Choosing fabric for Weigel 1941

Please keep your lovely comments coming, it's totally welling me with motivation and gush for vintage patterns and vintage creations!

Today I went to work, but instead of going home straight away Husbie picked me up, and we went to the beach for a lounge about in the waves! Very nice afternoon exercise (I was yelling, with head bobbing, 'keep your legs kicking and it's almost like swimming laps against the tides') and holiday reprieve midweek.

Anyways, upon reading all your lovely remarks from yesterday's post, and Katherine noticed, obviously, the rare Weigel's pattern. And friends, I love vintage patterns, I learned to sew via my mum's vintage patterns, but I'm no expert on them. So if you do notice something, and wanna chat more or have some more info on any of Amanda's patterns for 'Amanda's Vintage Pattern Challenge '10', please let me know!

So here's the back of the pattern:

An entire advertisement for Lightning! Choosing the fabric for View A (the orange one) wasn't too hard, I looked in my summer/autumn colour range that I set aside before Christmas to make a whole bunch of dresses in the same colour range, and saw this dusty pink cotton/linen. All my summer/autumn range (hee hee) are from the op shop, so all thrifted material, and I thought this pink stuff was good because I have over 2 full arm lengths of it, it's not patterned (you know, to match up or whatever) and it's not floral. I have SO much floral, and I thought a full colour would be different for me, and obviously easier.

But did you see the extra zipper and buttons? The pattern calls for a Lightening 'Fastener' and I was SO happy that I had exactly that. Right colour, right size and even though it looks like perhaps a 1970s commerical zip, it's still a fastener RIGHT!?! Yay!

Here's a couple of extra pics for you vintage pattern lovers!

 

Cute! See you tomorrow, I may have some progress from the sewing room to report!

Amanda's Vintage Pattern Challenge Begins!

Thanks SO much for your darling feedback on my vintage pattern challenge, I'm totally inspired! Whilst I have a few mending things* left to do, I'm going to start my "Amanda's Vintage Pattern Challenge" with this darling pattern:

It's a Weigel's 1941 and I've never seen (or noticed) this brand before. It's manufactured in Australia (or says by Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and New Zealand) and has Moorabbin, Victoria as the head office.

This pattern is a 34 Bust, and I'm thinking of making A (the orange print) because of the summer weather. It may OR may not fit me, as I can't remember my bust size, so I'm thinking of some of the materials I've selected from my colour palette (see my tumblr photo blog for more on my colours) as it'll be perfect for the last months of summer and autumn time. I'll prolly end up cutting it shorter 'cause I'm a short arse, but we'll see!

Yay! Thanks for the motivation!

* My progress

Sewing:

Cherry's mending (half way through)
Erin's mending
Brother's mending
Emma's mending
Finish Watermelon dress
Wash Rosie's fabric
Start Rosie's dresses
Husbie's shorts
Taxi man's shirts
Z's cushions
Sam's bags

House:
Clean items in old fridge
Pack new fridge
Clean bedroom up
Tidy Lounge etc up
Husbie & Tony will do switch
Get bank accounts sorted

To buy:
Deeper sheets from Tarj

A new modern day pen pal (and whiffs of a new challenge)

I've been saving up this post for a few days, as my day job gets so busy and after work I'm a wee bit exhausted. Blogging and taking photos just seem too time consuming, and when you work my hours (EARLY), you have to look after your energy. Today's been a really great day, so here I am refreshed!

I also wanna write nicely for you, and be peppy instead of BORING about my day job (which is exciting in way, but not really a crafty adventure) and one of the most wonderful things (I'm sure you'll agree if you are a blogger yourself) is all the lovely people who you meet through blogging and these ace relationships that can form via cyberspace (sorry I'm so 90s!). But, what I wanna do is send Amanda from Adelaide some gush and if she had a blog I'd linkydink to her right now, but she and I have been emailing as pen pals for a little while now and it's time to share her wonderful mad skillz!

Amanda is very awesome (she is a Occupational Therapist during the day) and dreams of vintage crafty adventures of her own when she has time. We've been chatting (re: writing as penpals) about how to get motivated and also being time poor (remember that was a buzz word a few years back before we were even time poor?) and.... about vintage patterns! So I wanted to share with you a care package Amanda kindly sent through to me, as I smell a whiff of a new challenge:

There are 13 original patterns, all ones I haven't got in my own collection, and all on lend by the lovely Amanda of Adelaide. But can you see the darling doggie in the back ground?

