80s in Yellow

This is another UFO I've been working on -- it's Kwik Sew 1444, from the 80s, which I cut out in September 2025, from an extremely soft and supple yellow rayon that I thrifted around that time. 

The defining feature of this blouse is the series of pleats on the front bodice -- which were hellish to get neatly done in this super shifty fabric! And I was confused by the pleat being on the inside, and only the seam on the outside; you are supposed to leave the centre of the pleats unstitched, I guess for volume, but I coudn't do that here as the fabric is so soft they just gaped weirdly. So I stitched them all fully down on the inside. After carefully marking and pressing, I was able to complete them. After that, most of the rest of the construction was pretty straightforward. 

The button placket is a hidden placket, which can be tricky. But this time it wasn't bad - the way it is constructed with a double fold of sorts, it is easy to catch all the seams neatly where they are supposed to be. I chose some small gold buttons from my stash for the main buttons, but picked out a gold sunflower for the top button which is the only one visible. I don't usually mix gold and yellow like this but somehow it just worked and I knew I wanted to highlight that sunflower! 

I didn't really make any sizing adjustments at all - I didn't shorten it, just followed all the pattern markings as is.

The fabric choice made this one a bit more difficult than the pattern itself suggests. If I was using a cotton it would have been easier to handle. But I wanted to try this because I just loved the feel of the fabric - although it needs re-ironing every time you move, it seems! I literally pressed it before taking photos & it already has wrinkly bits!

The other two views in this pattern are pretty 80s Dynasty, but the sleeveless one somehow feels contemporary. 

I'm glad I gave it a go, and I do love the colour! The way that the fabric creases almost instantly makes it a little harder to wear spontaneously - this is one I'll have to plan ahead for and press beforehand. I can't say I love it - the colour is great & I really like the buttons. But I find the fabric a bit saggy & wrinkle-prone. Maybe when I style it & have it tucked with a nice outfit I will like it more. Very glad to have it done, though :)

I made pants! Black elastic waist Style 4727

 

I didn't think this day would ever some to pass... I made wearable pants! 😄

I hardly ever wear trousers, slacks or pants, whatever you call them; I'm nearly always in a dress or skirt (the Lindy Petal skirt gets steady rotation in my wardrobe). But I've wanted to figure out an easy pants pattern as sometimes I am actually in the mood to wear them. I made the skirt from this Style 4727 pattern recently, and thought that the pants included in this set looked like a good option - easy elastic waist, fuller slacks in an 80s style. So I found some interesting textured poly in my stash, probably got it from a thrift store ages ago. It's heavy enough for summer pants - not too flimsy but not super thick either. 

Nothing to lose, so I gave it a try! I measured the crotch curve and added half an inch to the height of the back rise. I thought about taking half an inch out of the front rise, which seemed long, but didn't - when I make these again I will do that. And I think I may make these again!

They aren't perfect, I could use a couple tweaks, but I like them. They are really comfortable, have nice big pockets, and taper slightly to the ankle (which is something I like). I did have to take 3.5 inches out of the length! I am just a shade under 5'2", and these are clearly designed for a taller person. I was careful to take a couple of inches up from above the knee and some from below, so that it wouldn't alter the shape of the pants too dramatically. 

I never thought I'd find a pattern that fit me in a way I liked but I think these ones may do the trick. I'll have to wear them around a bit and see how I like them in use. If they are suitable I will try out some summer colours next! 

Easy Style with a Cobalt Linen skirt

My Spring Sudoku Wardrobe plans are mainly based around cobalts and pinks, with black neutrals. I was feeling these brights for the year ahead & so was pleased to see them pop up in a few runway shows. I was particularly surprised by Roberto Cavalli, not a house where I usually find things I like -- but he had lots of blacks, with some striking pinks and purples. And the small house MSGM had some interesting colours too, and prints (my fave at 5:20), while LaDoubleJ was full of colour and whimsy.  I've been finding so many of the current huge fashion names are producing dull black, grey, beige and brown clothing. So it's a joy to find some of these more colourful pieces. 

Anyhow, longwinded way to say that I'm loving some bright pinks, blues and whites for my spring wardrobe! My latest piece is a simple pull on skirt, from a 1980s pattern, Style 4727. I had some blue linen in the stash to use for this.

