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Oct 30, 2011

We're a Hit + Vintage Pattern-palooza!


How thrilling these last few days have been, readers.  Our show, Noah's Very Unusual Insight, was a hit (despite fierce Februrary weather in October), and we're definitely going to do it again -- perhaps in the same space, perhaps on tour and coming to a city near you! 

Of course, you'd expect that I'd have hundreds of photos to post, but friends, I have none.  We did have both performances videotaped, however, so as soon as we get the files from the videographer we'll be posting highlights on YouTube.  There was simply too much going on to remember to snap some backstage pics, though for what it's worth, I did remember to bring my camera to the theater last night.  Oh well.

I will share with you what I wore as Dr. Lorna Gallo, who is a mix of Ingrid Bergman in Spellbound and Ethel Merman in pretty much anything.


I wore the Elaine dress (I'm glad I didn't dump it) with a lab coat on top.


At the flea market I found these great vintage iron-on embroidered letters.  They no longer ironed on -- I mean, they must be sixty years old -- so I just stitched them on.





I also found these vintage rhinestone shank buttons for just $1 -- love 'em! -- though they didn't make it into the show.



Michael wore men's clothes, of course, but he was very excited to have an excuse to darken his nearly invisible eyebrows for the stage.  Here's a test shot.



To shake off post-show blues this morning, I high-tailed it to the flea market and found four fabulous vintage patterns for a price so low I dare not share it for fear you'll hate me.  Here they are: 

Vogue 7282, dating from 1936.  So Irene Dunne!



McCalls 4615, from 1942.  I thought this was a house coat, but the patterns says Misses Evening Dress.  With all those buttons?





Vogue Couturier 354, from 1940.  I love how the back of the pattern reads, Have Fur Collar Made By Furrier.  I'll get right on it.



Finally, McCall's 3640, from 1940.  This bathing suit pattern is a true gem, and can be made in both one-piece and two-piece versions.  Still with its factory folds, too.







So fun!

Friends, that's all I have for you today.  We're a bit exhausted, as you might imagine, but it was really great to perform together and to discover that we're a good onstage team.

And what have you been up to?

Happy Sunday, everybody!

31 comments:

  1. Wonderful, Peter, glad your show went well!
    We have snow - that really sucks! But it does give me time at home to sew. I'm beginning a huge project for my son. A civil war era outfit. Needs to be done by the 19th of Nov.
    Better get crackin'! I'm cutting out the silk vest today!

    Have a great day!
    Paula

    http://www.learnhowtosewnow.com

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  2. DD and I can't wait to see YouTube video--and pleeeeeeze consider bringing the show to the Wild and Wooly West-Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Tucson, something in our neck of the woods! Want to show off our Dio de los Muertes boxers,

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  3. I was thinking of you both yesterday and so glad to hear you were a hit!! Can't wait for the YT clips.

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  4. Congratulations on the success! You must feel great, besides exhausted.

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  5. So much good news! I love your Lorna Gallo look and I'm so happy you had a hit! And then to follow it up with this incredible pattern score is too much to believe. Also, I saw your sewing machine collection confessions in Vogue Patterns Magazine - wonderful story! Good for you for all your successes, now get some rest so you can come back and do it all again!

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  6. Jeeze, Peter - here we are in Upstate NY and we had so little snow that the sun came out this morning and melted it in about 10 minutes. And you guys got dumped on, big time! Glad to hear that you and Michael have a hit on your hands.

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  7. First, Congrats to you and Michael on the show. It is nice to read good news (well except for the weather bit). And WOW! on the vintage pattern finds. The Vogue Courtier Design coat is absolutely gorgeous. Two coat patterns, are you planning on making a winter coat?

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  8. Congrats! I'd kinda wondered why we haven't heard from you in the past couple days. Not much going on here. The vampire pumpkin costumes debuted at storytime, and then two parties. And tomorrow is Halloween. I'm working on a wearable muslin of Boo's new coat--a review on PR claimed that the pattern was insanely oversized, so I had to try it out before I cut into my wool. It's not. The size she's supposed to be in fits fine, so I'm good to go for what I'd originally planned--make the next size up so she can wear it until it gets warm again!