It's my own dear heart Doggie Darling that Amanda designed, stitched and sewn all on her ownsome! How freaking CUTE!??!! Thank you dearheart!

Awwwwww!

So my idea (and a 2010 kickstart for my sewing) is to sew up a pattern a week, and talk you through it, and show you my results. I'll give a little pattern review (all the rage) and a little blah blah blah on my creation. There are 13 darling patterns, so it'll roll out over 3-4 months, and be a really nice steady stream of sewing for me (and hopefully great fashion for you) and the best bit... I'm going to start RIGHT away!

Ooh Doggie Darling seems interested!

I might name this challenge "Amanda's Vintage Pattern Challenge" and I'll let you know tomorrow what I'll start with.

Thank you Amanda, you're a dreamboat.

If I knew you were coming I'd've baked a cake

When I feel housewifey or nostalgic, this is the song I think of:

Today we're being a busy bee after a shopping and doing day yesterday (doing things outside of the house) so hence the feeling of housewifey-ness.

You may have picked up on the fact that I'm actually never a regular cleaner so perhaps the above picture wouldn't really be accurate. The middle two scenarios would be the closest match I reckon. And of course the hair do's and the aprons in all, that's me for sure! Aprons just for being in the house I say!

I'm curious to know if I were a stay at home lady, would I actually do these kind of things, or would I just wind up playing online computer games all day?

Nevertheless, my randomness needs a bit of order, cause I wanted to create a check list for myself today (and for the week ahead):

Sewing:

Cherry's mending
Erin's mending
Brother's mending
Emma's mending
Finish Watermelon dress
Wash Rosie's fabric
Start Rosie's dresses
Husbie's shorts
Taxi man's shirts
Z's cushions
Sam's bags

House:
Clean items in old fridge
Pack new fridge
Clean bedroom up
Tidy Lounge etc up
Husbie & Tony will do switch
Get bank accounts sorted

To buy:
Deeper sheets from Tarj

So that's what 4am feels like

Phew phew phew.

This time last week I was *hanging* to start my regular hours at work, and that dear reader is the shiny side of the AM: a 4am wake up call. I've now had five days of the darling alarm clock again, and I am tired, I am funny looking around my eyes, I am emotional, I am very proud of my work colleagues, but the best bit... I am SO excited that I got to see some darling friends and so over the moon that I saw Grizzly Bear at an amazing concert hall type venue in the city.

A darling photo that my friend took of me before Grizzly Bear on Monday night, and that's some mad pin curl at the front!

It was a very busy and jam packed week.

Phew!

My aim this weekend is to get some sewing in, to make me a little more relaxed and ready for the next week ahead (but it's hopefully not as busy). I get itchy inside when I haven't sat in my darling sewing room, and after a good dose of creating stuff, I feel better. Do you know what I mean?

I want to finish a dress, and start some other dresses and mend a few things as well. Nice and relaxed weekend. Hope you have some good plans too!

I'm hooked on roses for my bike!

Did I tell you that I rode a FREAKING bike last week? I think so, but I'm just pointing out again that I was brave and tackled the Sydney streets with my hybrid two wheeled vehicle. ON MY OWN.

And thank you to Husbie hooking me up with a front handled basket (does it have another name than this? NOT FAMILIAR WITH BIKE TERMINOLOGY) I've started hooking myself some ace red roses to chuck up all over the front basket.

For this darling rose, I followed this amazing and free pattern, where I learnt, good friend, that DOUBLE CROCHET (db) can also mean TREBLE CROCHET (tb I assume) in Australia. (!!!) So perhaps that's why some of my starter crochet pieces were disbanded and pulled out. Perhaps that's why things were way tighter and weirder than they looked. Did anyone else know this? Is this a really silly thing that I've overlooked?

Nevertheless, the little stick in the mud crafter that I am, I've soldiered on and overcome these little terminology differences and created a thread of wavey red things:

Which will become, a curled/rolled fabric thing, which becomes a rose!

Sozza about my photobooth photography, I simple have no time at all to use the 'big' camera, as it's summer time and early work time for me at the moment, so I've been working hard, resting up, attending appointments and meeting up with darling interstate friendsies. Sadly no time for creating much (I hope to change this tomorrow, one simply *must* attend her sewing room frequently) but a few moments to read up on some new sewing/draft books I have that I'm going to tell you about.

