Gertie Sews Vintage Casual (patterns from her book)

Do you have a fabric designer or pattern maker you simply adore? Maybe you have a few. 

Gretchen Hirsch aka Gertie is one of my favorites. 

There are quite a few fabric designers I'm obsessed with! Almost stalker-status. ;) I love almost every piece they design. And I must own it all. Insert evil laugh! Haha

As you might know, my favorite pattern designer is Gertie. She is a one-woman show and encouraged me (through her blog, TV, and books) to start sewing things for myself. GASP! Moms can sew for themselves? Yes, yes we can.

I was watching a PBS sewing show and she popped up. I can't remember what she shared on the show. But, I couldn't get past the fact that she didn't look like a typical sewing lady. She was young and had a fun style. I was instantly hooked! I found her blog, bought her books, and started a new sewing journey for myself. I still sew for my kids and shop, but I LOVE making things for myself more.

Gertie has her own pattern company, along with fabrics designed by her. She also has patterns with Butterick and Simplicity. Charms Patterns, Simplicity, and, Butterick patterns.  I love it all!

40s style Blouse from Gertie’s Book, Gertie Sews Vintage Casual.

40's Style Blouse

The top I'm wearing above is from the book, Gertie Sews Vintage Casual. It's the 40's-Style Blouse made using the Sleeveless Blouse variation, pg 134.

The fit is great in this top! Why haven't I made more? I don't know but, I need to.

It was an easy afternoon project. I made this top a few years ago. This was my first top with center buttons and a placket. As you can see, they should have been placed 1/2" closer to the edge.

Oh well. I still wear it all the time.

It's an easy style to wear over pants or tucked in. The darts are placed perfectly and make for a very flattering fit. 

The fabric is semi-sheer in black with pink bows and was purchased from Joann Fabrics. It is from Gertie's fabric line.

Pattern changes

I increased the armscye area. I don't consider myself to have large arms, but her patterns are usually tight in my armpits, so I size up with sleeveless patterns. 

Knit sweetheart top

Next up is the Sweetheart Top, page 151.

I made 3 of these in different variations. I love how easy the pattern was to sew up, plus it's soft and cozy.

I love the sleeveless knit top however, it's tight in the armpits. I could go back and unpick the bias bindings and make the armscye bigger, or just live in pain. I choose pain! I should just make another one because I have more fabric. That sounds waaay easier than unpicking.  Amiright?

Scoop neck sweater made with sweater knit fabric.

Another scoop neck, made with sweater knit that does not have a lot of stretch.

I cannot tell you enough how much I love this pattern. It's comfortable and easy to make. I made all 3 in an afternoon.

The Scoop Neck Sweater is a variation, on page 156.

I made the Scoop Neck Sweater in a black sweater knit with fun doo-doo balls all over it. The fabric I chose didn't have as much stretch in it, as it should have, but I made it work. ;) I wear the black sweater top a lot during winter.   

The Puff Sleeve Sweater is another variation, on page 158.

I made this version in a tissue-weight leopard sweater knit. I ordered the fabric online and had other plans for it. But, it was too flimsy for what I bought it for, so it got stashed away. The thin knit worked pretty well for this pattern. I would want something with more stability next time, but it works and I wear it often. Win-win.

Cigarette Pants

Onto a pants pattern. These were easy to sew. But, I don't usually have fitting issues with pants. I have a short torso and narrow hips/ booty. 

I made the Pedal Pusher variation, on page 166.

I made a muslin first, just to be safe. They are form-fitting and very flattering. They give me curves. Yay! The instructions were a little confusing when it came to the pockets, but I figured them out and forged onward.

I did end up splitting the crotch seam at one point while wearing them, AHHH!! Came home and stitched over that seam multiple times. Yikes! Nobody wants a popped seam, especially there!

Black and white polka dot pedal pushers, yes please!

I also made the Flared Shorts Variation, on page 167. They are my favorite, can you tell?

I have a few pairs of these shorts and love the style and fit. 

The flamingo pair has a tiki vibe and I didn't sew pockets in them. I regret that, of course. I made these to go on vacation, so I skipped the pockets. Don't skip the pockets. Haha

I made a red and white polka dot pair with pockets. I love these but don't reach for them as often. I usually pair the shorts with a black top and rock the Mickey Mouse look. 

Well, that's it from this book. Do you have this book or any of her books? I reach for this book more than her others. I like a casual vintage style for every day.

Have you made any of these patterns? Or do you want to? Please share in the comments below.

XO,

Annette

Me Made May 2020

Can you believe it? It's May, again, already. The months seem to fly by quickly as I age. 

You know the drill, #MeMadeMay is all about wearing something you made every day in May. Read my post I wrote from last year if you are wondering what the heck I'm talking about. You pledge to yourself and others to wear your me mades (handmade items). I played along last year and found that I didn't like it. Gasp! I know! 

Gertie Popover Dress

I did not like how it made me feel about my handmade garments. And, not in the way, you might think. 

