Wednesday 23 April 2014

Let's Go To Bed




If I went about my dressmaking in a logical manner I'd identify the gaps in my wardrobe and make something accordingly, but that would be far too sensible and I'd probably be bored before I'd even pinned the thing out. I prefer to grab whatever pattern takes my fancy and get stuck in.


So I made a psychedelic nightie from a 1971 Jiffy pattern.
Just the thing for a woman who has slept naked for most of her adult life.


For a "easy cut - easy sew" pattern it almost defeated me, getting the French seams right resulted it being chucked into the bin on Monday afternoon.


But when I spotted this mental-looking vintage sewing dog (complete with scissor reading glasses and a tape measure tail) in a charity shop yesterday for 50p I took it as a sign, rescued the offending garment from the waste basket, unpicked it and ta-dah....

Pattern from my friend Ella, 1970s psychedelic printed nylon (£2.25, Second To None, Walsall), vintage lilac lace (part of a bagful, £2 from last week's car boot sale)
The perfect outfit for a chilled evening of True Detective and half an ancient bottle of wine I've just found at the back of the fridge. It'll get whipped off before I turn in...clothes in bed are just wrong.

A busy day planned for tomorrow - car-booting at the crack of dawn, getting our stock sorted for Moseley's amazing Retro & Vintage Fair on Sunday and there's three pieces of newly acquired vintage furniture urgently awaiting a makeover.

See you soon!

73 comments:

  1. I'm always so tempted to keep some of the vintage bedwear I find, but with my hair scraped up in a bun and a no make-up face I don't think I'd look anywhere near this glam! xo

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  2. Excellent lounging wear - no tight areas or restrictions and easily whipable offable at bo bo's time.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  3. Love it! Want that bed too. The dog is fabulous. You find, and create the best things. x

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  4. Good for you. It's so hard to go back to something that has gone wrong. Your efforts paid off and you look sensational. Even matching toe nails!
    I'm eyeing up your beautiful eiderdown too!
    xxx

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  5. This is lovely, I'm glad you decided to give it another go.

    I adore the little dog, what a cutie.

    You saucy minx! Love the post title!

    Have a lovely evening xx

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  6. Love the nightie , i undress around now and float about the house in mine but it comes off when i go to bed i can't stand clothes on in bed , it doesn't feel right lol xxx

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  7. Love the nightie , i undress around now and float about the house in mine but it comes off when i go to bed i can't stand clothes on in bed , it doesn't feel right lol xxx

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  8. Love that cute nightie and its perfect for the great series of true detective ! Slightly obsessed with that serie and cant wait for the next season.
    But i do also sleep as i was born - totally nude .
    Xxx

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  9. Those are the best jammies ever and need their own slumber party! I love the colors and crazy print and they look so comfy. If Peetee didn't curl up in bed with me I might be tempted at nakedness again:)

    I can't wait to see what you have waiting for the Vix touch 3 things!!!!!! Oh my! Good luck tomorrow, I hope you score loads!
    LoveyouXXXXXXXOOOOOO

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  10. wow its perfect! funny thing, I dreamed that you moved into the house next to my home for the weekends, lol. But you were a perfect Vix in my dream: you took a cheap flight via poland ;)

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  11. Worth the second attempt - lovin' the colours. Fabby!
    If ever you find a second sewing dog...remember meeeee! Ha ha!
    That record player you found last week is a beaut; great find.
    Z xx

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  12. What a coincidence that I should read about you throwing it in the bin, I have almost finished a top and have been tempted to throw it in the bin several times, I'm just thinking how I can alter it so that it isn't wasted entirely.
    I actually wore dresses made in that kind of pattern in the 60's that is how old I am, I love it.(not being old, I mean the fabric)
    Briony
    x

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  13. Luminous nightie and such a radiant smile on the third picture !
    Your bed's so romantic , love the parquet as well ...
    Today I've found a very beautiful necklace at the charity shop ...

    Have a wonderful evening Vix

    Artistic greetings

    ~La Dryada~

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  14. Far too lovely to wear under a duvet or eiderdown in any case; much more beach /festival/everyday Vix-wear.
    Your post titles so often cheer my day!

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  15. I have thrown sewing to the floor in frustration in the past so I get you there. Glad you finshed it, very nice nighty!

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  16. OMG, True Detective has slain me - I am on the second watching and still hang on every word. Love your new night-wear, glorious fabric! xox

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  17. It's gorgeous! I'm glad you persisted. Clothes in bed do have a purpose. One is a barrier between yourself and the husband you are eventually going to leave. The other is after you have left it's cold in bed.

