Rarely a day goes by when I'm not sewing, replacing zips and buttons, taking up hems or mending split seams in order to get our stock ship-shape and ready for selling. Yesterday I realised that it had been almost a month since I'd sewed anything for me. That's not right!
So, after lunch, I unplugged the PC and took myself off to my sewing room where I reacquainted myself with my fabric stash and leafed through my suitcases of vintage dressmaking patterns for inspiration.
I must have been inspired because less than 24 hours later I'd made not one but three new additions to my wardrobe.
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| Mini jumpsuit worn with tooled leather belt (33p, charity shop), 1960s suede go-go boots (much loved gift from blog reader, Vonda), vintage 1970s sunglasses (50p, local homeless charity) |
A 1967 pattern for a mini jumpsuit made up using a vintage corded cotton in a psychedelic print given to me by a friend. Playsuits are my work wear of choice when we're setting up our festival shop in the middle of a field. The ground is often too muddy to wear maxis and with all the bending and climbing, mini dresses don't leave a lot to the imagination. The world doesn't need to see my arse.
Another 1967 pattern, this time a "Bra Dress". I used a length of 1970s polyester featuring a photographic print of a sunset and lined it with some peach coloured polyester - I didn't bother lining the skirt, far too much fuss. Funnily enough Liz has a vintage Richard Shops midi dress in the same fabric (featured in this blog post HERE, five years ago).
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| Bra-dress made from fabric sent by super kind blog reader, Jayne. |
This dress is the perfect length for pottering around the garden, no pesky hem to trail in the puddles or to get snagged on brambles. Those chimney pots I'm watering are planted with cut and come again spinach and wild rocket, to keep both us and the tortoise happy. I found the chimney pot closest to the front door buried in the undergrowth when I was painting another of our sheds over Easter. We've lived here for 11 years and we're still finding stuff!
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| Junior's dress made with more fabric sent to me by Jayne, Indian tribal choker (£1.99, Age UK) |
This sleeveless shift was made using some 1960s acetate and a 1968 pattern for a junior/ teens dress - kids must have been massive in the Sixties, I had to lop 6 inches off the hem for it to resemble the length on the envelope. I'll be adding turquoise opaques, gold space boots and my yeti coat when I go out chazzing in the morning. Don't be fooled by the sunshine in my photos, it's still pretty cold.
Linking to Patti and the gang's Visible Monday.
After a three week break we're trading in Balham, South London with Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair on Sunday (details HERE). We're so excited to be back at work that we've already got the stock ready and there's some killer new stuff. I must photograph it for posterity before it's gone for good.
See you soon!
Linking to Patti and the gang's Visible Monday.
After a three week break we're trading in Balham, South London with Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair on Sunday (details HERE). We're so excited to be back at work that we've already got the stock ready and there's some killer new stuff. I must photograph it for posterity before it's gone for good.
See you soon!
It's so nice to wear a little shift dress when pottering round the garden or faffing in the house on a warm day. Yours are ideal and look lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteThe star for me is your mini jumpsuit and boots, it's a fantastic outfit. The boots are to die for......
Well done you on all your gorgeous fabrics xxxx
Thank you! A mini's a good compromise when it's not quite warm enough for a bikini (and less scary for the postman!) xxx
DeleteGreat dresses!!! I'm really hoping to get a sewing machine. We're all getting into making outfits and accessories!
ReplyDeleteYou should, sewing is so empowering. xxx
DeleteWell, you have been a busy bee. I love all your creations and what wonderful patterns and colours they are. They all look absolutely gorgeous on you. You are very clever with your needle, Vix.
ReplyDeleteYou did have me wondering if Walsall was in the middle of a heatwave that they omitted to mention on last night's weather forecast! It was nice to see and have some some sun for longer than five minutes anyway - even if it was cold.
I love your Buddha head on the doorstep.
xxx
Doesn't seeing the sun make a difference? There's been some truly miserable days of late. I can almost deal with the cold when it's bright.
DeleteJon bought me that Buddha head for my 40th birthday. He's the cats' perch. xxx
I love your dresses. You are very talented.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! xxx
DeleteGreat makes. The mini jumpsuit is wild and, anything that gives you a chance to wear my favourite boots in the world, gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteZxx
Thanks, Z! I was wearing those boots last time I saw you, wasn't I? xxx
DeleteClever thing! My favourite is the bluey one. You have great legs! xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emma! The blue one's my fave, too. I've worn it four times since I made it! xxx
Deletethose e-z patterns really are easy! Good job
ReplyDeleteThey are so easy. I keep telling people to give them a try, they're great, aren't they? xxx
DeleteBeautiful creations! Do you sew minidresses to sell? The blue is my favorite, the colour is fantastic. Also love the chimney pots, hardly anywhere in Canada is old enough to find cool stuff like that in your garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you! No, I don't make them to sell - I don't find enough cool vintage fabric in chazzas and anything modern would go against our vintage ethos.
