One year of blogging and a pattern giveaway

Time for a little sewing retrospection and a giveaway in honor of my first year of blogging and my 100th follower.  It has been a great year of sewing and of reading so many fantastic blogs.  Quite a contrast with the start of my sewing obsession.  Then I could talk sewing with people in classes or force my coworkers to examine a particularly successful welt pocket  - whether they wanted to or  not.  But today we can all ask a question or float an idea and be assured of great feedback from so many sewers worldwide.  
Yesterday I went through some boxes of old patterns and came across something that became one of my all time favorite dresses.  Sometimes (I wish it was always) I achieve the perfect combination of fabric choice, color, style, fit, everything that makes a dress perfect, and makes me perfectly happy.   

                                                                                                              The pattern is Vogue 2470 Donna Karan, View A, coral wool crepe.  Such a simple style, but such a great pattern.  The V-neck in front and back was just right, double vertical darts gave the waist shaping, the welt pocket adding a little interest.   I wore this dress forever, to every possible occasion, I didn't care if people had already seen it many times before.  Change the jewelry, change the shoes, change the jacket, I am not the Little Black Dress type - but coral red, yes.  Kind of sad that now it is shoved in the back of the closet, but things do drop in the rotation.  Truth be told I can fit in it, i.e. zip it up, but its a teeny bit tight.  Kind of a motivator - or at least to remake the pattern. I always wanted try view B. 

Back in the 90's I was just starting in the corporate world, and I made all my clothes for work, mostly suits and dresses, with Vogue designer patterns. I had an impression at the time that the Vogue patterns were better than others, and looking through the stash that probably was correct. I had a Badgley Mischka jacket pattern that I recall making 3 times, as well as an Anne Klein blouse where I made every version. Interesting to see the designers come and go over the years. It looks like Donna Karan has had consistent success over the years, as this dress is a new favorite and there are some brand new patterns that also look good.  I also found a Michael Kors for Style patterns, what happened to the Style pattern company?  
Here are some patterns from my archive, all Vogue Designer patterns from the 90's and 2000.


Giveaway  --->;  If you are interested in any of these 4 patterns listed below, leave a comment as to which one you would like and I will send it off to you.  First comment per pattern will receive it. 













Badgley Mischka Vogue 2436  
year 2000   Size 8-10-12
never used 
link to see back of pattern info

                                         Anne Klein Vogue 1820

                                        year 1996 size 6-8-10

                                        never used

                                        link to back of pattern info

Vogue 1409 Tom and Linda Platt
year 1994    size 6-8-10
I did cut this one out, on size 8-10 lines
Made it but actually tossed out, which is sad
since it took a lot of yardage.  I am not the 
flowy dress type, but I always like them on 
other people. 
link to back of pattern info

                  Vogue 1721 Oscar de la Renta
                 Jacket, skirt, dress, blouse, pants
                 certainly got your money's worth on 
                 this pattern.
                 year 1996  size 12-14-16
                never used
                link to back of pattern info









If no one wants these patterns - I understand, as they are not quite vintage  - I hope not !
But who knows, maybe there will be a big 90's fashion craze soon and you will be ahead of the pack.


Thank you to everyone who reads this blog, your comments are appreciated.  
Happy Sewing,   Beth