use different sizing that moderns ones. Just go by your measurements, and everything will be fine.

I just bid on a few patterns, size 12...it looks like the equivalent of the modern size zero. 12 in little girls' perhaps, but it says women's? Vanity sizing has really gone awry.

If you do THAT, then your are so beyond hard core its, well, scary.

Scary, yes! I don't do it, but you know SOMEONE has that kind of dedication to the lifestyle. :fedora:

 

[Tourbillion]

It isn't like I prefer vintage thread, it is just that I got some silk thread at the garage sale. I've mostly used it for buttonholes, but never fear, I even use modern patterns.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I've used vintage thread before, and at least the stuff I had didn't hold up all that well. Maybe it had been stored wrong or something, but it tended to be brittle and snapped too easily to be reliable.

I did learn to sew on a vintage machine -- my grandmother's New Home treadle -- but to my eternal regret, it got sold off to an antique dealer shortly before she died, and ever since I've had a succession of boring contemporary machines. My current unit is a run-of-the-mill Brother.

Always use vintage patterns, though -- so much so that when I see a modern printed pattern, I get confused!

 

[humblestumble]

I sometimes wish I had a vintage machine. I sew modern patterns for now, but I do have some vintage patterns. I'm just scared to use them. And I never use old thread. That stuff is so brittle.

I do sew retro clothes though I'm somewhat of a newer sewer, so I haven't sewn tooo much.

 

[colleency]

I generally use current fabrics and threads, sew on a 10-year old lower end Viking, and use modern retro patterns.

However, I do sometimes use vintage patterns. A friend of mine's mom has given me several pieces of fabric and patterns that she bought in the 50s and has never used.

I have a ton of thread and notions that came with the house I live in. The woman who lived here previously died in the house. We helped clean and garage sale most of her daily objects, but our landlady let us keep whatever little items we wanted.

And I have a sewing machine in the garage that a friend's mother bought in the early 60's. It's a great green color! I haven't used it, though. When my friend told me he was going to toss it in the dumpster, I rushed to rescue it!

 

[Lady Day]

Well since there is a new sewing thread (no pun intended) Id thought Id ask my question here.

I loves some piping. Love it on shirts, dresses, pjs, etc.
The problem is, Im not real good at it. Ive done it on the fly, and it will take me a couple of trys to get it looking alright. Any suggestions on how to do piping?

Thanks ladies,

LD

 

[decodoll]

Were you using your zipper foot? I've only ever piped something once, but it was a snap with my zipper foot. I have to agree that it really adds that extra something. I just haven't come across an opportunity to do it again so far.

As far as vintage sewing, I almost always use vintage or my own drafted patterns. I use vintage fabric when I can get it. I have quite a little stash going. If I can only get a small piece of something vintage, I like to use it mixed with modern as an accent. It can really get your creativity going when you have to come up with a way to use limited supplies. I don't think I've ever used vintage thread. I do have some vintage darning thread though.

 

[colleency]

What problem are you having with the piping? Some general suggestions:

Definitely use the zipper foot. Vikings have an optional piping foot, but I don't have one. I think it's just a zipper-type foot with a loop to feed the piping through.

When turning corners, be sure to clip that corner to get an angle instead of a curve.

When making your own piping, use bias, unless the piping isn't going to be angled at all. This goes for any size of piping and any size of project, including around the hem, if that's what you're doing.

 

[skinnychik]

I have a piping foot for my Pfaff. THe only difference I can tell between it and the zipper foot is that the hole to run the piping through is larger than the space that runs over the zipper track. I admit I've only used it to make pillows though.

 

[fuzzylizzie]

I couldn't live without my stash of vintage thread. I do all my sewing and repairs with it. You do have to be careful that it hasn't dry-rotted, but most old thread is in great shape, and is a higher quality than all but the most expensive threads on the market today. I never pass up a bag of it when I run across it.

I do use vintage patterns and vintage fabric to make my clothing. Sometimes I'll have an old piece of clothing that is not perfect or wearable that I'll remake into something else. I just bought a full skirt made from the most incredible embossed cotton, but unfortunately, there were some unremoveable stains. But there was enough fabric left to make a pair of shorts for me.

Lizzie

 

[Rebecca D]

I think this would be the appropriate thread to announce that thanks to this board I've overcome my fear of perforated patterns! I can now make 40s clothing from patterns other than McCall, which is wonderful! I worked on a dress this weekend from a non-printed pattern, and I actually found it easier than some of my printed pieces. Thank you, ladies!

 

[Shimmy Sally]

Well, I worked as a professional seamstress for ages, so yes, I've used vintage and modern patterns, created patterns from rubbings of vintage items, and have drafted my own patterns from scratch. I’ve sewn for others more than I have for myself.
If vintage fabric and notions are stored well, they last. I have some antique lace that is still quite white.
I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer sturdy older machines for many kinds of sewing. The old machines were built to last. Many of the cheaper new machines are flimsy and disposable, expected to be replaced with the latest models as they come out. Just be careful not to bargain shop, get what you really need. The short-cut gadgets on the new computerized embroidery and industrial machines are sometimes a blessing, but most often lead to a shabby finished product. Attention to detail is important to me. If I have to sew by hand to get the effect I want, then so be it. Then again, I love my serger, especially for fabrics that fray.

 

[Lady Day]

Wow! This thread is inspiring me to try my grandmother's old sewing machine that she left me in her will.

I think I treasure my vintage thread too much to use them unless it's the perfect color match for something I'm working on. When I was a little girl I used to play with my grandmother's old bakelite spool holder and arrange the shiny threads by colors. So having them now means a lot to me.

Vintage thread can get brittle and not be worth it to use in a garment. Plus they have sentemental value to ya, so that in and of itself is worth not goin' for it. What kind of machine did your Grandmother have. my Mama left me hers when she died too. Her surger as well, so Im in sewing heaven


LD

 

[Miss Dottie]

Wow! This thread is inspiring me to try my grandmother's old sewing machine that she left me in her will.

I think I treasure my vintage thread too much to use them unless it's the perfect color match for something I'm working on. When I was a little girl I used to play with my grandmother's old bakelite spool holder and arrange the shiny threads by colors. So having them now means a lot to me.