I'll show you my Fifi if you show me yours...hehe! Apologies for the childishness, but I'm a bit giddy to finally acquire a cute boudoir set at the ripe old age of 32! The boudoir set in question is Fifi by Tilly and the Buttons, which I had the pleasure of testing a few weeks back.

I won't go into details about the version and instructions I tested, as I know that Tilly's made various of improvements to the finished pattern following feedback. Suffice it to say that it's a lovely little pattern with the high standard of instructions that we've come to expect from Tilly and the Buttons. 



The camisole is cut on the bias with soft pleated cups, resulting in beautifully skimmed curves. The top of the camisole is finished with self-made bias binding, which also forms the straps. I used a gorgeous voile for my version and the result is so pretty and feminine!



Although the camisole is not supposed to be close fitting, the back bodice is gently shaped with princess seams to fit the curve of your back.


The pattern also includes little shorts with a narrow stitched-in elastic waistband and cheeky curved hems. Best of all, the insides are all French seamed for a very professional and luxurious finish!



I would have loved to model these for you, as makes always look better worn than flat, but I'm not feeling slim or tanned enough for that at the moment. However, you can see Fifi modelled beautifully here.

Are you a Fifi fan and have you seen Tilly's cool Bettine dress pattern

Due to unforeseen circumstances I've not been able to wish you a happy #FabricFriday for two whole weeks...so I'm back with some gorgeous fabrics for sale!

I think even in its infancy, this series has already exposed me for the terrible fabric horder that I am. My stash will take a lifetime to work through! So today, I'm spreading the love and selling off some of my gorgeous Wayne Hemingway prints designed to celebrate John Lewis' 150th anniversary last year. Don't worry, I've kept plenty back for myself ;o)

You can browse my prints for sale below and buy them through my Etsy shop. Lengths measure from 2 metres to 3 metres and all pieces are 140cm wide. They're 100% cotton poplin and perfect for dressmaking...especially if you're thinking of taking part in Heather B's Sundress Sewalong or are on the search for an authentic look for your next #vintagepledge make!









 

If you have any questions you can contact me through my Etsy shop or leave a comment below!

Where vintage fashion is concerned I'm not the hugest fan of styles from the late 1960s onwards, but I'm delving in nonetheless, in the name of the Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge

I think it's safe to say that the Swinging Sixties was a revolutionary decade after the austerity and reconstruction of the 1950s. In 1960 Yves Saint Laurent designed The ‘Beat Look’ for Christian Dior, and although the collection's leather suits and coats, high pullovers and knitted caps attracted negative press, it sounded the death knell of French haute couture. The world was now looking to London for fashion guidance, and for the first time ever, young people had money to spend and were intent on expressing their identity through fashion. 


These changes didn't quite happen overnight of course and early 1960s sewing patterns were still heavily influenced by 1950s designs. Predictably, these are my favourite! 




As the decade progressed styles and cuts became less fussy and structured, with the A-line skirt becoming much more prominent. For the first time since Coco Chanel's jersey collections in the 1930s, women's clothing became comfortable and easy to wear.



A-line shift dresses that fell in a clean triangular line from the shoulder to mid-thigh became hugely popular. They were designed to wear over a skinny rib sweater and ribbed tights during the day, or on their own with heels in the evening.


[Images from Vintage Fashion]


Other fashion statements of the 1960s were Space Age looks, inspired by the moon landing, as well as geometric prints and graphic lines. Cut-outs where also very popular design features, as were transparent panels of clear plastic, mesh or chainmail.


Perhaps the most exciting development of the 1960s is, of course, the mini skirt. Andre Courreges in Paris and Mary Quant in London can both lay claim to the invention of it. Hemlines started creeping above the knee by 1963, were at mid-thigh by 1965, and gave way to the even shorter micro-mini. By the late 1960s, the only way for hemlines to go was down. Long coats, skirts and dresses became the antidote to the mini with maxi lengths to the ankle and midi lengths to mid-calf. Women often chose to wear different lengths at once by combining midi length cardigans over shorts and mini skirts to show a fleeting glimpse of leg.

So there you have it, a whistle stop tour of the evolution of styles in the 1960s. Are you a fan or do you have a different, favourite style decade?

Don't forget to check out the dedicated #vintagepledge Pinterest Board for inspiration galore! 

Pssst, I'm back and with a discount code to boot! WeaverDee.com are offering you lovely lot 10% off everything including sale items - just use STITCH10 at the checkout!

