A few of the patterns I kept

Branka, Karin, Kristen, Marie, and quietandsmalladventures ... your patterns went into the mail this morning!  I hope you receive them soon!

I haven't had any sewing time in the past week, and the coming week is guaranteed to be the same.  I did finish my final (for now, anyhow) 60s shirtdress last weekend, and I'm hoping to get some photos of it actually on me before I leave town.  But meanwhile, even if I can't sew, I sure can ogle patterns, and I thought it would be fun to share a few of the patterns from my neighbor that I kept.  Of close to 90 patterns, I kept 37, and these are some of my favorites.

First off, this Simplicity Designer's Pattern -- it's in an oversized envelope, and I've never seen a Simplicity pattern like it.  There are some pictured at www.cemetarian.com though, and apparently they were produced from 1949 to 1952.   I like how the little jacket (would this be considered a bolero, or just a cropped jacket?) can take the sundress into Fall!  And those scallop-edged pockets.  Sweet.

I love the look of a double-breasted coat dress, though I can't say I've ever worn one.  I like the a-line shape, and of course the pockets!

I love these shift dresses from the late 60s with interesting seam lines!  Definitely not the kind of thing I could expect to fit (or flatter) my body if I had to buy off the rack.  But with the magic of sewing,  I can  in at the waist and make the skirt a touch more of an a-line, and then it works.   I did this last year with Vogue 7807 (from 1969, I think).  The pattern illustration has a more fitted and a-line shape than the hideous shapeless sack it turned out to be when I sewed it up without any alterations.   I ended up taking it in several inches under each armpit, tapering to nothing at the upper hip.  It was my first major pattern alteration, but I had nothing to lose, as it would have otherwise been unwearable!

Oops -- that turned into a bit of a digression!  Here's one last pattern that I acquired from my neighbors:

Usually I don't go for dresses that need to be belted to have a waist, but I am, as always, a sucker for a hoodie.  And a hooded dress?  Argh, I need it!  The scooped neckline also looks nice, but ah ... that hoodie!  Is it crazy to want to make one of these in a super-soft flannel for winter?

OK, we have winners!

Hooray, every lot had at least one interested party!  I took the easy way out and got my random numbers from the generator at www.random.org.  So, without further ado, here are the winners of the ten pattern give-away lots!

1.  quietandsmalladventures
2. Toria
3. Branka
4. K.  (this was the most popular lot, with seven entrants!)
5. Kristen
6. Marie
7. Marie
8. Kristen
9. Branka
10. Karin van D.

Thanks everyone for your interest -- it's nice to know that these patterns will find good homes!   I emailed those who I could find email addresses for ... the rest of you, I hope you see this, so that you know that I need your mailing address!  I made my email visible in my profile so that you can reach me.   My goal is to mail everything I have addresses for on Friday morning.  If you don't get me your address by then, no worries.  I'll mail whatever else needs mailing when I return from my trip to Calgary next week.

It seems kind of sad to have a post without any pictures, so, here's something that was in the box with the patterns: thread color cards, and this pamphlet on "the story of thread".  I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I will!

Giveaway pattern lot #10 (final lot!)

Last lot ... patterns for dudes!   I'm not particularly into sewing guy clothes, and my husband is content to outfit himself at the Gap whenever he absolutely must update his wardrobe.   And I suspect he'd rather be set on fire than wear that "Apache shirt".  Maybe your guy is into retro style, though?

Whew -- happy weekend, everybody!   I'll randomly choose winners for all ten lots on Wednesday night (September  22) and post the results here on the ol' blog.   I may share some of the patterns I'm keeping later on, but this wraps up the give-aways.

I'll randomly choose a winner for each lot from all the people who left comments on its post.  You can comment as many as you'd like to win, but you can't enter more than once for the same lot.  Each random draw is independent: your chances of winning other lots is not affected by winning one.   And yes, I will ship internationally -- though not necessarily fast!

Giveaway pattern lot #9

More petite patterns!  Bust 32 1/2 to 34.

Giveaway pattern lot #8

These patterns are all bust size 31, and all cute styles, but I don't think they're the best for my body type.  I have a significant waist-hip measurement differential (really on me it's more of a waist-butt differential!), and garments without waist definition aren't my most flattering look.   Belting them just looks overly bunchy on me, but I've seen other people make similar styles and look just adorable in them!

Giveaway pattern lot #7

This lot has the stuff that didn't fit into other lots, size-wise.  Two of the patterns are from the 80s, but they're good 80s patterns -- look at the details of the dress, and how cute that blazer is!  I wish they were my size.  I love the Advance collar variations, and gave deep consideration to keeping that one, but they aren't "me", so I'd rather see them go to a good home.

Giveaway pattern lot #6

This lot is all in the bust 30 1/2, waist 24, hip 34-ish range, and the smallest patterns I have to offer up.  I have to go walk my dog now because he has some serious ants-in-the-pants going on.  I hope to get a few more lots posted later this evening, though!

Giveaway pattern lot #5

Six patterns in this lot, size 32 or 32 1/2 -- my size, but either too similar to patterns I already own, or things I can't see myself wearing.