Cover your ears, lads Jon warned the cats on Saturday morning, The swearing is about to start! The cheek! All because I'd told him that I was off to do some sewing. With a weekend off and after a fruitless search for flights to India, I decided to make something....or, as it turned out, some things. As my fabric stash was mostly crammed with pieces too small to make anything significant out of, I decided to chop up the lot and make a new bed cover because, as you well know, our house is lacking in patchwork.
Once it was on the bed the bolster covers I made six years earlier looked a bit shoddy so I knocked up some new covers with the leftovers, trimming them with pom poms, obviously!
Those Victorian ladies used to spend years making patchwork quilts, this Victoria took six hours. No fiddly little hexagons or elaborate designs for me, I'm all about the big and the bold and I use a shoe box as a template. Of course the women back then made quilts to hand down to future generations but, as I've no plans to reproduce, as long as it keeps us warm for the next few years it's good enough for me.
I snaffled this 1960s pattern on eBay for a Buy-it-Now price of £2 last week and it was arrived on Saturday morning. I know what fabric I'm going to make it up in (I think this might be the first time in my life of sewing that I'm actually going to buy some brand new) but the market stall that sells it is only in Walsall on a Monday.
After finishing my cushion covers I was so gripped by Cerys Matthews' live broadcast from Orkney Library (listen to it here, it's an absolute joy) that I thought I'd stay in my sewing room and do a dummy run of the culotte dress with the one remaining piece of fabric in my stash, some East African waxed cotton (made in Tanzania) I'd bought from the "Everything ONE POUND" stall on the market in the Summer.
I'm glad I did, despite the pattern being for a 32.5" bust the boobs ended up massive and needed an extra dart. I'd hate to spend £10 on fabric only to bugger it up.
I just need to add a fake fur coat, gloves and a massive hat and I'm ready for a session in Wetherspoons. I know that we had the weekend off but I've got to pop down to the market and I think we need to celebrate finally shaking off the cold that's plagued us for almost a month. I wonder if I'll be able to top the chat-up line from last time, uttered by a chap celebrating his 80th birthday.....You're not like the other Walsall girls, you haven't got a massively fat belly.....how lovely!
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| WEARING: Handmade culotte dress, fringed bodysuit (£2.25, Age UK, 2014), Suede Jane Shilton boots (Free from my favourite car boot trader), Banjara tribal pendant (The wonderful Ila Pop), Handmade disco ball earrings (Tamera who used to blog as The Menopausal Supermodel) |
Jon needn't have worried, despite breaking four needles and the boob mishap there was hardly any swearing at all. I'm such a lady!
See you soon.
See you soon.
You are looking fabulous but you always do.Your bedspread is bright and alive to me.Here in my state of Victoria with all rain I like bright color in my bedroom.My husband ,think our bedroom looks like brothel with all bright colors.
ReplyDeleteHi Hop. Your husband sounds as cheeky as Jon! A brothel, indeed! I can't be doing with all that bland and muted decor, colour is good for the soul! xxx
DeleteYour creativity never ceases. Love the quilt. Sadly, nothing like that would work on my body-no darts at all needed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sam! xxx
DeleteThat's a smashing quilt! I went to a quilting taster class on the weekend, it was all about accuracy. Think I'll stick to learning dressmaking first! Keep the inspiration coming for me!! X
ReplyDeleteOh no, I can't be doing with accuracy and all that tedium. My sewing has to be fun and with immediate effects. I've got the attention span of a gnat. xxx
DeleteYou're on a roll, Vix! I've been thinking of doing a patchwork quilt for years, but never tried! Great job! :)
ReplyDeleteDo it, Laurie! Using a shoe box as a template means you can run one up in a day! xxx
Deletethere can never be too much patchwork or ball fringe in the world.
ReplyDeletePS: love the bedroom wallpaper, it's so Vegas
That wallpaper is so over the top, I love it. It's hand blacked and retails at £90 a roll, but I managed to find 3 rolls on eBay for £12. xxx
DeleteYou've given me a good chuckle and some fab reading on this cold Monday afternoon. I'm sat at my glass top desk doing a bit more on my scarf listening to radio Manchester. We are off to see Grayson Perry tonight at the Lowry. That'll be something different.
ReplyDeleteHope you find some flights soon and some well deserved sun.
I'm already booking theatre tickets for next year in the Lake District, we go into a sulk after closing the van up.
Have one for me in Spoons lovelies X X X
The reason for mentioning the glass desk is its bloody freezing and I need hand warmers when working on it xx
DeleteI love Grayson Perry, what fun that will be. Walsall Art Gallery had one of his Alan Measles ceramics on loan for a while and I keep going and looking at it.
DeleteI still haven't found the right flight - the cheaper ones involve two stops and 18 hour waits between connections....no, no,no! I've made a beach bag and downloaded some free books on my Kobo so at least I'm ready!