I usually get excited when I wear anything I make. Hair flowers, a purse, dresses, jumpers, rompers or pants, even my bras! I love it when someone asks if I made it and I get to scream "YES!" with a huge smile. It's exciting for me to wear my stuff and show it off.

During 2019's #MeMadeMay, I didn't get excited while getting dressed. It was more of a "have to" feeling. Not gonna lie, I wear something I make almost every day. I always have a flower in my hair- that I've made. My purses are made by me too. Oh and the days I don't leave my house, do not count. LOL 

I'm a rebel in a sense I don't like being told what to do. And, the May challenge wasn't fun for me, because I had to wear my garments. Make sense? 

Now with everything that is happening, I've been living in cozy clothes almost every day. I like being comfortable when I'm slinging string a.k.a. sewing. I've been sewing every day, so cozy clothes it is! 

I feel happier about the challenge this year though because we're all homebound. We don't leave our house unless it's a run to the post office or get groceries. In which, I put actual pants on. Haha

I plan on playing along this year and have a new perspective. I'll be more inclined to wear my fancy dresses just because I can. They might not be the best to sew masks in, but... I'll wear them. It's almost a challenge for me to get dressed in real clothes every day. Amiright? LOL  

And heck, if I don't wear a garment I've made, there's always a Me Made mask. 

So, will you be participating this year? What do you think about ME MADE MAY? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Be sure to follow me on social media as well.

Stay safe and sane,

Annette

Face Mask Patterns

Face masks. Are you wearing one? Have you made them for friends and family or to donate? I've donated more than I can count. Sent masks to friends and family. And I've made them for my own family. We are now required to wear them when we leave our house.

What a world we are living in right now. 

I have made masks using a few different patterns and wanted to share with you, some on my favorites. 

They don't require a ton of time or materials. 

Materials Needed

• Cotton fabrics

• Interfacing- I used lightweight or sheer

• Thread

• Elastic- FOE, 1/8"-1/4", 3/8"

• Bias tape, purchased or handmade

• Ribbon, knit fabric straps, etc.

• Floral wire & a pair of wire pliers

• Sewing machine and notions

• Seam ripper, because... sewing

Pinup cat masks

1.  Sweet Red Poppy bias tape Face mask. This tutorial is easy and my favorite mask to wear. The mask is comfortable and forms to the face. It is not, however, a quick sew. If you want to batch-sew these, you deserve a trophy. These babies are no joke. Easy enough to make 3 or 4, but not so easy if you're making 50.

2. Made Everyday by Dana fabric face mask. Her pattern is super easy and makes for a quick sew! I've made tons of these for donations. I also used ribbons in place of the knit fabric ties. Check below for an altered option I used, to make these.

3. Melanie Ham 10-minute face mask. These are perfect for sewing tons. They're quick and easy. I personally have not made this exact pattern. I did, however, make one similar and used 9x7 measurements for the fabric. I also did 3 pleats. But, this is similar in construction.

4. Mask Video I found on Pinterest. This one is nice, it has elastic ears, nose wire, and a filter pocket. NOTE: can only be made with multi-directional fabric. I mostly buy one directional fabric, but I made one of these. It looks nice and fits well too. It has a very professional finish in my opinion.

5. Check Pinterest and YouTube for other patterns and versions. There are hundreds to choose from.

These are the exact ones I've tried, so I wanted to share. If you have questions, shoot me an email. 

Sweet Red Poppy mask

Mask maker, mask maker, make me a mask. Is anyone else singing this song while making these things? Anyone? Please tell me I'm not the only Fiddler on the Roof fan. :D

Below, is my Made by Dana pattern that I've hacked. When the pandemic first started, the elastic was gone, sold out, and nowhere to be found. So, I improvised. I used FOE, fold over elastic. This is usually used for cloth diapers, headbands for babies, and other crafts. I used it to make the full-head masks. They are more comfortable to wear all day too. I cut 13" just like Dana says in her pattern. Easy peasy! 

After you pin or clip the FOE in place, put on the top layer, RST. Sew around and leave a gap for turning. This is the easiest pattern for making batch face masks.

This is 50 masks in 4 hours. We (my husband, oldest daughter, and I ) made over 50 masks in 4 hours to deliver to his work the next morning. That was a crazy night. Once we found our groove, we worked flawlessly. These were all made with the FOE I was telling you about earlier.

Ignore the bad lighting, these were made at night.

Another early morning make masks to send to friends and family. What a time to be alive.

These masks were made following Sweet Red Poppy's tutorial. I love this style the best, but they are time-consuming.

Tiger King was a definite moment in our house. I had to make a face mask to honor his legacy. Free Joe Exotic!!

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So, are you ready to make masks or are you burnt out like most of the sewing community? I gifted myself a new sewing machine, so I got a second wind of mask making. Stay tuned for my post on the new machine... she's fabulous!!!

Please share in the comments some mask patterns that have or haven't worked for you. Also, if you have places that are in need of donations, share those too.

Stay safe and healthy.

Warm virtual hugs,

Annette