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.

Friday Funday and being on the Disabled Sewer List

Hello Ladies!  It is Friday Funday again!!!  

But before we get to the merriment, I am sad to say that I am on the disabled sewer list.  I have managed to injure my right hand and wrist, with no idea what I did.  I just woke up one morning and my wrist was in terrible condition.  Couldn't move it, wiggling my fingers caused excruciating pain.  So for now I am stuck with an ugly black brace on my wrist that pushes my hand back in to a neutral position.  No sewing for 3 weeks, no cutting out fabric or patterns for 3 weeks, no crochet for 3 weeks.  I am gonna be honest with you ladies.  It sucks!  Typing isn't exactly a breeze either.  I digress.

On to the good stuff.  This week for our Friday Funday pattern giveaway, we have this beautiful vintage Vogue Pattern:

It is described as a dress, but it is really a two piece set.  I LOVE the tie waist and the neckline.

Pattern is described as:

Vintage Vogue 5358 two piece dress. Easy fitting overblouse joins shaped hip band which has optional bow trimming. Deep, scooped back neckline or high neckline finished with collar knotted at center back. Flared skirt has released pleats at sides.

Size 18  Bust 38  Waist 30  Hip 40

Envelope has wear at all four corners and has tears at each of the top corners.

Pattern is uncut and factory folded.


To enter this week, please leave a comment below about how you like to use vintage patterns.  Make sure that if your profile doesn't link back to an email address that you leave your email so that I contact you if you are the winner.

Good Luck Ladies!!!