Progress Report on Black Beauty

            So I’ve been beading every moment I can on this sassy lady.  So far I think she’s lookin pretty good.  I mean she’s far from being done mind you.  My little container with the beads still has about half a pound of beads left in it.  Did I fail to mention I plan on using every bead I got on this lil’ sucker?  Oh yeah… she’s gonna look THAT good.

            Enjoy the pictures guys!  I’ll be posting more as she's coming along.

-Philip in Brooklyn

Front View of the Special Lady.

A nice side view

A detail of the hip drape and beading.

A Dirndl, a Story...

Greetings from California!!

Whilst Philip is beading up his gorgeous Black Beauty, over here on the west coast I'm getting ready for some wonderful Oktoberfest shizz!!

I'm currently creating a dirndl..... so I can be well dressed while wasted, of course. 

It's a lovely outfit consisting of a dress, blouse and pettioat.  (ain't that sketch pretty?!)

Folkwear patterns have always been a personal favorite of mine, and this was a wonderful opportunity to try #123, the Austrian Dirndl.  Currently, I'm a good 50% done with the outfit, so there will be more to come on this process very soon.   This  whole project "stash-tastic" as most of the fabric, trims, and notions were already on hand. 

Oct. 4th is the deadline for this project.  Stay tuned!!

-Kathleen in Oakland, CA



BLACK BEAUTY – A Little Black Story

            So a while back I was going through a box of vintage patterns that was given to me by my stepmother and sister that was collected over the years.  Ebay is a hell of a drug.  Anywho…  So I came across this little gem, a sassy little number by Ceil Chapman from 1961.  How could I not!?  So I quickly went through my fabric stash and landed on a black poly-satin.  Nothing too flashy let the design speak for itself.  Then inspiration blindsided me like Sandra Bullock’s adopted son in that movie she won the Oscar for, “Speed 2”.  What is the only thing that could make a frock like this better?!  BEADS!  Mass quantities of seed beads! 

            Now she’s all sewn up, and I am currently in the process of strategically covering her in seed beads in Matte Black and Shiny Raven hues.  So far she’s looking great!  I’ll post pictures soon!

            Many people have asked me what I’m gonna do with her when I’m finished, I've named her Black Beauty, (don't judge).  My answer always is, “Show it off to people and force them to compliment me on how awesome I am, until they become uncomfortable.”

-Philip in Brooklyn

Ladies and Gentlemen.... Presenting Patterned History!!

Hello Everybody!  (Hello Dr. Nick!)

Welcome to Patterned History: The Blog

This blog will be written by two very good friends, one might even suggest “best friends”.  The scene of their first meeting was in California, Los Angeles, at FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.  The year was 1999.  Clinton was in office and the country was recovering from a fever named “The Macarena”.  The details are sketchy at best, but let it be known that ice cream was involved.  Needless to say 11 years later Kathleen ended up in Oakland, CA and Philip has ended up in Brooklyn, NY. 

One of the main factors holding this friendship together is a love of sewing, period fashions, old movies and most of all Beer.  This blog will be devoted to anything that tickles the fancy of these two hooligans.  Think of it as Sewing and Blogging coast to coast.

We hope all of you enjoy this crazy mish-mash of ideas and points of view.  I know we'll enjoy sharing it with you.