The Fifties Red Car Coat

I have been thinking about this project for a year at least.

I have a few pieces of wool, coating bundled together and several of patterns in mind.

I need to decide whether I can be bothered to make a lined coat. Makes it easier to wear and warmer. I’m still deciding which lining fabric to use?

I really had hoped to whip up a car coat before the cold weather hits. This is really all you need in Sydney for Winter, if you have a car. There are really only a few really cold days which warrant a full length coat.

Every one complains about how freezing it is – for months, but they really don’t have a clue how to dress for truly cold weather. Not the way you learn when you live in a cold climate like NZ, or even Melbourne!

Tips for beginner sewers:

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making a coat. A short coat should be not too difficult as there is less fabric to handle. They are easier than tailored jackets as the fabrics are easier to work with was they are more spongy and forgiving and the lining at the hem is not caught in – easy!

Make sure you have your linings and interfacing together before you start sewing.

If you get tailored button holes done it will give your coat a more professional look

Fifties fashion from Australian Home Journal advertisements

You may like to do your Vintage Wardrobe Research using original source materials. In Australia, Australian Home Journal magazines from the forties through to the sixties are easily obtainable for under $20 on eBay or in Junk shops. They are a rich source of inspiration for your wardrobe, hairstyles, and make up.

This ad has has it all.

* Divine fabric
The diversity of fifties fabric never fails to surprise me.
This print features what looks to me like a night scene of fireworks over a Chinese village.
The cornflower blue with the pink background really appeals to me.

* Five cute fifties looks:
- two simple buttoned up blouses
- what would have to be a pleated or gathered waist skirt
(but is drawn as a circular skirt)
-and a classic button front skirt for whipping off at the beach
- revealing a pinstriped sun suit
- a shirt using the border print over the hip region,
just like a menswear style!

* Period make up – heavy, unplucked, brows,
winged eyeliner, pink lipstick

*Three hairstyles

* A palm tree – love!

If you can’t get your hands on Australian Home Journal – you probably have a local equivalent in your country.

Source: Australian Home Journal September 1959

I’ve had my feet up – in Bali

During the recent school holidays we visited Singapore and Bali. Here are a few shots from my phone of me relaxing. In between excessive bouts of shopping, eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner and keeping the kids busy. As you can imagine – relaxation was brief and I mostly unwound in the pool of our villa.

Ku De Ta – In Seminyak

This was my first glimpse of a Bali Beach Club and I was wowed. Cool music, comfortable seating, big umbrellas and cool drinks. I love the beach – who knew!?

In Villa Bugis – Seminyak

This was our Villa – it has three bedrooms and a pool in the middle. I surprised everyone by swimming three to four times a day. It was the best way to cool down. Temperatures were around 30 degrees and very humid. You were hot and sweaty by 10am.

Finns Bar in the Samara Resort, near Uluwatu

This place was divine. Our driver Nyoman took us to Uluwatu temple where there were monkeys. Then my sister in-law Lisa had read about this place Finns Bar which is part of a resort. We caught a cable car down to the otherwise inaccessible beach – it was just stunning. The surf came crashing in. The food and drinks were divine. I swam in the surf after – it was an unforgettable day.

I took lots of photos using my big camera so come back please to see my random take on Bali and Singapore.

Licorice Allsorts – Trace off your favourite T-shirt Tutorial

This picture shows some of what’s in my head. A frustrated desire to sew, what I am actually doing (selling vintage wares on eBay) and what’s coming up – a trip to Bali in a while.

Do you like this cute T-shirt I got on sale at Target recently?

I like its licorice allsorts stripes but the best thing about is the cut.

The body is cut like a singlet – with a small folded cap sleeve inserted – it has a very flattering effect for ladies with large arms!

I am going to attempt to replicate this design.

If you have a favourite t-shirt that is the perfect cut for you I recommend taking a pattern off it – usually simple even for a beginner pattern maker – just lay it flat and trace around. The front is usually lower than the back. Then add seam allowances.

One I had two layers at the front so finishing the neck edge was not a problem as you sewed the neckline first then cut nicks into the seam area, then turn it through and attach the back at the shoulders and the sides. Sing out if you need visual help and I will put something together.

Or you but that binding elastic stuff – which makes finishing raw edges fun.

Or did you know that knit fabrics (generally) don’t fray! You could just leave the edges raw! Too easy

I have been feeling so guilty about not blogging recently but my real job has been very busy with trips to Newcastle several times, new store opening set ups, getting the kids settled in with their new teachers and my eldest is off on his first camp next week – much anticipation about that! Mark has been away in Wollongong this week so that is big and adds pressure. And I was helping organize a school event – which meant lots of meetings – emails – phone calls and then supervision of the jumping castle for hours on Friday night. The kids loved it though.

I have also been listing lots of vintage goodies on eBay (might do a blog post about that). We are off on our first ever trip to Singapore and Bali with Mark’s sister and her family soon and I am trying to make some spending money. I am dreaming about lots of dinners out, the kids swimming all day and reading books – doesn’t that sound like bliss? Oh and I have a tonne of fabric that I want to get made in to clothes – I know it’s cheating but I think its a brilliant way to bust my stash!

Valentines Day and Divorce

Hi, Happy Valentines Day!