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  9. What am I doing? Sitting here crying, weeping, like a blithering idiot because I missed the show!!! In all my 52 years...20" of snow it October? Are you kidding me? and on the second most exciting night of the year(the most exciting was when Quinn got married).

    And to make it ALL worse I am sitting here swooning about the patterns. The evening dress, bathing suit are my favorites. I want them.

    I sent a note to Michael...I am so sorry I missed the show, but it was the right decision. It is a disaster here.

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  10. I wish you guys continuing success and that the tour comes to Europe! ;) I am about to have a oppening too, as a designer, and it is really stressing, but thrilling!

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  11. Congratulations to both of you on your show-can't wait to see it on YouTube.....(I also am swooning over the patterns, you lucky sewist you!)

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  12. I don't think I've ever posted a comment to you. whatever. I so wish I could see your show! and then hang out with you and quietly make off with those buttons. bring your show to Milwaukee. Karen

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  13. Contrats to both of you on a job excellently done! And the buttons are priceless.

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  14. So glad the show was a success (I knew it would be!). And my mouth is gaping open at the patterns you found. I can't believe you have McCall 3640--I am insanely jealous :)

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  15. Peter, Congrats to you and Michael on the show...and for the pattern score. The coat is gorgeous. I scored patterns this weekend too--el cheapo. That doesn't happen very often. And 10 of them were Vogue Couturier or Vogue Paris originals-all 1960's/70's. One is Dior and another Balmain. Don't really need any more vintage patterns but how could I pass them up? I don't see designer patterns very often.

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  16. I'm sad that I was actually there in NYC last night but couldn't make it to the show. Congratulations!

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  17. I cannot wait to see video!
    great patterns, too.

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  18. Congratulations on the show! Looking forward to the YouTube video.

    Good lord, if i saw that vintage swimming costume pattern at a market stall, i'd just trample anyone in my way to get it; it's divine!

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  19. I'm so looking forward to the clips of your show-- if you come to Los Angeles, I'd love to see it in person.

    Oh, my gosh, how gorgeous is the Irene Dunne coat??? Cathy will look amazing in that!

    I would be tempted to make Cathy a glamorous bathrobe even if the pattern does say evening dress. I can see it in a sheer dotted swiss lined with a soft blue...

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  20. Congratulations on a good run, and you took probably the wisest way to combat post-closing night blues. Very much looking forward to YT clips!

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  21. Congratulations, looking forward seeing the video.

    The patterns are wonderful, especially love the 1936 coat and the bathing suit.

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  22. How funny. I think those yellow buttons are the same ones that are on a vintage dress I bought last month. Or, super close: http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m31/cidell/2011/Vintage%20Yellow%20Dress/file-2.jpg

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  23. Hurrah! I expect a tour stop in Minneapolis, of course.

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  24. Congratulations on the show! Hope you'll bring it to the Bay Area.
    I had a very similar set of rhinestone buttons, although they were square,in the 60's that I put down the front of a white lace dress. Yikes!
    And I adore those 1930's coats. I made one 2 years ago that I'll wear forever.

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  25. I wish you and Michael would bring the show to Arkansas! We have a very nice old theater in Rogers. http://rogerslittletheater.org/

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  26. Say, on a side note - I was looking at the new BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook, just released today on Amazon and lo and behold, I saw a book that I wonder if you own or know about - Famous Frocks: Patterns and Instructions for 20 Fabulous Iconic Dresses. It seems right up you alley, Peter!!

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  27. right up YOUR alley, I meant.

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  28. Hey! Found your blog now and I LOVE it! I am a sewing guy my self ^^

    A question, where do you found all you fantastic patterns?

    Hopw you'll have a great day! =)

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  29. Welcome, Rasmus. Most of my patterns come from either Ebay or Etsy (Etsy.com). Take a look!

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