Speaking Of Works In Progress!

When I retrieved the clothes that I had saved from the attic I found this dress.
I realized it was never worn because I never finished it. The hem still had the pins in it. I found them after I washed it. There was not even a speck of rust on the pins. I do believe I have a box of pins from that era somewhere in my pharmacy cabinet.

I was able to date the time I constructed this dress from the buttons. Ship and Shore blouses had identical buttons to what I used on this dress. I always tried to copy good ready to wear and searched all over to find just the right buttons and notions so my clothing would not have that "made at home with loving hands" look.

Another tell tale clue are the double box pleats I made to pleat up 3 widths of fabric to fit my 24 inch waist.
I loved making pleated skirts and tried every style I could imagine.
It's amazing this is in such good condition because it was stored in various hot attics, in cold garages and various other locations over the years. I took no special care of it and it was stored in both open and closed cardboard boxes.
It is at least 63 years old!

What Is On Today’s Agenda?

Clue number 1

Clue number 2
This has been in the works and planning stage for a long time and it is on today’s schedule.

Quilt! Knit! Stitch! In Portland Oregon August 13, 14, 15, 2015

My friend Bill Volckening took pictures of my Autumn Ombre Ensemble in the show. Thanks so much Bill, I really appreciate your photography skills.

I was impressed that the stand even coordinated with the clothing!

This is a closer view of the patchwork on the coat and shirt.

This is the description I sent for the show.

 

Autumn Ombre was inspired by my favorite season.

I used my Blue Ribbon No Sweat Checkerboard Shirt pattern for the shirt but used twice as many colors as my pattern called for.

The main fabric was a fine quality cotton sateen. The other fabrics were a mixture of 100% plain and polished cottons as well as blends.

For the coat I combined several of my Blue Ribbon patterns and made adjustments for an original design. It features the same piecing as on the shirt.

The coat was hand quilted with a polyester lining to make it easy to slip in and out of. I split batting in half and used just ½ of a layer to give it just enough shape and body.

The skirt was an original draft to compliment the coat.

 

The exhibit showcased some of the very best garments from the Fairfield Fashion Show over the years.

I felt honored they chose one of my garments to display.

TBT–What Were We Wearing Then?

My friend Molly and I (and a few others) were talking about sewing yesterday.
We even may have the same Pfaff sewing machines purchased many years ago.
I wanted to share one of the dresses I made over 55 years ago today.

I had wanted one of my granddaughters to model this for a picture but only one of them is tiny enough to possible fit this and she has not been around.
It is pink chiffon over pink taffeta with pink lace for the bodice. Considering the fact it has been packed away for almost 50 years it still looks pretty good.

And the back view with the big pink chiffon bow. Of course I wore this with a pink Alice Lon Petticoat I made with 8 yards of nylon net.

I sewed this on this exact sewing machine, my Mom’s Singer 201. It now has a place of honor in our guest room. When that was our bedroom it lived in there and that is where I did all my sewing. I had it brought downstairs so if I wanted to do some simple sewing for a short time I could just walk in there instead of heading up to the studio.

Here I am in the dress waiting for my date.

My date and I ready to head to the dance. Notice the corsage I was wearing..those were the days we all got a beautiful corsage to go with our dress from our dates.
True confessions: A group of girls used to get together and rent a country club and we each got to ask our own dates. Then they would take us out for dinner after the dance! So if you were part of that group it didn’t matter if you had a special boyfriend or not, you could ask someone!

My Talented Granddaughter-in-law

A little less than a year ago we welcomed Stephanie into our family when she married my grandson Blake. We couldn’t be happier that they chose each other.!

This is a T-shirt she designed while still an undergraduate student for the GAP!

Here she models one of her own designs influenced by the Alhambra and her time spent studying in Italy.

I can’t begin to share all her accomplishments so I am sharing a link to here website:

http://www.stephanie.teamsorensen.com/

She will graduate from Iowa State University in a little over a month with degrees in both Apparel Merchandising and Design and Graphic Design.

She is a very talented and hard working young lady and I’m sure this will not be the last you see of her. Watch for her name as she begins and excels in her career.

All Good Things Must Come To An End!

