Striking Similarities: Vintage vs. Modern

Whenever one discusses fashion the term "cyclical" comes up a lot.  And I'm sure we could come up with any number of other idioms.  Honestly, designers will often go back in time for inspiration.  And here I have an example of just how uncannily similar it sometimes gets.

Take this 1930's DuBarry pattern available on Etsy here. Its a pretty nice design with princess seams and butterfly sleeves that are sewn into those princess seams.  When I saw it however, I remembered another pattern in my stash.

Laura Ashley from McCall's M6277.  The similarities are striking. The princess seams, the inseam butterfly sleeves.  With a bit of creativity and experience it wouldn't be hard to add length and flare to the skirt, not to mention drafting the bow. And lets also mention this is one of those multi-cup size patterns which makes the fitting that much easier.

I found the vintage DuBarry while combing through all the 1930's patterns available out there for my own inspiration.  I really wanted my gown to fit into the era that DieselPunk takes place in.  If you haven't heard of DieselPunk, that's ok, its not a huge draw yet and is mostly popular with the men-folk.  Its that Era from WWI to the end of WWII and often associated with "alternate history" or "Weird War II" fiction.  Given my love of Science and Technology History I have a bit of a love affair with this sub-genre of cyberpunk.

Have you stumbled upon strikingly similar vintage and modern patterns?

Chicken Frosting

I think I may have mentioned I picked up a "Three in One" McCall's catalog at an antique store on our way up to the mountains. Its from 1943, and its the height of war-time frugal advice. I took several photos (cause its too big for the scanner) but I'm going to share just the one for now.

Second pic down it says "Without changing your favorite layer cake recipe at all, you can proceed  full speed ahead, using chicken fat as wartime shortening. Cream it with sugar." Mmm, tasty. 

Now, I will preface this by saying that when I was growing up Mom would save all the drippings from bacon and beef.  I don't remember her ever saving chicken fat, though.  I guess it makes sense cause as fats go,
 un-rendered is fairly flavorless. At least, when you don't have all the additives they put in it now.  I can see all the others they had listed but the frosting just threw me for a loop. REALLY?

Also, I the reason for my lack of posts lately is largely due to my lack of inspired sewing. I've been mulling over a list that's about 30 pieces long trying to figure out what to make for Spring.  I've narrowed it down to 10 now. Three skirts, three blouses, three dresses, and a jacket. Two of the skirts are a TNT pattern. Two dresses and a blouse will all be from the same pattern, so I'll get some assembly line going there. That will leave a lot of time left over for the fitting of the other things.  I think I'm going to start working on my Ralph Lauren inspired duster as well, but I'm hoping to get a bust form made before that. Its gonna involve plaster tape and paper mache'. Messy fun! (well... messy anyway).

What's on your spring sewing list?