Tuesday 23 July 2013

So Good I Made It Twice


I had to pop into town to stock up on some festival essentials for the weekend ahead (wet wipes, anti-bac hand gel and once-a-day sun cream to the uninitiated) and naturally took a detour round the chazzas.


The hospice shop had a huge stash of uncut patterns and being a bit short of halter neck maxis (that's my story and I'm sticking to it) I couldn't resist snapping up this 1971 dress by Style.


Just like the envelope said, it was a snip. I'd cut it out and sewn it up in a couple of hours.


Tamera sent me this amazing 1960s Hawaiian fabric last year and I'd been scared to use it for fear of buggering it up - a 3 piece pattern was ideal.


Although, true to form, Jon pointed out a trailing thread I'd neglected to snip off in my rush to blog.


 I've had so many kind words about my recycled creations I thought I'd knock up another, pop it on my stall and test the water so , using a 1980s Aztec printed duvet cover salvaged from my parents' airing cupboard and some vintage braid scored at the car boot sale, I did just that ....trouble is, now it's finished, I think like it too much to part with it!


Still, there's sod all on the telly till Luther (unless you're interested in royalty & babies which I most definitely ain't) so I may as well make another.

See you soon!


77 comments:

  1. God babe, they are lush. You are a super sewist wot's putting my lazy arse to shame. That floral fabric rocks...perfect pattern for it. May it stay sunny and bright for you to show them both off...the frocks that is...feck, I'm as bad as Curtise!
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxxx

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  2. It's gorgeous both ways!!! LOVE.

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  3. AMAZING!!! I love both dresses- and they look so perfect on you- am torn with whether you should keep the Azteca print or sell- what a lovely lady who scoops this creation!

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  4. I've wanted to make a dress from a vintage pattern. Do they list the measurements for each size on the back like a normal pattern? I have a couple but I don't think I could fit in any of them. Just curious if you have any tips for sewing from vintage patterns.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  5. You should definitely keep the Aztec print dress. The next one can start the line of Vix's halter maxi's for sale.
    Again, jealous that you find vintage patterns. I never find them here!

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  6. You are a wizard my dear! I love the first one -thats a keeper!
    Xxx

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  7. I can feel aa extension to the stall comin on vix, your going to be taking orders soon. Love them Hun and everyone out there take it from me they are stunning as is the beauty who's wearing them, see you thurs I've got more bows for you ;) xxx you know the bastard big ones lol

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  8. I think that's a brilliant step to take, Kinky Melon Couture will go down a storm at the markets I reckon. You always source such fab vintage patterns, fabrics and trims and with all the sewing and creating your doing at the moment you'll have a whole rail full of Vix made garments before long. Although I too would be tempted to keep both of these beauties I reckon you will enjoy the buzz of selling one of your own creations more than having two in your wardrobe. I know I could hardly contain myself when two of my handmade necklaces sold at the Kentish Town Carnival.
    The Hawaiian fabric is a feast for the peepers and you looks amaze-schwing in it...xXx

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  9. Wow! Gorgeous creations. They look so lovely on you no wonder you don't want to part with them.

    Make some more they will sell like hot cakes.

    Hope you guys have a blast at the weekend and sell loads too.


    P x

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  10. I sure enjoyed your blog. Those two dresses are sure beauties. They both look great on you!

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  11. I sure enjoyed your blog. Those two dresses are sure beauties. They both look great on you!

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  12. You are on a roll with your sewing and what a success! Both are truely fabulous!

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  13. love the dresses , there's a program on tonight I want to watch, Kristy Alsop , furnishing homes for nothing , I want to see if I can pick up any tips xxx

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  14. Oh I love the blue one, you clever soul!

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  15. Fab dresses! Like you I'm not interested in Royalty or babies so I'm planning to make a start on some sewing projects as well x

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  16. Oh my god I love Luther but those first 2 episodes made me so scared..I loved it though.

    Love both your dresses and I esp love those tan wedges x

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  17. Both are freakin' fabulous--that hawaiin fabric had your name on it. i don't think the picture truly shows how LURIDLY bright and colorful it is!!
    Keep both dresses and use one as a sample for orders maybe!!

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  18. You clever gorgeous cookie you, a three piece pattern nearly pounds like something I could manage. I love the floral print.

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  19. I love the hawaiian fabric!

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  20. I love the tropical flower print from Tamera! it looks stunning, love all that yellow. But I also love the duvet cover, it looks amazing on, imagine it with tonnes of bastard jewellery! Don't forget to show us if you know up another one, you must have fabric a plenty! xxx

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  21. This is the perfect cut for you. not that everything else you wear isn't, it's just that this is perfection. or maybe i think it'd be perfection on me! haha. looking fabulous as ever vix. xo

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  22. Gorgeous, especially the hawaiian fabric.

