Tuesday 21 August 2012

Because The Night(ie)




...the wonderful Curtise gave me was too big I needed to perform some emergency surgery (to a backtrack of Patti Smith as we're seeing her in 11 days time).

This what I did:
1. Unpicked the bodice from the skirt.
2.Tried the bodice part on inside-out, pinned the darts and side seams to fit.
3.Sewed the pinned areas, trimmed off the excess fabric, zig-zagging the raw edges to prevent fraying.
4.Hand-sewed running stitch along the top of the skirt & gathered by pulling the thread taut.
5.With the right sides together pinned the skirt to the bodice and machine stitched into place.
6. Removed the manky brown velvet ribbon.
7.Tarted up the bodice with vintage Bakelite buttons & a piece of pretty ribbon salvaged from a Krista parcel and trimmed the tiered hem with some 1960s ribbon.




A fabulous vintage Salamander (weird name for lingerie, only in the 1960s!) nightie fit for day time.


Worn with original suede platforms (PDSA charity shop) and my Madeira souvenir basket (Acorns Hospice shop),


More bangles than you can shake a stick at.
Turquoise one from Helga, blue floral one from Sarah, yellow wooden ones from Mrs Allnut and the rest found second-hand. With the exception of the giant Lapis ring the rest are all from India, nail paints by Barry M.


Earrings from Helga and necklace created by my talented friend, Freya.


Who loves to get Vixified up.


I destroyed my beloved 12 year old digital camera by accidentally chucking down the stairs on Sunday. We're using Sarah's camera, which always performs brilliantly at festivals and nights out but obviously requires the user to be under the influence of alcohol as the photographs we've taken stone cold sober have a distinctly blurry look!.


I've got to dash, the house is a tip and in dire need of decorating and you probably know we've got some very special guests arriving in two weeks time!

Have a fab day and see you soon.

61 comments:

  1. Well done on the surgery - I'd say the operation was a complete success!

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  2. ooh how fabulous you look on this dull London morning....am off to see Patti in Brighton on 12/09 and then london 13/09.....think that qualifies for stalker status??x

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  3. Ooh fabulous jewellery my dear, love the necklace.
    x

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  4. You have done marvellously with this- such a lovely item now! Oh dear, your poor camera- my backup, old digital camera which served me faithfully for several years died recently after it fell off the stepladder I use as a tripod onto my concrete patio and the lens is stuck out- I feel like I killed an old friend!

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  5. Because The Night is one of my top 3 songs of all time.
    You have doe a fabulous job with the dress - very professional and you look lovely as always.

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  6. Lovely dress, what an inspiration you are. Cant WAIT to see the decorating, please show us when its done, or do a video tour, I love them lol.
    V
    xxx

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  7. Oh man, that nightie/dress is FABULARSEHOLE! I love all of the details too - the buttons! the bangles! You look GORGEOUS! Sorry about your camera dramas - I shall look out for a better one for you, amor! Love you more than bangles! Sarah xxx

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  8. What fabulous upcycling you've done to Curtise's nightie and I agree that the manky brown ribbon had to go. Sorry to hear about your camera trauma but knowing you, you'll soon find a replacement at a knockdown price.
    xx

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  9. I was wondering if that nightie was going to be salvageable since it was too big, but then I know that doesn't faze you, with your mad seamstress skills! And I knew if you could remake it, you would wear it out and about, never in bed!
    You did a fabulous job, love, the new buttons and bow and ribbon are delicious.
    And I think the photos are fine, I wouldn't have noticed anything different about them. But then cameras and photography aren't my strong suit... Are you going to tell us HOW the camera ended up falling down the stairs? I'm picturing a drunken frenzied row, where you hurled it at Jon but he ducked, and it flew past him, past the Wall of Misery with all the kids wide-eyed in shock, and ended up on the floor in pieces. Ha, not really!
    Love Because the Night, love Vixified Freya and her necklace, love that bag and all the tranklements, love YOU! xxxxxxxxx

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  10. wow you look to really be making strides with your sewing lately, good for you. So jealous you are seeing Patti Smith, hope you enjoy it, she's an all-time fave of mine too.xx.

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  11. I really ought to start adapting the clothes that don't fit or suit me instead of moaning about them and chucking them out. I love what you have created! That bag is rather fabulous too.
    PS I would be lost without my camera. LOST.

