Vintage on LazyArchives

A Good Foundation

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I have a slight obsession with underpinnings! Just take a look at my lingerie board on Pinterest!

As a dressmaker, I know only too well that no matter how beautifully I sew a garment, if I wear it over unsupportive, unflattering, poorly fitting underwear it’s just not going to show that garment off at it’s best.

Vintage or reproduction vintage garments especially need appropriate underpinnings!

This is something I never tire of reminding my clients when I am teaching.

Vintage Pin Stripes

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

One day last week I decided I hated most of my clothes. I was sick of trying to fit my ever expanding waistline (sad face) into dresses and skirts that refused to co operate. So over half of my wardrobe went in a charity collection bag…well, more than one actually! I have only kept clothes that I really love, and my new sewing resolution is to sew things I really want to wear, and to satisfy my urge to sew random clothes I will sew with someone in mind and spread the joy.

No Waste!

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0000

My friend found this fabulous vintage housecoat a few months ago, and knowing how much I would love it, she sent it to me. Sadly it wouldn’t fit over my ample boobage and so hung on a hanger for a while, while I pondered what to do with it. I felt kinda guilty hacking into it, not something I usually worry about, but it was a gift…

40's Style Dungarees

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000

I had a hankering for dungarees, much to the amusement of a couple of my friends! I’m 47, I’m curvy (overweight) and I’m short, with short legs! Undeterred by these facts I went ahead and made myself a pair anyway, albeit rather half heartedly. I was convinced I would make them up, hate them and then having satisfied my desire for something I would hate that would be that!

My Crystal Tips skirt

Sun, 01 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Tuesday was the day of my yearly mammogram so Woody had the day off to take me to the hospital. This year’s appointment was in the morning, so we went for lunch in Stockport’s Old Town afterwards, and did a little bit of vintage shopping at the same time.
Stockport is well known for it’s Vintage Village and over the past few years a few vintage shops have also sprung up around the market place.
I found this piece of vintage fabric in one of the shops for £5, probably a bit more than I’d usually pay in a charity shop, but still reasonable, and so bright and cheery I couldn’t really resist!
It is a home dec fabric, the kind I think we had bathroom curtains made from when I was young. Of course it’s intended purpose never bothers me, I knew I wanted a simple A line skirt in it. The Delphine skirt by Tilly Walnes is a fab A line pattern, a nice high waist and the kind of exagerated A line I love. I do think that this is my current favourite A line pattern, taken over from my own draft!
I’m calling it my Crystal Tips skirt because the bright colours remind me of a childhood cartoon Crystal Tips and Alistair.

A lovely War!

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Last week I was a parent helper on Sid’s year 6 school trip to the air raid shelters in Stockport. I have been wanting to help out on this school trip for several years, but always had a small child or two at home to take care of. This year I didn’t and jumped with joy at the opportunity to help out. I do love local history, but mostly I just really wanted to dress up!

When things don't go quite right.

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +0000

I sew a lot, a heck of a lot and for lots of reasons;

I love clothes, I don’t often like clothes available on the high street and if I do I can’t afford them or they don’t fit.
I have a compulsion to create and make, sewing is my preferred method.
Sewing eases my heart and my soul. I can’t explain it, but something about the process brings peace.
It’s my job! I love designing patterns, and I love teaching at Ministry of Craft or one to one classes in my home.

Although I sew lots, not everything works out. I rarely am 100% satisfied with anything I make, I am always striving for a better finish, but sometimes things just really don’t work, like this skirt.
The beautiful fabric was picked for me by my ~~fabric dealer~~ friend, Mary. She knows my taste so well and often picks things she knows I’ll love.

A mouse took a stroll....

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000

There is an acre of woodland in Wigan that is dedicated to our youngest daughter Florence, we always take a walk there on her birthday, and as often as we can throughout the year. While we were there yesterday India took some photos of me in my latest creation, another self drafted summer dress.
The weather was showery, though not cold. India and I found a lovely clearing in the wood to take photos, tiptoeing carefully in peep toe sandals ( I wore wellies for the rest of our walk! ) through the long wet grass I spotted the cutest little field mouse! He was just there at my feet, we both looked at each other with mild surprise, I said “Hello little mouse”, and he scurried away before I could take a photo. He really was the sweetest little creature, and it made my day to have seen him.

Hilary's Craft Competition

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I had an email inviting me to take part in a craft competition run by Hilary’s Blinds. I was given a choice of four of the fab prints they have in their very extensive range, and I chose Rayna Apple. I was sent one square metre of fabric very promptly and began planning. (And double checking that I could use a co ordinating fabric alongside the Rayna Apple.)
So, with an idea of what I wanted to do I started work drafting a pattern. Initially I wanted to make a dress, using my co ordinating fabric as the bodice. So using my personal bodice block I drafted a scoop slightly gathered neck bodice with button front fastening…I was clearly feeling brave because button fronts on my boobs rarely works well!