Magazine Rack Makeover

This week I have been trying to catch up on a lot of projects that I have had hanging around, some for literally years! I like the fresh energy of the New Year, it always encourages me to try and tie up loose ends and get rid of those half finished bits.

I decided to finally finish upcycling a magazine rack that I received, broken, over two years ago. Last year I found the most perfect MidCentury style fabric that was also a great colour match for some of the furniture I already have in my lounge. Luckily I decided to keep it with the broken rack, so it was all ready to whip out at the opportune moment. Which finally came!

While I was doing it I kept uploading my progress to Twitter, because I was feeling lonely (or attention seeking, whichever). So there are more pictures if you are interested, on the hashtag #magazinerackmakeover.

The plastic covering of the original is a pretty cool pattern, so in the spirit of recycling I will be keeping that for some unspecified project.....

I love it! Now I am feeling the upcycling bug I will roam the house looking for new victims/candidates.

Watch this space!

Blog Neglect - and some Vintage Pattern Love

Yes, I am guilty. I have realised with a shock that it has been months since my last outside broadcast. Of course, I am still a bit on the old FaceBook but shame, shock, chagrin, I have hardly touched this blog. So apologies if you have been checking in, although I don't really know if anyone has...............

Tonight is Halloween, but I will ignore that for now (it's not a big event around here. If I get one Trick or Treater straggling up the lane they will deserve a mug of cocoa and a blanket as much as some sweets).

I am mainly here on Tinterweb to show off my latest aquisition in the Vintage Pattern stakes, this amazing girls smocked party dress. If I can get off my petooty and finish all the MBD Christmas orders in advance I will try and make one but it will have to be a gift to someone with a teeny girl - the patterns in Size 1 only and both my girls are too long and tall for this style. The 6 yr old looks like a standard lamp these days, in a frilly skirt. Luckily Baby T has several under 1 yr girlbabyfriends so......

I like the pink gingham version with the bigger bow at the back - that's a tongue twister - but these are all really short hey. Very full skirts too - need some matching knickers I reckon - cute!

Pattern Wednesday - a quartet of hats

What more need I say, when describing this delightful knitting pattern for four different children's hats? I am pretty sure that my Mum, at age 2, had the pink angora effort or similar, although persuading her to produce relevant photographic evidence may be problematic! I love poor wee Rab in his yellow beret. Not his most flattering colour!

Cute knitting pattern alert

After a wonderful rummage at my local charity shop I have lucked out and got a large stack of really old knitting patterns. I don't have time (sad face) to get started knitting any yet, but I thought that I would share a few in case anyone else needs something to do?!

This baby hat one is my favourite, I reckon you will need a 3-ply looking at the tension, anyway who can resist its ears?
The Orlon Baby Hat PDF Pattern can be located here

Why Mummy? Why?

Blouse Pattern Saga

I have been soliciting advice over on Sew Retro about a blouse pattern that I bought at Vintage at Goodwood. It is a size 18 and I am a size 10. And not skilled personally in the pattern rescaling dept. But hey, you don't refuse a 1950's sewing pattern that's less than £3 do you?

Any advice welcome, here is are images of the packet front and back so you can see the piece shapes.

Motto Monday has gone all vintage

A slightly different motto day today as I wanted to show off my pattern books that I got at Vintage at Goodwood. Hooray, two Vogue knitting books from the 1950's and a blouse pattern which I had to buy even though it's size 18.

I love the weird logic here, because as all women know, angora is like catnip to men?!?!! I would worry if my husband only loved me because he liked to stroke my........ hold on....(thinks) Maybe there's something in it after all.

This lovely and completely enlightened yarn advert is from Vogue Knit 100, which is completely gorgeous and full of must-knit items but is a bit falling apart, so it only cost me £2. A bargain, surely. Hmmm, it won't upload, so here's a picture.

Vintage at Goodwood

was so awesome. They even had den building, a sand pit and a roller disco, so the smalls were well entertained. Got lots of inspiration, saw loads of great outfits (!) and had a giggle at the Chap Olympics. Wonderful stuff.

Photo Focus?

I've been trying hard to sort out my photos for Folksy, but it seems that my camera has given up on doing things in focus. Sigh. Why is there always something to buy? Still I have been trying out getting a more unified look, which helps with the appearance of the old shopfront.

Apart from the patchwork recycling effort, I have made some amusing triangular bean bags, which I really like as desk paperweight/stress relievers, but are also good to play with. Another item I will have to make secretly if I don't want them tested to destruction before they go to their new home! They are not up on Folksy yet, all in good time.....

Went on another Fabric extravaganza on Monday, as I found myself with an hour to kill, in the vicinity of FabricLand in Southampton. A lot of cheap and fun fabrics there. Too many. But at least I can now embark on my personal project of a vintage 50s dress as I finally have a piece of fabric large enough. Add it to the list.

Finished! My Vintage dress

At last the top created from that pattern I posted about a few weeks ago is finished! I am very happy to say that the sun is also out so I managed to wear it to a family BBQ and felt very smug-domestic-godess in my new top eating home made cakes.

The pattern was pretty simple to follow but I think that I will try to swap it with someone as it really makes up a garment that is a few sizes too large. I knew it was supposed to be a size 14 but the dimensions seemed more my size. However, it really is size 14! Well waddaya know?

Retro Sewing Project

As the sun came out while I was at the sewing table I have been moved to begin my vintage sewing project mentioned previously. Really pleased so far with the results as the pattern has been fine to cut out although I slightly screwed up the yoke section when I stitched it! The pretty batik dots fabric is nice to work with and I'm hoping for a good end. Bit of hand stitching the facing tonight....

More Vintage Patterns

Following my previous blog relating my scanner and PDF woes I have got two lovely vintage patterns here to show you which I am still planning to make (although they have been languishing in my stash for ages). They both date from the 50s I reckon, the New York Pattern 1257 being a particular fave of mine, smoking an invisible cigarette in her prim gloves. Have been scoping out some fabrics to make this with, still can't decide to do the self or contrast collar, have seen a great blue pansy print and I do have a nice mustard yellow leather belt......

Kindergarten Knitteds

My lovely 90 year old grandma just gave me a great booklet of patterns from the 1950s called Kindergarten Knitteds. I really want to make some of the lovely jumpers for my girls, particularly a swagger coat and the bear bordered sweater. So cute!