-
I Made a … 1950s Vintage Dress – From a Vintage Sewing Pattern Simplicity 3274 – Part One
My latest vintage sewing project is a 1950s vintage dress. I used a vintage pattern that I bought from Wave of Nostalgia in Haworth; Simplicity 3274. I wanted to try and create a really authentic feel for this dress by using vintage fabric, notions and techniques. This post details the making of the bodice. The making of the skirt will follow in my next post.
-
I Made a … 1930s Knitted Cardigan
This 1930s knitted cardigan pattern was a the top of my Knitting Wishlist and came from Subversive Femme on Etsy*. Bex has a wonderful selection of vintage knitting patterns from the 1920s to 50s. She also has an amazing blog with lots of free knitting patterns. It’s well worth checking out!
-
I Made a …. Helen’s Closet Elliot Sweater
As soon as I saw the Elliot Sweater pattern from Helen’s Closet I knew that it was going to be for me. It has so many things about it which I just LOVE. I am sure that this will be the first of many tops I will make from this pattern.
-
I Made a … Pair of Hand Knitted Gloves
Hand knitted gloves are one of life’s little pleasures in my opinion. I’ve never had gloves fit my small hands properly but making them myself has solved this issue completely. Also being able to make them in something as soft and luxurious as the Rowan Fine Silk is a real treat for the hands.
-
The Rizzo Blouse – Poison Grrls Test Knit
I recently had the opportunity to be a test knitter for the latest pattern from Poison Grrls, The Rizzo Blouse. Being a test knitter is something I have always wanted to try, and it was such a pleasure to work with Amy.
The pattern is GORGEOUS. I love to knit vintage patterns but they can be so crazy. Literally, scratching your head, turning things around. Constant WTF.
But the Rizzo Blouse is knitted in one piece, top down. No funny yokes, no side ways construction. Yes please.
-
1940s Pyjama Playsuit Take Two
After I finished my 1940s Pyjama Playsuit, I had just enough fabric left to make an alternative top to match the playsuit shorts. I wanted to create another sun top, like this one I made before. That way I would have two 1940s playsuit outfits in one! So I started cutting my sun top, a different style this time but from the same pattern, Simplicity 1462*. Take a look at the process below.
-
PSB – Challenge No. 3 – Abstract Embroidery Art
And now for my final Petersfield Sewing Bee challenge. I put an abstract twist on this challenge and came up with my abstract embroidery art.
The focus for this challenge was embroidery, inspired by the embroidery therapy that was offered to many soldiers across the world after WW1. Surprisingly ahead of its time, embroidery therapy tapped into the therapeutic nature of lots of handicrafts and helped soldiers deal with their psychological trauma.
For this challenge we were provided with 1 metre of linen. We could use as much or as little as we liked and we could do any kind of embroidery that took our fancy.
-
PSB – Challenge No.2 – Dress Refashion
And so another Sewing Bee challenge is complete! Continuing the WW1 theme, this challenge was again inspired by war time austerity but unlike the previous challenge, challenge No. 2 required us to make something new from something old. Or as I would call it, a refashion!
I love a refashion. I think it is so inspiring to transform something unwanted or unloved into something new and exciting. For this refashion, I headed to my local charity shops to find a likely looking garment for a makeover. I struck gold with this enormous, boxy maxi-dress which was … 100% linen eek!
-
PSB – Challenge No. 1 – 1940s Style Sun Top
So the deadline for the first Petersfield Sewing Bee has passed and my entry is on display in the window of my local fabric shop. So now I think would be a good time to show you what I made, a 1940s style sun top.
-
Commissions Commissions – Edwardian Lady’s Maid
I am so pleased that I am able to share with you another historical commission, this time for a Lady’s Maid from 1901. Most of my commissions start with a photograph or reference picture sent to me by the client. We then usually have a conversation which goes, like this but with short sleeves and in black, or something like this but not so fancy. I then do some research of my own, looking for historical references that I can base my designs off (this is why my costumes Pinerest board suddenly has a lot of servants on it). I then finalise my designs and send it back to the customer for approval before I get to work.