So still here darlings, but terribly bad at blogging/crafting/sewing slash anything other than work and talking I'm afraid!

Hee hee!

Husbie's photos now have a home...

Some of you may have a keen eye and realise that some photos are better than others here on my bloggidy blog blog. I do really like some of my photos, and am proud of how my photography is getting better. Really it's the camera, but some of the time it's me learning and growing my skills.

BUT!

Sometimes my darling husbie gets time to take some photos of my things, and then, I think you'll recall dear friends, my clothes look amazing. Fashion photography (almost) darlings!

Anyways, thought I'd pop up from my busy week just to say that Husbie and his friend have started a very nice looking website and they are going to shoot their first wedding in March together. Cuteness! Their angle is less formal photos (the ones where everyone stands in lines) and more capturing the day with movement. (I just made that up, but I think that's what they're going for - less poses and more vividness) (Husbie does have a motion picture background after all)

So the name they've come up with is Shotgun Pictures, and if you like pretty pictures, I'd suggest having a look.

Here's my friend in the water:

Photo by Husbie, via Shotgun Pictures

I hope you're having a lovely January! My darling friends are seeing the sights of the Northern Beaches today, and will be with us til Sunday, so I'm kinda hoping for a bit of bright sunshine so they'll remember Sydney fondly when they return to the UK. We haven't been to the beach yet, so I'm dying to take them to Clovelly (it's my fave spot because of the concrete!), so I'm hoping Saturday morning might be the go-er.

And as for my real job, it's been taking up most of my week, but it's not all trouble and strife. It's really great actually, as I'm working with loads of new people, and we're all getting along well. I'll be back to crazy hours again on Monday, with my 4am alarm clock, so I think I'll get some relaxo time to sew in the afternoons. I really like the early hours, but at the moment everyone is going out and making the most of daylight savings, so I'm going to have be really strong and get to bed on time! Eep!

First day at work for 2010!

Wow, it was my first day back at work today. AND I RODE MY FREAKING BIKE. I had forgotten even how to work the gears. Eeep!

It's my slowly, slowly, slowly way of getting fit (ha ha) and getting rid of the Christmas Bulge. Anyways, just a quick post today because here's a photo of the back of my pin curls (quite loose and big) as my dad took it and just sent it to me before!

I'm just working 9 to 5 this week, so no crazy hours just yet and my darling friend from the UK is visiting from tomorrow. I just packed up (with the help of Husbie, I owe him the world of hugs) my sewing room and it's now a guest room for my houseguests.

Talk to you later darlings! Wishing you fun days at work if you're back today too!

Pin the Curls on the Girly

So, like many of us fine lady bloggers in the crafty/fash world, I've become intrigued by the pin curl hair set.

(*be very aware my friends, there may be some slight moaning about one's own hair here in this post, but I know deep down we should all love our own hair, so bare with me!*)

Once upon a time (*I told you*), I had really long, and really straightish hair that didn't really frizz. It was golden etc and (kinda boringly) chopped in that early 90s Girlfriend way (Australians, you know the band I'm talking about) and I was also like 11 years old. Now you know I'm not going to waste your time here by telling you EVERY freaking hair cut and style I've had along the way, but just remember that there were teenaged years, there were travelling years and there were uni years and early career years. All with their own hair styles.

Now, along the way my hair turned kinda curly, and it kinda got outta hand, and then it got frizzy, then it got curly again, then it went straight (thanks to hot irons!) and then it got platinum.

Yep.

But one thing I've noticed the most, when I hair dry it with the dryer or use the hot tongs or the hot rollers, my hair isn't very happy anymore. It's not smooth, it's frizzy, (Being in the humid side of town makes it more so too) but since I don't wash it that often either I wanna make it good for the week without chemical hotness. And so after seeing some styles over at the Freelancer's Fashion Blog, where she mentioned the pin curl set and showed us some great curled up styles (here's some Christmas rolls with flowers), I thought I'd try it out.

Awww, all rolled up waiting for them to dry.

Here's a really cute write up about pincurls and my favourite quote is "Isn’t it time you tried something new and glamorous? 50s pin curls up-do looks are easy, fresh, and fun. Give them a try today and start turning heads tomorrow.."

So over the next few weeks I'm sure you'll see some more pincurl results from me (I've got some photos but the stupid of stupid uploading person - ie me - is doing something wrong and it's not working anymore) but in the meantime, check by darling Nikkishell who's a crafty young lass experimenting with pincurls of all shapes and sizes (I believe she got SPONGE rollers for Christmas lucky duck!) and the ever gorgeous Gertie has some great styles too with pin curls.

