I got up yesterday only to discover that we had no internet connection. Unable to get through to AOL I had a brief flick round the house with a duster, tackled the ironing and then set about refashioning a pair of 1950's barkcloth curtains I bought from last week's jumble sale into something far more interesting.
Using this 1964 Jiffy pattern, some of my jumble sale bought thread and some vintage braid I'd been given I knocked this frock up in a couple of hours for less than a quid.
It was so straightforward I've got a feeling I'll be making a few more.
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| My sewing corner. The shelf was rescued from a skip, painted and papered with a Neisha Crossland wallpaper sample. I can't resist a bit of religious idolitry, the St Therese statue (thanks, my darling Comtesse) was from a car boot sale and the temple beads were from Kerala. |
Despite not blogging it I did wear a handmade accessory yesterday, a yellow felt flower hair clip.
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| So vintage we don't own an electric kettle. |
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| Handmade Kimono-style dress worn with vintage Polaroid sunglasses (courtesy of the beautiful Sarah Misfit) and a 1950's mock-croc Kelly bag (Banardos £3.95) |
Despite the glorious sunshine it's bitterly cold here with a ground frost and an icy breeze but with my floral frock and vintage Polaroids I can dream that spring's on the way.
It's freezing, isn't it? The dress is fab! I love it. xxx
ReplyDeleteYou look divine and I want a flowery frock like yours amor.I glad I'm not the only who adores Saints & Virgins.
ReplyDeleteso creative and clever.
your hair looks so pretty upswept.
Oh wow Vix I am so impressed with the dress - it's fab fab fab! If that statue is holding some roses it's St. Therese the Little Flower.
ReplyDeletexxx
Vix that dress is GORGEOUS! I am horribly impressed by your sewing skills - I would love to make myself something in that style but I am a complete moron when it comes to patterns so I doubt it'll be happening anytime soon!
ReplyDeleteWow, it's amazing what you can get done without the distraction of the dreaded internet! I'm dying to get more sewing done but need to get this bloody baby blanket out the way first ... posts like this are not helping me to prioritise! xxx
ReplyDeleteLove this home-made creation of yours, soo delicious with the stunning floral print and pockets too!
ReplyDeletexoxox
I love your sewing corner, the rescued shelf makes for perfect storage and decoration. I love the choice of fabric here, that dress is fabulous. You are so very talented and creative Vix.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling rather optimistic about the weather, it’s the first day in months I have been able to peg my washing out outside in the sun xxx
Oh my gosh - how fabulous is that dress? You're so (sew) clever, and it really suits you x
ReplyDeleteI've seen that pattern before on Ebay and now I'm going to have to hunt it down!! That dress is gorgeous! And the final selling point is that you said it's simple and I am such a beginner! I recently made an A Line skirt out of an extremely bright yellow, orange, pink and green 70s curtain and there's plenty left! Love your hair with the felt flower too. It's a stunning day here in the north east too and actually quite mild. Well, compared to recently anyway! xx
ReplyDeleteVix, I think if you ever set up a shop you'd make a killing, that dress is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the flower in your hair, that's lovely.
I know what you mean about the weather, it was so lovely and sunny, but bitterly cold.
xxx
I adore your hair style in yesterdays Me-Made-March picture! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow talented you are making that dress in a few hours!
I really wish I could sew. The only thing I've sewn which looked reasonably nice is a cushion when I was in school! I have a sewing machine on my list for this Christmas though, it was there last year but Santa got me a laptop instead!
You look like you're in an exotic country already! xxx
Wow loving your dress, what amazing fabric and a great shape, hoping I can get something made up on my day off this week :)
ReplyDeleteVix the dress is absolutely stunning!! You must be very proud of yourself, I'd love to have a sewing machine x
ReplyDeleteI can see that it might be "easy", but it'd LOOK "easy" on me! You have the right figure for EVERYTHING!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your previous post, I realize I don't know what a "mew" is! I'm going to look it up and educate myself :) (Here, it's the sound a kitten makes.)
Vix, I bow to you sewing abilities. The dress is fabulous and the photos are so lively and radiant!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are here in South Florida or in a tropical island!
You are just up my alley. That exatly what I would do with a nice material,if I knew how. I have never made a dress. it looks complicated. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteYou are so fabulous my dear Vix.
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You are such a clever bunny, if I had a apsre few hours you can be certain I wouldn't spend my time so productively. I love the big front pocket xx
ReplyDeleteMy dear, you ARE spring incarnate. Lovely print.