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  12. Ooooooh it must be Krista and Chris time soon - eeeeeeeeeeep!!! I'm SO envious of your imminent visitors, Walsall will not know what hit it ... Hurricane VixKrista, that's what!!! I LOVE your refashion with the bakelite buttons and I'm a huge sucker for a deep frill - nighties as dresses - YAAAAAAAAY!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

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  13. Dearest VIx,
    great vintage revamp and cute necklace, Freya is a budding jewellery designer in the making me thinks :)
    Och, cameras...mine decided to have a midlife crisis yesterday and is refusing to taking anymore photos until I take it to the doctors :(
    I should have serviced it ages ago, so it's my own flipping fault.
    I feel completely lost without my camera and I know that a service/repair may even take a few weeks.
    I don't know if I can live without it for that long and also I'm thinking that the cost of having it repaired and serviced may only be marginally less than getting a brand new camera from Jessops bank holiday sale.
    I just wish I knew a camera whiz who could tell me what would be the best course of action.
    Lot's of love,
    Jennie...xXx

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  14. This quick restyle is brilliant!The vintage buttons detail is lovely and the nightie is safe now and it looks fantastic on..I almost fall off the chair because of the Patti's song title related to the fact that you are actually going to see her!
    She is still great, I've been to her concert some years ago and she was an amazing performer, I was just a little bit disappointed of the acoustic version as one is expecting her to spit and dance!
    I love Freya and her creation!
    Lots of love!

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  15. Love the revamped nightie/dress Vix, and that lovely bag. I'm a total bag hag, resisted a knitted green one in the charity shop today and now I'm wishing I'd just bought it. I also saw a picture that would have been perfect for your wall of misery, blue tones with a sad little boy and a puppy.
    Good luck with the decorating, I need to decorate so badly, this house is a pit.
    Have fun seeing Patti Smith! xx

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  16. that is what i call a team effort to save a dress. i don't know where you get your energy. i'm so jealous of it though. and those bracelets just look so dang perfect. gorgeous as always my dear. xo janet

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  17. Very successful emergency surgery for the transformation of nightie to day wear. I'm going to start using the term 'vixified' and think it should be added to the urban online dictionary. So sad about your camera! But the photos, and you, look great from here.

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  18. You get to see Patti Smith?! Lucky. Love what you did to the nightie, especially those cute bottoms. And worn with that bag and those jewels ... excellence.

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  19. Very pretty nightie Vix I love the buttons.
    Dx

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  20. Only you could make a nightie into street wear! I've rejected dresses that make it look like I'm wearing a nightgown. "OH, this is a pretty little floaty dress. Shit, it looks like a nightgown!" You got some mad sewing skills and are welcome in my costume shop anytime!

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  21. I love how you have fun with fashion! YOu are unique!!COuld you please consider following each other? I think you could like my blog is fashion and beauty related with a bit of lifestyle! :) www.shineonbyandrea.blogspot.com Twitter: @shineonbyandrea Instagram: shineonbyandrea

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  22. well done surgery, dear fashion doctor!, it's a nightie-dress too much colorful to hide it!
    and love all that colorful bracelets and rings, so fabulous!
    besos

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  23. Agree with the lovely Style Crone that "Vixified" should be added to the dictionary! It's cool to see the play by play as to how the transformation was done. I love all the cheerful coloured jewellery, AND that you get to see Patti Smith in concert! I am very sorry about your camera-I'd be lost without mine, and it's starting to experience a few hiccups of its own.

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  24. Vix, I love how you turn something drab into something fab. That make is Devine - I love how you did it (the step by step guide) too!

    Sadly, the last time I used a sewing machine was in textiles class when I was a school....

    xo

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  25. You look FABULOUS!!! love the bright colors!!
    WOW-- you certainly "Vix-ified" that nighty right on up!!
    I hope the camera went flying due to something fabulous!!
    Have fun getting everything ready for your guests.
    Patti Smith concert--I am so jealous!!
    {{{{{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}}

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  26. Total Krista outfit right here. I love what you did to this nightie. The buttons are my favorite part that and your super sweet necklace made by Freya, how adorable is she?!!!!!! Your eyebrows are also looking extra fantastic! I can't wait to see you!!!! Why did you go and chuck your camera? You still look gorgeous blurry or not.

    Do not fuss too much for our arrival we are easy laid back peeps and I do not want to put you guys out at all...I just can't promise I'l behave after we start drinking:)

    LOVEYOU!!!!
    Krista

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  27. You've done wonders with it, it looks fab. I'm thinking you should do a book y'know.
    xxxxx

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  28. LOVE the bright accessories! xo

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  29. Wow you did a great job the nightie/dress ;-) looks gorgeous loved the photo displays. Happy decorating ;-)) dee xxx

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  30. Can't wait to see the photos from your guest visit. They live not to far from my neck of the woods. So, in a way I'm excited too!

    You are one busy bee. It must be so satisfying knowing how to alter all these things to suit you so perfectly. I want to be you!