    Sewing dog is so cute! Love him. He needs a name like Melvin. Not sure why that one comes to mind. I'm sure you can do better.
    xo

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  18. I love to be able to see your bedroom, ahhhhhhhhhhh
    How fantastic. You should sell tickets.
    That nighty is good enough o go out.
    Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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  19. Sometimes those "easy" patterns are not so easy! But, it turned out in the end! I haven't made any nighties for the same reason, but I do plan on making a vintage style robe one of these days! :)

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  20. A cheeky thigh peeking gorgeous nightie! it's fab! and the only thing I wear in bed is my knickers, sometimes a bra too, haha! even in the winter!! x x x

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  21. Meanwhile in Baltic granny land I'm eyeing up vintage flannel sheets for PJ bottoms....you could look good in a pair of idea curtains love

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  22. Fabulous nightie Vix. I wish I could whip up something as good as you do.
    Px

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  23. Ha ha, love it!! My mum is the same- can't stand sleeping in clothes!!! I have to wear pajamas although I like loose shorter nighties!x

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  24. Yeah...I won't be "whipping" up anything like you do. I wish. Good for you not giving up on it.

    That blue is gorgeous with your eyes and jet black hair. Your pink lipstick looks like it matches the pink on the nightie! Kismet!

    And in the winter when it is a bone chilling -30 with the windchill you'd better believe I've got on some serious heavy fleece lined jammies. Yes they kill the sex vibe as quickly as thinking about your mother-in-law but I'm not about to freeze my bits off trying to be sexhay while sleeping. There is sexy time and there is sleep time. I don't like them overlapping. Or things touching me while I sleep.

    Summertime...yeah...nude can be good. The more comfortable you are with your own body the happier you are to be nude.

    It doesn't surprise me one bit that you sleep in the nude.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  25. I love it! Although French seams always defeat me too. I agree nightwear is for lounging in but not for wearing in bed. xxx

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  26. That's very pretty. For me I love silk full length slips with lace inserts and neat little straps, pretty at bed time but also handy as a warm layer during a cold day.

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  27. perfect!
    so good that you rescued the poor thing :-)
    meanwhile i´m in bed in a hoodie, a sweater, jersey harem pants and legwarmers.....nights are chilly in our mountains and i don´t like a heated bedroom.....
    xxxx

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  28. French seams.....? I'm impressed. Top marks for persevering, definitely worth the effort even if it won' t be worn in bed. Those sexy numbers aren't practical for sleeping anyway, it's brushed cotton and bedsocks for me every time...wahey! Can't imagine why I'm single! Good luck with tomorrow's scores and the triple makeover. Xxx

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  29. I'm glad you persevered, it looks amazing! I don't like wearing anything in bed either, I only end up in a tangle.

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  30. I knew you would fish that nightie out of the bin and get it sorted! And it was worth it, it's a great pattern and fabulous fabric, you're such a sex kitten!
    It's always lovely to have a peek into your boudoir, so much to look at and admire, including that glimpse of Jon in the mirror!
    My dress didn't get chucked in the bin, but it did get put aside in frustration - the zip is all wrong, but I couldn't face unpicking it all tonight, I'm too cross! I'll try again tomorrow... This sewing lark's a tricky bugger!
    Love ya! xxxx

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  31. Luckily nighties make great lounging wear. Looks gorgeous, even if it almost sent you mad. BTW - Isn't True Detectives the best! XXX

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  32. Hurrah ... You did not allow yourself to be defeated by a French seam ... or an English one either.
    xx

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  33. And my girl crush just gets stronger. I love the photos- and the pup!

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  34. That nightie is amazing, you look fantastic in it. And the cute little sewing dog was just waiting for you to come along and give him a new home.

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  35. Beautiful nightie, you look glamorous in it. How good that you found that dog: now you have him and the finished nightie.

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  36. Sorry Vix, but I sniggered when you said that you threw it in the bin because of the french seams. But I bet you are glad you retrieved it, because it is lovely. I have never seen a sewing dog before, but if I ever find one I will definitely be buying it!! xxx
    PS As it happens I bought a lovely mint green bri-nylon baby doll nightie today. I won't be able to wear it in bed though, because it will get all charged with static - ooh er!!

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  37. Your nightie looks amazing! Love the dog as well! XO

    http://thecookingwardrobe.blogspot.com.au

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  38. Ooh that's lovely. I usually sleep naked, or little shorts and a top when it's colder.
    x

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  39. Fab nightie, great fabric too! So glad you retrieved it. Sometimes you just need to be in the zone with sewing. I also had to unpick something this week, I wasn't happy, but it turned out fine, phew!

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  40. Great nightie, I'm glad it didn't defeat you in the end x

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  41. Haha ... The sewing dog is hilarious! Your new nightie is great. I bet you'll be reaching for it as loungewear when the temperature gets hot.

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  42. Wolf whistle! Look at you with that slit up to your thigh! Saucy minx. We always like a butchers at your boudoir. Looking very tidy I must say! You and the room. Well done for persevering with the french seams, we'll see you on the sewing bee next! I have a jumpsuit which needs a zip reinserting. All in good time. Round 2 is always the boring bit. Your sewing dog is excellent, love him! Xxxx

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  43. I find the "easy to sew" patterns drive me bonkers! I'm so happy for you that you gave the pattern another go as it turned out amazing! Now I have "Let's Go to Bed" (The Cure) in my head...and I'm not complaining ;)

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  44. Love it Vix, a great post Best wishes xxx

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  45. Love that the finger and toe nails compliment the nightie ~ I would be that exact shade of blue if I went to bed naked lately. Cold blooded I am lately it seems ;)

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  46. you just described what's it like for me every time i sit at the sewing machine. something is always getting thrown! i sleep in the all together myself as bedclothes just feel wrong. :)

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  47. That is perfect for lounging around the house and you look adorable in pig tails. I have to say that I'm in love with that dog! I need him to hold my sewing scissors. You find the best stuff.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  48. It's fantastic - I bet you could wear it outside the house too!

