Goodies!

I recently came into possession of a plethora of goodies, friends! As I couldn't manage to get a good picture of the super awesome vintage buttons, lace, or recent fabric purchase, I thought I'd share the new patterns I got! Some of these were a very generous gift from my aunt (she blogs over at Sewliloquies--I rely heavily on her advice as she's a very talented seamstress/sewist/sewer/sewasaurus rex) and one is an Ebay purchase.

Here goes:

I think that this pattern would make an excellent summer shirt out thin, maybe even sheer, lawn or cotton. I love how the buttons end half way up and then disappear. 

This pattern is an incredibly simple ensemble: blouse, skirt, jacket. However, I think simple is often best as there's a lot of room to "make it your own." I also think the simplicity of this pattern will lend itself to easy hacking and grading (a skill I really want to learn). 

I love this dress, though I suspect my love has a lot to do with the lace the model is wearing. However, I think this is one of those really nice super casual dressy dresses that would be perfect to wear to summer events and maybe even ones in fall. I'm also considering the possibility to making the dress out of something other than lace, as the scalloped neckline is kinda awesome. 

This one has a lot of potential. I'd love to make the dress or shirt out of some sort of khaki material with an animal print lining (maybe) for a sort of "safari" look. These pants are a major contender for the linen summer pants I'm hoping to make. The jacket has some potential if modified--I'd like to add ruching to the sleeves. The shirt looks as though it would be perfect for summer if, again, made out of some sort of light weight cotton or sheer. 

This was my Ebay purchase. I had considered using it for the Mad Men Challenge, but decided against it in the end. It's got a shirt, skirt, and dress version with some sleeve options. I love the neckline on this, and think that the sleeveless version may make it's way into my winter wardrobe.... maybe in a bright blue with red and white as a sort of pseudo nautical look. I also think it'd be lovely in some sort of pretty floral. 

In other news... the Mad Men dress is coming along. I haven't really moved beyond fitting the bodice. I altered the pattern and then made another muslin which fit like a charm. I need to figure out how to make a lining for the bodice without the pleats at the neckline (I think I can use another bodice piece from the same pattern and, if needed, scoop out and adjust the neckline if needed). Then it's all cutting out and sewing together! 

How about you friends, any new patterns that you're absolutely in love with? New projects or nearly completed projects?