In the unlikeliest of places

But first, I have to shamelessly self-promote the hankies I embroidered for a Xmas present for Jakk.
I bought some men's white hankies from an op-shop, bleached them, and used some transfers from Sublime Stitching.

I'm pretty damn happy with how they came out! So was she.

Last weekend I had the chance to fly up to Darwin to see my family (and uber cute niece).

Whenever I go I always prepare myself for heat, humidity and limited shopping choices.

But this time was different!

Well, its still really hot and humid, but the shopping culture has changed dramatically since I was last there.

There's a shop called Vintage Twist that sells real vintage (I found a few 50s frocks) as well as Stop Staring and Bettie Page.

My standout favourite has to be Viva La Body. My sister insisted on taking me there before catching my flight and I'm really glad she did. I found this dress that looks really similar to a 1940's house dress (its called the Crawford).

Belt, self-made. Scarf, op-shop. Necklace, op-shop.
1940's celluloid broch, Etsy. Shoes, Bleyer.

Pockets! Self covered buttons! And it goes great with my new Bleyer dancing shoes, courtesy of Cowboy for Xmas.

Spotlight currently has 30% off all fabrics at the moment, which meant I was able to splurge on some great feed-sack style prints.

My plans are (from the left): circle skirt, another Wearing History blouse, cute 1940's dress, maybe the Horrockses dress from V&A for the last one?

How did you spend your holidays? And have you nabbed any bargins?

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a fantastic time off (if you get holidays) and I hope all your Xmas Crafting is finished - just one more pair of cowboy print boxer shorts and i'm done!

I thought i'd leave you with a taste of Christmas in 1942, a handmade Xmas tree and decorations, plus food.

I'm not sure about the Xmas lobster, but the paper chain is awfully cute.

Not to mention tasty Christmas food ideas from the Ministry of Food

Some other tasty food ideas could be Victory Sponge (made with grated potato and bread crumbs) or an uncooked chocolate cake. Yum!

Happy Festivus/Xmas/Giftmas everybody!

Crochet a Sailor Cap, Stitchcraft December 1942

Today's free vintage knitting pattern (well, crochet), is from Stitchcraft No.124 (December 1942).

I love how the model is leaning through a porthole and has a looking glass. Her hair and makeup are very good examples of 1940's style too. Couldnt you imagine this with a little sailor dress, or the the Wearing History Sailor Playsuit?

San Remo, Italian-inspired sweater c.1950s

Today's free vintage knitting pattner is from a random Villawood Knitting booklet, sadly missing it's cover.... 

I love the perky collar!

 

 

A Stitch in Time, Volume 2

Excuse the iPhone photos and shakiness, I was pretty excited!

So excited that I cast on for the above pattern (Lavenda Droplet Jumper) last night!

The book itself is beautifully made, and paper is a lovely matt texture. I'm really happy with the patterns inside (that yellow bolero is next on the list), my only wish would be for more Forties patterns - but the amount of Fifties patterns is great!

Sewing: Smooth Sailing Blouse from Wearing History

I can't begin to describe how much I love the Smooth Sailing blouse from Wearing History!

The fit is really good, and the shirt looks great with a lot of high waisted pants ansd skirts I own (yep, I tried it on with everything). I made the size 22 (40 inch bust) and added a little extra width at the hip.

The Good:
It only takes 2 metres of fabric to make!
There's ample fabric in the blouse and button hole placement to stop the 'gape' at the bust.
Puff sleeves!

The Bad:
None. I'm making many versions of this shirt.

The Meh:
Forwarned is forarmed.
This shirt is cut from a vintage block, so the arm holes/sleeves are tiny! I made a muslin so I could cut the armholes deeper (about 3/4 of an inch). I also added width to the sleeves because there was no way it was going to fit around my bicep.
The shoulder is quite wide (the sleeves heads were well onto my arm) so I reduced them by half an inch also.

All in all, I love it to death. I wasnt sure about the trim but who doesnt love ric-rac? The buttons are vintage (1950's I think) from my Nan's old stash. The fabric is some quilting cotton I picked up, I think its Michael Miller?

And this is what I wore to Shaking All Over.

Freddies of Pinewood 1940s Work Pants, Bloch Shoes

You can't go wrong with comfy jeans and dancing shoes.
I can't figure out the Freddies of Pinewood sizing - the Dungaree Dolls and 1940's Work Pants fit perfect, but the Side Button Jeans are much too small? (note to the pear-shaped girls out there).

Anyway, Cowboy and I danced for hours to the bands - i'm still recovering from my blisters this morning.

Hope you crazy cats all had a good weekend too!

xxx