A Stitching Odyssey

It's back, it's back! The Refashioners is back for 2015 with exciting shirt refashions hosted by the Makery every single day in August. I had so much fun taking part two years ago that it was impossible to turn down Portia's second invitation.

I was super adventurous last time, despite refashioning not being a strong skill of mine, but this year I took a slightly different approach which involved ticking off another #vintagepledge make off my list. There's still plenty of time to sign up by the way, with some great prizes up for grabs!

I picked my own this year and I was delighted when I happened upon this 100% linen Boden shirt for a mere £4.50. It was in tip top condition and although I'm not usually a huge fan of pink, this shade of blush really appealed to me. In a bid to end up with a classic wardrobe staple I turned to 1950s Simplicity 4656. To find out exactly how I did this, hop on over to my post on the Makery!

Instead of facings, I finished my neckline, armholes and hem with stripy bias binding for an extra pop of interest. Pink and navy is such a chic combination and the cherry on top of course, were the matching buttons I stumbled upon on ebay.

For the first time in its history, you too can take part in The Refashioners with a truly wonderful prize package worth over £500 up for grabs! So, are you tempted to #getshirty with us?

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Happy #FabricFriday friends...even if Friday is almost over! It's seemed like a long week this end, but I've got a couple of days off after the weekend and I'm very much looking forward to catching up with some sewing. In fact today's #FabricFriday also happens to double up as a WIP I'm hoping to make good progress with.

An embarrassingly long time ago I was approached by My Fabrics and asked if I'd like to pick a fabric in exchange for a review. Predictably, I went for this adorably fun, bunny-print jersey! Annoyingly, life and other commitments kept getting in the way, but better late than never I guess.

After much procrastination, I settled on trying out Simplicity 1612, which I cut out last week using my brand new (and first ever) rotary cutter courtesy of Plush Addict. The process was an absolute joy and revelation, everything you all raved about here and more!

Anyway, what are you working on this weekend?

Friday, August 07, 2015

Hello friends, how are you? Sewing progress has been pretty slow around these parts lately and I can't reveal recent projects just yet. I thought I'd pop in and share a fun little garden project though, which some of you may have spied glimpses of if you follow me on Instagram.

Back in April we ordered a tonne of sparkly pebbles to give our front 'garden' a bit of a facelift. They arrived on a wooden pallet, which at first I was mostly concerned about disposing of as it's heavy and relatively ugly. But Pinterest came to the rescue once again and I decided to repurpose it instead.

Not wanting to spend a fortune on this project, I bought suitable primer and outdoor paint from Wilko. Although I'm fairly happy with the result, my main gripe is with the finished colour. Summer Rain looks much more desaturated on the tin than it is in realy life, so the finished effect is a lot brighter (maybe a little garish too) than I would have liked. It probably won't take long before it weathers into a more subtle and worn colour though, so all is not lost!

It turns out that wooden pallets make wonderful planters, so if you're faced with a similar predicament, just search for ways to repurpose them and you'll be blown away by the options. I played it safe with minimum fuss and effort for mine, but I know that now my pallet's painted, I can change up how I use it in months to come. Just don't underestimate the time it takes to apply three coats of paint to a pallet...yawn!!!

I've filled my pallet with wonderfully whacky succulents, as well as some pretty flowering plants too. I have a feeling trailing plants would look amazing in a display like this too!

Do you have any suggestions for caring for succulents (I need all the help I can get) and can you share recommendations for small evergreen plants that can survive in winter?

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

A day later than scheduled I'm afraid, but behold your Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge roundup for July...it was a good one! We also have two lucky giveaway winners:

Adventures of a Young Seamstress - 2 metres of your choice of fabric from Abakhan

Ragbags and Gladrags - £25 worth of fabric from Abakhan

I'll be in touch with both of you shortly...congratulations!!!

Your Makes in July

Matching plaid is child's play for Heather, who truly outdid herself with this delightful dress!

Beyond Measure's party dress has both a retro and modern vibe in this abstract floral print.

Giant pockets, cut-out neckline and sailing boat print on a blue/green background...perfection from Bobbin and Spool.

I would love a wardrobe full of Amanda's nautical dress...exact replicas, one for each day of the week!

Love Attieanddora's modern take on this classic shape.

July's #VintagePledge Posts

1960s Inspiration - A Stitching Odyssey

Stash Interview with The Vintage Knitter - Kestrel Makes

We also enjoyed generous discount codes from The Village Haberdashery and Abakhan, as well as an awesome giveaway from Abakhan too.

Share Your #VintagePledge Makes

Want to add your makes to our hugely inspiring Pinterest Board? Then get in touch by leaving Kerry or I a comment, email us or share your make on social media using the #vintagepledge hashtag.

Saturday, August 01, 2015

Here in the UK, the weather has taken a depressing turn for the autumnal, with no reassuring signs that the summer will return. The only way I can cheer myself up, is by pouring over the stunning beach photos of my grandmother that I stumbled upon during my recent visit with her in Portugal. There are lots and lots of photos, but I'll break them up into different posts so you can delight in some bygone glamour.

My grandmother is Hungarian - a descendant of the noble Bathory family from Transylvania - and although we've always teased her about being a princess, I think being glamorous is in her blood. Sadly, we're not related (I wish!), but she's been in my life since I was 9 years old. In contrast to my maternal great-grandmother and grandma, she's led quite the jet-setting lifestyle, including living in a number of different countries due to my granddad's job - Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and South Africa to name a few.

My grandmother pictured on the left

My grandmother pictured in the middle

My grandmother pictured on the right

My grandmother pictured second along

My grandmother pictured front and centre

I believe most of these pictures were taken in the 1950s and early 1960s, when my grandmother was in her mid-to-late 20s. She's pictured with her ex-husband in some of them too. After getting married aged 24, they decided to divorce almost a decade later, but remained close friends until his recent death.

My grandmother pictured on the right

Why do old pictures have the ability to make you feel so nostalgic for an era you weren't even alive during? My heart literally aches when I look at these. Maybe it's partly sadness for my grandmother's loss of youth and maybe it's partly longing to have a reason to look this glamorous myself!

Do you have precious photos of your loved ones when they were younger?

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Happy #FabricFriday folks! You snapped up almost all of my Wayne Hemingway fabrics from last week, but I have just two prints left if you're still interested!

Today I'm warning against the perils of being incapable of walking away from vintage fabric. What happens is that you end up with a novelty bathroom print! I know, right!?!

It's so ugly it's almost cute, but what the heck am I going to do with it you guys? I think that once upon a time it was actually a pair of drapey curtains, but you've seen our bathroom and this print really wouldn't work in there. I don't really fancy a bathroom print dress, but look at all the details...