Sunday Sewing – September Frock

Ok so I'm way behind with this one but I've almost finished, and it was worth it.

First an update on my mending.While I have not mended one piece of clothing every day I did come close, I only missed two days and am pleased with my efforts. So I am going to keep going with this one and try for seven days this coming week.

For September's Frock I picked 5339 from the cover, the yellow frock.Fabric – it's a cotton blend with ribbon detail sewn on. As I knew the top was going to be heavy with layers, I wanted something light. I also planned to make this my first evening frock, so I wanted something a bit dresser then the norm.

There are no buttons, trim or details of any kind, it relies on getting the folds right for this pattern. And I hope you all think I did well, I won't lie, it I found it very hard to do and am still not sure.

Here you can see the bodice and skirt before I join them. I don't remember how many times I unpicked the basting to get the fabric to sit just so.

This is them basted together without the zip.

 

And the finished Frock, well almost. Under this I am wearing my waits clincher and petticoat, but will have to make a shorter one for this frock.

I am yet to find a buckle in black to fit the fabric belt. And I will let the frock hang for a week to let the fabric settle and then get my mother to come give me a hand with the hemming, I am thinking just under the knee.

Overview

• It was a very hard pattern and can say while I like the way it turned out I will not be making it again.
• Fabric was hard to work with but a good chose, however is difficult to iron.
• To get the best effect I believe you need to wear a petticoat underneath.
• Really need to get the pleats to sit right or could look bad (I know, first basting was a shocker).

I am now looking for a reason to go out to dinner so I can test run. Can't wait!

Give Away Time

Well I did warn you all that October is a busy month for me and it really was but since it was mostly all business not much is worth blogging about. However it is also birthday month for my side of the family and to celebrate both the end of the month and my birthday tomorrow I would like to give someone else a lovely gift.

I am a firm believer in when you feel good you look great, so to get one lovely Lady started on tis path I am giving away a pair of Leg Avenue pantyhose, Estee Lauder Pure Colour Classic Red (my fav lipstick) and Estee Lauder Lip Pencil Red. And so you have something to red with your coffee or tea and Australian Home Journal, April, 1962.

So how do you get your hands on these? Easy just leave a Lovely Comment, but if you would like another chance then tell your friends to leave a Lovely comment and that you referred them and you'll both go into the draw.

So please tell me what makes you feel good and look great?

Ooops.
I forgot to say when this ends. Lets do one week from Monday. Good luck!

Sunday Sewing - Mending

Since I have not really done much sewing in the last two weeks, I have no new clothes to show off but I do have an ever growing pile of mending to do. If, like me, you are the only sewer most people know, then no doubt you will end up getting asked to fix something. While I don't mind, as I love to sew, sometimes it just feels like a chore.

This week the plan is to fix one item of clothing each day. If I can do this, then I'll keep going till the pile is gone. Often getting started is the hardest part for me.However I thought I might share a handy sewing solution, it's for in the car and on the go jobs.When you turn up at a family BBQ and someone say's "Oh can you fix this? I'll just go and get it." Or "I was hoping you could fix this, I brought with me." Yes, they bring out a bag of clothes or a shirt and button, pants that have been pinned and any number of odd sewing jobs. Once I used to smile and nod and it would end up on my to-be-fixed pile. Weeks later I might get around to it and they still seem to give me more to do. So now to avoid this happening I take this handy little sewing kit with me almost everywhere I go. If the job is too big or there is too much, I tell them they must come for afternoon tea and play with the children so I can stitch while they wait.

This little solution is a little kit that started life as an embroidery kit, one project at a time was kept inside. I could zip it up and keep it at hand. I managed to finish things a lot faster when all the bits were kept together. The kit's job has not changed that much and it has a hard life but when I ask "Can you get my sewing kit from the car?" my children know just what I'm asking for.What's inside?

• Small scissors
• Different size needles
• Threads in many, many colours
• Buttons, standard shirt – white and bark blue seem the most in need
• Pins

Most clothes these days have a spare button hidden on the garment some were and you can use this. It's a good idea and you can sew one on the inside of clothes you make yourself. In saying this, sometimes you'll have to put all new buttons on so they match. If it's a shirt that get's tucked in you might be able to get away with using the bottom button.

I never bother with zips. if the zip has gone the outfit goes. I'm just not good at them and they are often the first thing to go in and the hardest to get out.

Hems are easy, as long as you've got the right coloured thread.

The most common jobs I get asked to do are putting buttons back on, hems on pants /jeans and the odd tear (this is mostly from males and the tear is in the bottom).It's nice to know your loved when someone gets excited because you turned up with your sewing kit.

While I was Away

I've come and gone but while I was away my work built up, as is seems to always do when I'm not looking.
Our business trip was to Sydney and as it turns out it was all work and no play, I lie I took a few hours out to visit the Love Vintage fair that was on while we were down there.

Since I'm the planning kind of person and knew about the fair when our trip was planned I also booked myself in with The Lindy Charm School for Girls and was so pleased I did. Due to a change in timing I didn't get to do the full 3 hours but was very happy with what I did learn. If you are in Australia and get the opportunity to see these lovely ladies then do so, you will be pleased to if you do.

I was also lucky to find myself standing next to Candice DaVille aka Super Kawaii Mama, it was lunch on Sunday and she had no voice left from the week end but she as lovely in person as she is on her blog.
Since I knew I would only get a short few hours to spend at the fair I went with a list,

• A pair of vintage shoes
• Some vintage fabric
• A pair of short gloves
• A pair of long gloves
• Some seamed stockings
• A vintage hat
• Vintage styled underware

I was able to get most on my list, having long fingers made it hard to find gloves that fit and I couldn't find a hat that jumped up at me. But on the whole I was happy with what I did get, I also got a pair of green shoes but they're at the cobblers getting new heals as they were worn a bit.

The best thing about my time was the feeling of excitement seeing so many other people as excited as me to be there. Other than through mine and other peoples blogs. I don't know anyone who shares my interest in retro/vintage where I live.

Thank you all, for sharing with me, it means so much.

Working Weeks

The next two weeks I will be working full time, so no sewing, while I prepare for a business trip with Atomic Dad to Sydney, for four days. I have been looking forward to this trip for some time.

I will try to post when I can, hope you all have a good week.

A Look Inside

Australian Home Journal - October 1959

I am not sure but I think I'll end up making both pattern's for this month, they are so different to each other and I can see great ideas for them. Don't you just love the red head scarf and blue sunglasses!

Much like September 1959, and I did not mean to pick the same year, you get your free patterns as shown on the front. On the inside you can find correspondents, reviews on films and plays, a short story, dress patterns to order, recipes, free knitting patterns.

Things missing from one month to the next,no star signs or decorating ideas. There has also been a page cut very neatly from my copy so can't tell you what not there.

This month I hope to make both free patterns, last months is on it's way, make at least one recipe and since there are no decorating ideas I will continue with Make the most of Your Home: Laminated Plastics theme.

Hope you all enjoy your week end.