I decided to line it, since it's a bit see through on its own as a summer skirt. I had some blue-ish lining in my stash so just used that. It does make it a little heavier than usual for a summery linen skirt but I prefer that to having sunshine go right through it ;) 

This is a simple elastic waist pull-on design, with side seam pockets. I had to lengthen it a bit, since it's a short skirt by design, but a little too short for me. I made it just at the knee to suit my preferences a little more, and I am short so this would definitely be a lot shorter as per the pattern for someone of average or taller height. 

This is a fun addition to my Sudoku wardrobe, and it matches the top I made from Vogue 8617, also from the 80s. I used the same fabric for a matching set, kind of a faux dress, and this has used up the entire piece that I thrifted quite a while ago. It does wrinkle pretty quickly, here just from sitting down for a minute. But I do love this colour!  

80s Style Cobalt Linen Top

A vintage pattern in cobalt today! I have a wardrobe pattern from the 80s, Vogue 8617, that has a lot of nice pieces in it. I decided to finally make the top, which I've been thinking about for a long time -- it has many interesting elements. From shape to button opening to sleeve, there is a lot here that I like. 

I cut this in 14/16 and it worked out perfectly. When I looked at the pattern, I thought this would be a quick and easy project. It was a bit more complicated than I first thought - there were a couple of tricky bits getting the facings on correctly but it all worked out. After some initial confusion and having to recut the button stand as I'd put it together backwards (yes, it did have a specific orientation it needed) everything else went together nicely. 

This is a linen blend from my stash; I've had it a long time and think that it worked out really nicely for this top. I love the fit of the cut on sleeve, I really like the shape of the neckline, and the side slits make it the perfect fit and a comfortable one to wear. I might use a lighter weight interfacing on the front piece next time but that's really the only thing I'd change with this one. I love it! 

One funny thing about it, I had it cut out and ready to go but could not find buttons to match, even in my extensive button collection. I looked at the fabric store but couldn't find anything there either. I was considering using silver or clear buttons but didn't love the way they looked. Then I was at the thrift store, looked down and saw two cards of the perfect blue buttons just waiting for me. The exact tone of blue and size I needed. Such a great find! A week after I bought them, they are already in use. 

This is one of the pieces of my Sudoku Wardrobe, but I think it will also go with many of the things in my wardrobe already. I love this one! 

Cobalt Cotton Butterick Top

After my first Sudoku project, the Box Box, I've gone back to my 'vintage' pattern collection for the second easy top in the lineup. 

This one is just one piece of a wardrobe pattern, Butterick 6450. It's a nice button up blouse with extended shoulders, light and airy for summer or for wearing under a sweater or jacket. I love the colour of this cotton that I've had in my stash for a long, long time. (still lots of it left, too). 

This was a straightforward top, although I had to grade between 16 at shoulder and 18 at hip, and also shorten by an inch above the waistline. Pressing up the curved hem at bottom and the armhole was really the lengthiest part of the whole project!

I stalled for a minute on this one because of the buttons. I hadn't chosen buttons ahead of time, confident that I would have some in my stash of 5 full cookie tins of buttons that would work. I sorted through all of these and could not find the right size and colour to work with this blouse. So I had to put it aside for a bit until I had time to get down to the fabric store and pick some up!  

But of course I had another project to work on in the meantime... :) 

I think this is really cute and love the colour. It's a nice basic that will get a lot of use with a variety of the items already in my wardrobe. 

Community Sale goodies!

Do you enjoy searching community and church fabric sales as much as shopping at thrift stores? I sure do! There was a great sale near me last week & the funds were being raised for a charity organization. So I popped over to see what was there. It was primarily quilting fabric, notions and books (and a LOT of it) but I did find a lovely black and pink tweed/boucle -- and then noticed a few boxes of garment patterns in a corner :)

I had fun searching through them, and found quite a number that were from my fave 80s/early 90s era of patterns, and in my size. (And just realized I missed one of them in this photo, a summer sundress). 

I'm not yet sure what I want to use this lovely fabric to make, but I am keen to try out a couple of these patterns asap. So many of them are fun, look at all the blouses with the huge sleeves! (That's a plus, by the way...) I think I'll try out the McCalls wardrobe pattern and the Vogue first. Now to go through the stash and choose some suitable fabrics, not like I don't have a ton to choose from :) 

It was really fun to join the scrum and see what I could find. I do love paper patterns, especially of this vintage. Never have to worry about having something to do, anyhow!