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  49. I'm loving the material of your "too pretty to not bee seen" nightwear!

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  50. That nightie looks comfortable and cute at the same time. When I lived in a warmer apartment I slept in the nude but in my currently chilly home, pjs or a nightshirt is required. I also have a couple of fitted vintage nightgowns that I'll wear just because they're pretty and make me feel kind of glam, but they do get all twisted up when you sleep.

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  51. So glad you didn't give up, it's perfect! Whilst I agree with you about the lack of clothes in bed, I'd feel duty bound to change my sheets daily which isn't possible even with the level of OCD in my house! xx

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  52. Love the sewing dog, those scissors!

    Sleeping nakey, minx!

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  53. Well done finding that mental-looking vintage sewing dog and letting it inspire you! Your vintage lace trimmed French seamed 1970s psychedelic printed nylon nightie looks lovely! Wrong or not I still love wearing nylon babydolls and panties to bed myself. Best of luck treasure finding at the car-booting and best wishes for success at the Retro and Vintage Fair Sunday.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  54. oh yes, I've also throw away some sewing projects and recovered them after!, and I'm glad you finally sewed your pretty nightie, the fabric is cute and you look fabulous!
    besos & nighties

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  55. I love Sacramento's idea to sell tickets to show your room :)))

    You look so pretty, and so adorable, and so sexy! (I'm sure Jon agrees! he probably couldn't stop taking pictures of you in this nightie.) What a great job you've done, with the doggy's help. He just really needed a cozy home like yours!

    Never clothes in bed. And only cozy English mystery. Detective Barnaby preferably. The first one. :)

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  56. I love that nightie its so pretty! I would love to wear around the house. You are so talented. ;-)

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  57. I love that nightie its so pretty! I would love to wear around the house. You are so talented. ;-)

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  58. Glad to see you rescued the nightie and tried again, it looks so comfy not to mention fabulous.

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  59. I choose patterns and fabric based on what I fancy as well. It's much more fun that way - love the nightie.

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  60. Well done for digging your treasure out of the bin and tackling it head on. French seams can be a bitch, but they're they're pretty spectacular for underwear-type stuff. I don't know how people wear so many clothes to bed, too much fabric against my skin in bed drives me nuts too! That's why I wear my old nighties as frocks - they're way too gorgeous for bed, besides, they'll get destroyed! Your evening in with your beautiful new lounge wear and Woody and Matt sounds heavenly. We were very, very quickly hooked on True Detective too - it's mind-blowing!! Oh and I didn't realise that Clare's beautiful portrait of was so huge - it's SO freakin' beautiful!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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  61. You make me wish I could sew..you're amazing x

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  62. That's such a lovely nighty, you are making me wish I had more sewing skills, it opens up so many possibilities.

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  63. Looks great, well done for persevering. I used to sleep in the buff but when you live in a country where a natural disaster could hit anytime ;-D you need to be covered at the very least when you run for your lives! haha Besides I've had too many close calls walking around rudie nudie when callers turn up! You'd think living in the sticks no-one would come!! Sigh :D

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  64. Superb job well done! love all of the art in your room as well. Good luck and have fun on the weekend with the Retro & Vintage fair. xx

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  65. Well done, I love it, and again, blue looks fab on you!

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  66. No idea what French seams are but they seem appropriately named for bed wear!
    You look sensational as always. X

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  67. I love, love this! Those vintage Jiffy patterns can be deceiving, can't they? They aren't always as easy as we think they are going to be. Yay for hanging in!
    xo, Anita

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  68. You are good at both rescuing things and sewing.The sewing dog made my day. If I had one I would probably sew more!Have a good time and good business

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  69. Your home is fabulous. I love your bed!!

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  70. I love anything you make cause it's always so original!
    But what i like best this time in that post is your bedroom!
    Take care lovely

    Arianexo

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  71. Gorg!! I love wearing nightgowns as dresses.

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  72. Yes, "simple" back then meant something totally different! Why of course you know how to do lovely french seams!! Glad you rescued it. It's too delightful to chuck. It's a great puttering piece, as in fiddling in the kitchen, garden, or hanging clothes to dry, and looking glam while you're doing it.

    LOVE YOU!!!!!

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  73. I always feel like those "simple sew" and "1 hour" type patterns are mocking me!! It always ends up taking me so much more time and often ends up in the bin! But this looks fab Vix - I'm glad you kept at it, great colour on you. As for sewing practical and sensible things - if that was the case, I'd be making myself some new gym gears, but how fun would that be (none at all!) here's to sewing for the hell of it xoxox

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Lots of love, Vix