They've got a great range of sewing machine accessories, sewing machines and overlockers that a discount would go a long way with. They also have an extensive number of sewing patterns, fabrics and notions, many of which are on sale until the end of the month...so you'd be getting a double discount. Hurray for double discounts!!!

I'm a bit of a fabric hoarder myself (understatement much?!?) so I've picked out some of my favourite of their prints for you. 





So there you have it! A nice little discount to get your week off to a good start :o)

What have you been stitching up this weekend?

I'm afraid there's no #FabricFriday today friends, as I'm catching a plane to Poland for our third and last wedding of the summer! But I do have my latest make to share, which also happens to be what I'm wearing to said wedding and also features gorgeous cotton sateen from Minerva Crafts, sent to me as part of their Blogger Network. Unfortunately, this specific print no longer seems to be available, but they stock an excellent range of cotton sateen to suit all tastes. 

Fabric chosen, it was time to pick a pattern that would do it justice. I couldn’t get By Hand London designs out of my mind, but with limited time I was torn between having a go at something new and going for a tried and tested pattern. I decided to compromise by pairing the new-to-me Sophia bodice with my beloved Flora skirt. The result, which I’m calling Floria, was everything I hoped for and more!



Pairing the two patterns was easy. I measured the bodice waistline against the skirt waistline before joining the two and adjusted my pleats accordingly to fit. Yep, it really was that easy! I’m a huge fan of full skirts which don’t add bulk to the waistline like gathering does, so the Flora skirt ticks all those boxes for me. But the real star of the Floria show is the bodice, with its angled darts for a vintage vibe and angled armholes exposing a bit of (sexy) shoulder. Just be aware that you’ll need a strapless bra to make the most of this bodice.



Cotton sateen has got to be one of my favourite fabrics to sew with. It washes well, handles easily and has just the right amount of stretch to make fitting a little more forgiving. And best of all, it holds its shape well despite the stretch factor, meaning no saggy waistlines after a few hours of wear! I lined my bodice with cotton lawn which is nice and breathable in this gloriously warm weather we’re having.


My sick dart and waistline matching is thanks to By Hand London's super simple, but super effective, trick!


My favourite thing about this dress is that I get to enjoy it at least twice – once at a wedding in Essex last Thursday and again at another wedding in Poland this Saturday! At the risk of photo overload, I'll leave you with a couple of shots taken in front of an aromatic wall of roses at last Thursday's wedding!

Pssst! Have you entered this month's #vintagepledge giveaway? There's free fabric up for grabs for two lucky winners! There's also discount codes for The Village Haberdashery and Abakhan!

It's the first of the month and this can only mean one thing in #vintagepledge land...generous discounts and giveaways of course! But first, let's take a look at what posts are coming up in July.

July Schedule

Tuesday 14 July - 1960s Inspiration on A Stitching Odyssey

Monday 20 July - Stash Interview with The Vintage Knitter on Kestrel Makes

Friday 31 July - Monthly Roundup on A Stitching Odyssey

July Sponsor - Abakhan


This month we have not one, but two fabulous sponsors! First up Abakhan is offering a 20% discount to UK readers from Monday 6 July (international shipping isn't available). To claim your discount just enter the Coupon Code 'vintagepledge' into your shopping basket before proceeding to checkout.

Abakhan is also giving away 2 metres of any chosen fabric to one lucky reader and £25 worth of fabric to another lucky reader (both open internationally)! To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below with your email address and what fabric you would chose if you won either of the prizes. Make sure you enter the giveaway by  midnight GMT on Wednesday 29 July.


If I could enter the giveaway I'd be seriously tempted by Red Chevron Cotton LawnPink Dogtooth Ponte RomaBrushed Tartan Twill Stamford and Blue Jacquard Denim.

July Sponsor - The Village Haberdashery


Our second generous sponsor for the month is The Village Haberdashery, offering 10% off everything throughout July. To claim your discount just enter 'VINTAGEPLEDGE10' at the checkout


I don't know about you, but I have my eye on quite a few things including Coral Pineapples Cotton Lawn, Cacti Quilting Cotton, Chambray Jacquard and Ephemera Double Gauze


I hope you'll take full advantage of our awesome offers this month! You can also check out a roundup of June's #vintagepledge shenanigans over at Kestrel Makes and don't forget to browse the dedicated Pinterest Board for plenty of vintage inspiration.