Sew good

Sew good,

Sew good,

I got you!

And the you in question is my second self-sewn dress.

 

 

 

Here she is!

 

 

A tad windswept; it's been a cardi on/cardi off sort of day. 

 

Partly the undecided weather, partly my decidedly dodgy personal thermostat.

 

But let's focus on the frock.

 

 

 

 I adore the fabric (a 1950-60s barkcloth curtain from a charity shop), the colours and print make me very happy.

A reminder of the 1960s pattern;

 

 

I liked the idea of the sleeve already being built in, and it certainly made life easier (I'm a little scared of sleeves.)

 

I will have to tackle a proper set-in sleeve though, because I prefer the look of them.  

 

 

 

Overall, I am pleased. The zip is neat and invisible, I used bias binding to hem the sleeves and skirt, and it fits!

What did I learn?

 

Don't be a slack arse and omit the stay stitching; the neck stretched, and I am really cross with myself for cutting a corner, when it was only a 2 minute job.

I am getting the impression that I am an inbetween size; a vintage 16 to fit my hips, but I have had to take in both bodices on my homemade dresses for a sleeker line, so perhaps I am a 14 on the top half.

 

I might have taken this one in too far, which is perhaps responsible for that little bit of puckering at the bust.

Advice, experienced seamstresses?

Anyway, I'm nit-picking. And it's interesting to me that I am noticing the flaws, and wanting to improve sufficiently so that they don't happen again. This is not like me. I usually take a fuck it, that'll do approach to most things. 

What can be happening to me? Motivated toward self-improvement? 

Surely not!

 

Greens, blues and pinks proliferate in my garden.

 

Oh, the Sputnik-y joy of unfolding alliums. 

Sputnik-y is definitely a word.

 

 

 

 

It's gorgeous out there.

 

Dress - made it myself

Cardigan, Fly sandals and bangles - charity shopped

Peacock pendant - vintage market

1980s sunglasses - vintage shop 

I wore this dress for the first time last week, and felt that little rush of pride when people complimented me on it.

 

It's a good feeling, and I'll share it over at Jane's Shiny T Tuesday

 

What's next?

 

Hold onto your hats, I might be making some flares!

 

xxxxx

 

New broom

I thoroughly enjoyed my morning of coffee, chat and charity shopping yesterday. Joanne and I talked non-stop, and although there was nothing amazing in the chazzas, I did find this dress.

I love a denim jacket - although this summer has been so good I haven't worn mine as often as usual - but since I don't wear jeans, I have no other denim clothing. 

This denim shirtwaister was only a quid (Oxfam were having a sale, all clothes £1) so I thought it was worth a try.

I like the 1970s vibe, and it will be good for autumn/winter with boots and layers.

September always feels like a fresh start, it's the new academic year thing.

I want a new notepad with clean pages, a sharpened pencil with an unchewed rubber on the top, pens that haven't yet had the opportunity to go missing. I want to make a good impression, get my work done. I want to go to the top of the class.

I've made lists of jobs, and actually got on with them.

(I predict this won't last.)

I have been through the kids' wardrobes with a ruthlessness I am unable to apply to my own.

What can be passed on to friends for their children has already gone, the rest is destined for charity shops tomorrow.

70s-style denim shirt dress, tan leather belt, bangles and necklace - charity shopped

1960s shopper - vintage fair

Sandals - Ebay 

Cream bangle - gift from dearest Tania

Sunglasses - retail (sale)

I am feeling the need to try and be a little more circumspect about my acquisition of clothing. 

I was shocked at how many clothes the kids had, and since they always seem to end up wearing the same things, a load of them have hardly been used. Now they are mainly hand-me-downs, or from charity shops and jumble sales, so they don't represent huge amounts of money wasted, but there's no point having stuff we don't use.

I have lots of clothes which I wear infrequently, or which don't quite work for me (the lint magnet black dress featured in my last post is a case in point; it is in the donation bag now). I am a terrible one for saying you never know when that will come in handy and hanging on to things. 

(I can hear my mother's voice as I type that phrase.)

As for this dress - well, it's made the cut for now, but I'm not making a lifelong commitment.

Eldest has taken a shine to it, and asked can I have it when you're dead?

She'll doubtless pinch the pennies off my poor dead eyes too.

These are some recent outfits which didn't make the blog, for one reason or another.

Actually, the reason is the same - I didn't like them much. It's completely coincidental that they all feature orange. I love orange. 

The giant pants (bottom right) have already gone (they made me look enormous). 

The grey waistcoat is too small (and grey); the orange maxi skirt just has waaaay too much fabric and I trip over it; the 1980s-does-50s skirt (top right) is pretty but isn't so flattering on my hips; the orange top and print shirt may be safe...

All accessories are staying!

I don't find this easy, so don't be surprised if you see all these items again on the blog, being given one last chance.

Are you ruthless? If you cull, how do you decide what stays, what goes?

Fit, condition, frequency of wear? Or is your reasoning more emotional (if that's not too oxymoronic)?

Advice, thoughts, opinions, experiences, all welcomed. 

Linking up with Jane's Shiny T Tuesday - her theme this week is Inspired, and I have certainly been inspired to take charge of the overflowing wardrobes in this house!

xxxxx

Sat on their park bench like bookends

What a wonderful time we had in North Yorkshire.

But first things first - a new frock!

I couldn't resist. 

It came from one of my favourite Sheffield vintage sellers, Marie, at The Queen's Drawers.

 

 

1970s cotton sundress - vintage shop Vintedge

Sandals - Ebay

Belt and bangles - charity shopped

Red painted bangle - gift from dearest Tania

I'll be linking to Jane's Shiny T Tuesday on the allotted day, using this photo.

I have more to say about this, but it can wait - I know, such a tease!

