Charity shop find!

I went charity shop shopping today for the Mr. He's off to the matching stag do to the 1920s hen do I'm going to this weekend, only the boys are doing a 70s anchorman theme. Today I bought him a fantastic navy blue double breasted jacket with the most amazing gold buttons, for a whopping £3.50.

While I was in there I found some great floral fully lined curtains for £6, they are apparently 50x90 inches, though I haven't checked yet, but I did hold them up and they looked like a decent size, and yay for bonus lining fabric!

I was thinking of going for a full skirted 50s style, more housewife than rockabilly, I've added some piccies below to give you an idea. This will be my next project, so excited!

1920s continued

So remember that 20s dress I made the other day for a hen do? Well I had a spare 30 mins. So I made a matching handbag!!

Need to reposition the Velcro on the flap, not happy with how it sits. Tbh I'm not all that happy using Velcro, but that's all I had lying around the flat. I tend not to have a stock pile of magnetic snaps.

Otherwise I'm pleased with the look, I decided to use contrasting side panels to give it a more modern twist. What do you think?

Vintage coat

If you remember I posted a while back about making this coat for winter:

For reference, that's Butterick  B5824 - Patterns by Gertie. Yesterday I went fabric shopping with Carrie from Sewing Pretty and we spotted this lovely fabric, in a black/pink design and a matching lining fabric in dusty pink.

I also treated myself to a few new sewing things, some carbon paper and pin wheel, and a tailors ham! The Mr. did look very confused last night when he found it in the kitchen (where I keep the ironing board) and even more so when I told him what it was called! He is quite good and just smiling and nodding at sewing terminology - though I think he will always still giggle when I talk about boning (actually that's a lie - we both giggle at that!!)

First step today is to cut the pattern, and start to cut up the muslin. I know I'll need to modify the pattern to fit, the joys of being 5'10", so I'm doing things the proper way and making a fitting muslin first to save the proper fabric.

Gertie did a sew-along with this pattern, with videos and photos, so fingers crossed this should go well!

Oh and if you haven't ever read Gertie's blog you're missing out! I've been a fan for about 5 years and have half of her patterns (as two more were released last week!) and her book, so please go and check her out!

1920s dress

I have a friend's hen do in a couple of weeks and the theme is 1920s flapper. Well as any curvy girl knows the traditional flapper girl isn't the most boob friendly design.

So I did what any maker does, any just made my own. I looked around at images of 20s dresses that didn't include fringing and came up with my own design.

I nipped into town yesterday and picked up some fabric, not sure what it is, there was just one roll in this color, but as far as I can tell it's a cotton/viscose blend, but in a gorgeous pink/coral shade. I also picked up some wide flat lace trim, and a few meters of embroidered and sequinned trim for decoration.

 

It was a simple draft, pretty much a tube dress with slight bust darts, I know darts aren't particularly authentic, but when you have bigger boobs.... then it was just a simple angular cut for the neck line and arm holes.

The arm holes and hem are overlocked, the arms then top stitched down. The neck line is faced. The trim and lace were just  sewn on top, the bottom trim encapsulating the bottom hem, and just peeking off to bottom edge to give the dress a softer bottom line. 

60s inspired range coming soon

Over the next few months I will be working on my first range of 60s inspired mod clothes which will be going on sale in Brighton in time for the August bank holiday Mod rally (or maybe before if I get them done!) I'm starting off with a small range of three pieces which will be available in sizes 8-16, and one or two limited candy stripe tunic tops

First up will be a blue gingham mini dress,

Very similar to the above styles but with a white peter pan collar and no belts or pockets, just a nice simple summer dress, lined in my fav faux silk for extra lushness!

50s Dino Dress

I've written up my first tutorial, now is time to fill you in on what I'm working on! As soon as I've completed my current costume for an event next weekend I'll be starting on something very exiting!

I'm planning on taking some inspiration from the 50s pattern below only I plan to add some little sleeves (it's just to cold in the UK to not have sleeves in spring!) maybe make it a little lower cut and a less full skirt, as I doubt I could fit under my desk in a full 50s skirt! But never fear it will still retain the classic 50s feel and styling, only with a little geeky twist!