When I posted about my Grace Sullivan curtain couture me-made dress HERE I'd mentioned that the seller kindly threw in a set of 1950s satin boudoir curtains for free. Being a fan of neither conventional curtains or the Fifties I simply had to drag them into my favourite decade, the 1970s.
It was the perfect opportunity to get cracking with the 1971 Maudella pattern bought from last weekend's Vintage village at Stockport for £2.
My plans for an evening of midweek sewing got postponed until the weekend after Stephen Squirrel asserted his authority.
Instead I cracked on with transforming an Edwardian wheeled bench into a patch-worked & pompom-ed wonder instead, immediately claimed by Polly Piglet. Thankfully I'd had the foresight to make a removable cover rather than a full reupholstered number.
I'm a slave to those cats!
But my suit got made in the end.
Jon was a busy boy, too; rescuing & revamping this discarded vintage kitchen cupboard into useful storage for our cluttered utility room (and a handy backdrop for my latest creation). Transforming those soda siphons are next on his to-do list.
A placket, a Petersham waistband and a Mandarin collar - all new to me but surprisingly simple to master. Forget enrolling in costly sewing courses, if you get confused with a pattern just use Google, you'll find a simple explanation for free and feel empowered in the process.
Perfect with my original go-go boots from Vonda.
Just the thing for brightening up the depressingly drab Post office queue on a damp Monday morning.
Linking to Sacramento's Share In Style.
Love all your patvhwok creation, really makes your home so comfy and what a fab way to recycle! That trouser suit ist breathtaking, absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteHIPPY AT HEART ///
Has to be one of my favs of your curtain couture collection - colours and print with the style are perfect together! xx
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit! It looks fabulous on you. I wouldn't have guessed the fabric's previous life as curtains if you hadn't said it.
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing, the fabric doesn't look curtainy at all, maybe because it's silky. Those were some glamorous curtains!I love that last picture of you too.
ReplyDeleteI just KNEW that trouser suit was gong to look fabulous on you! And I knew you'd go for the sleeveless version too! I know the 1950s aren't really your thing, but those curtains are wonderful, such a great print, and the fabric works a treat as clothing. Gotta love the Maudella illustration too.
ReplyDeleteKitties - how they love to help. Your bench looks brilliant. And Polly P agrees. Cool cupboard and soda siphons too, you and Jon need your own TV show (move over, Dawn O'Porter, let's get someone on TV who actually knows what they're talking about - plackets and Petersham and collars, oh my!)
You go-go, darling! xxxx
wouuu, you look even more fabulous than usual, such an amazing job!, love that satin printed fabric, love the pattern and love how nicely it suits you!!, such a pretty tunic and cute pants!!, oriental vibe in florals!!
ReplyDeleteobviously, also love all that patchwork spreading the world!!, pretty and colorful!!
besos
You're a right little Maria Von Trapp aren't you? Your outfit looks amazing and I adore the print. I couldn't agree more about Googling if you don't know how to do it. There's a youtube video for everything.
ReplyDeleteAs for the bench, it looks wonderful and quite at home in the patchwork window.
xxx
Yet another amazing job little ms talented! LOVE that suit - those gogo boots are made to be worn with it x
ReplyDeleteThat fabric's dark background with a vivid floral design is as dramatic as the tunic and slacks pattern. An inspiring adaptation of what you have into what you want!
ReplyDeleteYour bright patchworks are another brilliant bridge between remnants of yesterday's everydays and todays' reality.
You set us such good examples, dear Vix, in making items that are useful, beautiful and cat-proof!
The trouser suit looks fab! I love the fabric and it works really well as clothing. Great make :-)
ReplyDeleteHi there!! You look amazing and the suit is such a gorgeous style and print!! Loving your various patchwork creations too, wonderful work indeed! xxx
ReplyDeleteI really really like the pattern on this one, the color is amazing, I had a simplicity pattern in the seventies very much like this, only difference the slacks had fuller legs, you did such a beautiful job, the cup board is great and seem to be so popular right now. I wish I had that furry helper you have, my cats would do the same thing as soon as I lay pattern pieces down, I think they love the feel and sound of the paper. You go brighten that post office, they need it!
