Glenn, men's cabled jumper/vest c. 1950 Patons R.19

Last night Cowboy and I were discussing what to do about Xmas - we have really limited budgets due to the America trip next year.

She mentioned that she would love a knitted jumper or vest - "like a grizzly fisherman". Cute.

She meant an aran, or cabled, but with a round or polo neck.
A few hours later and we found this one, its from Patons R.19 "Eighteen Specially Requested Reprints". From the styling, I think the majority of the patterns are actually from the 40s, and reprinted again in this 1950s booklet.

And its 3-ply! Cabled 3-ply! What am I thinking?
I'll change the neckline to a polo, and make the sleeved version.

Fifties Fair Day 2011 photos

It was overcast, but no rain thank goodness.

I spent way under my budget this year, but still came away with some good finds. The eye candy is worth the $25 entry fee alone.

Jakk was happy to find heaps of men's clothes

Amazing chairs and lamps

I wanted this grease-keeper, but $45 was too much.



Dress from Etsy,  Hat from Etsy, shoes from Payless,
petticoat from Ebay, necklace my Nan's 


























Brooch from last year's fair



I finally had my chance to wear the 1950s Koldin taffetta dress I had been saving. Pink piped besom pockets, self belt and piped neckline - so fun to wear! The skirt's swirl is amazing.

I said I spent under my budget, but this is 2011's haul: 1958 Beyer Mode (german pattern magazine, like Burda), two pairs of clip on earrings, a repro-vintage hankie, two sets of vintage buttons and this ultra-kitsch lamp base. I need to find the perfect shade now!

I love shiny things, and those pink ones will get worn heaps i'm sure. The red buttons in the centre I plan to use on my Cherry Cardigan.

I hope everyone else had a fab weekend too

xxx

Fifties Fair - this Sunday, Rose Seidler House

Its Vintage Christmas once again!

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This year, Cowboy and I are going to get there at 10am sharp, and shop til we drop (even though its supposed to rain).

I'm hoping to pick up a nice red bakelite belt buckle, some buttons to match my Cherry Cardigan and possibly a black beaded cardigan (if its a good price).

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I know I said I was going to make a dress, but I found the perfect 50s dream dress on Etsy a few months back and have been saving it just for the Fair. I'm not going to post photos yet, but lets just say black and pink textured taffeta, pockets, and a massive circle skirt....

From the website:

The Fifties Fair is the ultimate celebration of all things 1950s, set in the grounds of Rose Seidler House – Harry Seidler’s first Australian commission (1948–50).

This year’s entertainment includes live music that will inspire you to jive and rock‘n’roll along side our rockabilly dancers, a 50s DJ, live vintage styled mannequins, vehicle displays and kids’ activities. Come dressed in your best 50s threads for a chance to win a prize in the fabulous Fifties fair fashion awards. Specialist collectors and dealers will be selling 50's furniture, clothes, kitchenware, records and much more. Take the opportunity to tour Rose Seidler House which boasts one of Australia's most important post-war design collections.



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A free shuttle bus will operate between Turramurra train station and Rose Seidler House for the duration of the event.

Swagger Coat from Corticelli, mid 1930s

I'm chomping at the bit, waiting for Susan's A Stitch in Time Volume 2 to come out (it was pushed back by a couple of months). She has regular updates on her blog, which is barely tiding me over.

She posted a teaser picture of a 1930s Swagger Coat from her book, and I'm pretty sure that I have the original pattern from Corticelli. The original was knitted in 'Scone Beige' - what a fabulous colour name!



Copyright Susan Crawford





Afternoon Jumper, circa mid 140s

Todays free vintage knitting pattern is from Modern Knitting Illustrated, circa mid 1940s.

Or, you could pay for a copy from the person who stole copies of my freebies to sell on Etsy and Ebay. (Revenge? Payback? Yes, i'm a bad person...).

