McCalls 7522 and Thrift Store Finds

Hi Everyone!

Orchestra started yesterday, and it has already seriously cut into my sewing time.  I haven't gotten anything done since Monday.  I did finally get around to finishing and photographing my McCalls 1960's plaid dress, and I wore it on Tuesday.  I know I promised pictures of me wearing it, but I failed.  My mannequin will have to suffice!



I love the bias cut side bodice pieces, and I'm so glad I listened to the advice of my readers! I think it's one of the best parts about the dress, other than the collar. I wore it to work yesterday with a royal blue cardigan, brown tights, and knee high boots, and it was the perfect work outfit. It's comfortable and fits great, too.

My friend MaryLee went to a thrift store last week and came home with an entire bag of vintage fabric and zippers.  She always lets me raid her stash, but I thought I could try my luck at finding a gem, too.  I haven't been thrifting in ages, so today at lunch, I hit up the Salvation Army and The American Council for the Blind.  My first stop was pretty fruitful.  I spent $12 and got quite a few large pieces of fabric.

There's at least 10 yards of this green rayon print.  It was so much I couldn't get it refolded after I washed it.  The selvedge says Copyright 1991 so not super old, but still a nice piece of fabric I could make a 40's inspired dress out of.



Next up, I got an equally gigantic length of this cheery floral print.  It feels like a poly cotton blend, and would be perfect for a 50's housewife kind of dress.  I've already added some pattern candidates to my eBay watch list.



Next up, I grabbed this king sized sheet for $2. I know some people might that that is a little gross, but I washed it! I love the eyelet ruffle and I think it would look adorable as a trim for a skirt lining. And I can always use the tons and tons of white fabric for practice. Think about it - if you bought fabric from Joann's to make a tester, it would cost you at least $6. This was $2, and I could make like ten muslins out of it.



Finally in the fabric department, I got this strawberry print tablecloth for under a dollar. You all know my penchant for making dresses out of tablecloths, and I'm pretty sure this one is going to be awesome.



Lastly, I picked up a gigantic grab bag of lace pieces for $3. Most of them were kind of junky and I won't use them, but these three pieces make the whole bag totally worth it.



Next up, I hit the American Council for the Blind.  On first pass, I didn't find anything (I always check the dresses, even though I've maybe found three actual vintage dresses that I wear on a regular basis).  Then there was a section called Boutique Clothing, and there IT was.  The cutest vintage 50's cotton day dress in immaculate condition. 

I seriously love easy, casual dresses like this, and I live in them from April to October.  I think this one will get a lot of wear this summer.  Look at the cute details!

I managed to spend $35 there, which I probably the most I've ever spent in a thrift store in my life.  Most of that was spend on these, though.  They were $20.  A little pricey, but I love them and I actually do need purple earrings, and it supports a good cause.



In the fabric department, I picked up two big grab bags for $2.50 apiece.  There was a lot of junk but a couple gems. Namely two yards of gold silk dupioni.  After a good pressing, I think this will make one hell of a cocktail dress.



There was also this soft green knit.



And a lovely blue and green plaid wool.



I didn't find any zippers or bias tape or patterns, but I think I did pretty well!