Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Hey Ho, Let's Sew!

 

One of my Xmas presents from Liz was a "cowgirl chic" McCall's Historic Costume pattern which came  with the offer of some free sewing lessons from her. Whilst eating our Xmas dinner a few hours later I decided that the vintage Indian block printed throw I was using as a tablecloth would be perfect to make into one of the garments. 


Last Wednesday, after playing around with the pieces, Liz & I decided that the blouse would lend itself perfectly to the pattern placement on the throw. Although I can sew, I'm not all that confident when it comes to scary things like cuffs and button holes so it was brilliant having Liz talk me through each step. We started sewing at 11am and despite numerous breaks for tea, cake, lunch and cat fuss, by 4pm I had a wearable (and gorgeous) garment! 



I considered waiting until we'd made the complete outfit before wearing the blouse but at the end of the day, I'm just too impatient!


On Friday, for a morning of charity shopping, I wore it with a vintage 1970s Phool midi skirt and my black suede knee-high boots.
 

On Monday, for a brisk walk to the Lidl lockers, I wore it with a 1970s India Imports of Rhode Island maxi skirt, leather cowboy boots, a vintage sheepskin gilet and my burgundy fedora.


And today, for an early morning swim, breakfast in 'Spoons and a look around the charity shops, I combined it with a vintage Anokhi maxi skirt, my Clarks platforms, a Y2K Moroccan leather belt and a olive cord baker boy cap bought from the Monsoon sale using some loyalty vouchers (making it almost free!) 


In the mood for some Cowgirl inspiration, I've been rewatching Godless on Netflix. Set in 1884, a young outlaw on the run from his vengeful mentor winds up in a small New Mexico town populated almost entirely by women. I know we both loved it the first time we watched it but had forgotten just how much we loved it.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring, amongst others, Jack O'Connell (SAS Rogue Heroes), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Wolf Hall) and the divine Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), it's absolutely magnificent, kick-ass women, a superb script and cinematically gorgeous...and some fabulous block-printed cotton blouses!  


It was slim pickings in the charity shops this week although Jon did find himself a cable knit wool jumper and a cool chores jacket. I found a 1980s mustard bejewelled jacket, a vintage sequinned capelet with bugle bead tassels, a 1980s silk-lined cocktail jacket with a sequin and pearl encrusted paisley design and this 100% linen midi dress from uber-posh label, Poetry which I found online retailing at £179 - I love it but it drowns me...

This hand-blown Bristol blue glass vase (£2.99) to add to our ever-growing collection of Mid-Century studio glass. 


I also picked up a couple of books from Cancer UK's 2 for £1 shelf and read Catherine Flynn's What Was Lost in an afternoon. Set in a Birmingham shopping centre over a twenty year period, Lisa, a disillusioned record shop assistant and Kurt, a sleep-deprived security guard, unite to find Kate, a missing junior detective. Is it a thriller, a ghost story, a wickedly comic satire on our consumerist society or something inbetween? A genre defying work of genius that had me guessing to the very last page. I bloody loved it.

I started The Familiars last night, a gripping piece of witch-lit from the award winning English writer of gothic fiction, Stacey Halls. 


I've used another of my vintage block printed throws to make the skirt but although I've made loads of skirts in the past, I'm completely stumped by some of these instructions. Liz.....help!
 

I've got some exciting plans for later this week, I'll report back very soon!

53 comments:

  1. Your blouse looks fabulous, Vix! And you get the additional satisfaction of telling everyone that you made it when, undoubtedly, you receive compliments. I'm looking forward to seeing the skirt next. Xx

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    1. Thanks, Jules! Don't hold your breath - I'm going to have to fit in another sewing class with Liz, the instructions are so complicated. I do have all the pieces cut out though, that's a start! x

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  2. Fabulous blouse and it’s great to sew with a helpful friend. Catriona

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    1. Thanks so much, Catriona! That's a real compliment from a proper sewist like you! x

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  3. The blouse is way beyond what I expected. Very nice. I'm sure the skirt will complete the look, although it looks nice with the options you already had. Isn't it nice to have a friend that can help you with this kind of project? The pattern in the fabric would have made the laying out of the blouse pattern a bit of a challenge, but you nailed it. Ranee

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    1. Thanks so much, Ranee! Having Liz to talk me through the blouse construction was a massive help! xxx

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  4. The blouse is incredibly beautiful, you did a great job sewing it.
    The collection of glass vases is something special, very pretty. :)

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    1. Thanks so much! I do love my vintage glass! x

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  5. Blouse is gorgeous. So glad you entered it into the 'For One Day' arts and crafts page. Thank you. What is it you're stuck on with your skirt?

