Long time no see!! September 12, 2009

I’m sorry I’ve not blogged in a while, I would like to say I’ve been awfully busy and blah blah blah, but I’ve just been a little ill, and not really done any sewing at all for a while.

I do, however, have some exciting projects coming up, which I will tell you more about when things are getting underway!

On another note, tomorrow B. & I are going to see a kitty that needs a new home.  She is called Delilah & is 2 years old, and apparently small for her age.  She is all black & is a house cat, so the purrrfect companion for our little Mao!

I’m so excited!!!

Pictures! (Well, picture…) August 5, 2009

Finished Advance 8494

So here is a poor picture of the finished Advance 8494 dress!

I made it to the pattern, which ended up with the waist being a few inches too large for some reason (as far as I know I’ve not lost so many inches that things should be so big!) so I had to cut more off the sides off the dirndl skirt.  I liked making the pleated skirt, I found it quite relaxing to be honest, but obviously next time I will have to make the pleats bigger (or the skirt pieces smaller).

This is the 3rd version of the pattern I have made now, the previous version ended up being a shirt as I’d run out of fabric so couldn’t make the skirt piece.  I’ve also made each version of the sleeves.

A thoroughly enjoyable pattern!!

Dirndl Dress – Advance 8494ming August 5, 2009

I finally made the Advance 8494 dress properly!!  It’s still awaiting hemming & sleeve facings, but I love it.  Instead of simply gathering the skirt, it’s a series of pleats giving a soft gathered effect, with a pouffy skirt.  my concern was that the skirt wouldn’t be as pouffy as I would like, but it’s looking good so far.  As I say, there’s a little to finish, so I will post pics when I am done.

I’m also selling a load of patterns over on Etsy should anyone be interested.  All patterns are $8.50 =P&P;

Simplicity 3688

Butterick 4790

American Weekly dress pattern

Simplicity 1519

Sundress & bolero pattern

I also have a 1950s swimsuit for sale;

£20 without the littlest neg + p&p

Excellent condition, metal zip at back, moulded cups, elasticaded leg holes (elastic still elastic-y!) adjustable straps, features ‘half skirt’ with bow on the front. The only flaw is a small hole on the inside of the gusset on the seam (on the lining).

Measurements;

Bust 36″
Waist 26″
Hip 38″

Anyone interested drop me a line.  It’s not yet on Etsy, I need to take some more pics!

???! July 29, 2009

I began making a nice summer dress (even though there has been no sign of summer here for a few weeks now) from this pattern;

I’ve had it for quite a while now, it was one of the first ones I got, and though it high time I try it out.

I must say, it’s looking pretty good.  I’ve used a navy cotton with a white trim.

Just a few prblems with the pattern though -

It’s maked as a size 16, the measurements of which match my own.  So why is the bust 4 inches too big?  The waist fits fine which is what I really can’t work out!!

Also, the bodice is about 6 inches too long.  I have no idea wat the hell is going on here.  My pattern pieces were cut properly, so it’s nothing I’ve done, and I’ve followed the instructions, using my dummy to pin everything.

Bloody ridiculous.  So now I have to unpick the sodding thing, but I am half tempted to just bin the thing & start again.  It would be much less trouble!!

I’ve lost my sewing mojo obviously.  The other dress I made turned out to be a shirt as I cut the skirt wrong & ran out of fabric.  It’s a nice shirt though, I think I did a good job, but I wanted a dress!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come back mojo!!!!

Vintage e-zine July 25, 2009

I’ve been throwing around the idea of making a magazine style website for some time now, but today I decided that as I have 2 weeks off work I have the time to do some proper planning.

My main reason for wanting to do this is the fact that there is nothing instantly availible, sure we have the Chap, but I’m not a fella, and Vintage Queens, which doesn’t really fulfil my desire to learn more about vintage…stuff (but is still pretty good!). Plus it’s another site I can put on my CV that isn’t to do with printing equipment.

Vintage Queens seems to have a mish mash of things, and a lot of their ‘Vintage Queens’ are more, alternative than what I would call vintage, so I want this thing to be pretty focussed – pre 1960s, with lots of information about events, dressing, shopping, inspirations and history.

I would like to see as many people as possible submitting pieces for the site, as well as having a few people on board to hel with the regular sections, so if you are able to commit to submitting pieces on a regular basis (bi-monthly to start) I would very much appreciate it!

For anyone interested in contributing, please submit a short piece, on a topic of your choice (keeping within the vintage theme 20s-50s) of between 600 & 1000 words by Monday 3rd August. This is to see what everyone writing styles are like & see where each person would fit into the site. – think of it as an audition

The site will be aimed at people interested in ‘vintage’ which covers a wide range of subjects, the history, the fashion, the living and much more.

Submission policy as follows (and will apply equally to anyone submitting);

By submitting an article you give right to publish it and also to include it any collections of past issues. However, copyright remains the property of the authors. Authors are free to publish their contributions again elsewhere, so long as Vintage Schmintage is acknowledged as the place of first publication.

Articles should be self-contained; it shouldn’t be necessary for readers to look up references in order to follow what is being said.

Unfortunately I am not able to pay authors for articles.

Articles to be submitted (along with any accompanying pictures) to kdexeter@yahoo.co.uk

Sections talked about so far include;
Menswear
Womenswear
Shopping
Events
Crafts
Music
Film
Cooking
History

Each section will likely be broken down into subsections, with regular ‘columns’ so you are free to choose which section you would like to write for, though if I get a lot of people writing for one particular section I will have to store them for future editions.

B has a couple of colleagues who may be interested in writing for a history section & I will be chatting with them soon too.

