Simplicity 9556-Back to the 80's!

Another flashback goodie - 1980's Simplicity 9556. This was a popular Jiffy pattern, even my sister had one. You may be lucky and find another in thrift stores, eBay, etc. Because of the elasticized neckline, I wanted this version to have a little bit more weight and drape than a cotton or linen would provide, so I used a peached knit ($1/yard Wally World), even though knits were not listed on the envelope as a suggested fabric. Simplicity's patterns were still pretty well drafted back then; I was surprised and happy to discover the shoulder stays put.

I was also happy and surprised to see that the Size 12 still fit, albeit with small adjustments (1/2" on the front side seam, recurving and lowering the armholes 1/4", adding 4 inches in length to the back and 4 1/2 inches to the front pattern pieces.)

A 1980 design with today's fabrics and notions (thank goodness for Steam-A-Seam 2!), creates a fun and cool Summer of 2007 top.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Barry White, "You're The First, The Last, My Everything" 3:23
Pure Disco
Today's stats: 2.44 miles, 40 minutes, 267 calories

Fun memories of the summer of 1978, (and my 26 1/2" waist) dancing in these two skirts to this song. View B on the left has three tiers and three ruffles between each one. It took 5 yards of 45" fabric. But it twirled so prettily!
(By the way, the trim needed for the white skirt -- 3 5/8 ribbon and 7 yards of Rick Rack!)

Butterick 5903 - circa 1979!

The fashion pundits say that if you wore it once, you shouldn't wear it again. But I perhaps I can scoot under that rule -- I made the View B dress (far right) in May and October, 1979. But this time, 28 years later, I made the shorter version View C (center) to wear as a belted tunic top. (A tip of the needle to Erica B's yellow Simplicity top for the inspiration!) It was also a forgiving style to make easily a little larger than that 20 year old body size I once was. I used Nancy Zieman's Busy Woman's Fitting Book and pivot/slid 1-1/2 inches in width near the underarm and 5 inches in length on the front and back pieces.

It truly was a time capsule in my sewing life. Back in the day, I carefully folded and pressed the pattern pieces individually before returning to the envelope, and I cut my notches pointing out. Nowadays I put all the pieces together, fold/pat down with my hands and hope it fits back into the envelope, and clip into the seam allowances for my notching. And originally this was made pre-serger, pre-Fasturn, pre-Steam a Seam 2! All of which I relied upon and used when I made my 2007 version.

What I liked then and what I liked now were the cut-on, half circle sleeves. And the gathered neckline. It's really a classic style that resurfaces above the fashion waters for a reason!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

Dan Hartman, "Instant Replay" 5:20
iTunes, "Keep the Fire Burnin'" CD
Back in 1978, my friends and I would go to the "VI" on the weekends. Yes, I loved to disco and still remember most of the moves to this song. And the swirly red dress I made with this pattern - the ruffled skirt with the ruffled top. Fun!

Scandal, "Goodbye to You" 3:46
iTunes, "We are the 80's"
Got dance-y with this one too, in '82. (No pattern available)

Cool down song:
Sting, "When We Dance" 5:59
from the "Best of Sting" CD

Today's stats: 46 minutes, 2.78 miles, 288 calories