VLOG SUNDAY w/ Special Guest Star CATHY LANE!

People can be so cruel.

Look at this comment someone left earlier today (which I quickly deleted before Cathy could see it):



Why is it that women are constantly criticized for the way they look?  I mean, we all recognize that, as models go, thirty-something Cathy is just one step away from the glue factory, but can't we focus on the beauty within?  (Do you know how many times I've told her that smoking will ruin her complexion?  Do you think she listens?)

Anyway, I'll bet I'm not the only one who'd like to see what Anonymous looks like when he/she goes about his/her business -- the nerve!

"Watch your back, Anonymous!"

More upsetting news: I have received word this morning from the office of Ambassador Mauro Vieira that due to Cathy's suggestive photo with a banana, she is no longer welcome in Brazil.  I say, lighten up!

Anyway, I do have some GOOD news:  Cathy is my guest star on today's vlog.  You'll get to hear Cathy speak and sing!  I know you're going to enjoy watching the very special rapport that exists between us.

With no further delay, here's the latest episode. For those on portable devices, or who wish to view the vlog on YouTube, please click here.



Enjoy and have a great day, everybody!

PS - please leave your tactful beauty suggestions for Cathy below.

Cathy Models the 1940's Red Rayon Dress!

Readers, the day has arrived!

To think that only one short week ago, this rayon print was just a damaged flea market remnant -- and is now a fetching Forties frock!





The day of our shoot couldn't have been more splendid and Cathy was in fighting form.  I think you'll agree, my dear cousin hasn't looked this radiant since she was carrying baby Simplicity.

I do hope you enjoy the photo shoot and please tune in to tomorrow's vlog for LIVE FOOTAGE and to hear Cathy speak -- and maybe even sing!

As always, to see these photos full-size, just click any image and, in Picasa, choose the album name, and then, in the upper left hand corner, "Slideshow."  (Those with mobile devices can click here.)



What do you think -- was Cathy born to wear red rayon?

Have a great day, everybody!

Finishing the red rayon dress + photoshoot prep

Good news! Except for sewing in the shoulder pads, Cathy's new frock is finished.



Rather than hem the short sleeves, I added my own bias tape.  It gives the sleeve edges a bit more heft.



As you can see up top, I also made a self-fabric belt.  It's faced with a poly charmeuse I wish I had never bought -- it's too thick for most projects.



We're going with the red gloves, I think, and some tasteful bling.



With the summer sun and Cathy's fair complexion, a picture hat is a must.  But Cathy's only light-colored summer hat is a shapeless affair with more of a Thirties feeling than a Forties.  What to do?



I happened to have some wire specifically made for hat brims, purchased back when I thought I might try making my own vintage-style hats, which never happened.



I measured the circumference of the hat, cut off a piece of wire, and stitched it to the hat edge with a dense zigzag stitch.  Now I could shape the hat how I wanted and the shape would hold.





What I wanted was something like this -- quick, name that movie!





Here's what I was able to come up with -- still a work in progress but getting there.





If Cathy doesn't oversleep or break out in hives, we're shooting this outfit tomorrow; please pray for partially sunny skies and cool river breezes.  If all goes well, we may shoot some video for Sunday's vlog -- Cathy's film debut!

Finally, I couldn't resist this well-priced accessories pattern on eBay yesterday -- I blame my cousin.



Have a great day, everybody!

Glove Me or Leave Me

Here at MPB Inc., we are very pro-glove.

I'm not talking about the kind you wear to keep your fingers warm, though I have nothing against those.  I'm talking the kind women donned to complete an elegant ensemble, to look well-dressed, and -- I suppose this was the main reason -- to keep their hands soft (or perhaps to disguise hands that weren't so soft).







Gloves also kept your hands germ-free, as well as protecting others from your germs, am I right?







I think we know why these kinds of gloves fell out of fashion.  Germ-avoidance aside, they weren't very practical, they weren't terribly functional, and they were just another thing to have to clean.  Still, there's something about a well-dressed woman in gloves...

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As you may already know, I have a large stock of vintage gloves, picked up whenever I could find them large enough and cheap enough.  Cathy sometimes tries them on since she owns none of her own; she considers them a symbol of female oppression.  Still, she gleefully picked out some favorites today in anticipation of her upcoming rayon floral dress photo shoot.















Would red gloves with a red dress be too....red?



I think we're leaning toward cream, to match her shoes.  Unless she wears blue shoes, that is. . .  It's complicated!

Readers, do you still wear gloves on occasion -- and if so, which ones? 

Whatever happened to gloves?  Were acrylic nail tips the nail (no pun intended) in the coffin?

Have a great day, everybody!

Getting Started on Cathy's Floral Rayon Day Dress

Readers, I am happy to report that Cathy's new frock, McCall's 4752 (from 1942, I believe) is coming along smoothly.

You'll recall that I'm using a rayon print I found at the flea market on Saturday for $5.  I'm not certain that it's truly vintage, but to me it has a very Forties feel. (You may or may not know that I have an entire Pinterest board devoted to the fabric of the Forties.)



As I mentioned on Sunday's vlog, there were a few small tears in the fabric, but fortunately I was able to cut around them.  (If I'd noticed them at the market I might have passed on the fabric so I'm glad I didn't!)

The only pattern adjustment I generally make on these vintage patterns (Size 18, 36" bust) is to add 1/2" to each waist seem allowance and to extend the length of the bodice by 1".



The rayon cut like butta' -- very easy to work with though it's a little shifty.  Very few of the seams are cut parallel to the selvage so there's a minimum of fraying.  I serged the seam allowances that seemed likely to fray (like the side bodice seams).



I thought about underlining the bodice but decided against it (Cathy will be wearing a full slip) -- I want to keep this light.  I interfaced the neck facings with a very lightweight fusible from Steinlauf & Stoller.  Naturally I tested on a sample first.



The dress is full of tucks and small pleats.  The tucks look soft and creamy in this fabric.



The bodice front and center front skirt seam have topstitching detail; I opted for matching thread as it seemed the safest choice.





Here's a peek at the collar.



I was going to insert a regular side zipper, as per the very densely detailed, one-page instructions, but I only had an invisible zipper that was long enough, so I used that.  I was a little nervous attaching it to this shifty rayon but it worked great.  I used a regular zipper foot first and followed up with an invisible zipper foot.





The sleeves went on without a hitch -- big Joan Crawford shoulder pads will be inserted.  Tomorrow I'll work on the matching belt and start the bolero jacket.  I may make the jacket out of one of these two green cottons I found at the Salvation Army this afternoon (both sheets, one moss, one celadon).   I'm leaning toward making it reversible, which means I won't have to finish seam allowances.





This silk faille from Elliott Berman is another possibility if I want to go luxe.  I won it at a Pattern Review party.



And that's it.  It's always fun to return to dressmaking -- it's been a long time.  In a way dresses are easier than menswear but they require much more fitting.  Luckily Cathy's subletting nearby.

Hope your sewing projects are going well.

Have a great day, everybody!

BIG shoulder pad.