 Anyway, this gorgeous jumper has inset crochet lace rosettes, with matching crochet trim around the sleeves. Sized to fit a 34 inch bust.

Vintage Knitting Pattern Illustrations - Adult Edition

Well, maybe the first one is a bit adult - as requested by Melonby.

Embiggen for - is that a nipple? Is she naked? Lux Knitting 1935

And here's some more whimsy...

That dog is looking up her skirt? - Lux Knitting 1935

Proof that Goths  were around during the 30s
(check out that skull button) - Lux 1938

How does her veil just float
like that?

Lux Knitting 1935

And again in Lux Knitting 1939

Stitchcraft 113 - early 1940s

MakeUp RoundUp

I love seeing what other people use and recommend, so here's my make-up round-up and what I love:

Clockwise from the left:

DB Beyond Amplifying Mascara in Brown-Black - this stuff is great and cheap! I'm allergic to most stay-proof mascara, but not to this one, and it never gives you panda-eye. When you hop in the shower it kinda peels off if that makes sense?

Illamasqua Illuminator in Halcyon - I'm a sucker for the packaging at Illamasqua, but this eye lid primer is fantastic. I get oily lids but this stuff will keep all my make up there for 12 hours - don't be put off by the 'sparkle', when you rub it into your lids and put matt shadow over the top it turns into a lovely glow.

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Brown-Black - my go-to liquid liner.

Illamasqua Powder Compact, in 133 I think? - my only issue with Illamasqua products is the product number rubs off the bottom of everything! Grrr... Great powder though, so i'll forgive them.

Revlon Matte Eyeshadows - in 001 Vintage Lace, 005 Hazelnut and 009 Sable. I use the Sable on my eyebrows with a slanted brush.

Illamasqua Lip Liner in Fiesty - this colour is the perfect red for me, not too blue and not too pink. Its called a neutral red apparently. Love the consistency, however it tends to smudge a little bit. Max Factor Gold Liner in Fire 12 turns out to be a pretty similar colour, and i'll probably switch over when the Illamasqua runs out cos its super expensive.

MAC Sheertone Blush in Springsheen - it looks pretty apricot here, but is more peachy on the skin with out looking 'dirty'.

Revlon Matte Lipstick in 006, Really Red - the best, cheapest red matte lipstick in my opinion. I wear this nearly everyday. (get it off Ebay, much cheaper).

Illamasqua Matte Lipstick, in ManEater - a great vintage red, not too blue-based. Super matte and pretty drying if you don't use a lip liner underneath it first. This is my special occaision lipstick.

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Everything except for the Illamasqua I bought off Ebay and saved 50-70% on the price - for example the Revlon Matte lipstick retails for about $30 here, and I bought it for $8 including postage.

Kinda makes up for spending crazy amounts on the Illamasqua...

Ferncliff, three piece suit and beret, Minverva 38 c.1934

Today's free vintage knitting pattern is from Minerva 38 (1934).

This three piece suit is knitted in 2-ply (lace) weight yarn on 2.25 and 2.75mm needles - the beret on a 1.75mm crochet hook (eep). I really like the beret, but i'm not sure I have the stamina to make something that fine.

(PS Size 16 is for a 34 inch bust and 37 inch hip).

Dykes on Bikes in SX Magazine

Last week I got a phone call from the President of Dykes on Bikes, asking if i'd be interested in being in a photo shoot for SX Magazine (a local GLBTQI magazine).

Sure - why not? It was only going to be a small article, and they needed a photo to go with it.
Little did we know, it was the cover photo!

Full article is here if you want to read it.

I still get excited when people want to take my photo (with consent). I was the fat, awkward girl with frizzy hair at high school, who hung out with the nerds - and I still find it strange that someone would want to take my photograph.

Anyway, this Saturday is the annual Dykes on Bikes 'Black and White Ball' - and the theme this year is rockabilly. Cowboi and I are planning on dancing all night long!