Monday 25 September 2017

By Hand Anna


Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog so far. I managed to finish another UFO this week from my box. This one had been cut out for a few months but the fabric has been languishing in my stash for 2 years (not that long in comparison to others!)

I shared half this fabric with a friend which left me around 2 metres. Lucky being super wide I was able to cut Anna bodice and a self drafted circle skirt

The original link I had for the circle skirt has vanished but I found another here for you here
I sat down one night and made a 1/2, 3/4 and full circle skirts in a couple of different lengths. It was so worth it as being able to mix and match the skirts can really change a whole style of a pattern

Necklace is original vintage 1950s


This week I have nearly finished the skirt I started last week and started a housecoat. I have also planned my first project from the blog
My main goal is get enough clothing made and accessories collected to take part in Me Made May 2018

Sewing Pattern - By Hand Anna
Fabric - Central Milton Keynes Market
Jewellery - Original vintage, browse our online shop here Fox Vintage
ShoesConverse

Monday 18 September 2017

Saying Goodbye to Summer

True to my word I finished another UFO from the pile this week! Despite the chilly air in the mornings I will admit right now I will continue to make summer dresses all throughout winter but seeing as it is still quite mild, I am just about getting away with a thin cardigan and no tights still (hurrah!)






This one is another By Hand London pattern called Kim. Previous to getting this pattern I never would have thought with my narrow shoulders I would have been able to pull off a style such as this. I sew in bra strap stays to the inside shoulders but a very small adjustment really



I love the fit of By Hand patterns and they have made me realise why perhaps people will make the same pattern 40 times over just switching fabrics or skirt styles, find a good fit and it becomes an addiction!


The fabulous tropical bird fabric comes from Threads & Patches - my sister bought it a couple of years but they do have a lovely selection of fabrics if you are in the area


My black seashell necklace was a lucky Facebook find and it is deadstock from the 1950s


Since we have got back into selling vintage clothing and accessories, I would be lying if I said I hadn't been greedy. I currently have a quite a lot more new to me pieces in my stash, just take a look!


I think the spider brooch is my current new favourite after seeing one on Riverdale I knew I had to steal a few of their style ideas! Follow my inspiration board here to see other TV show fashion

Currently I am about to finish a skirt from an old favourite 40s sewing pattern, a skull print Anna dress with a circle skirt and looking for fabric for a cape! Also I hope to bring a pattern hack for Anna soon which I have started to make a toile for

Have a good week!





Tuesday 12 September 2017

A Fresh Start

I have taken some weeks to think about how to re-start my blog and after much thought I decided my blog would be a good place for me to continue writing about sewing but also about my passion for vintage lifestyle.

I have never been one for talking about myself online, I don't do out pourings of emotions or anything like that. I wouldn't say it isn't 'me' or I am secretly an ice queen but more of a case that I use social media for work and lets face it some things are just too much information for customers.

For the past 2 years or so I have poured all my energy into sewing for work rather than for my own benefit. It has been amazing and my shop has grown so much but I felt it was time to get my own sewing off the ground again.

It was by this time I realised I was lacking in confidence with my own sewing and my 'sewjo' mojo had packed up and left some time ago. I had just been too busy to notice. I made a few things which I liked but I was hiding behind my phone and not really feeling myself at all.




It wasn't until my sister said she missed dealing in vintage clothing and accessories that I suddenly realised I too had missed is massively. As soon as we started sourcing stock again, it was like the blinkers had been removed and I was getting my enthusiasm back again!

I can only really think that my confidence had been partly knocked due to a few people leaving my life, they aren't dead but for one reason or another you can no longer sweep the issues under the carpet and it is for the best. Whether this means we permanently will not be in touch or if perhaps later on down the line we can fix these relationships remains to be seen. I did however see this quote on Pintrest and struck a chord with me because it is true for me. It doesn't even have to be about a boyfriend/husband or girlfriend/wife, it can apply to friendships or for family too.
After lovely Saturday with my good friend Liz. It reminded me I should make more time for doing things I love and I am actually okay looking, so I should stop hiding my face haha.



On a sewing related point, the dress above is in fact By Hand Anna and I will have another blog post for a couple of UFOs I need to finish. Then I will be swiftly moving on to all the exciting projects I have set for myself. I will also show how I style vintage pieces with modern for every day style. Plus will also share some free patterns I have drafted myself.