My kids return to school next month and although I'll miss them while they're gone all day I will be so happy to have more time and space for sewing again! I've been pouring over all kinds of websites looking for sewing inspiration and I collected some beautiful freebie patterns that I'm dying to try. \

Sewing can be more expensive than buying ready-to-wear clothes so free patterns are great for a sewist on a budget! Here are 20 free 1950s style dress patterns and tutorials, I hope you enjoy them!
 For more freebies, check out my Free Patterns page

 Twirling Sundress tutorial from Mama Says Sew

This beautiful twirl dress features a ruffle neckline with short sleeves and a twirly circle skirt. Sew it in a fabulous novelty print or solids for a great vintage basic in a capsule wardrobe.





Day Date Dress Tutorial from Elle Apparel Blog

This classic day dress features short sleeves, a gathered flowy skirt and sweet collar. Perfect for the office and date in the evening.


Barbara Dress pattern from On the Cutting Floor





The Notebook Inspired gingham dress from All Free Sewing

This sweetheart bodice halter dress is inspired by one of my favorite romantic moves, The Notebook and best of all, it has pockets!! If you love The Notebook, check out my theme week on The Notebook and how to get Allie's beautiful hair and wardrobe.


Sun Dress tutorial from The Sassy Sparrow



Gingerbread Coffee Date Dress, this is modified from the Coffee Date dress pattern from Burda Style
(click the link to the right of the photo)


Date Night Dress pattern from Love Sewing Magazine



Little Black Circle Skirt Dress free pattern from Craftsy



Mixed Stripe Flare Dress from Bluprint



Elsa Sweetheart dress pattern from Burda Style 





Nadja wiggle dress from Burda Style



the easy tee dress pattern from Its Always Autumn



1950s Carmen Dress pattern from Ralph Pink



Garden Party dress pattern from Honig Design



Rosemary dress free pattern (dark green below) from A Robot Heart






Easy boatneck dress tutorial from OhOhBlog


Katjusha Swing Dress size 34-36 from Burda Style


Sundress Bodice Pattern from Vera Venus


Sweetheart halter dress  and  50s sleeveless box pleat dress free patterns from Sew Vera Venus 

Summer is in full swing and it seems to get hotter every week here in St Louis. With heat and humidity, roller sets and pin curls go flat in minutes. Here are 5 easy vintage summer hairstyles to keep you cool and fuss-free till autumn.  See my other tutorials on my Beauty Tutorials page





Lazy Beehive

The Notebook Allie's hair 



1940s Ribbon Braid Updo



How to put on a snood

I've seen subscription boxes for makeup, accessories, kids and pets but never has a monthly box delighted me as much as SquintBox!

 When I was a little girl, I loved visiting my grandma's house and looking at the dollhouse miniatures that she made. She made the most beautiful upholstered sofas, chairs with tiny legs that she turned on a miniature lathe and 1/4 inch plates topped with slices of pie or sandwiches. My favorite was a Halloween dollhouse that we set in the window every October. It had a fortune teller with tiny Tarot cards and a crystal ball, a kitty curled up on miniature newspaper next to a freshly carved jack-o-lantern and a window that flashed lightning ever few seconds.

Last winter, my husband and I decided to jump into making our own miniatures as Christmas gifts for my kids. We made retro furniture for a dollhouse and I sewed the entire 1959 Barbie wardrobe for my little girl. I even made some miniature Pyrex for myself, just to sit on my kitchen window to enjoy.  There's something about tiny things that bring a smile to people's faces.


SquintBox is a monthly subscription box that sends you a beautiful gift-wrapped package of handmade miniatures each month. SquintBox sent me their launch box to try out and isn't it squeal-worthy?! My mail carrier delivered it on a rainy summer afternoon and I sat on my porch with the kids, laughing and cooing at every tiny treasure. Aren't they packaged beautifully? This month's theme is "celebration".




When my husband came home from work in the middle of our un-boxing, he joined in with the fun. I don't know what it is, but tiny things just crack us up and I think the surprise of not knowing what was inside of each package made it even more enchanting! Pj especially loved the positively wonderful extension cord. This month's SquintBox spotlight is on MidCentury Modern miniature artist, Michael Yurkovic of Atomic Miniature. I recieved his exquisite handmade table top ash tray in my SquintBox, look at the details in the tiny feet! On his website, he makes these with cigarettes, some with lipstick stains and everything. Amazing!






 My favorite miniatures are tiny food. This month's box came with a bottle of wine, a cosmopolitan and a blueberry pie with gorgeous golden crust. Excuse me, does this come in my size?

The vintage copy of Cosmopolitan even has printing on the spine and back cover.



SquintBox subscribers get free shipping each month and if you subscribe for 3 or 6 months at a time, you can save 10-15% off your subscription. A pretty good deal for that many laughs and smiles!

Here's a pretty crochet pattern from 1946 for little flower earrings and a matching brooch with little red beads.  Check out my free patterns page for more free vintage crochet, knitting and sewing patterns.