ReplyDeleteI wish i had a sewing corner,i may just move the whole house around to make room for such :D
ReplyDeleteLove the frock
x
OMG! You have said the B -word and my heart is a flutter! Barkcloth!!! I love, love, love it! Mind you I just hoard it and gaze at it occasionally! What a brilliant idea to make a dress - now you can sit and stroke it as you sit around! lol!
ReplyDeletegeez...u made that? ur brilliant hunny...this is the way we shud live..all of us... be creative and utilize everything around us
ReplyDeleteOnce again - sew inspiring! Am always hesitant to cut up a vintage pattern but this makes me want to get over it and try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour are the only person I have ever seen that has a Toyota sewing machine! I am so delighted because when I went for my machine sewing class the tutor had never even heard of one. Now I know I am just in good sewing machine company ;)
ReplyDeleteThat dress is amazing, I can't wait to get my curtain making out the way and get on to sewing something fun
that dress looks amazing on you, well done on the make1!!! :) xx
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ReplyDeleteSorry about the delete above.
ReplyDeleteAnother fab tropical photo there Vix. Great that it is so simple to do too x
Amazing outfit!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet comment on my blog! <3
Hi my dear-wow, you are just so talented- the dress is amazing and looks so gorgeous, an hour? That is awesome and I adore your sewing corner too. Sounds like the internet going down did you a very stylish favour, lol! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe floral print is gorgeous. Reminds me of spring ... which is around the corner :)
ReplyDeleteTanvi
from © tanvii.com
Sorry, I said an hour but it took you slightly longer, still blooming awesome, lol! xxx
ReplyDeletePopping out of hiding to say how much I love that dress! Scuttling back off to see if I can find that pattern for myself...
ReplyDeletei love it.. what a fab way of re using curtains!!
ReplyDeleteLove it Vix, your so clever. I don't know one end of a sewing machine from the other, I would dearly love to learn how to use one.
ReplyDeleteXXX
I LOVE this dress - it's the fabric that makes it I think! You look very glam and exotic! The weather is just the same here - frost this morning, then cold but sunny later x
ReplyDeleteWell done, you made it so quickly too...you have the same needlecraft book as me, its nice to spot in your photos.
ReplyDeleteWow, i love the dress!! Looks fab on you :).
ReplyDeleteSadie x
Awr that dress looks lovely, I love the print. Awesome photographs too, you look like your on holiday.
ReplyDeletex
seriously, such a fab dress in just two hours?? dayum, u r good!!
ReplyDeleteOoh you've done a fab job of that dress, gorge! xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's a fecking awesome frock,sweetheart!!! Love the print,and what a brillant use of curtains!Yowza!It's a fab pattern,without the belt it could be a beach cover up...very multi-functional.Who's a clever minx,then?!
ReplyDeleteLOVE you! Helga xxxXXXxxx
Oooo,your sewing corner has inspired me,particularly the buttons in the jar! Gonna steal that idea!
XXX
Beautiful fabric used in the dress!Alison
ReplyDeleteAnd my first thought looking at my feeds was: What? I only missed 1 post at Vix's?!? Sometimes an internet free day can be quite constructive... Totally loving your kimono dress! xxx
ReplyDeletemost people would procrastinate and waste time - you make a whole dress! and it's brilliant! also i'm very proud to have "the best leather skirt in blogland" :) cheers! xx
ReplyDeleteLove the dress, you're a genius - there's a job going at Dior, don't you know?!
ReplyDeleteVix this dress is fantastic! I love it xxx
ReplyDeleteOh Vix!!!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this dress!!!!
It's so me with all the flowers and fullness!
I gotta dig out my machine !!!!
Love always
Reva
wow so impressed at your sewing skills lady! What a great dress!
ReplyDeleteAh yes sunshine to die for, temperatures to sob over!
Such a beautiful dress, you are sooo talented!
ReplyDeleteX x
wow this is so inspiring! LOVE that you made this out of a curtain. it totally reminds me of 'the sound of music' when maria makes clothes for the children out of drapes. anyway, it looks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSUPER! You look like you could be on a tropical island in that lovely summery dress, in the sun...such a shame it's deceptive and still coat weather!
ReplyDeleteYou clever lady! You are super talented, I would be faffing for days.... we had to make a pair of jeans at school and it turned out so badly that I have never attempted making clothes since!
ReplyDeleteI love your sewing corner :)
amazing floral dress!!! <3
ReplyDeleteIt's still cold here in Ohio, too, babe. We actually had some ice and snow on Saturday. Lord, I'm ready for Spring!
