Back at work ...

Back to normal again after a week off.  I made this little cupcake box while I was on holiday to stand on my work desk, from a kit, http://www.rexinter.com/, to encourage me to be tidy.  It's now home to all my  paperclips etc ...


Yummy!

 

Treasure Hunting

Went out searching for treasure today and managed to come up with this little lot.  There was a 'Crafts and Collectables' market on in my town and one lady had vintage haberdashery.  The red buttons came from her at 50p.  How is it that everything haberdasherywise is 50p?  I've come across this so many times ...  Anyway, I'm going to use these on some Italian printed cotton I've got stashed away, it's in vivid reds and blues.  Then had a pattern splurge at my favourite charity shop - I think someone had been in with their collection.  Some interesting ones, particularly the skirt on the far left, from 1972, a one piece pattern!  I think this is the easiest one I've ever come across.  In the middle front row is one from 1958 - not my size but worth getting for pattern swaps etc...  I'm using the 'Maudella' New Look pattern with the Italian cotton mentioned above.  Also found a Vogue one, which is a bit big for me but I'll make it fit!  Most of these have never been cut out before, which is a bonus.

Win a copy of 'Sew and Save'!

In the spirit of thrifting, I have a copy of 'Sew and Save' by Joanna Chase to give away.  I've been given it, but I already have it.  It's a facsimile of a 1941 edition and includes such gems as, 'a Smart Skirt from an Old Coat', 'Useful and Becoming, the Pinafore Frock', and 'new Hats from Old'.  Just leave your favourite thrifting tip as a comment for a chance of winning.  I'll pick a winner at random by the end of next week.

Beautiful Brooch

There's a gorgeous shop on Ely railway station called 'Rosie & Dolly'.  Do look in there if ever you get the chance.  It's an eclectic mix of jewellery, clothes, bags, hats, scarves, china, cards ...  Some are vintage, clothes are made up in fun prints.  It's just crammed full.  As I'm on holiday this week, I treated myself to this brooch.  At £6, I thought that was reasonable and the reverse reveals it was made in Vienna (& not Hong Kong).  It's resting on a card by Pip Design, a company I've never heard of before - they make china as well as cards.




The card envelopes are also decorated

  

Fabric Find

Both from charity shops.  A dotty, crepey stuff of which there's enough to make a blouse, which I'm really looking forward to doing, especially as it cost me under £3!  The 'plain' fabric is deceptive because it changes colour in the light - it turns blue.  It's the kind of thing that's found as coat linings, but I don't have enough for that.  Maybe the lining for some bags or something similar ...

Op-Art Top

Here's where I get to use that funky pillowcase set I found at Hunstanton!  Really pleased with the result - an easy and effective pattern which I found at the recent UK Swap Meet, courtesy of Kirsty http://the-reel-mccoy.blogspot.com/.  Also got to experiment with making my own bias binding from leftover fabric which finishes off the neck and armholes nicely.  Will definitely make this again.

Thrift v. Luxury

I like a bit of both really ... I was lucky enough to go to the London Book Fair at Earl's Court recently for work.  I always like to take the bus across London if I can because I love to see what is going on around me.  We hit a traffic jam at Oxford Circus ...Ha...Liberty's immediately popped into my head!  So, off the bus I got and made my way down Regent Street.  Had a good wander round looking at all the lovely things and came away with some trimmings before continuing on my way to Earl's Court by tube.  In direct contrast, I've been lucky enough to find these vintage zippers in a local charity shop along with some threads and lengths of lace.

My favourite is the length of multi-coloured flowers in muted colours.

All at 50 pence each.  The backing fabric is also vintage at £2.75. 

Real Roses

I've had some gorgeous blooms in my garden lately ...

Sunny Days Dress - Sewing for myself again

I've been wanting to sew up this fabric for ages.  It's vintage, but I really don't know from when (maybe the 80's, is that vintage enough??? ).  I love the big 'islands' of flowers and it was quite challenging to place them correctly.  The sundress pattern is also one I've been waiting to use and really didn't have any idea as to how it would fit but it turned out great and I wouldn't hesitate making it again - so easy too.  A happy marriage of fabric and pattern.  I bought the fabric from the 80's pop star 'Lene Lovich' (Lucky Numbers) at a charity fair some time ago - she was helping her daughter sell handmade soap and other bits and pieces.

Mum's blazer - a detail ...

Here's a closer look at the twin stitching, print lining and button detail of the blazer I made for my mum ....

Mum's Blazer

I promised to make my mum a blazer the same as the denim one I did for the V&A Swap Meet.  I find it really hard to duplicate my efforts, especially within a few weeks of each other, but I was determined.  I finished it!  All the details were the same apart from a different print for the sleeve lining and back neck facing.  She loves it .... 


Lucky Pattern Find ...

As well as being tuned in to finding fabric now, I'm always on the look out for patterns.  Just popped into one of the charity shops one lunchtime, near where I work and this 1960's pattern was there last week!  Ooh, treasure - snatched it up immediately!  Only 50p!  Probably the best 50p I'd spent all week ...  With a pattern like this, there's no need to buy another one ever again (ha, ha, ha).  Closer inspection reveals that only the sleeveless shift has been cut out before.  There are also loads of helpful hints printed on the pattern about how to set in sleeves easily etc ...

English Roses Dress

I went to Hunstanton on the North Norfolk Coast and a big reason for my visit was to try and capture the essence of the British seaside so I could show off my latest sewing creation.  The weather was typical!  I was glad to find somewhere with English flags and the sea in motion ...

My dress, in the patriotic colours of red, white and blue, also had roses, like an English country garden ...  I found the print online at Croft Mill - it has an old fashioned vintagey feel about it.  I used the same pattern as my Swap Meet dress - the Colette Crepe - but in a smaller size this time round.  I also made it a little bit longer in the length, which I'm happy with.  I have to get used to American sizing as I can't get my head around the idea that I am two sizes smaller than in the UK!  I was also a little bit more creative this time round in my choice of fabric for the sash, in a solid to tone in with the print - I wanted it to lift the 'old' colours of the print.  I love fuchsia pink and I think it worked well.  I like how it also tones in with my denim jacket :-)