Will I ever get there?

Been shopping for youngest daughter's school clothes all week. She will be going in to 9th grade which is high school in our district. I can honestly say that there are very few of the fashions that I would have been allowed out of the house in when I was that age. A lot of the fashions I just don't understand. To me they are not flattering, no shape. Kind of reminds me of the 80's disco meets grunge. At any rate, trying to be a good mom and not stifle her finding her own style, we were successful and found a some what happy medium. She likes the look and fit, I like the coverage. Although I still think those bleached jeans look like they were thrown in the floor of the laundry room and left where the towels had bleach spilled all over them. Reminds me of cleaning up vomit actually, but then I can remember a few battles with my mom over fashion sense as well.

On the positive side, my youngest daughter did pick out some patterns and fabric and asked me to make it for her to wear the first day of school.


I hope to start on it soon. Still trying to get a few things cleaned up around the house and get the time to just start cutting and sewing. They are easy patterns, so won't take as long to sew as it does to cut probably. Am slow at cutting out, but sew quite quickly. I am so eager to just sew, anything, that I am struggling with my determination not to start on anything until I can get the house done up a bit. My resolve is weakening. The other part of that is that at those teen years, I am just happy to have my daughter make this request of me. She has black high heels to wear with it that we snagged at the thrift store. Really great find.

Speaking of great finds. I went to a thrift store while visiting my daughter when the grand son was born.


It was $1.99 and I just couldn't resist. It really is a bit small for her, but at that price just couldn't pass it up. The fabric is worth something.

This is a close up of the bead work which is all over the dress. I figure even if I cut it up for another project, I couldn't have bought the beaded fabric for that amount. Am actually tossing around the idea of mixing the beaded fabric with some black satin and making her a skirt out of it. Think it will be really cute and dressy. As well as fabric I would not be able to purchase around here.


Along the lines of my vintage obsession...I took advantage of the recent sale on Vogue patterns and picked up three. I know, not really that many but I have not had a great history with Vogue to begin with and I am trying to be really good and not overwhelm myself or the bank account with all this planning of projects. I found a hat at the mall that I really want, black with chocolate brown ribbon and trim, and I really want it. It just screams 30's and 40's and it is very similar to one that I saw often on the show the Walton's, was worn by Olivia Walton, the mom. I want to make a brown and black outfit to go with it. Bought some really vintage styled dress shoes yesterday that are just awesome. So, the hat would just top off the whole look.


Which, by the way, here is a photo of some vintage shoes that I found in a box with some old photos albums. The photos are so great. I see all my mom's family in their glory and dates such as 1948 on the photos. I just wished that more had been written about who was in the photos. The clothing and old cars are just wonderful. My dear sweet aunt Georgie was a piece of work. In my mind...now as then...was as glamorous as any movie star of the time. She married her sweetheart that was career air force. He was an instructor, not sure if he ever was a pilot, but they sure had some adventures. At any rate, here are the shoes.




There is no size on them anywhere. I have spotted them in the photos though so know she had worn them in the later 40's at least. I was looking around on some Etsy shops and notice that some of the vendors would just list a measurement of the shoe length and the heel height. Guess that is what I may have to do if I list them as well. I am hoping to create an Etsy store of my own by mid September. I am guessing that from the look they are about a size 5. My mother wore a 6 to 6 1/2 in the day and Aunt Georgie was a bit smaller than mom.

Well, off to get some lunch and work on a mountain of laundry that is waiting for me. Hope to start cutting pattern pieces this evening and possibly the fabric as well. If that happens, will be able to start sewing the skirt and blouse tomorrow. Daughter wanting the outfit for the first day of school means I have a deadline of sorts. LOL