This is my last week selling on eBay for a long time.

It’s time for a break as I am ready for other activities and priorities.

This Camille Dress and 2 Level Top/Jacket are the most unique garments Blue Fish has ever designed. Even at their original price of over $800 for both pieces they are still a bargain when you look at the construction and the possibilities. They each have a bottom section than can be buttoned off and used as a scarf, shawl or what have you.

This hand knit Ralph Lauren Collectible Sweater is my most prized clothing possession. It‘s the original colors for the sweater and they are authentic serape colors.

If you want to know why I would consider selling it you can read it on my eBay listings.

This gorgeous Templeisen Gown also has a bottom that snaps off. I am showing it with a Carter Smith collage scarf.

The theme for my listings this week tends toward BLACK – and you all know “You can never be too rich , not have too much black in your wardrobe.

4 Square pants are one of everyone’s favorite Blue Fish pant designs. The painting on this NWT pair is awesome and features a frog on the front of the left leg. What’s not to like about these?

If you’d like to see the rest of the things I’m listing this week here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/bluefishquilter/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

I have auctions closing both Sunday and Monday evenings and I’ll be shipping Monday through Wednesday and then I’m on break!

I’m Making Progress!

If I showed you a current picture of what’s left in my closets you’d say “I don’t believe she got rid of anything”!

So I decided to show you empty hangers. All these hangers had one or more pieces of clothing on them when I started by eBay journey a few months ago.

I keep all my things on padded hangers to keep the shape – particularly the shoulder area.

There are still more empty hangers upstairs I haven’t brought down yet.

There are also pant hangers not in the picture.

Now do you believe me?

I’m still emptying hangers and will add more to this basket in the next few weeks!

Not only can I see what I have in my closets now, I can put outfits together.

Thanks For The Memories!

 

I know someone is going to be thrilled to win this set.

This ICON handbag “The Procession Of The Brides” can be used with just about anything.

Someone snapped this one up almost as soon as it was listed.

4 matching pieces in a rich color called Iron Rust

Another gorgeous CS Collage silk scarf

A regal royal purple set with velvet and organic cotton. This was one of those outfits I had a real hard time deciding to part with. It’s fantastico!

Yes, I’m still holed up listing on eBay – maybe one or two more weeks to go.

Right now I am listing a lot of things I rally had to convince myself to release them to new owners.

If you want to see the rest for the week they are at:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/bluefishquilter/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

As you may or may not know posting these things on my blog is my way of letting them go but still have the memories of them.

My closet is getting emptier and I can find things and put new combinations together.

I’m A Collector!

One of my collections is my clothing – Blue Fish, and other fine lines. Even with divesting myself of some of it 2 and 3 years ago my closets were still too full.

So what’s a girl to do?

Well share some of it on eBay of course. I didn’t think I had so much to share that I’d still be posting every week.

I’m not done yet!!!

These pants and top are two of the things I will be parting with this week.

Another great duo that will be going to a new home.

An Eileen Fisher dress with a CS Collage scarf – both will be traveling to new owners.

These are just some of the things I have available this week.

You can see them all at:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/bluefishquilter/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

It’s a good feeling to free up closet space and be able to see what I have and put new combinations together.

Keep watching for “The Rest Of The Story”!

Take Time Tuesday!

I know I have not been present on the blog much recently. I am still on that same track selling on eBay and shipping the packages.

 

This week was no different, with the exception that I listed more than normal and kept busy, busy , busy. Today I will finish shipping the items won.

This awesome Blue Fish jacket is an outstanding piece I’ve listed on eBay this week.

One lucky person will be the new owner.

These 3 pieces in the color Pomme are also available for a new owner. The teapot jumper and the Dream skirt are that exciting Blue Fish organic thermal cotton. There is even a lyrical print of a teapot on the jumper.

The lycra layering tee is their fantastic cotton lycra stretch fabric with just enough stretch for fit perfectly. When I see these pictures it makes me wonder why I am selling these pieces? I guess the answer is I can’t wear it all and it’s my goal to let someone else treasure these pieces and wear those I have never worn or don’t wear.