ReplyDeleteThe only Grace Sullivan I know of was in a 70's aussie soap but I'm sure that doesn't surprise you! You've excelled yourself with this latest curtain couture Vix. Satin is a bugger to work with (I've heard) and your suit is a masterpiece. Can't imagine I'd feel empowered after googling 'plackets', more likely have me heading for the gin bottle. The bench cover is genius and I'm loving the discarded cupboard. Jon needs his own blog I reckon.x
ReplyDeleteFantastic print and vintage pattern, Vix! When I first saw this outfit on your Facebook, I let out a squeal of delight. Your fellow-slave-to-cats forever, -patti xox
ReplyDeleteAnother real transformation Vix, I am digging this pant suit like really love it! These are two pieces that if you bought the pants would be too long and probably the top, but you get to make it just right for you, that's the best part, the fit is dead on! The patchwork Pom Pom cover is a treat to look at, I can't blame the the cat for nesting there, and we are all slaves to our cats, what's wrong with us?!?!
ReplyDeleteJon is also a genius at creating and recreating, I love ya both so much, thanks for so much inspiration in what you do!
Xxxxxoooooo
Wow, that turned out brilliantly! The shoes are the perfect finish too.
ReplyDeleteTotally amazing, V!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, those shoes are perfect with your new outfit.
Suits you so well ! Really love it !
ReplyDeletexxx
Wow! I'm so jealous! It turned out beautifully! Great job! :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice! Love the fabric you chose for the new suit Vix.
ReplyDeleteHa, I love Polly's "Loaf of Cat Approval" - can tell she is very pleased. :) Vix, your suit is MARVELLOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful outfit!
ReplyDeleteYou're SO clever, your advice about googling things made me laugh because that's got me in trouble before with sewing!! I'm not a natural..
ReplyDeleteI wish you were in my post office queue, I just get students with holes in the bum cheeks of their leggings.
P x
Suits you! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pattern, and the colour is fab with your hair.
x
Loving that!
ReplyDeleteYou're so fabulous! Love reading your posts :)
ReplyDeleteVery hip chic ensemble. You are right too about finding solutions via the internet for just about everything.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover for the bench too. Those kitties are spoiled.
bisous
Suzanne
You really must have brightened up that Post Office! Not just a floral suit, but satin. Sheeny, shiny! Lovely job. And so lovely with those lime green boots.
ReplyDeleteLove your bench revamp too. Just spreading the colour all around! Do the cats look nervous, or are they lining up for a revamp too!! XO JJ
Your cat knows a good thing - a nice comfy place to spend the day. Your suit looks fabulous, as ever, and goes really nicely with those shoes. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHi Vix love what you have done with your bench, it goes so well with everything else in the room, and wow to your outfit just fab !!!.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week x.
Hi Vix love what you have done with your bench, it goes so well with everything else in the room, and wow to your outfit just fab !!!.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week x.
you are becoming a very good stitcher! It just takes practice. Hmm, wonder what those soda things are going to turn into?
ReplyDeleteMore fabulous makes - love the trouser suit but love even more the patchwork cover no wonder Polly Piglet claimed it! xxx
ReplyDeleteI think you should trademark the term 'curtain couture' as your curtain outfits are such unique, individual creations, and so very much VIX in style.
ReplyDeleteThis one is a triumph.
killer suit!!!
ReplyDeleteyou look gorgeous! fabulous! fantastic!
you know i like the 50´s - but not satin rose curtain 50´s. so bless you for making this great suit out of it! the cut is very sharp!
xxxxx
Only you would make curtains out of clothes and clothes out of curtains. Why not, you look totally glam!
ReplyDeleteCaroline
www.puttingyourlifeinorder.blogspot.co.uk
You look wonderful, I'd never of thought a pair of curtains could look so stylish! I love the cut of the suit and your choice of footwear is perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious transformation of those curtains! You look fabulous! Awesome sewing achievement!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'm loving the bench!!!!! It's so bright and fun!!! The suit is pretty darn cool too!!! X
ReplyDeleteThey say dogs have owners but cats have staff. This obviously means you are staff, but very styley staff, lucky cats! Your curtain couture never fails to amaze me, the trouser suit is stunning!
ReplyDeleteHello VIx!
ReplyDeleteI will say like the others i love your patchwork world! So groovy! I should do a patchwork curtain now that i can use my sewing machine hey?
I love your ensemble made of curtains, so fecking cool!
We had a wet, grey, cold weekend but now it's improving!