Stay warm! xxx
I love that colourful quilt. I could really do with a dash of colour as it's such a grey an miserable day here. That culotte dress is fabulous, even if it was just a dummy run, and I'm looking forward to seeing your fabric of choice. Keeping my fingers crossed you'll find some flights soon! xxx
ReplyDeleteSounds like we're sharing weather again. We've got snow forecast for later! Never mind a culotte dress I think I need to learn to knit and make some woolly pyjamas! xxx
DeleteWay to go sewing, Vix. Talk about a stash buster. And that culotte dress, it fits you perfectly. And your print placement looks great. I like the peek-a-book effect of the 2 different patterns. And it's even better with your black blouse underneath - the way it echos the lines of the dress. You're a design genius, you are.
ReplyDeleteThat's a massive compliment coming from a creative genius like yourself, Pao!
DeleteI wasn't sure how that print was going to look but having it as the hem seemed a bit too safe & predictable. xxx
"And what pray tell is wrong with a massively fat belly?" I would have retorted.
ReplyDeleteLoving the patchwork, pompoms & culotte dres!
xox
Ha! He's obviously far too choosy considering he was a confirmed bachelor! xxx
DeleteI know you are, hahhahahhaha and so mujch fun. Always on the go, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteI love what you have done to the bed cover. You have a 15 years old back, wowwwwwwww.
In love with your bed side lamps, his and hers.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
My get up and go and had got up and gone a fortnight ago, I'm making up for lost time! xxx
DeleteWell you certainly had a productive weekend! A bedspread, bolsters and a culotte dress? All fabulous and I love the fringed body suit under the culotte dress; what wonderful fabric it is.
ReplyDeleteI do like your hair up, Vix, it looks very elegant and of course minus your big fat belly you're not a typical Walsall girl are you? What a brilliant sort of back handed compliment that was.
I've had the same cold - I'm into week three of it. Last week I had swollen glands and a sore throat. The week before the sniffles and a cough and now its back to sniffles and a cough again; roll on week four.
Have a lovely week
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
Oh no, this cold really seems to be doing the rounds. I hope yours vanishes soon, I get so angry with myself for being ill, I bet you do, too.
DeleteIf I'm not going anywhere I can put up my hair and it'll look good, if I want to wear it up to go somewhere it's never right. xxx
love your patchwork interior! so warm and full of life!
ReplyDeleteand how cool is that neckholder coulotte! trés chic!! will you show us the fabric that you will buy? can´t wait!
:-)
have fun in the wetherspoons!
xxxxx
Thank, Beate! It's so grey here at the moment, I need as much colour as I can get. xxx
Deletemore lovely stuff at the house of patchwork and patchouli (?) hope you get some tickets for India sorted out, glad you're back in good health. Betty x
ReplyDeleteThe House of Patchwork & Patchouli - sounds like Jimi Hendrix album! xxx
DeleteWow don't you look great! I'm in awe of your sewing skills and could never be faffed with patchwork, I'm pleased to see you've pimped it up with pom-poms and fringing.... it wouldn't be you any other way. Your culotte frock is a fab design/fabric and looks to be a great fit around both boobs and arse! xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you! I don't think I could be arsed with hexagons or log cabins and whatever all that traditional stuff is called. Mine's more punk patchwork than fine needlework!
DeleteI hope the real culotte dress works out as well as the dummy run. I'm scared! xxx
I have a scrap fabric stash and I can't believe I've never thought to make a quilt. I can sew by hand so it looks like I'll be going at the old fashioned way!
ReplyDeleteYou should! Sewing by hand can be quite therapeutic with some good music and a glass of something alcoholic. xxx
DeleteAs usual I'm blown away by your insane sewing skills. I *need* to make a similar quilt. I can't imagine the amount of swearing I'd do though. I have loads of pieces of fabric stored away. Maybe one day in the dead of winter when it is far too cold to go outside and I'm trapped with nothing else to do. I love it. And the pom-pom tassels.
ReplyDeleteYes I am very envious of your flat belly and perky boobs!
bisous
Suzanne
Thank you! I'm hoping they stay that way for another ten years or so!!!
DeleteMaking a patchwork throw would be a great winter project when it's too miserable to venture out. Swearing isn't essential but it's definitely beneficial! xxx
What can I say? Your sewing skills are absolutely fantastic. You know that I am a sucker for a patchwork quilt and the fabrics that you have chosen are brilliant. Plus that gorgeous catsuit (and the gorgeous figure to carry it off). It is so stylish and the pattern placement is inspired. Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly! Eagle-eyed blog readers may recognise some fabric pieces from past dressmaking projects.