Here are some of the videos that helped me learn it, and my hair most suits bigger curls, and the set on your head type (like above) that you leave in during the day rather than leave in at night! You'll see what I mean after a lookie at the vids!

The Christmas Outfit and Down to Business

Well I thought I'd post my outfit from Christmas day, as Doggie Darling is just too cute 'hanging out' in the background!

Dress: Veronica Darling

Shoes: Tiger Valentine via Zomp in Melbs

Hair: Pincurls and flowers from the tropical garden

Well it's down to business for us today, we've got unpacked shop bags all over the house, we've got dog toys (some getting chewed right now by my feet) everywhere and my friend is going to pop over this afternoon for a visit.

EEP!

So, whilst it's still kinda holidays, it's cleaning up time, getting organised and prepared for next week (we have house guests from the UK - my fairy godson - yippee!) and I'll go back to work. It feels like a kinda non-weekend, with a large to-do-list up our sleeve, BUT! It's freaking humid and sticky and I just feel like getting a cleaner in and one of those people who 'sorts' out your house. You know, like sorts and orders your bookshelf and shows you how to use cute little containers for your soap and stuff.

I think it's that time of year as well, when you want some order and lists and neatness. I've got to get back to it, because my shiny light could be a few new dresses to go back to work with... Yeah! I'll get it done and then I can sew! Yippee!

xoxo

Best of 2009 - Top Ten (part three)

Oops! Got a little busy last night talking and didn't get home til later!

Happiest Happy to you, and hope you enjoyed a wonderful and safe evening last night.

So! Back to the Top Ten (of my creations this year), with my last two favourites of the year:

Two - Stash Stretch and designing beginnings

This tshirt dress was a little different to all the other ones, as I made the cap sleeves inbuilt with the front and back pattern pieces, so I ACTUALLY cut out my first pattern piece. I've been sewing for about 8 years now, following commercial patterns, sometimes making things up (cutting around other dresses and things I like) but I've never cut out a pattern (so I used old wrapping paper) before, and feel really proud that my sewing skillz have reached a point that my brain can work out dimensions and seams (before they are joined) etc. VERY PROUD seamstress over here!

Yay! I have bought some good books to help with pattern drafting (I'll post about them soon! Promise!) so feel like I'm well on the way with my sewing skillz!

And so:

One - The Frock for the Awards Night!

Here's my lovely friend and I on the red carpet, she wearing Marc Jacobs and myself Veronica Darling. (I think that's Daniel Merriweather in the background!) What I love about this dress is ... EVERYthing... the material was from the Remnants Warehouse (a designer fabric that the shopkeeper couldn't remember who designed) and the pattern was a Vogue vintage one from *maybe* 1980s, but I changed everything apart from the v neckline and the waistband. Of course I had to make it shorter, and put on some really great kimono style short sleeves (or cuffs) that I kinda have seen around, but made up (designer in the making here!) myself.

And who can forget the big fuck off bow? There was a bit of to and fro-ing going on about that one... but in the end I went there and it was great. It was a lot of learning along the way, constructing it bit by bit to make it fit right, and feel right. The material is very scratchy overall, so the lining totally helped. After wearing it the side seams (down near the hem) have started to go, because the material is pretty fragile on the hem lines, and I did make it pretty fitting, so I guess my walking and sitting down and standing up kinda stretched the fabric from the seams there. Oh well!

But mostly this was a total deadline dress, cause I was also making my friend's dress too for the awards night! Busy bee!

Phew! It was a very busy year all round for me and my friends and family, but I'm happy 2009 is finished now. It was way too full to begin with!

We don't really talk about resolutions at all in my house, but what I've really liked thinking about is how new traditions can begin in a family. As it's now my Husbie, Doggie Darling and myself in our family (we only got the little pup in April) for this year, and a lot of our friends are having babies, it's a really sweet feeling thinking that I'm getting older and can take responsibility for things in not just my life anymore. I take care of Husbie and Doggie Darling whole heartedly (and it sounds silly but totally great to say that) so I'm thinking a lot about family in 2010 already! Gush!

Anyways, I know I've got heaps of gush up my sleeve for later, so won't gush over you too much now, but all the best for your hangovers (Husbie's in bed again now!) or your full tummy's and wishing you good times in 2010!