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  23. I've always thought having the sewing skills is only half the success in dress making. Having the vision and eye for unusual fabric is key - and you certainly have that Vix xxx

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  24. Way to milk that pattern, girl! I just purchased a shift pattern and I"m hoping to accomplish the same thing with it. Now, tell me what you are doing to upcycle vintage slipdresses???

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  25. Oh Vix!! I adore these latest creations, halter necks dresses are my favourite, I think they look perfect during summer! I like them both, but I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the one made with Tamera 's fabric (but I'd kill to have them!). It would take a whole week to sew a dress like that, you are great!
    Lots of love xxxxxxxx

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  26. Such lovely frocks. I would have difficulty choosing my favourite too.

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  27. Wow! Bim Bam Boom! Vix finds a pattern and whips out a couple of stunners in the time it takes me to walk out to the mail box! Beautiful fabric on both of them and the perfect style for you. Keep them both!

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  28. ooh I love those! :D I always have this fear of pulling threads, what if I was out in a crowded high st and pulled a thread and the whole frock just dismantled and fell off leaving me naked?? Is that too weird a worry?

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  29. I love the blue one, because I look good in that color.

    About that baby......the news anchors over here have lost their minds. To the point, that's pretty much ALL they talk about. It's driving me crazy

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  30. so jealous -- we don't have the new Luther's yet! Love this pattern, and you're a sewing goddess, you are. Fabulous material too! Oh, and have you heard a baby has been born? : >

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  31. Brilliant work on the dresses, they certainly look just the ticket for selling - should you get bored with them.

    'Kirstie's Fill Yout House For Free' was worth a gander on telly tonight too (though not a patch on Luther, of course) and some of the design ideas were very inspirational.

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  32. Love both of these but the Hawaiian print one is my favourite.

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  33. I love halter neck dresses - I want one.
    Beautiful dresses.

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  34. Just found this pattern on ebay and bought it.
    So excited now.

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  35. We are plagued by royal babies here too, why is this thing? Ridiculous!

    You look awesome, no surprise, I think you should definitely stick some of your frocks on your stall, they'd go like hotcakes is my prediction!

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  36. You are a truly talented woman! I'm glad you made two! So gorgeous!

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  37. I'm so jealous of your talent!

    I've got a 60s A-line dress pattern and some groovy purple swirl fabric sitting in my drawer, but I'm a bit of a novice still and scared of mucking it up. I promised myself I'd learn properly this year, but I've had a lot on my plate. I will though, I will!

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  38. hi vix i love the flowery dress . great fabric. iseen your post on glastonbury . i'd love to go . it was great to see it i have to put the effort in to going next year.

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  39. You look gorgeous you do!!! I love both your maxi creations- they look brilliant on you!x

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  40. Farking GLORIARSE!!!
    Double the foxiness!
    I love both, and I don't think you should give up the second at all, the style was MADE for you and you only! Even better that it's by your own fair hands! You're just getting too clever, my lovely! Both fabrics are sublime! I reckon you could knock up another 10 of 'em!
    Hahaha, I am oddly excited about the Royal baby, but only because of the weird Royal thing I have....I just need to celebrate it Helga style....
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  41. What fabulous dresses. I wish I could sew like that, so jealous.

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  42. I can't get excited about babies either, royal or otherwise. However, I can get excited about a pattern that is only three pieces - that's my kind of pattern ;) I think you should definitely keep both as we know you can NEVER have too many halter maxis!

    I am very excited to hear that there is a new season of Luther coming out, although I'm sure it will take a while before it's available over here.

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  43. Love em both, they look so cool and comfy and the different materials really make them individual - great job!

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  44. oh it's good to be back reading your blog Vix! These dresses are lovely, and suit you to a tee! What festivals are you heading to?
    xox

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  45. Perfect for your gorgeous bod! Love both dresses. You are so talented and industrious! XXX

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  46. Very chic and fabulous dresses!
    hugs from New York,
    xx
    Ask Erena
    http://askerena.blogspot.com/

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  47. Now THAT'S the type of dress you can't have too many of in summer! Just gorgeous! I'd keep that blue one as well if I were you.

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  48. You can take any material and make it into a fabulous garment!
    The Aztec print one is my favorite and I'm already tired of royal babies news!

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  49. I so love that hawaiian fabric, it is just joyful. Anything you made would have looked lovely, well let's face it, you could have just worn it as a superhero cape and it would have looked good. But no, you went one step further and here you are in goddess mode once more. The big surprise is the other dress. Never in a million years would I have thought of using that fabric. You're good you know: very, very good. A clothing line by you would be fabulous.

