Thursday, September 17, 2015

How the Blog Was Named and a Path to Vintage Patterns

Friends, quite a few times over the past few months I have been asked,  "Where did the name Pandora Sews come from?"  So today I am going to fill you in.

The pin that started it all

I have an Etsy shop.  It is not something that I have mentioned on the blog before, because I didn't want to seem like I was blogging to drive traffic to the shop.  Truth is, the shop is kind of something that I dabble at to put a little extra coin in the coffers from time to time.  The name of the shop is Pandora's Vault Vintage.  When the shop first opened, I was selling vintage jewelry.  One of the pieces I had was a P monogram pin.  So I decided that the shop needed to start with a P so that I could use the pin in the logo and banner.  We brainstormed for a few minutes and decided that Pandora's Vault Vintage was a good name, and the rest is history.

When I decided to start blogging my sewing creations, it seemed like a natural fit to use the Pandora name for the sewing blog as well.  I hope that you all know that my actual name is Alicia.  If you didn't before, I guess you do now!

So, why am I telling you all about this?  I know that some of my followers are vintage pattern aficionados.  I have a few really special patterns up in the shop right now, and I didn't want any of you to miss out if they are your thing.

Here are the lovely vintage sewing patterns that are up in the shop right now.

Vintage Sewing Pattern:  Vogue Paris Original Jacques Griffe 1019

This Coat from Jacques Griffe is one of the most desirable of the bunch.  Unfortunately, it has some damage, but the whole pattern is there.  It is a little on the fragile side.


Vintage Sewing Pattern:  Vogue Paris Original Guy Laroche 1160

Vintage Sewing Pattern:  Vogue Paris Original Guy Laroche 1293

These two Guy Laroche patterns are in really good condition.  I would love to see a sleeveless version of 1160 made up.


Vintage Sewing Pattern:  Vogue Couturier Design Alberto Fabiabi 1306

This Alberto Fabiani suit is a classic Jackie O style pattern.  This one is also in great condition.

Vintage Sewing Pattern:  Vogue Couturier Design Irene Galitzine 2159

I particularly love this pattern by Irene Galitzine.  The silhouette is popular now, and it would be easy to make a modern take on this classic design.

Which pattern is your favorite?  What decade do you like to sew from?


All these vintage patterns came to me recently by way of an estate sale.  The little old lady selling them had phenomenal taste in patterns.  She only sewed Vogue.  She was meticulous about keeping the tags with the patterns.  I could have spent hundreds of dollars on patterns that day, because she had hundreds of patterns.  But, in the end I showed restraint and only picked out the ones I thought would be good for my shop.  There may have been some fabric that made it's way in to the stash too.  All work and no play makes me sad, afterall.

If any of you are interested in any of these patterns, I want to offer you a special discount code only for my blog readers.  Use code: SEWINGFRIENDSROCK at checkout to get 20% off of your order through September 30, 2015.

Friends, I hope that this post doesn't offend any of you.  I promise that unless something really special comes along like these patterns, I will not be posting updates about anything that is in the shop.

15 comments:

  1. Ahhh, memories. When I see these styles I reminisce about my mom and aunts in their prime. Always hats, gloves, costume jewelry, and 'smart' pumps. The coat from Jacques Griffe is gorgeous.

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    1. Thanks, Robin. I can just see my Grandmother in some of these garments. Hat and gloves were a must.

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  2. I don't mind these sorts of posts at all! I mean, I mostly want to read about what you're sewing, but the occasional shout out for your Etsy shop is kind of fun. ;)

    As far as vintage fashion goes, I have a weird love of the 70's, although I'm not sure that that's my favorite decade. (I did drool over just about everything that the women of Mad Men wore, too.) The 70's thing probably goes back to when I was a very young child watching re-runs of Charlies Angels and shows like that on tv (not having been socialized to think differently, I loved Kate Jackon's menswear-inspired outfits). And Fashion Plates! I loved my Fashion Plates.

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    1. I like the 70s too, but I think that it is because it has the bohemian flair. If you start feathering your hair though, we may have to arrange an intervention! ;) Fashion Plates!!! I just saw where they have them in the kids toys at World Market. I was considering buying myself some.

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  3. I haven't attempted using vintage sewing patterns but I always enjoy studying the envelope artwork.

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    1. They can be a pain sometimes, but it helps to up your sewing game too, because clothes were just constructed better back then.

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  4. I think my mom had a coat made from that first Vogue, 1019!

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    1. Apparently, that pattern was (and still is) all the rage. I have seen that pattern listed in good condition for well over $100, can you believe that?

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  5. I can't stand straight skirts (how in the world are you supposed to move in them?), but I really love that Fabiani suit jacket--so sharp!

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    1. I love everything about that Fabiani jacket. I concur about the straight skirts though. So hard to get around in.

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  6. Love these patterns! So classic!!! I have no qualms about sharing such beautiful finds... inspires all of us who sew.

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  7. I love this post. Vintage patterns always lovely to behold. If these were in my size I would have had them in a heartbeat. I have some Vogue Couturier patterns but have never made any of them up yet. Xx

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    1. Thanks, MoR! I was very trepidatious about posting them. They are quite lovely though, aren't they.

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  8. Wow! What wonderful patterns you've found! I always love looking at patterns in other sewists' collections. You can get a feel for who they are from what they sew.

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