Its a Keeper!

I have been makking a host of different frocks to sell at Vintage Mischief, from full skirted 50s frocks to 60s shifts, mostly from original patterns and cloth.  As i said in my last post i need to put them on a "body", not finding any lying around i squeeze myself into them and get hubby to take a shot.  On saturady we had a special party at my Mother-in-Law's house, as she turned 70 this week.  I rushed to get this dress complete to whizz it into the shop.  However, i really liked it, and it fit, and my hubby said i looked nice in it(quite a rare occurence) so i kept it!  I teamed it with a little peach shrug and wandered around the town feeling very summery, despite that fact the sun was hiding and rain was threatening.  I wore it to said party and it got the thumbs up.  I also modelled the swing trousers i have started making, the first pair are in the shop and no photo will appear as they were a little tight on me and i had very unattractive vpl!  This dress was the on the extreme right of the pattern, minus the sleeves as the 50s curtain i was using wasn't big enough to cut sleeves too.  I will be making more of this style as i think it is very flattering and very wearable!

 

It got a bit snugger fitting after a few plates of party fayre! Happy Birthday Grandma Ann.

 Random Photo Post!

Lots has been happening at Chez L over the last few weeks, with the garden-growing and blooming, moving into the new room(temporarily until we get the gas and flooring sorted), haircuts (not usually big news i know) and lots of trips out and about now that its "summer".  I had a big chop on Saturday, slightly influenced by going to see Gatsby last week, embracing my inner flapper i've gone for a short bob, feel like i should be wandering around with a gin and lounging on chaise longue in flappy trousers.  My son declared "your hair looks nice Mummy" when i got home, my hubby denies priming him but i'm not so sure.  He requested a back of head shot after i'd had mine done, his hair looks very much in need of a cut but i don't want to its too sweet all messy and curly.

 My "day job" work arrived last week so i am busy working on lots of green items to be fitted over the next few weeks.  I haven't had any "proper" work for a couple of months so it feels good to be doing something for which  i trained hard for.  I love doing my other bits and bobs, alterations and Lulumama garments but costume is what got me sewing in the first place.  I worked for several years for a lovely theatrical tailor and   learnt so much, it was a happy calm place to work, and seemed very bizarre that we were making costumes for all these big london productions in a liitle workroom in the wilds of Norfolk.  I am lucky enough to still get work from said tailor, even though he relocated to shropshire the year my son was born.  He cuts the garments and sends them to me, and then fits them which is marvellous as i can't get down to fittings whilst looking after little one.

 I have managed to squeeze in a few more frocks for Vintage Mischief, i have made another 1940s frock, adorned with vintage buttons, and a couple more made to original 60s/50s patterns.  It has been lovely having an excuse to use these patterns, some of which have never been used.  There are several more on the go which i will finish off between work.  I must try to photograph them on a body, they look so limp on the hangers.

 Random photo of my little one with a friend at Banham Zoo in the half term, they looked so cute holding hands! And pictures of my big poppies before the wind and rain destroyed them!

Flaming June

Well after what has felt like the longest build up summer is finally here........sort of.  Our garden pinged into life a couple of weeks ago and now there is no stopping it, everything is greening up and seems to grow before your eyes.

We planted some asparagus crowns 3 years ago, and this year we are finally allowed to harvest and eat it, woo hoo!  We picked our first modest bunch last weekend as our Wedding anniversary treat, it was scrummy.  We have also been enjoying the rhubarb, as we have to keep eating it before it consumes littlies sandpit!  The good weather has got me making more summery frocks, i made a repeat of the 1940s-esque one in the earlier post, it worked really well with this  more drapey cloth. I have also made a wrap style frock, but more of that later.

We have a new resident here at chez Lulumama, a blackbird has made its nest on our new extension, so someone is enjoying our new space before we do.  It is lovely to look up and see Mrs Merle atop her pile of twigs!

I Heart Quilts!

Fancied making a little lap/cot/wallhanging quilt the other day, so i rooted out a charm pack of 1930s quilt cottons,  I just wanted a fairly simple design that showed off the lovely fabric(its my favourite kind of quilt cotton), i then appliqued a few hearts onto the bare looking plain squares with a bit of bondaweb,  put on a border, and ta da a new quilt top.  I have zig zagged around the raw edge hearts and am just contemplating how to quilt the rest.  Two of my friends are expecting babies in summer so this one may be destined for one of them, if i can part with it that is!!

Yet Another Day, Yet another Bag!

Had some of this groovy abstract barkcloth left over from my messenger bag, sooo i made another little tote bag.  Don't know why i am  getting so hooked on the bag thing, maybe its because they instantly jazz up an outfit.

Summer Frock Story

I have some theatre work coming up in June, so i thought that i would treat myself to a new summer frock before it all begins, as i will have little time or the urge when in the midst of it.  I went onto Jaycotts website the other day to re-stock on some haberdashery and noticed they had a good sale on some of their patterns (oh dear).  So i went mad and bought some, i usually make my own patterns, so this is a bit of a novelty for me, letting someone else do all the complicated fiddling about with drafting etc.  I really enjoyed myself, following instructions without having to work out the order to do things in, and realising i need to cut an extra bit of facing or make up a bit of extra something.  They didn't say how to finish off seams so i just overlocked everything and i am really pleased with the results.  I chose this style as it reminds me of 1940s tea dresses, very feminine but not too dressy, so i can wear it for every day.   It also has a couple of bias cut panels , which i would hesitate to draft myself, as i find bias cutting a bit like witchcraft.  If anyone ever comes to me with an order for one of those amazing 1930s bias cut numbers i would run a mile! I also bought a couple of the re-issued retro 1950s patterns, which require at least 5metres of cloth so that will have to wait for now.  I bought some lovely "Antique Treasure" cloth from a quilting shop and hey presto a new item for my wardrobe!

Please excuse the rather unflattering photos (and coal bin in background).  One thing that i do find depressing about bought patterns is the sizing-  i am a good two sizes bigger on patterns than my shop bought clothes.  Does this mean that the high street is trying to flatter us and make us feel good, or are pattern sizes stuck in the 1950s?  Also why is the pattern tissue paper so flimsy and floaty, it only takes one sneeze to send the whole lot of it flying off the table,Top Tip- it is a nightmare to cut out, i  used a craft knife on a cutting mat to cut out my pattern-it is sooo much easier and quicker  I have cut another one of these frocks in a much softer floaty cotton, so i am looking forward to seeing how it looks compared to this one.  Go on get some cheery summer cloth and make yourself something!!!!

Sunny Dress For a Sunny Lady!

I bought this cheery piece of cloth at vintage fair recently, with as usual no idea what it would become, i just knew it could become something fab.  A very lovely lady who i shall now refer to as "Hawk-Eye", spotted said fabric and decided she must have something made in it.  So hey presto a funky sunny day dress for my good friend Hawk-Eye!!