WHAT I WORE: Quartz Crystals & DIY Creations

WHAT I WORE:

DRESS > MADE BY MOI

NECKLACE > MODERN VINTAGE STYLE

ANKLE BOOTS > NEW LOOK

As regular readers will know, I just love to sew. Not long ago I found some great vintage patterns at a car-boot sale. It was the perfect excuse to use some vintage fabric I had squirreled away and just a day later I'd completed making this 1960s style dress! What do you think?

I, personally, love how it's turned out! It's proof that with the right pattern and fabric, you can recreate certain vintage fashion in no time at all, and it was much more thrifty than shopping on the high street. The only thing I would change is to make the sleeves more bell shaped, but apart from that, it's perfect and I feel very proud wearing it.

I kept my styling simple for this OOTD by pairing the dress with some thick black tights, lace-up ankle boots and a beautiful purple quartz pendant necklace from Modern Vintage Style. My hair was put up in a messy beehive, a huge change for me as I usually hide behind a hat or just leave it down.

If you don't know them, you should absolutely check out Modern Vintage Style. They have a beautiful collection of antique and handmade jewellery, perfect for any vintage/jewellery lover. And watch this space if that purple quartz necklace has caught your eye. We will be giving one lucky reader the chance to win it! More details on that will be coming very soon.

What have you been making lately?

Big love!

 




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New bits & bobs at Department

1970s Maxi dress... fresh on shop floor.
Only £20!

Mr D and I made a little visit to Department with two big bags of stock and a couple of other nik naks today. It was a beautiful morning with Sunday browsers out at full force. 

The stall was in need of a spruce so Mr D got his duster out and made everything looked loved again. New on the rails are some lovely vintage maxi dresses and skirts (including this 1970s maxi dress!). Also, you can find some beautiful vintage fabrics and an old Singer sewing machine for sale. It has become a sewing enthusiasts dream down at the Basement at Department Flea Market!

We were in need of some new shelving so I turned  two vintage wooden crates into a shoe rack. These wooden crates came from an old apple farm, and not only are they great for storing things in but can be easily turned into unique and rustic shelving if stacked on top of each other. Our vintage shoes certainly look pretty in their new home.  

So, pop on down to Department Flea Market in Hove! It is a great little haven with some amazing sellers selling beautiful vintage treasures. Even Molly left with a little something today. A gorgeous Noddy toy from Hello! Vintage Kids. Her eyes turned into huge saucers when she saw him and I knew I had to get him for her. It's hard to turn down a bargain when it only costs £6!

So, ta ta for now!

Big love,

Molly cuddling Noddy. Thank you Hello! Vintage Kids!

Freshly stocked rail at Department Flea Market
 with items from £5 - £120

Old Singer sewing machine with original wooden case, £25

Suitcase full of gorgeous vintage fabrics and other bits and bobs

Sewing with Gretchen Hirsch...

I am very very excited! I have just signed up for an online sewing course with Gretchen Hirsch to make a retro inspired Bombshell Dress.  I love sewing but wish I could be better. My business partner, Cassie, is just amazing at it and long to be as good as her. I have always wanted to do a dressmaking course but have never had the time or money but this morning I came across this online course by Gretchen Hirsch and I thought, 'Why not?!'. It was 1/2 price and only had to pay about £20.  Bargain! And what is even more perfect? I can take as long as I want with it!

By the end of it I should have made an amazing dress like this.....

                                                                                                      ...... Love love love it!

I will be blogging about the course as I do it and hopefully I will have a dress that will look as beautiful and fitted as the one in the picture above. If you would also like to sign up for this course, click here.

Any ho.... keep your fingers crossed for me!

Image taken from Gretchen Hirsch's blog

what's a pinny for?

I've been going apron mad lately! Although only one of the definitions below relates to my recent creations, I was surprised at how many meanings the word 'Apron' has, so I thought I'd share some of them with you.

a·pron  (prn)

n.

1. a. A garment, usually fastened in the back, worn over all or part of the front of the body to protect clothing.

b. Something, such as a protective shield for a machine, that resembles this garment in appearance or function.

2. The paved strip in front of and around airport hangars and terminal buildings.

3. The part of a stage in a theater extending in front of the curtain.

4. A platform, as of planking, at the entrance to a dock.

5. a. A covering or structure along a shoreline for protection against erosion.

b. A platform serving a similar purpose below a dam or in a sluiceway.

6. A continuous conveyor belt.

7. An area covered by sand and gravel deposited at the front of a glacial moraine.

8. A border of slightly longer grass that surrounds a green on a golf course.

9. The part of a boxing ring floor that extends beyond the ropes.

tr.v. a·proned, a·pron·ing, a·prons

To cover, protect, or provide with an apron.

Aprons have been around for hundreds of years but became particularly popular in the 50s where they became a functional piece of the wardrobe. Homemakers and good mothers were rarely seen without their apron.  Aprons were not only used to protect clothes but also to carry kitchen utensils, to remove hot pots from the stove, carry eggs and drying children's tears.

I have made a 50s style half apron from some vintage fabric I have been saving. I was thinking of giving them as Christmas presents for the girls (I don't think my husband would suit them. Then again . . . ).  I think every girl needs a pretty apron for when they're doing their work around the house. House work should be glamorous, not dull! I find them very useful especially with my little girl as my clothes can get quite dirty from grubby hands and noses. I've posted some photos below of my first attempt. Let me know what you think! I will also be selling a selection at Loved Worn & Reborn on 5th December.

Illustration courtesy of  Google Images

Photos  taken by Peter Davies, please do not reproduce without permission