UK Swap Meet V - At the Tube Station



OK - who knows where we're going??  Don't know who this  photo belongs to ...

Time to take notice of shoes!  Photo courtesy Rachel R P Silva.

Heading off to Goldhawk Road now and some general milling around at the tube station ...

UK Swap Meet Part IV - V&A Exhibition



Debi's photo of the Yamamoto exhibition

OK - time for action and first up the Yamamoto exhibition at the V&A.  I was quite taken by an 'inside out' coat.  The sleeve linings, which were striped, were attached to the outside, so, not unlike my own jacket but in an oddly creative way .....  I can never get over the practical side of my nature .... silky sleeve linings are meant to be on the inside of a coat aren't they, to help you get the coat on?  Why hide the rich red wool outer?  All the same, it was attention grabbing, along with the 'inside pocket' detail appearing on the outer.  I'm sure Debi won't mind if I pinch her photo of the whole exhibiton to use here.  The prices in the V&A gift shop prompted a swift exit to Goldhawk Road ...., though I did come away with a postcard of the 'inside out' coat ...

Some souvenirs of the day ... My photo. 

UK Swap Meet Part III - V&A Photo Session

After deciding to fortify ourselves with tea and cake at the V&A before doing anything else, we headed off to the courtyard cafe. Along with a chicken wrap, I was impressed with the Victoria Sponge filled with strawberries as well as cream ... Time then for another spot of photography. What a great way to record our different outfits and remember everyone we'd met. We divided ourselves into, 'tall, medium and short'. I am distinctly medium ... The overall group shots worked well, particularly with the help of Mr/Ms Pigeon - how could we have managed without him/her? Charlotte P-B's mum cleverly caught him on my camera.

Me, Kirsty and Charlotte P-B, courtesy of Sofia



Rachel, Lauren and Sofia (my photo)




This is terrible - I can't remember all the names - ?, Charlotte T, Amy(?), Victoria and Debi (my photo)



Marie, Mimi and Stevie (my photo)

Mr/Ms Pigeon et al - taken by Charlotte P-B's mum on my camera

UK Swap Meet Part II - Meeting up at the V&A

Ready for the off!

Here we are, all the Sew Weekly sewists meeting for the first time in the V&A shop.  Managed to get these two images before being told off for taking photos!  All are wearing their own makes - Debi is resplendent in her red 1940's style hoodie dress with Union Jack peek-a-boo lining.

Swap/Meet Dress - Colette Crepe

Taken at Butlin's holiday camp in the late 40's/50's.  My mum is on the far right.

I finished the dress for the London Swap/Meet this week.  I used Crepe by Colette Patterns - I like the shape of it even though I'm used to sewing and this is a beginner's pattern.  It has a sweetheart neckline and there is no zip fastening - it crosses over at the back and is held together by two ties that circle the waist and form a bow at the back.  I found the big, splashy roses print fabric in my local sewing shop.  I used it as an excuse to link in with the theme of a garment inspired by 'mum' which is one of the Sew Weekly challenges.  My mum is very artistic and the print is very much like something she would paint.  It reminded me of a photo of her in the late 40's/early 50's when she would have been in her twenties.  She tinted the image herself.  And so, I'm all set for the big day!  I am squinting a bit in the top photo as it's very early morning - going to London means a very early start for me .... worth it though!  Looking forward to meeting fellow sewists in person!

UK Swap Meet Part I - Outfit Plans

There's so much to say about the Sew Weekly Swap Meet that I'm doing my report over the course of this week.  So, here's the first part.

I had a complete day of self indulgence on 14 May when I went to the Meet in London.  It was so refreshing to abandon everything and just 'go' to something like this.  I'd made my outfit in preparation - a denim 'blazer' type jacket and a 50's inspired roses print dress.  Here's the jacket on it's own.  I made it at the time of the Royal Wedding and it has red, white and blue striped details in the sleeve lining and facing, as there was lots of this kind of 'stuff' around.  The denim is stretchy and very comfortable.

The photo just gives you an idea of what it's like - it's a hot day in the garden, which explains the floppy hat!

I used a Simplicity 8301 pattern that I had had in my stash since the 80's.  I just cut it out and gave it a go!  I wish I'd done it sooner as I love it - it went together so easily, it does say 4 hour jacket on the packet although it did take me a bit longer than the time stated.

See next post for details about my dress ...

My little 1930's jug




I like the colours in the flowers

  I love to collect old china, particularly 20's and 30's teacups and saucers, Royal memorabilia and little jugs etc...  I found this one for a couple of pounds in a charity shop last week.  I know it's from the 30's because my mum has a child's teacup and saucer done in the same lustre.