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    1. It's something called the "continuous lap", the diagram doesn't make any sense to me, I can't workout what part of the skirt it's supposed to attach to! x

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    2. PS Thanks so much for inviting me to join 'For One Day" I absolutely loved seeing all those creative posts, so inspiring! x

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    3. No, it's supposedly attached to the back section of the skirt before it's joined to the front or the zip added. X

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  6. Ps I tried watching American Primeval but it was just too bleak! I'll give Godless a bash!Also I love how your nail polish matches the cover of the book!xxx

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    1. American Primeval was very dark. Godless is wonderful, I loved The English but I think it's even better than that. I did laugh when I looked at that photo of the cover and my nail polish! xxx

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  7. Oh, HUGE congrats on a fabulous blouse. Love how you have positioned the pattern pieces to take full advantage of the wonderful print.

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    1. Thanks so much! It took ages to figure out the pattern placement but I love how it looks great from every angle! xxx

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  8. You made a great blouse, so unique!
    It is so creative to sew and at the same time so difficult (I have been sewing for quite some time)!
    Your glass vase collection is wonderful and so are your new acquisitions!!
    Have a nice day Viχ!

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    1. Thanks, Katerina! It's so empowering when the instructions finally fall into place and you make something wearable! xxx

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  9. Wow, a blouse/shirt in a day, very impressive, Vix! It looks great, and I'm especially impressed with how you lined up the patterns! Well done, and it looks fab with your outfits. I'll have to check out "Godless" - it sounds good.

    That beaded capelet is amazing!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! I wasn't expecting to finish that blouse so quickly. The skirt is taking me forever.
      Isn't that capelet gorgeous? I was tempted to keep it but I had a word with myslf! xxx

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  10. OOOH, DIDN'T YOU DO WELL???? That blouse is gorgeous!!!
    I will have to try that Netflix programme - I went to dance school and secondary school with Michelle and she is great!! Her real accent is PROPER Essex /East London!
    I had a look in the chazzers in Hexham today and a lot was v expensive! Saw a lovely shrunken size 20 grey Autograph cashmere cardigan and it was £20 which seemed a lot! There was a nice pair of purple Moshulu knee high boots which were also £20 in my size which I liked but I thought they weren't in good enough condition for £20.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kezzie! I hope you're having a lovely trip and the weather isn't too cold! I'm so happy with how that bouse turned out.
      That's amazing that you went to school with Michelle Dockery. I remember seeing her interviewed on BBC Breakfast, she was so down to earth and lovely. She plays a fantastic part in Godless, you'd never guess she was English.
      Those charity shop prices seem a bit steep for not-so-great quality stuff. I walked away from a gorgeous tan suede over the body bag with the Clarks tags still attached, the BHF wanted £25 for it - I didn't want it that much! I did find a gorgeous alpaca cable knit jumper with flared sleeves for £4 though so I went home happy! xxx

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  11. The blouse is bloody brilliant! No stopping you now :D Looking forward to more sewing adventures ❤️

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    1. Thanks so much, Kate! I'm so happy with it! xxx

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  12. Love the blouse you clever girl it looks fab. What a good use of the throw. That cow girl look suits you. Can't wait to see the skirt. Regards Sue H

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    1. Thanks so much, Sue! I might go and have another look at that skirt again in a bit, I hate it when the instructions make no sense! xxx

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  13. The blouse is amazing, great placement of patterns too. I'm glad you didn't whip off the tablecloth halfway through the meal when inspiration struck!

    Now you're a whizz with making blouses, could you perhaps alter the lovely dress that swamps you to fit, or would it be more trouble than it's worth?