Take care
Hugs
Arianexo
How cool are you?!! A satin pants suit. That stuff is hard to sew, so shiny, slippery, ravel-y. It looks great, style and fit perfect for you, Vix. Now that's what to wear for the post office line-up. Did people want to touch you?
ReplyDeleteHee hee, I think we're supposed to be slaves to cats. I love that picture of Stephen Squirrel sitting on your fabric and pattern, it's so universal. Didn't you do well getting that fabric thrown in for free? It looks amazing as a trouser suit, bet it caused a stir in the PO! I love the new kitchen cupboard. You and Jon certainly made the most of your free weekend! Right, better go, I need to google placket! Xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteIt's very oriental looking, I love it. I love all your patchwork too.
ReplyDeleteFeck YES, you're rockin' this suit!! The fabric is heavenly!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG, the pookies are taking control! Little buggers. How can we HELP but be slaves to them?! Peepers wakes me up constantly during the night to ger under the covers...I should just shutr her out, but then I wake up worrying about where she is........!!! GAH.
It IS amazing what you can work out with a little research when it comes to sewing. I just used to reference garments I had. Some serious training WAS good, though, but to be honest, I don't use a lot of what I learnt. But if I want to make a mans suit, or lingerie, I can...
Love Helga XXX
Love your suit, it looks gorgeous
ReplyDeleteTwiggy x
Those curtains look amazing on you! And we're all slaves to cats!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great transformation. Those boots really make the outfit!
ReplyDeleteThat suit is so cool, you make everything look so easy to wear Vix x
ReplyDeleteWow, that suit is really nice, love the fabric. It looks great on you. I'm thinking a skirt or shift for me with that pattern, cute. BTW, those cats rule the house, spoiled! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great Vix! Loving the pattern.
ReplyDeleteX x
Simply fabulous print and you made a really fabulous suit. Such patterns and colours always look great on you.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric ... love the pattern ... Yay for the seventies!
ReplyDeletexx
This trouser suit is all kinds of awesome! I need to find myself a pair of curtains to turn into a 70s suit x
ReplyDeleteLOVE the trouser suit.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that having someone to talk to in my informal sewing "lessons" and to actually show me in person how to do things was absolutely invaluable to me. But I guess that I might think differently if I had an internet connection at home and that may make me more likely to Google for the answers. :)
What a glorious transformation of those curtains! You look fabulous! Awesome sewing achievement!
ReplyDeletehttp://beauty2beautytips.blogspot.com/
I love the suit! Reminds me that i should do some sewing :)
ReplyDelete- Mia
Is there such a thing as 'too cool'? Note when it comes to you Vix! You rock the seventies like nobody else! And on the subject of slavery and cats...I'm happily in the same shackles. Love 'em to bits, and am always secretly thrilled when they park themselves on my current sewing project. It does mean love, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThat trouser suit is a work of art! Well done, looks much better than curtains, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI need to get colorifying my wardrobe and home with your same ambition :D Love the dress and all the patchwork going on, too!
ReplyDeleteMe encanta tu conjunto y la cortina y el sillón tienen algo especial con la tela de patchwork tan colorida. KISSES.
ReplyDeleteYou are always bold and beautiful ~ and cleverly creative even behind curtains :))))
ReplyDeleteStunning suit! Love it from head to toes! oh i wish I sew something alike
ReplyDeleteWow amazing job! x
ReplyDeleteI am amazed you have time for all of these brilliant ventures. The suit is stunning--well done Vix! xx/M
ReplyDeleteCurtain couture rocks!!! Move over Dawn O'Porter, our Vix shows you how its done properly and with no faffing about xxx
ReplyDeleteJust MAGNIFICENT, dear Vix, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteYou are such an artist in all areas.
Tons of love
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maudella patterns are the BEST! I find some vintage patterns so confusing they may as well be written in Chinese, but Maudella are so easy to understand. I LOVE your new outfit - all hail the queen of curtain couture!
ReplyDeleteAmazing suit! Love the top, that almost could be worn as a dress. Love the patchwork cover that Polly got.
ReplyDeleteJasmine x
For a Real Woman
So easy Spanish!
You look fabulous love the new twin set you are good and motivated with your sewing. Loving all the patch work to :-) dee xx
ReplyDeleteYeah! This is so so fab! I'd love to have a suit like this, and have my hair in some fab up-do. You did such an excellent job! Love the fabric too!
ReplyDelete