DeleteOur garden used to be a farm back in the 18th Century, we occasionally dig up old animal bones (or at least I hope they're animal bones!) xxx
It's been so grey here for the past couple of days that it makes your garden look positively tropical! I love the new outfits, the 'junior's' dress in particular is a lovely colour and pattern. You did brilliantly, making three great outfits in such a short time, I take forever, it's all the unpicking I end up doing! Xxx
ReplyDeleteArgh, that endless grey, isn't it depressing? The minute the sun comes out I make a dash for it and bask in the weak warmth! xxx
DeleteLove them all! Especially the jumpsuit! Wish I could sew that quickly! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laurie! They're easy patterns, I bet you could knock up a mini in no time using one of these beginners patterns. xxx
DeleteYou made all of those in a day? Amazing! If you ever run low on vintage, I guess you could
ReplyDeletewhip up some frocks to sell :) And... somehow I missed that you have a tortoise? Do your cats get along with him?
Vintage fabric in chazzas is rarer than vintage frocks, I think (or at least the fabulously funky stuff is!)
DeleteI've had my tortoise since 1975, he's been on the blog a few times. The cats don't really notice him until he climbs into their food bowl and eats their dinner! xxx
Each mini seems a perfect match of fabric and pattern, Vix! Now, have you gotten 'round to creating a Kinky Melon label for the creations you'll eventually sell? That would make them true collector's items.
ReplyDeleteYou flatter me, Beth! I'm not sure if my handiwork would stand up to close inspection! xxx
DeleteYour boots! Your boots! ♡♡♡ They'll be dancing in my eyes all day!
ReplyDeleteI know, I nearly fainted with excitement when I received them through the post. xxx
DeleteWoo HOO!
ReplyDeleteLook at that Go-Go girl in those far-out acid green Go-go boots!
Amazeballs fabrics!
xox
Thank you! I'm a sucker for a funky fabric! xxx
Deletewoaaaa, those cute little dresses and jumpsuit are awesome!, love the fabric, love the shape and love how gorgeous you are wearing every one!,
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with your go-go boots. And your fabulousness!
besos
Thanks, Monica! I'm in love with short dresses at the moment! xxx
DeleteGreat outfits Vix and insanely jealous as never could fathom out how to use a pattern properly. Do you ever take bits from different patterns to make something new...just wondered because I can remember my friend making a coat in this way and it fascinated me.
ReplyDeleteArilx
Thanks, Aril. I usually go for the easy patterns as the more complicated ones drive me daft! I have mixed sleeves and dresses from other patterns and its not as tricky as it sounds. xxx
DeleteGreat creations, Vix! I'm feeling rather inspired to make a jumpsuit myself now. Can you believe it, I love wearing vintage clothes, but have not yet found a jumpsuit or myself....must rectify that! Xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jess! Jumpsuits are surprisingly easy, track yourself a vintage pattern down and have a bash! xxx
Deletevix in a blue patterned dress between bluebells...... <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeletefabulous sewing! and i totally need such a jumpsuit - or 2-3 - for summer! so perfect, especially in colorful prints! sewing room - i´m coming!
thanx for the inspiration and happy trading at the weekend! xxxxx
You do need a jumpsuit, no-one rocks shorts better than you do! xxx
DeleteGreat designs! I agree about mini dresses - maxis aren't always practical. I put mine over leggings now as I have a 50s style figure and 60s-70s playsuits can be a squeeze over my big old bony hips (even when I'm at my slimmest). I have started buying bright leggings though as grey and black are too 'meh' for dresses.
