Project Design Team Wednesday ~ Add a Modern Twist to a Vintage Sewing Pattern

Have you inherited old sewing patterns?  Do you hunt for them at the thrift store?
I have 2 big old boxes of sewing patterns from the 60’s and 70’s that my mom has given me. Although looking through them is a serious trip down memory lane, I have never used them…until now.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw something called The 100 Days Project on Instagram.  Basically, this amazing instagramer encourages others to enhance their creativity for 100 straight days.  I wanted to participate, but I also wanted to do something meaningful.  Through the process of time and much pondering, which you can read about at besocrafty.com, I decided to make 100 Skirts in 100 Days and document each one.

I have done 51 skirts to date and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.  When I made this goal to create so many skirts, I decided to use sewing patterns…most of the time. Using patterns has taught me tips and tricks I never knew.  (Seriously, it’s amazing what you learn when you actually READ a sewing pattern.)

Recently I went to my basement and dug through those old sewing patterns of my mom’s and found a gem in the Butterick 3044 vintage pattern.  It’s a cowgirlish skirt with pockets and thick stitching. I looked inside and the pattern was cut and ready to go.

For the stitching on the skirt I used a decorative stitch on my sewing machine that looks like overlapping triangles. I looks modern and trendy even though I used a vintage pattern, right?

Now take a look at skirt #51!

Isn’t this pineapple fabric awesome?!  I LOVE it so much.  Pineapples are everywhere right now and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this Fresh Market collection by Bella Blvd. This skirt and #50 above are sewn from the very same Butterick 3044 pattern, but they have very different looks.

Fabric choice is a huge factor when making a vintage pattern more modern.  Then add some personality with a bow and some decorative stitching.

So, what do you do with old sewing patterns? if you use them, how do you make them more modern?  If you want to get your hands on some of these beautiful vintage patterns, check your local thrift store.  They are about 25 cents a piece.  I can’t wait to try more of the ones hiding in a box in my basement.

Following me on Instagram and Facebook under @be_so_crafty to see what other skirts I have created for local foster care girls…and sew along with me.  Make skirts for your local foster girls or for some other worthy call to serve with your sewing talents.

Post by Becky from U Create