I’ve just returned from the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show in Madison (which was definitely not the “dark side” of anything!). It was fabulous, and I have a lot of thoughts and photos to search through, so I will be posting about it next week. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this week’s post about fabric and garments:
I’ve mentioned Madison’s Crafts and Fabrics in previous posts. Haley opened her shop in Watertown a few years ago (Her last name is Madison, so it has nothing to do with our State capital 😊). Her shop is great, and it’s growing! She is still selling vintage fabrics at great prices from the sewing stores she purchased in Iowa. But she has new things coming in everyday, and her quilting cottons area keeps getting better and better.
The last time I stopped in I was thrilled to see that she is now carrying Gutermann thread. I know many quilters who like this basic thread – and now there’s a place to get it again! She also has boxes full of garment patterns.
Last Christmas our granddaughter Hanna wanted me to make her a jacket, which I did.
Finding a pattern was not easy. The pattern companies of the past are gone and I ended up having to order one online. It was just what she wanted, but it required me to tape 51 sheets of computer paper together to make the pattern. Oh how I longed for the tissue paper pieces in those old pattern packets pictured above. And did you read the signs? Free!!! I couldn’t control myself. I now have patterns for every garment I might ever want to sew. Plus – I’ve been itching to play with my new serger! So I purchased some of Haley’s vintage fabrics (at $2.99/yard) and started in on a pair of pants (don’t you love that wide leg pants are back in style?)!
Did you notice the pattern weights? I’ve had them for years and they work great ~
~ especially when you want to cut out garments with a rotary cutter! Sadly, these weights are no longer manufactured by Olfa. I did find a variety on Amazon by other manufacturers, along with the vintage ones I own ~ at “antique store” prices (ugh).
I had the pants sewn in a few hours and I LOVED using the serger (even with the learning curve 😊). I decided to take a mirror selfie like my granddaughters do.
The next day I met a friend for lunch at a very eclectic restaurant in Waukesha. They have oodles of fun things hanging all over the walls, and I couldn’t believe the large poster near the front door ~ of a vintage bit of Americana:
Can you believe the price ~ 75¢ ~ those were the good old days. Wait ~ mine was free 🤣. God is good!
So, is anyone wondering why I entitled this post “Returning From the Dark Side”? It refers to one of my lectures ~ “Gone to the Dark Side”, and has to do with my background in garment sewing that led to my love for quilting.
To read a post about that lecture, please click here. I’m grateful I can’t be “pigeonholed.” I think all aspects of sewing are bright and exciting!
PS I was back at Madison’s store recently and the patterns are going fast. It looked like the amount on the table is less than half, so hurry in if you want to check it out. (717 W Main St, Watertown)
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As I was preparing to share this post my friend Ruth brought a jacket she’d made to one of our Fiberista’s meetings. She designed it on a child’s sweatshirt and will be gifting it to a granddaughter at Christmas. Isn’t is delightful!?! Well done Ruth!
Judy Raddatz says
Great post. I remember sewing clothes and still want to try again. Thanks for the inspiration.
Doris Ast says
I sewed up many garments for my family years ago. I have fabric I bought on a trip to Mexico long ago to make a dress, blouse and swimsuit cover-up as I vacationed there for many years. I love to sew and now it is mostly quilts. I enjoy seeing your sewing activity.
Winifred F Halsey says
I used to sew clothes, and even costumes, but mostly quilts now. However I am taking lessons from a tailor to get back into clothing sewing, doing things more professionally. For myself. Yes, getting patterns is a nightmare.
Nina Edelman says
Dear Chris, I really enjoyed this week’s adventure with the old patterns. It was affirming to me that I have not been crazy enough to give away all my favorites in the attic from the 60’s! And Hannah! She has grown into such a beautiful young woman, no doubt following in her grandmother’s love of fabric.
Doris Rindfleisch says
Fun blog today. Are you also nostalgic over the double-knit polyester fabric that was often used with those once-new/then-old/now-new-again styles?!!! LOL Maybe it was the fabric at the time I started sewing that I quickly lost interest in garment sewing.
Thanks for the tip on where to find Gutermann thread. There are just some things I don’t feel like using the pricey threads, like Aurifil, on. Many of us miss JAF.
Your wide-legged pants are classy. The flow-y top is perfect with them.
Brenda Wathier says
This brought back memories-of making dresses for two of my grand daughters (when they were about 3) for a wedding they were in. Even did some”stretch and sew” t-shirts for my boys. But, quilting is my favorite now!!
Joanne Howe says
I have a bundle of vintage patterns from 1960’s on. Can’t believe today’s prices. Never used the weights but wonder if washers could be used.
clkquilt says
I’m sure washers would work just fine. Actually, anything flat and heavy should do the trick.
June Luett says
I have a box of old patterns used when making garments. How can I dispose of them so they are useful to others other than for packing material?
clkquilt says
I would recommend donating them to thrift stores. I’m sure there are sewists out there looking for them.
Betty S says
I’m too much of a ‘saver’ to get rid of my old patterns, so I have most of everything I might make – except a jacket! I keep looking in resale stores for one I like. I keep hoping I find one before it’s too late. And yes, I LOVE that wide leg pants are back! Someday my vintage patterns will all have their day.
christine brodsky says
Great blog! I used to make all of my clothes .
I took a lecture class at the show on quilted jackets. I’m inspired to make one.