DeleteI'm pleased with how the pattern placement worked out, as I replied to Pao it seemed a bit too predictable to position the border as a hem. xxx
mwahaha, glad you're enjoying your sewing mojo and creating some fabulous pieces, without a bad word!! I'm not such a lady, for sure!
ReplyDeletelovely catsuit and lovely that you're feeling well, finally!
besos
Thanks, Monica! I thought of you when i was making the culotte dress as you're the queen of waxed cotton. xxx
DeleteHi Vix, your patchwork bed cover and culotte dress creations are amazing! I've been collecting some leftover bits of fabric and am looking forward to making my first ever bit of patchwork, I'm not sure what I'll make yet, but your patchwork creations always inspire me. I love everything patchwork actually, I've been looking at eBay for some patchwork boots (think Granny Takes a Trip) or a patchwork bag, or something like that. Hope you enjoy your night out. Xxx
ReplyDeleteHello Jess! I've seen some fabulous vintage patchwork on eBay including a jacket made from pieces of coloured leather. Once you get started you'll love patchwork, the results are almost instant. xxx
DeleteI LOVE the fact your patchwork was really quick! That's the way I'd make one if I wasn't hopeless at sewing! Looks amzing!!!
ReplyDeleteYou should try a cushion cover! When the fabric is bright, bold and colourful nobody notices a wonky stitch. xxx
DeleteI love the repetition of your header pose!
ReplyDeleteDid you line the patchwork with something to make it warm?
I love the flash as you walk design of the culottes.
Going to have a go at some pants made from an old sheet. The last pair are insanely comfortable. But mine will be cream...at least for the moment! Glad you are better. Xo Jazzy Jack
JJ! That didn't even occur to me until you pointed it out!
DeleteI sewed the completed patchwork throw over a vintage cotton bed cover I'd had for years and was looking a bit shabby. The cats adore it. xxx
Your story reminds me of a blind date who suddenly commented, "You're missing a tooth in back."
ReplyDeleteApparently, he'd been staring into my mouth all evening.
Your quilt is beautiful (I'm currently putting together a fiddly, hand sewn and embroidered quilt and I'd much prefer to finish running it up on a machine and be done with it). What sort of batting do you fill it with? I can't find good quality wool anymore, so I've been using a heavy cotton which improves after years of laundering, but is so hard to get a needle through.
I'm glad you're both feeling back to normal. What a very cool pattern.
That blind date sounded a charmer....not!
DeleteI didn't fill it, I used our old bed throw as a liner and sewed the completed piece of patchwork on top of it so it's twice as warm in bed now. xxx
I just love the way you've placed the border print of the fabric right up your inner thighs. So fabulous. If I didn't already love you and your flat little belly, I would fall all over again. XXXOO
ReplyDeleteThanks, Connie! I bet my trial run ends up better than the real thing - when I get round to it! xxx
DeleteI don't know how you managed to make so many amazing things. I love the culotte dress, love African waxed cotton and with the fringed body you look ELEGANZA
ReplyDeleteSally xxx
Hello Sally! Thank you. I have to strike when I'm feeling it. Luckily Jon keeps me in mugs of herbal tea and food! xxx
DeleteThat quilt is amazing! I also can't believe that you did all that whilst Cerys was still on - you must get up early! I'm normally only just surfacing when her show starts and if I have a day indoors I never start sewing until late afternoon - I'm such a night owl.
ReplyDeleteGlad you and Jon are feeling better too xx
Hello! The quilt was Saturday's project and the rest was Sunday's so only the cushions and the culotte suit were fueled by the love of Cerys! I had a lie-in on Sunday and didn't get up till 8am - shocking for me! xxx
DeleteOh well that's alright then! I don't feel so lazy now ;) xx
DeleteYou made all those amazing things in one weekend? I bow to you! The patchwork quilt is so colorful and I'm totally coveting that velvet bed it is on. The jumpsuit looks fantastic on you. Love how you arranged the border print vertically. Very cool idea. And as far as swearing, sometimes, like drinking wine while crafting, it's necessary to encourage the flow of creativity :)
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I tell Jon, Theresa. Swearing is an essential! xxx
DeleteThat stall on the market that sells the fabric for £1.00 has some great stuff , Love what john said , I tend to drop stuff all the time and its even worse when i am sewing an the floor looks like a right dump lol xxx
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked on there for ages.
DeleteDon' worry about the mess, creativity means working in chaos! xxx
People are always shocked to find out how much I swear, sometimes it just has to be done! I love the new frock, I can't wait to see the fabric you buy to make it again!
ReplyDeleteIt does! I get all the swearing out of my system at home, my selling self is a well behaved angel!
DeleteIt's such a foul day - news and weather wise, I might have to crack on with the new project. xxx
Made me smile about fiddly hexagon patch-work. I have dug out my patchwork quilt - yes, fiddly hexagon - and would love to finish it this winter. I have only been working on it since 1989...but looking at it, I think it's going to take 27 years...