Three of the 4 pieces available in the color MUD! How can a color this vibrant be called a dull name like mud?

And the 4th piece in MUD – a thermal dress shown with one of those marvelous Carter Smith scarves.

This is the outstanding Geisha print from a Geisha Tee – the most desirable of ALL Blue Fish tops.

This velour lounging robe by FIRE from Origins in Santa Fe is so soft, rich and comfortable. Origins is rated one of the 10 BEST boutiques in the WORLD!

This is just a sampling of what I have listed this week.

If you are interested in seeing what else I have available check out:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/bluefishquilter/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

Although this is a way for me to share what I am passing on with all of you, it is also a way for me to memorialize what I no longer have in my closets.

My closets are getting emptier, but I still have a way to go. I keep finding things I’m willing to part with each day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next time – whenever that may be……………….

On Track And Picking Up Steam!

I am still using eBay to help reduce things I no longer need and want to share with others.

I sold this outfit. It is currently winging it’s way to the new lucky owner.

This ethereal Carter Smith top is also on it’s way to a happy new owner.

This big bodacious SIGNED Carter Smith scarf is going to a thrilled new owner.

A savvy buyer snapped this one up on a Buy It Now shortly after it was listed.

This shirt and pants are currently available in separate auctions for some lucky winner!

These pieces in the new neutral color Twiggy are available to purchase.

This absolutely gorgeous coat/dress is also ready for someone to enjoy as the new owner.

I have one more Carter smith scarf up for auction also.

These are only a few of the things I am selling this week. I’ve finally got on the right track and have listed more than usual and you won’t want to miss the GREAT ones I have available.

You can find them at:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/bluefishquilter/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

I am also selling patterns, a few kits and collector magazines for those of you who love to sew or just collect the patterns!

They are at:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/queenoffabric/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

Yes, I have been very busy – more than full time this week.

I anticipate keeping busy and passing more things on to happy buyers.

What Comes Around Goes Around–The Story Of A Skirt!

This is a section of an old yellowed newspaper clipping that is almost 55 years old.

I am wearing “The Skirt”.

And here is “The Skirt” again. I am wearing it with my raccoon coat. My Mom found that coat for me for $25 at a furriers in their unclaimed storage area. I bought it for fun. Little did I know how warm it would be as the winds whipped across the lake as we walked to a 7:30 a.m. class!

This is “The Skirt” today!

It even has my label.

Where has it been for the last 55 years?

Last winter I received a message from a sorority sister and good friend who had been reading my blog.

She said she still had a red plaid pleated wool skirt she had bought from me in college. She had to be a good friend for me to sell this one to her as it was probably my favorite skirt ever. We had lost track of each other for almost 50 years at that time.

 

Marilyn said she and her husband Rich would be in Florida last winter. I invited them to visit me.

Shortly before they left I sent her an email asking her if they were driving and if they had room and if she could find it could she bring the skirt so I could see it again.

She arrived with the skirt in her hand and said I could have it! I was thrilled.

The amazing thing is she still had it after all those years even though they had moved many times, and also that she knew exactly where it was.

So thank you from the bottom of my heart Marilyn – I treasure this skirt and the memories it holds.

Tangerine Tango - Clothing I Have Made

So many people seem surprised that Tangerine Tango was picked at the top of the Color Forecast for 2012.

As I look back I realize I also have been making clothing with it for many years and also buying clothing in the exact color.


I made this pleated wool skirt and vest in the late 50's. It would be right in style for 2012 - both colorwise and style wise.


OHHHHHHH, pretty polyester double knits - I would guess I made it over 35 years ago. I felt so great when I wore this halter dress. I can hand this down to my great great great grandchildren as the fabric will never wear out!


I would guess I made this body suit about 25-30 years ago as that is when they came into style to prevent blouses pulling out and looking messy. The hat was made to match a raincoat that has long since disappeared. I felt I needed something BRIGHT on those rainy cloudy Wisconsin days.



A friend of mine called this "The Safety Patrol Dress". This was made about 30 or more years ago when color blocking was big.

Yes, what comes around goes around. Some say fashion repeats itself in 20-25 year cycles and these fashions would certainly go along with that statement.