Looks, old and new

Blogger now has a template designer that I used to make my blog less ugly.  I had been meaning to apply some sort of custom design to it (and still may, someday ... ) but for now this is quite nice.  Of course, if you're like me and do your blog reading via rss, this is entirely irrelevant information.   :)

Here are the patterns that found their way to me in the mail this week.  I guess I was feeling the bow -- hadn't realized until they arrived that both patterns I chose had them.

Simplicity 1164 is from 1944, and Simplicity 2429 is from 1948.  I guess I was feeling the 40s as well.   Is it just me, or are vintage patterns getting a good bit more expensive these days?   I used to be able to pick up lots of patterns for $4 or $5 -- now it is hard to find  anything pre-1980 at that price.  I even saw some patterns priced above $100!   Could this price creep reflect a resurgence of interest in vintage patterns, or just a stronger economy?

I also found this fabulous fabric in the clearance area of my local Jo Anns:

It's a lightweight cotton with a nice drape, with embroidery on the border.  This photo does not do it justice.   Incidentally, my JoAnns is in the midst of remodeling, which seems to involve pushing all the quilting fabric and crafty doo-dah to the front, and the fashion fabric all the way to the back.  Sigh.  It was nicer to be met at the door with a colorful array of fabric bolts instead of a double row of dingy metal shelves.  But I suspect this change reflects the proportion of their sales.   I should be happy that the fabric wasn't kicked right out the back door.

I have a skirt almost finished -- perhaps I'll be able to post pictures of it later this weekend.  It's ... well, hm.  I'll say more when I can post a picture, but I'm not sure it's right for me.  I enjoyed sewing it, though, and that's what counts!