Did you get roses?! I hope so!

Did you have a special outfit? I noticed some people on Instagram were dressing accordingly so I dug out this baby:

It’s Moschino Cheap and Chic skirt from about 1999 or 2000.

I remember because I was a newlywed when I bought it. I was working in fashion at Double Bay at the time for an importer of High End Italian clothing. I fell in love and I popped it on lay by – no worries right?

Well my husband was wondering where all the cash was going and there were a few choice words exchanged.

Let me tell I have not spent $300 on any garment since -except for a rain coat I have had for five years now!

I didn’t end up wearing the skirt today as our good friend Kieran came over to do some work in our garden. We were out there for three hours sweating it out!

Our garden has gum trees which rain leaves and banches down on all below! The lawn is self seeded since the drought ended and scruffy. There is a real mixture of Australian native plants (the gum trees, bottle brush, native violet) and exotics (frangipani, bird of paradise, nz flax, bougainvillea, aloe vera).

I am so pleased with how it looks and we discussed a few simple things we could to make it nicer.

So luckily that skirt didn’t cause a divorce but back then it felt like we were pretty close to it. Thanks Mark for organising the work on the garden – that makes me really happy – it’s better than chocolates or something from Michael Hill. 💌

School Dance 80′s style

This is really embarrassing

.

This is the pattern mum made my 6th form School Dance Dress with, complete with the big bows on the shoulders and all.

It was a very 80′s shade of electric blue – which I don’t think I have worn since – polyester moire taffeta! Noice!!

I am not sure where the photos from that night are – must dig them out!

We are back from almost a month in New Zealand – I am calling it the best time ever! Great to catch up with many friends and family and we traveled every tip/op shop we could find.

Thanks Mum and Dad again for the amazing hospitality – we all loved it and thanks to my brother Gavin for making it from Scotland!!! to be there with us!

Polka Dots and Crosshatch

Just picked up this baby!

Score! It’s a vintage apron probably made from leftover fifties fabric after cutting out a dress.

Three of my favourite things feature, polka dots, cross hatches and yummy shades of green – kelly green and chartreuse.

And all for just $2! Worth walking through the rain for!

Libby’s Place

I got to see a lovely friend of my parents (and mine) yesterday.

Here are a few snaps from her house from my phone.

Thanks for an unforgettable time Libby and great to meet you Terry.

She gave me some the green 1920′s plates in the photo and the 1930′s bowls with boats on them. I love boats. Aren’t I spoilt?!

Thank you Libby!!

Oooh Shiny!

I haven’t managed to finish a garment this week. We are all getting tired as the end of the school year draws close.

So here’s a little bag I bought recently.

Twinkle twinkle right!?

I have wanted one of these slouchy evening bags with a serpentine chain for ages. I remember seeing 1970′s disco clothes for sale in James Smith’s (a Wellington Department store – now long gone) as a kid.  I remember a pair of black satin knickerbockers on a mannequin there, one time we visited. Can’t remember what she had on top but it could have been one of those slinky mesh tops – my friends elder sister had one in the 80′s – outrageous!

See the cute “GC” Art Deco Label ?  Well my friend Miss Penny Queen of Handbags told me that it stands for Gold Crest – there is a great piece about their history here.
You do see lots of this type of bag in the op shops.  Some may date  from the fifties, the majority are probably 70′s and 80′s styles, through to recent knock offs.  The main labels available in Australia are Glomesh and Oroton (Ebay has a few Gold Crest currently).

Older purses will most likely be made in Hong Kong new ones in China.

Commonly in white, bone, navy, black, less often in bergundy, silver or gold, You might also be lucky and pickup a key holder, coin purse or cigarette case.

This shimmery stuff epitomised 70′s glamour to my childlike corduroy eyes.

Before you buy – try to shake it over a white surface – they can get rusty on the inside – and you don’t want a fine film of rust on your white clothes now do you?  Prices for this style of bag is creeping up and some op shops are charging around $45 for a nice Glomesh.

Have a good look at it – make sure you are happy with the condition of the lining and that all the little pieces of mesh are there and if its not a plain metalic one – check that the paint is not chipped, and that the handle or strap is firmly attached.

See the fine chain edging around the flap of the bag – an unusual touch.

Now all I need is a seventies party!

70′s Rug Heaven

So super excited to show you what came into my hands this week!  “Rugmaking and Macrame” by Anna North and Noreen Gladwin, straight out of 1974.

I have been on the lookout for a rug that features the colour palette in our living room – lime green, turquoise and browns. I want wool for all of its amazing inherent properties. But is it just me or are rugs expensive?! Especially wool.  So I thought I’d love to try and make one myself.

I adore the pink toned rug with the Saarinen chair – what a great look!

When I was at Wellington Polytechnic I remember the Textiles Students manking rugs with a gun like tool that shot the yarns into the base cloth. It look liked great fun and seemed easy! I am sure it was not – given the price of rugs – or perhaps the equipment is prohibitively expensive?

This one is pretty but my boys would have biscuit crumbs embedded into that shag pile before I could blink.

Although its having a come back I don’t. think I’ll be attempting a macramé over skirt anytime soon!!

Has anyone out there made a rug? I’d love your advice please.