ReplyDeleteLove you.
SB
OMG! I love what you made and the pattern looks so EASY. Easy is what I need!!!! lol
ReplyDeleteI am gonna be searching for a cool pattern like that.
Your sewing machine is a car brand?? HOW NEAT!
My Dad drives a Toyota. =p
You look so lovely and spring-like - a really fresh look. Roll on warmer weather! xx
ReplyDeletetalented girl! love this floral dress so much. so, where is summer?!
ReplyDeleteoh, the thai food from your last post looks so delicious... yum, have to cook some thai food again.
http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com
The dress is utterly brilliant, Vix. Beautiful fabric.
ReplyDeleteOMG I can't believe you knocked that up in a couple of hours. It's beautiful, gorgeous fabric and wonderful fit. x
ReplyDeletehow fabulous......love that fabric your sewing skills know no bounds....puts my knitted hot water bottle cover to shame!!
ReplyDeleteDearest Vix, the dress is brilliant. I wish I could use a sewing machine... one day.
ReplyDeleteLove the sunnies too.
I hyperventilate at the thought of the internet getting cut off, which it does frequently because I forget to pay it. Love you xx
Fabulous work, I didn't realise you were participating too! I still have to check out everyone else's work for MMM. Internet getting cut off was a blessing in disguise for you, and for us too!! By the way, I had an excellent op shop haul yesterday, I'll post in the next few days so keep an eye out!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, LOVE that dress! You look magnificent! And yes, the sunshine looks absolutely gorgeous - it was lovely here today, but freezing cold - the kind of beautiful day best enjoyed from a warm bed with a good book, I think :-)
ReplyDeletexxx
You did a great job and look so sweet too.
ReplyDeleteBloody hell you look AMAZING Vix - you always do - but that frock! I'm off to find that pattern, and some fabric... and a sewing machine. OK not really but I cannot tell you how GORGEOUS you are... and the sunnies rock too!
ReplyDeleteSarah xxx
that floral dress looks so fun... and matches with your sun glasses so well! u have a tiny waist too:)
ReplyDeleteYou have such talent!
ReplyDeleteSewing is my go-to activity when the internet doesn't work! And what a spectacular frock your lack of internet resulted in!
ReplyDeleteO wow im loving your dress it looks fab on you, you made me smile when you said you had knocked it up in a couple of hours thats just the sort of thing i do once i get going i can't stop ;-)) have a great day, dee xx
ReplyDeleteYou have such fabulousness, Vix. It would take me forever to make that frock. And it looks WONDERFUL - as does your hair clip.
ReplyDelete*resolves to be more pro-active in customising things*
Ali x
that dress is awesome, feel free to make me one any time!
ReplyDeleteI can barely sew a button on but sewing kits and work benches have fascinated me since I was a little girl. Your uniqueness joins my list of things to admire forever.
ReplyDeleteLove your dress xx
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy and I'm loving that kimono dress teamed with that floral pattern. Also, in your photo it looks like you're on holiday somewhere hot (I bet you wish you were!) xxx
ReplyDeleteHAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!! 8-3-11 SPREAD THE CELEBRATION
ReplyDeleteIf you hadn't said it was freezing I would have sworn it was spring there in the Black Country - you look like a ray of sunshine. I frickin' adore barkcloth and that pattern is goddamn gorgeous - encore!!!! When my computer was down a while ago I read and sewed much more - no internet can sometimes be a good thing - after all, look what you made!! Any chance of a hair clip tutorial?? xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat?????????? You made this in a few hours??? But of course you did. You are Vix and you are freakin' awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that dress! LOVE! and you are gorgeous hon.
Here's an idea... make a few more dresses... sell them... make lots of money... buy a plane ticket to Sydney for the end of March... sounds like a plan to me!
Wow you are so clever making that, it looks lovely and you look very exotic! x
ReplyDeleteWow love that dress
ReplyDeleteClever Minx, you look so CLASSY! Groovey classy though, don't go gettin' put off!! :)
ReplyDeletexx Claire
I can't believe you just made this dress in a few hours. It would take me weeks to put something like that together (useless with a machine although I do try). It looks fabulous on you.
ReplyDeleteFabulous dress - love the print - and you did a fabulous job making it yourself! You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteWow the dress is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLoving the hairclip too!
Sal xXx
i am sure i have that pattern somewhere - must dig it out with some curtain fabric - it looks great.
ReplyDeleteanna
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