ANNOYING!!!! July 23, 2009

Last weekend I went on a bit of a shopping spree to Birmingham & I picked up some lovely fabrics for summer dresses (funny being as the summer has totally vanished now…).  I sat for about 20 minutes deciding which pattern I was going to use for which fabric, and I finally decided on the Advance 8494 for the darker fabric, as I have some white lace which would go so well with the fabric, so I set about cutting out.  The fabric was very narrow, something I hadn’t noticed previously, but I thought 3 metres would be plenty.

So I have the whole of the bodice and the back skirt piece cut out with enough for the front skirt piece, and it’s then I realise that I need to cut out 2 of each of these pieces.  Noooooooo!!!

I’ve had to mix & match again & the only skirt pieces I could find that fit on the piece I had cut out already was the skirt from Simplicity 5398 (views 1&2).  I’m so disappointed because I really wanted the pouffy skirt, so as it stands I will have an a-line skirt, with no pouff at all

Oh well.

On the bright side, it’s not raining any more.

Interview results!! July 18, 2009

So I didn’t get the job.  But my feedback was that my attitude and approach to work is great.  I’m really not sure what I’m meant to do!  I always get the same feedback, maybe I’m too nice?!!!

In the interview I did get feedback on my website that ‘it’s not half as lovely as I am in person’ so I was pondering over what this meant, and this morning I decided perhaps I’m not pushing myself as hard as I should be with it.  So now I just need to think of a design for the thing!

Website with a vintage feel?

Nautical Outfits! July 17, 2009

Yesterday, after my interview, I went for a wander round Birmingham & found the cutest playsuit for £25.  It was not vintage but could certainly pass.  I have a playsuit pattern, and a dress pattern with a similar detail on the bust, so off I went to buy my fabric – 1 king size flat sheet in navy & 2 pillowcases in white.  I have enough to make a playsuit & the dress so that’s what I shall be up to today whilst going crazy waiting to hear about the job!

I intend to make the playsuit by using the bodice of the dress, and the dress & bolero jacket.  All in navy with a white trim.  I’ve not decided if I want to go for a circle skirt for the dress yet.  I might make the playsuit with a little circle skirt.  It depends how much fabric I have spare…

I bought the most lovely little buttons, but they only had 8 of them so I don’t know if they will go on the dress or the playsuit yet.

AGH!!! Still no news about the job, don’t they know I’m going crazy!??!!!???!!!

Interview Outfit July 16, 2009

So today I have an interview, I found out on Tuesday & quicky decided I have absolutely nothing to wear, but a lovely dress to finish in my to do pile! So I did it!!

Simplicity 5398

The pattern I used was the Simplicity 7 way wardrobe, view 1.  I bought the fabric last year sometime & it’s a beautiful cream linen with red flowers.  The dress was pretty straightforward to make, no major scary bits like sleeves or anything.  The most difficult bit was the hem (which is always harder when you have no full length mirror or a mum to help out!) but I think it turned out ok!

As the dress has no sleeves and I have massive tattoos, I made a bolero to go with it too, from the 1940s Practical playsuit pattern.  This pattern is a little intimidating at first as it is unprinted with no seam allowences and the instructions are brief to say the least!  The bolero went together really easily as it is just a few pieces & you can see how the pieces fit together right away.  I made the 3/4 length sleeves longer (otherwise there’s not much point in trying to cover up the tattoos on my wrists is there??!!!!!) and didn’t put a button on as it looks a little odd fastened with the dress, as the waistline of the dress is a few inches below the bottom of the jacket.

Anyway, I’m pleased with how it all turned out, hopefully they will be stunned by my style, sewing abilities & amazing personality that they will give me a job on the spot!  Oh, they should hopefully be impressed with my web design skills, but that’s last on the list

Wish me luck!!!!

Lemon Meringue Pie – but smaller July 13, 2009

Mini Lemon Meringue Pies

I made lemon meringue pie for B’s dutch lunch at work tomorrow. I like when he tells me he has to buy cake for somethin glike this because it gives me chance to do some baking! I do like baking but unfortunately I’m not really a cake fan so mostly what I cook goes uneaten.
Anyway, these taste yummy so I thought I would share the recipie for mini lemon meringue pies!
Short Pastry;
8oz plain flour
2oz lard
2oz margerine
cold water

Pie filling;
2 eggs seperated
some lemon juice
1/4 pint boiling water
8oz caster sugar
1oz cornflour

Preheat the oven to 200C & grease a bun tin.

To make the pastry (the cheats way);

• Put flour & fat in food processor & blast until all the fat is mixed in & add enough cold water to form a soft dough. Turn out, wrap in cling film or foil & put in the fridge whilst you prepare the lemon filling.

Lemon filling;

• Put the egg yolks, 4oz sugar & lemon juice in a pan & beat, gradually adding the boiling water. Make sure you mix it well as you could end up with lemony scrambled eggs. Yum!
• Mix the cornflour with a little cold water & add to the pan.
• Place the pan over a low heat & continue to beat until the mixture bubbles & thickens. Put to one side.

• Roll out the pastry & cut with a large cookie cutter to fit your bun tin. & line the cups. Prick the pastry with a fork & bake until golden brown (15-20 minutes).

• When the pasry is cooked, spoon the lemon mixture into the pastry bases & reduce the oven heat to 150C

Prepare the meringue;

• Beat the egg whites until it stands in stiff peaks & add the sugar a spoonful at a time, beating well between each addition. You should end up with a very stiff, glossy mixture.
• Place a spoonful of the mix onto each pie and gently cover all of the lemon mix.
• Bake in the oven for around 25 minutes until the meringue is crispy & golden.

• Eat hot or cold (I love them fresh from the oven!)