ReplyDeleteHello! That would be me, too! It would probably take me until 2050 to cut the hexes out. Thanks for visiting. xxx
Delete:))))) Such a fun read! And again, pure creative genius! Love your new creations!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natalia! xxx
DeleteColour, colour and more colour!! And you have a beautiful back! Love your creativity and flair, Vix, always such a fun and interesting post, thanks. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth. It's a grim world at the moment, depressing news and horrible weather. Colour really is a mood changer. xxxx
DeleteThat waxed cotton jumpsuit is fab. I am intrigued to see what fabric you'd deem worthy of spending a tenner on, it must be some cloth!
ReplyDeleteI should move to Walsall; I'd fit right in with my podgy gut. (I've always had a tummy, it's where my body stores fat - even when I was 7.5 stone I had a tiny tummy.)
I'm bigging it up, aren't I? It's probably not as exciting as you'd think but I want something to wear with groovy blouses underneath so it's something that sort of goes with everything.
DeleteThe "Walsall Wobblers" was a name coined by the Guardian for the majority of our residents, mind you with the threated closure of 16 of our libraries, the Art Gallery and the leather museum there isn't much else you can do than eat junk food and shop at Primark. xxx
Here am I, craving color and positive energies, when I spotted the almost-hidden "do this at your peril" sign tucked into this inspiring post, which read: "Beware making this splendid new bed cover, lest it make every pillow in the room look tatty!" (The corollary for pillows is that a new sofa pillow requires a new sofa, which requires a new rug, etc.) Thanks, Vix, for fixing a foul day!
ReplyDeleteOh Beth, I can totally understand your need for some positive energies with the hideous news coming from the US today. I hope this helped to lift the gloom a tiny bit.
DeleteMy new throw is showing up the velvet bed frame ragged to death by the cats and the cracks in the ceiling. xxx
I am a lover of a good old dollop of colour especially at this time of the year when the retailers think every woman wants to wear slug coloured garments. I have lots of richly coloured garments.
ReplyDeleteArilx
Slug coloured garments! You're not wrong there, Aril. Rich colours win out every time. xxx
DeleteIt appears we are both being very ladylike this week (except for the horrified expletives that I uttered when I saw the election news this morning) I would love to wear a halter neck wide-leg jumpsuit in the summer. Good thinking to do a test run. I love your new patchwork bed cover. I always associate patchwork with you now.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I was swearing my head off yesterday morning, too. What a f*&*ing catastophe.
Deletexxx
I love a good swearing session - relieves the tension! I did plenty yesterday when I read that the orange monster (won't contaminate yor blog with his name) won the prez election. However, great sewing exploits there Vix, with the cover and bolsters, and I love your culotte dress. That looks like a great pattern, such a fab illustration too xxx
ReplyDeleteSame here! I was horrified by the news and social media was beginning to annoy me so off went the computer and on went the machine. xxx
DeleteIt looks so cheery and warm, just what you need at this time of year - and yay to pom pom trim. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hasn't it been cold? 7 degrees today seems positively balmy! xxx
DeleteHe cracks me up! 'Cover your ears, lads!' That's really tickled me. :D Well, you put me to shame. That quilt I was making must have taken me 6 months, easy, and in the end I got bored and made it into a skirt, then you go and knock this up in a day! I'm like the old lady version of a Sagg and you're the spring chicken version. So exciting to have a few good sewing projects on the go. Your practice run culottes dress is fab, despite the trick boob measurements, but then you always look amazing. And having a lovely flat tummy certainly helps! Got to laugh at his description. Are all the men in Walsall funny? Xxxx
ReplyDeleteHe's a one, isn't he! I think it must be a Walsall thing. They're all mad.
DeleteI can't think about making something that takes too long. I like to get it finished in a couple of days otherwise it starts to feel like a chore. xxx
Great stash bustling with that patchwork blanket!
ReplyDeleteWhile I've never made a fancy quilt myself, I have a large Pinterest file of techniques for an imagined future endeavor, that will probably never happen. That said though, one of my favourite thrift store purchases ever was a handmade cotton quilt that someone else put the time and effort into making. I'm lounging under it right now, and I love it. Here's to handmade blankets!
That was a great find. Are you curious about how things like your quilt, which must have taken hours to make, end up in thrift shops? I always am. xxx
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHa ha Jon makes me giggle :P I love the new cover, I always struggle to find something to do with the scrappy bits. I love the culottes - I always make my first version of a garment in fabric I'm less "crazy" about....I need to get better at using the good fabric though!
ReplyDeleteAfter almost a quarter of a century he probably knows me better than I do!
DeleteI've got almost no fabric left in my stash now, I'm starting to panic. xxx