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  31. i need to come round for a sewing lesson, you do it all so perfectly. Bet you can't wait for your guests now!! Gorgeous outfit as ever, you look beautiful!

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  32. Excellent job on the nightie! Love it! I am forever in love with that bag. I also really dig the stripey bangle on your right arm :)

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  33. Wow that came out fantastic and ugh sorry about your camera!! Yippee you must be so excited to visit with Krista I hope you guys have a great time ~Love Heather

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  34. Niice done!!!! Hugs
    AnieB
    http://lahabitaciondelaspequenascosas.blogspot.com.es/

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  35. Fantastic revamp - you do find some beautiful nighties - far too good to be hidden away in the bedroom. Linda xxx

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  36. Yeehah,I LOVE a spot of emergency frock surgery!!!Freakin' awesome job,that nightie is SO much more perfect now!!
    Patti Smith?! EEEEK! How divine! I've had Rock n Roll Nigger on and off the brain for weeks!Frigging fabulous.
    You are a gorgeous beast,a splendid sight for my befuddled brain!!!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  37. Ah, how cute is Freya and what a lovely creation. The buttons on the nightie really make it, they look amazing. You really should consider doing a series of sewing tutorials with being drunk optional. I would subscribe in a flash! I can't wait to see all the adventures you get up to with Krista xxx

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  38. Great job on the maxi. Hahaha, I'm usually making mine bigger, not smaller. Super bangles.

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  39. I'm determined to use vixified in a sentence before the day ends! Nice sewing work, as usual. xoxo

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  40. I absolutely love what you did with the dress! so colorful - and with all the bright accessories looks super kitsch)

    >'.'<

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  41. That's sad news about the camera. I have several frocks I've been gathering to send, but I think I'll wait until the Krista excitement passes.

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  42. Your prolific and skilled surgeries have inspired me to fit in a little operating of my own the past few days. If you can make a huge nightie into an adorable day dress, I can turn a huge short-sleeved shirt into a not-so-huge short-sleeved shirt! (I hope, anyway).
    So sorry to hear about the passing of your 12-year-old digital camera.
    Thanks for the heads up on the color purple. Although I swear that the papers said that the in-color would be purple in 2010. In, out, we don't care, do we?

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  43. A fabulous upcycle!! I thrifted an armful of fabulous bangles today and thought of you. I'll be posting about them soon. Your pictures are marvelous, regardless!! XXOO

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  44. Colorful and gorgeous you re-vamp things so EASILY to work with you it amazes me. I love the frock and your jewelry choices!!

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  45. I love refashioning old clothes - its great when you can update something you love when its "not quite right" for you. Awwww... I love that necklace and of course ALL those bracelets!!

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  46. Catching up!

    You've done a cracking job with that Vix. No-one would ever think it started life as a nightie. The necklace and earrings go perfectly with it.

    I'd love to come over when Krista arrives, but I have a horrible feeling it's when I'm in Ibiza. I'll drop you an email.

    XXX

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  47. It looks fab, much better now!

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  48. OMG!! Your nightie looks so much colorful with all the buttons.
    Great revamping as always amor.
    Oh I am so gutted I am gonna miss Kristaita party with you corazon.
    besos

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  49. Great job! And you're going to see Patti Smith?! Jealoooouuuus! xoxo

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  50. Oh Boy I missed a few posts!
    Sorry!
    I looked at every one at them!
    My God to tapestry boots are stunning, never seen before
    I love when you wear nighties in the day time, i am trying to find one for myself !
    Your turtle is so adorable!

    Love

    Ariane xxxx

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  51. I love wearing vintage nighties during the day, as dresses! I have a few I do that with. Thankfully, they didn't require any sewing work, but I do have to wear a slip underneath. ;)

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  52. You did an amazing job,love it.The buttons and bangles looks great with it too :)Sorry to hear about your camera,i'm oftern dropping mine but usual from my seat so upto yet I've been lucky...

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  53. wow what a wonderful make over for the nightie! youre so clever, inspirational as always!! xxxx

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  54. What a fabulous revamp!! And I think the necklace to be quite fantastic! xxx

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  55. Vix, You're such a smarty pants. You can put together a frock from bits and pieces and it looks like a million bucks. I do believe you have magic in your fingertips. It looks fabulous. Just love all your colorful jewelry. Rock it!!

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  56. It would be criminal not to wear that nightie in the daytime! I love seeing your gorgeous refashion projects.

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  57. totally off subject but you have personally influenced me on two things- you change the way I view maxis. And arm candy. "nuff said.

    oh, i love you.

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  58. Nice ornaments and thanks for sharing the blog and keep on updating.

    internetowy sklep wędkarski 

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix