One project down, a million to go

A few weeks ago I finally figured out how to thread my serger and actually do some serging with it.  This past week, I learned how to apply it to super-fun project.  I have a fetish for vintage patterns from the 50s and 60s, and every time the Hospital Auxiliary Rummage Sale comes around, I go digging through the cardboard boxes full of patterns make out like a bandit (hey, even one or two good ones makes it a success, right?).  This McCalls pattern from 1967 is definitely a keeper:

 

I had some fantastic maroon fabric already on hand as well as a neat-o rhinestone button, so I just needed to get the underlining, thread and a zipper.  Out came my sweet little 1956 Singer sewing machine and the serger, and away I went:

I know that serging is old hat for some folks, but it was a thrill to actually get it to work.  I was tickled to be able to produce a tidy, professional finish to my seams.  Whee!

 

 A few days later, behold the dress!

  

  

  

Things I love about this pattern:

• simple, no nonsense instructions (they write the instructions assuming that [wow] a person can sew
• the simplicity in fitting the dress due to the slimming princess-line seams
• the underlining of everything but the sleeves (this made the hemming process amazing - no obnoxious hemline to try to steam out)
• the elbow darts on the sleeves
• the snappy stand up collar and groovy button

Things I could live without:

• the strange technique for sewing the interfacing to the neckline facing.  I know that this pattern was made before the days of fusible interfacing, but the instructions were like no other I have ever experienced.
• the sleeves had way too much extra fabric to ease into the armhole.  I definitely think a bit of that could have been done away with and the sleeves would have eased in just fine.

So there you go.  One project down...at least four more to go before I can allow myself to buy new craft/sewing supplies.  Since Baby Rodgers refuses to make himself/herself known these days, I guess this gives me one more month to whittle down the previously started projects before making baby things.