Vintage Pattern Sale

If you're not into vintage patterns, or sewing bloggers that promote stuff they're selling in posts in their blogs... well then, you can just skip right over this post.

1960s McCall's 8735

Here's the thing though. I started on Etsy 5(!) years ago with the idea that it would be my "full-time" job, the kind that gave me enough money to spend on hobbies without making too much of a dent in the family budget. Fast forward to last September when I started an actual full-time job in an actual brick and mortar retail shop where they actually expect you to spend all your waking time 40 hours a week there.

1990's Butterick 6662

But I do still have my Etsy shop, Down the Street, and you can still find lots of vintage patterns there. I just don't have the time to properly maintain and promote it. That means patterns are hanging around too long. In order to try to move some inventory, I have a new SALE SALE SALE section, where almost all the patterns will be $6 or less. Mostly less. All the patterns featured today are in that section.

1980s New Look 6664

And bonus if you happen to be still reading! Coupon Codes! These will work for anything you buy in the shop...

READER10 ... 10% off any purchase

READER15 ... 15% off purchases of $25 or more

READER20 ... 20% off purchases of $45 or more

There will be a maximum of 40 patterns in the Sale section, so start shopping, and new patterns will be added.

1970s Simplicity 8694

Please share with all your tweeting, facebooking, and blogging friends, too! Email me the link to ellen.sews (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll send you an unrestricted coupon code.

Thanks! and have a great day, y'all! 

Mad Men Challenge Pattern Choices

Before I dive into this post, just want to point out that I have activated the reply ability in the comments, so if you ask a question, that's where you can check back for an answer.


Okee-dokee. Where were we? Choosing a dress for the Mad Men Challenge. Well, frankly, I love them all, and may attempt to make, well, more than one of them this spring and summer, but no guarantees. For the challenge, I'm seriously leaning toward the black dress, for the simple reason that I can easily find black fabric. Is that cheating? Hmmm, no. I don't think so. For a review of the actual dress inspiration photos, go here or scroll down a little, it's just the post before last.


I spent yesterday tracing. I have an ample supply of vintage patterns, and I found 3 that may just work for several of the looks.

Simplicity 4003, a basic shirtdress. Mrs. Draper certainly wears a lot of these, and I do love the bodice on this one. Not as crazy about the skirt and the side zipper. Seriously, what is the point of buttoning up the front if you have to zip the side too. But this one has the simple, no yoke bodice silhouette, and 3/4 length sleeves for fall. I have other shirtdress patterns to look at, and will adapt the button opening to extend into the skirt, and really, make a much fuller skirt (possibly).

The sheath/wiggle dress from Butterick 2881 is the basic silhouette for many of Joan Holloway's dresses. The teal one is no exception. It does appear to have a wrap/tie style jacket over it, or perhaps she's wearing a skirt, top, jacket (but I don't think so). I have another pattern with a perfect buttonless jacket with a collar that I have plans for. Just a bit of tinkering might make it work (I haven't scanned it yet, but soon. Also, for that teal dress, I'm just not sure what fabric to make it out of. Any suggestions?

Finally, for the LBD, Simplicity 7509, which is about as basic as it gets, and is the perfect template for adding embellishments. It is basically a sloper, to get a perfect fit, and then make changes. If you read Carolyn's blog, you'll know that this is exactly what she does with her TNT dress pattern. If you don't read it, go check it out... she is a wealth of information.


Where was I? Oh yeah, I've got some ideas to play around with the cut out, so I hope to get a muslin made by early next week. The bonus of all these patterns for me, is that they are all my size.  I've traced them all though, so if you're still looking for your Mad Men Challenge pattern, they are available. Use the code MADMEN10 for 10% off! (You lovely readers can use that code for any of the patterns in my shop, not just these).