ReplyDeleteI do love mad leggings - I've got a few amazing spandex high waisted pairs in psychedelic prints handmade in the States, they're my Glasto uniform under a clashing mini dress when it's muddy. xxx
DeleteGreat dresses and playsuit! You're set for warm weather when it arrives.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bobby! I am so ready for some warm weather! xxx
DeleteLove them they are all gorgeous , Its the legs you have to watch now on the brambles lol x
ReplyDeleteThank you! Those brambles are lethal, I spend at least an hour a week tackling them but they just keep coming back! xxx
DeleteI haven't sewn in an age, you put me to shame churning out your wonderful creations! I am though, putting back together a sundress which was my mothers xxx
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing that sundress! x
DeleteIf takes me months just to mend a seam or replace a button. Love your makes, I always think dresses look best when worn with sunnies and sandals (or bare feet!). I wish it could always be so.
ReplyDeleteEverything's better with bare feet, isn't it? xxx
DeleteI always have a mending pile, and like Hazel, it sometimes takes weeks or months to do simple things like mending a seam, but that's purely due to lack of time. I would love to be able to sew things for myself! I am duly impressed by your three sewing projects finished in one day, and although I love them all, my favourite is the playsuit, especially combined with those groovy suede boots! xxx
ReplyDeleteMending's dull, I don't blame you. I tend to put the repair pile until I've got a huge heap to work through. xxx
DeleteThat jumpsuit is to die for and what abeautifulsetting to model your creations in. I do love for get me nots
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally! The garden is a right old wilderness, full of photo opportunities! xxx
DeleteI dunno, maybe the world DOES need to see your arse ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the dresses, but the playsuit is breathtaking (and those boots). Living at your home must be like an archaeological excavation each time you head out to the garden. I'm envious.
The jury's out on that one!!
DeleteGod knows what else is buried in the garden - there's an ancient lean-to at the bottom of the garden I'll need a scythe to get to. xxx
Great dresses! I have that jumpsuit pattern as well but haven't made anything with it yet xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! That jumpsuit pattern is a funny one, it makes up really big, I've had to take in the side seams. xxx
DeleteWhat you can do when you unplug the PC! This is a gorgeous post, these fabulous little dresses remind me of my teenage years when I used to run up a "shift" in an hour or so to go out to the movies that night. Simple patterns, great fabrics, lots of fun. xx
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm taking a leaf out of your book and disconnecting regularly, I get so much done. xxx
DeleteI read your blog frequently and I just thought I’d say keep up the amazing work!
ReplyDeleteBetomania trading
Thank you! x
DeleteI have a quartet of sewing patterns for you next time you're in this area :-) I'll keep popping back to the shop to see if they have any more. You definitely make good use of them.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks, Mim! Hopefully we'll be back in Bath in the Autumn, if I don't see you sooner. xxx
DeleteWell done on three fab frocks...I'm rather taken with the blue print. You have a great figure in which to showcase your handiwork and lovely brown limbs too! Those chimney pots cost a bomb in antique/salvage places....I wonder if you'll find any more? Hope you went down a storm in Balham. Xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fiona! I know, my Grandma was years ahead of her time, rummaging through skips for architectural salvage back in the 1960s! xxx
DeleteAh your talent is so awesome. And I love the part about unplugging the computer! These summer frocks are just perfect. xox
ReplyDelete-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks, Patti! The internet is great but it isn't half a drain on our time. It's good to unplug a day a week! xxx
DeleteAll 3 are amazing, but the blue one would be my choice as I think the shape would suit me best. Its fecking freezing here, although I've just seen that they're forecasting sun tomorrow so I may toddle off to an NT property, not that there are a great deal round these parts. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's been so cold this week I've been reduced to wearing my coat in the house to save the heating bill! Hope you had a great day out at the NT. I've been browsing the new magazine and there's quite a few on the list to visit next week. xxx
DeleteOh my gosh!! Vix! You are amazing. And you are just stunning. I love the looks of the garden too. Lynn
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn! The garden is a work in progress, I can slave away for hours and hardly see a difference. xxx
DeleteSo, can I hire you to make my summer wardrobe?? Those are sooooo adorable, especially the mini jumpsuit. Those lime green suede boots are positively scrumptious!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The boots are amazing, aren't they? I'm scared to wear them too much in case I ruin them. xxx
DeleteWhat super makes!! Clever you!! My favourite is the last one, nice blue shades, though the others are also fab!
ReplyDeleteIt must be great to be able to fashion a new item at will!!
It is so frustrating that you've done so many vintage fairs in London over the last year but every single time, there are engineering works on my line which renders attending very awkward!x
It's brilliant to decided to knock up a dress to wear to go out in later and whizz one up, even more exciting than finding stuff in chazzas sometimes!
DeleteWe'll be back in London in the Autumn, hopefully the trains will ahve sorted themselves out by then! xxx