    Oh Luther, what a man. I am willing to overlook every implausible twist and turn just for the pleasure of watching Idris Elba. Sigh. xxxxx

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  50. Wow they are amazing on you.....yip you should keep the second one its gorgeous on you Vix. I really really think you will find them selling at the markets.......fabulous fabric and handmade vintage style....oh oh and a kinky melon original. Bloody brilliant.
    Love V

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  51. Oooh how exciting that you're sewing dresses to sell! Bet they'll go like hot cakes, especially if you're wearing one! You look fabulous in a halterneck with your lovely shoulders and gorgeous back - very sexy! I LOVE that Hawaiian print!

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  52. Love your dresses, you look stunning in them! Your sense of style kills me (in a good way^^)

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  53. Gorgeous! I really like Style patterns, I've got a few and there are some lovely ones with great features.

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  54. there is nothing quite like finding a perfect dress pattern x

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  55. It's great when you find a pattern you can use over & over again and it doesn't matter how many times you use it - each time it will be kind of different. I think my favourite is the aztec style one, but they are both pretty awesome! I am SO sick of the royal baby obsession already - I imagine it would be 10x worse in the UK!

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  56. you are a constant source of inspiration! I recently accidentaly fecked my ancient sewing machine, I need to replace it as your creations are gorgeous and enticingly easy-ish to make x

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  57. love that easy pattern and love that you're corrected that intolerable shortage of halter neck maxis!!, fabulous prints and fabulous sassiness sporting them, you're a glorious vision, gorgeous!!
    besos

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  58. Double the pleasure, darling! Definitely keep both, this time - the fabric from Tamera is incredible, but the Patti works brilliantly with the duvet cover fabric too. This is such a great style on you (how I would love to wear halter necks but alas the boobs do not allow it...) so of course you can never have enough!
    But I also think that your creations would go down a storm on your rails - why not make a few dresses in different sizes? If they don't fit you, you won't be tempted to keep them! Not that you haven't got enough to do with Kinky Melon without adding dressmaking to the list... But trying it out would be fun, and might add a whole other dimension.
    Baby? Oh yes, I think I heard about that. Nice for them, but that's as far as my interest takes me!
    Love you! xxxxxxx

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  59. Who knew a duvet could look so divine! We would call it doona couture! I have one of those two piece patterns for a shift dress. I'm hoping it might just be easy enough for me to whip up one day! Xx

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  60. I like the first halter neck..vibrant colors..lovely print and you totally rock it!!!

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

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  61. I love them both! I'd want to keep the second dress as well. I think it is so wonderful how you turn things that others would discard into things that are not only beautiful and creative, but you can wear too! Your creativity is an inspiration. And I have to say your hair always looks perfect in every picture. It really is just beautiful.

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  62. Very beautiful summer outfit ;) You style is amazing!


    I follow you beautiful blog. I hope you will follow me back and I will wait for you in my blog www.gabusiek.blogspot.com

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  63. Oh my goddess Vix you have outdone yourself more than twice! Both if these are friggin fantastic! The fabric from Tamera is drool worthy and the other is also pretty amazing! I do hope you try and sell a few I would snap one up for sure! I can't wait to speak today, I have been feasting on Luther and I'm almost caught up can't wait to gossip about it.
    Speak soon honey!
    Xxooooo love you!

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  64. Hi my dear- what gorgeous dresses, so perfect for this weather and you so suit this style of dress too, very creative and a good job done!! Xxx

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  65. THose fabrics are delish! The 80's pattern is my fave, and I definitely wouldn't sell it or give it away as the colors suit you so well with that long flame of hair! Such a talent you have!!!
    xo
    d

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  66. Such a great cut, well modified! And the patterns are a treat. I love everything halterneck, too - especially bikinis, but they give me neck pain, which is a real shame. xo

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  67. What a sensational seamstress you are, both are so gorgeous I can't decide which I prefer. Thought the coverage of the royal bubba was de trop, poor little bugger if only he knew what was ahead.

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  68. There's a sewing machine in my office right now gathering dust. Why am I not using it to make awesome clothes like you do?!?!? WHY??!

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  69. so clever...I particularly love the yellow and pink one.....now, back to the lounger!!x

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  70. How could you not make two when this pattern looks as though it was made for you. Your sewing talents astound me.

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  71. Holy bejayzus and the all the motherfucking bastard saints, you look GORGEOUS! I love love love love love love love the first one so much - how could you ever be unhappy in that incredible fabric?

    Love you more than most things,

    Sarah xxx

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  72. this dress shape really suits you. I can't pick a favourite they're both really good!
    I hope you're having fun at the festival xx

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  73. Amor,
    I love the Aztec print the best, yup don't sale it looks too good on ya.Your such a talented biatch. The summery maxi dress fits you beautifully. Thanked fuck all the baby nonsense is over with.

    Besotes

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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