joysinstitches

  • 1940s Summer Suit

    I first used this 1940s pattern as one of my earliest sewing projects years ago. It was a pretty terrible suit since I made it sloppily out of a striped sheet, and cut all sorts of corners. You can imagine… Continue reading

  • 1950s Raspberry Dress

    Last summer I saw an image of this lovely low-volume quilting print from an out of print line by Riley Blake (I think), and had to have some. I tracked down some yardage, and now this summer I made it… Continue reading

  • 1930s Satin Slip Trial

    Hi all! I have a few more outfits photographed, but this week I'm interrupting my original plans in order to show you my most recent project – my very first fancy slip in all my years of sewing garments.  … Continue reading

  • Sunny Floral 1950s House Dress

    Today I'm happy to share one of my favorite new makes from my sewing spree this spring…a cheerful floral 1950s dress. The pattern was a mail order one that I think I purchased with a pattern lot and decided it… Continue reading

  • Easy Floral 1940s Blouse Trial

    Earlier this year I got a new vintage blouse pattern. This spring when the weather heated up (before it cooled back down again…*ahem*…), I realized I was constantly rotating through a few favorite house dresses and skirt/blouse combos that didn't… Continue reading

  • Simple Gray late ’40s House Dress

    I got this cute quilting cotton off the clearance rack at JoAnn a while ago. I liked the scattered blue flowers, and the larger print. I paired it with a simple post-war 1940s house dress mail order pattern.   I… Continue reading

  • My Rainbrella Dress

    I don't know how long I had this late 1940s pattern, but it was one I got years ago soon after I started sewing. It just never made it to the top of my list. Then one day several years… Continue reading

  • Versatile: A 1930s Set in Green

    I had this combo on my sewing list for a while, and a few months ago I made it happen. I realized I couldn't keep cutting into this forest green cotton pique for contrast on things like last year's Easter… Continue reading

  • Late 1930s Dark Blue Rayon Dress

    This dress has been on my list for a VERY long time. For over 3 years I've had this rayon paired with this late '30s dress pattern…every fall it would still be on my sewing queue and I just never… Continue reading

  • Baby Dresses – Sewing 1 Pattern 4 Ways

    My little girl was outgrowing all her clothes, so a few months ago between other projects I sandwiched in making some 6-9 month size dresses for her. I used a very basic baby dress pattern (not vintage, but a classic… Continue reading