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I was so tempted to whip off the table cover and find something else instead. Thank goodness we didn't spill any red wine on it!
      I think that dress is designed to look oversized, I did consider altering it but sometimes that's trickier than making something from scratch. I'll let it go to someone who'll love it. xxx

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  14. Loved the theme to this post! Such great creativity with the table cloth. One of my favorite maxi skirts was from a curtain in my grandmother's livingroom, all glitter and gold. If only I had her skills. She loved to make prairie skirts and tops with puffy sleeves. Thanks for the review of the movie too. Awesome to see this actress in a piece like this one. 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙💙💙💙💙Oh so many wonderful treasures and wonderful reads. Thanks so much for your comment too!

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    1. Thanks so much, Ellie! I love your storytelling, keep it up! xxx

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  15. Hello!
    I'd love to be able to sew on a machine but I'm no good at it and couldn't learn from my mum! The blouse is beautiful and you, the master of perfect combinations, have created some perfect outfits with it! Thanks for recommending that film! You always make great purchases! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks so much, Marisa! I'm a self-taught sewer and can muddle through patterns to make wearable things but it's wonderful to have a friend like Liz who is a skilled seamstress and can talk me through tricky stuff. xxx

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  16. What a beautiful blouse! You look stunning.
    I haven't seen that film, but I do like the photographs you shared, whoever did the costume design knew what they were doing. Perfect cowgirl chic and inspiration indeed.

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  17. The blouse you made is lovely and I COVET that capelet, despite having nowhere to wear it!

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    1. Thanks, Emily! That capelet is gorgeous isn't it? I was tempted to keep it but it just doesn't fit in with my lifestyle! xxx

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  18. The pattern placement on the blouse is perfect! What a lovely job x

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  19. I love this project! The blouse turned out really beautifully, and the way you've paired it with different outfits is so inspiring. It's wonderful how you combine sewing with your passion for vintage. Your finds in thrift shops and sewing projects are also a great example of how to incorporate unique elements into everyday life. Great job!
    I just followed your blog - if you’d like, feel free to check out mine too :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Adrasteja! Its lovely to meet you, I'll pop over and return the favour very soon! xxx

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  20. That blouse is a stunner, and how lovely that Liz's gift included sewing lessons. I've already agreed with Inez that she'll teach me the basics once I'm retired. I can't blame you for being impatient and wearing it in three different outfits this week! I'm looking forward to seeing the skirt. And I'm intrigued by the 1980s mustard bejewelled jacket. Will you be keeping it? xxx

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    1. How fantastic to have Inez help you when you start sewing, Ann! I'll pass on som eof my stash of vintage patterns as there's some 1970s dresses which would look perfect on you! The bejewelled jacket has gone into the Kinky Shed, it is a fantastic piece though, I do love a peplum. xxx

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  21. What a fabulous way to repurpose your throw. Arilx

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  22. I am late to the party, but I love your new jacket and Michelle Dockery. Thanks for the tip! Godless has been added to the Watch List. Much love to you!

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    1. Always great to hear from you, SB! Godless is so good, I'm tempted to watch it for a third time! xxx

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  23. Sewing lessons -- how wonderful!!! Everything you make is so pretty and interesting, and with your new skills, I can't wait to see what you start making. And now I can't wait for our snow to clear so I can wear my cowboy boots...

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    1. Thanks, Alex! I'm self taught so it's a real treat to have Liz supervise me and encourage me to do it properly instead of shortcuts. I do love a pair of cowboy boots! xxx

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  24. What a lovely present. Your blouse looks fantastic, such good pattern placement.
    The pattern looks amazing, going to see if on eBay.I love the skirt and waistcoat as well.

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    1. Thanks, Amanda! Isn't that pattern gorgeous? I can't wait to tackle the waistcoat, I'm keeping my eyes peeled in the charity shops for something suitable to use...tweed, vintage velvet, calico or corduroy. xxx

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  25. Oh, well done you! The blouse is fantastic and looked fab with everything you wore it with. Looking forward to seeing the skirt next...xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vronni! I might have another look at that skirt later and see if the instructions become any clearer on a second viewing! xxx

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Lots of love, Vix