 

And of course I'll be at the usual party over at beautiful Patti's for Visible Monday. 

So - suitably visibly attired, the kids and I caught the train to Thirsk on Friday.

 

And when we got there, we headed to Newby Hall.

 

We explored the outdoor sculpture exhibition.

Plenty of organic shapes and tactile textures...

...and fauna...

 

 

 

 

 

...and human figures.

 Gorgeous textures, created and natural.

Don't these trees look as though they could be Ents?

Beautiful house, and stunning gardens, the borders were glorious.

Soooo many bees!

And lest you think we inflicted art and horticulture on the poor little beasties  instead of letting them play...

 

... here's the evidence to the contrary!

They loved the adventure playground and the swingboats.

And back at Patsy's, there was plenty of this...

... and this!

Top l-r:

crazy face

angry face

happy face

thoughtful/intelligent face.

Hams, the lot of them.

 

These are the views from the house.

And these are the neighbours.

It's beautiful there.

Snapshots of Thirsk.

We've known each other over 20 years, and we're rather like an old married couple, plenty of bickering and disagreeing, but huge amounts of love and laughter.

Strong women rock!

xxxxxx

Make mine a double

My dearest friend Vix posted a while back about two dresses she bought from Ebay, same style but different colours.

Go see her gorgeous pair (of frocks, I mean) here.

And the ever-delicious Tania mentioned a similar experience, though she chose the red and left the turquoise version of her frock for someone else.

Now it's my turn!

Why have one superb 1960s maxi when you can have two?

These are Sherman of London dresses, both bought from Ebay.

I loved the story of the navy/pink version, which the seller described in her listing (bought in 1969, then family came along, and the dress was unworn and relegated to a suitcase).

While browsing Ebay some time afterwards, I spotted the black/yellow version, with no such story attached, and not in such good condition, but obviously too good to miss.

 

The prints and colours make me happy just looking at them.

(Please ignore the creases...)

 

I haven't worn this one as much; the elastic of the shirred bodice is loose, and there was a hole in the skirt.

I've patched the hole now, I intend to take in the sides of the bodice for a snugger fit, and let down the hem where it has been taken up.

1960s Sherman maxi dresses - Ebay

Kimono jacket, black cardigan, hair flowers, necklace and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals and sunglasses - retail

Pendant - car boot

I suppose maxis are my signature style (though I sound a right pompous arse using that phrase).

 

I enjoy wearing dresses and skirts of other lengths, but I often feel my best in a maxi.

My best self.

So I'm linking these beauties to Jane's Shiny T Tuesday, the theme this week being Undeniably Me.

 

 

 

 

Is anyone else finding it hard to know what time of day to take their photos? 

 

The bright sun around midday is impossible, but even later in the afternoon/early evening, the conditions are tricky, at least for my modest little point-and-press camera.

Maybe I should forget any attempts at realism and just go mad with PicMonkey's effects...

 

 

Sometimes, amid a sea of black, grey, cream and denim, I think I must look like this to other people.

 

 

 

.

Oh well. 

My pair of Shermans and I can live with it.

Hope you are feeling colourful and beautiful and undeniably your best selves this week.

 

PS. 

Thanks so much for all the encouragement to continue having a big mouth!

    xxxx

You're looking good, just like a snake in the grass

The UK continues to have hot weather, so I thought I should turn up the temperature too.

Red dress and red hair!

Which makes this my contribution to Jane's Shiny T Tuesday link up - red on red.

My hairdresser Kirsty thought she detected that I was bored, so she suggested a brighter colour.

I love it - even though I know red fades like mad so it won't stay as shiny and vibrant as this for long.

I have had some funny comments on the school run of late.

One mum gave me a raking gaze from head to toe and back again, then said you're not afraid of colour, are you?

Indeed not - why should I be?

Heights, bad things happening to my children, and terminal illness. These things scare me. Not colours.

Another mum suggested I start a style blog. 

Consider it done.

And the lollipop lady was the person who inevitably sang Lady in Red to me today.

I knew someone would.

Although to be fair, I have an annoying habit of singing lines from songs sparked off by things people say.

It drives the kids bonkers.

Some people think I'm bonkers, but I just think I'm free.

See?

Child: Can I have some money...

Me [sings]: I've got the brains, you've got the looks, let's make lots of money...

Child:  ...for a disco ticket?

Me [sings]: D.I.S.C.O. She is D (Desirable)...

Child: Well, can I?

Me [sings]: Well make a stand for your man, honey, try to can the can...

Child: Stop it, mum.

Me [sings]: You'd better stop, before you tear me all apart...

Child: Muuuuum!

Annoying. 

I know.

Can't stop it.

1970-80s Shubette dress, striped vest, sunglasses, belt and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals - Ebay

Necklace - retail (sale)

Willow update:

I took her to the vet again today. Her eye is much less swollen (it actually looks like an eye again, which can only be good) but it is still cloudy and the pupil is not dilating properly . So we have yet more antibiotic eyedrops, and also eyedrops to dilate the pupil.

That's five doses of eyedrops to be administered every day, which can't be given at the same time.

Five.

One two three four five senses working overtime...

She hates it. She hates us. 

She may lose the sight in that eye but the vet is more optimistic that the eye itself can stay put.

On a cheerier note, I pinched these photos of the Mad Men party from my friend's Facebook page.

Didn't we look glamorous?

And the post title?

My Other Half's usual compliment to me is to say looking good, Big M (not a flattering nickname, but I ignore that bit).

To which the obvious response is you're looking good, just like a snake in the grass.

Don't pretend you didn't recognise a bit of ELO - they're not cool, but then neither am I!

And if you can sing all the other lyrics too, you get a Gold Star and my undying love. And affection.

xxxx