Thursday 12 June 2014

I've got the sewing bug...

Work on the kitchen has ground to a halt, the kitchen doors have been pushed aside on the dining table and I've got the sewing bug. I used to dressmake a lot before I had homes to fix.

Connies First Holy Communion is happening and as she didn't like any of the dresses readily available, I made her one...


It's very plain and straight which is just what we struggled to find.

It still needs hemming... I'll probably save that 'til the last minute. She might have a growth spurt between now and Sunday.

  
The dress is made from raw silk and despite ordering the pattern from America, it's worked out cheaper than buying a polyester dress from BHS. We'll accessorise it with a little rose covered head band and lace gloves. Her Grandad bought her some ivory satin shoes when we were up at his for half term. No veil. I'm not so keen on that idea.



Chatting with some of the mums, it dawned on me that I had to dress up too. I tried on all my clothes and hated them all apart from a collection of little black dresses I seem to have amassed. 

Then I realised I had some really lovely things that were living in the sewing basket. So while the sewing machine was out I finished a vintage dress I'd found a the flea market in it's half finished state...


It had a strangulatingly high neck which I lowered, I took the sleeves off to use more of the seam allowance as they were snug and I hemmed it. It's cotton and has a metal zipper. Would you say that's 60's?

Then I took in another vintage dress...

I look like I've slept funny on my neck!


I think this one is 70's as it's polyester with a nylon zip.
And I didn't stop there, oh no! I mended a pair of J's trousers and 2 pairs of my jeans...


A bit of car booted floral linen. I hope it doesn't look like a scabby white knee.




I think the flowers on this fabric might be too big and it might just look like a cellulitey arse falling out but hey, I tried.
My sewing basket is almost empty and I'm chuffed with my 'new' wardrobe.

And that background?


Is a vintage handmade rug I found at the Sue Ryder shop in York. (The one with the vintage section upstairs.)

I wanted a paler rug for Connies room as the blue one was so dark. I almost bought one from Dunelm. NEW! Heaven forbid. Well, as luck would have it I found this one. It's like an Aubusson rug but worked in fat cross stitch rather than needlepoint. And a quarter of the price of the Dunelm one!


She loves it! I washed it carefully in the bath with Woolite and cold water, rinsed it with the shower head and laid it on beach towels on the lawn on a hot day to dry flat.

I've also swapped her furniture around because we bought her a vintage dressing table but I'll have to share that another time as that side of the room is a terrible mess.

This week Connie and I received a parcel from a lovely lady called Kathleen who reads this blog and lives in America.



Thank you so much Kathleen! (St Theresa has been squirreled away somewhere and Connie's at school so I can't ask her where!)



29 comments:

  1. This is why I LOVE visiting your blog, there's always something new and beautiful. That dress is GORGEOUS as is the rug and I just want to move in to Connies room. Love it all!

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  2. God, forgot to say how stunning you look in your dresses, I especially love the second one, looking very slinky!

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  3. Blimey, everyone's doing this sewing lark aren't they? I love Connie's Holy Communication dress. I remember my mum making mine as well and a handbag to match! The dresses look gorgeous on you and you've reminded me that I've got one to alter too. The jean patching is excellent. You never stop! xx

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    1. I didn't see much of the Sewing Bee (only episode 1) but I seem to have caught the bug from those who did watch it! xx

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  4. Yay, another sewist getting the bug! Connie's communion dress is beautiful (I don't think I would dare make anything for someone else), and both your altered vintage frocks are fab. I'd say you are spot on, 1960s for the first, 70s for the second. And how lovely to see your gorgeous self on the blog, Emma Kate, you're a sight for sore eyes!
    Nice patching. Now - what's next?! xxx

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  5. I should have washed and styled my hair but I feel very tardy if I've not blogged for a week so there wasn't time. But thank you! xx

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  6. What great dresses! Well done. Always good feeling to have empty-ed the mending basket ay!

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  7. Oh lordy....you can sew as well....I should have known Emma,is there ANYTHING you can't do well.
    The dresses are wonderful. The rug is beautiful, I have been searching for my bedroom for nearly a year now...it's so hard to find pale, faded on a budget! xxxx

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    1. My thinking exactly, Meg! Emma-Kate; can you please do a post where you admit something you can't do?! That dress for your daughter is stunning, and you still have the world's best legs! :) xxx

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    2. Haha. Thanks Meg, I can't do maths or computers or work the telly if there are more than 2 remote controls. And I cannot dance.
      There was a big lump of bird poo on the back of the rug if that makes you feel any better. God knows where they'd stored it! Have you tried the needlepoint rugs on ebay USA? Depending on the exchange rate there are bargains to be had sometimes... I'll keep my eyes peeled too. xxxx

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  8. Thanks Katie! When I got my legs out of hibernation the other day ( that's 6 coats of fake tan and I'm still white!) Connie said, ''Ooh mummy, I can see all your nerves down your legs.'' I was perplexed until she said, ''oh I think they're veins...'' Charming. I'll spare you the close up! xxxx

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  9. You look gorgeous in both frocks, you've got a gorgeous figure and they do it complete justice.
    I'm well impressed by the communion frock, the only ones I've seen are those frothy horrors on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and that's a million times lovelier.
    The rug is gorgeous, i'd have that in my house like a shot! xxx

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    1. Aw shucks, thanks Vix. I thought Connie would want my big fat gypsy wedding with extra diamantes but she surprised me. xxx

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  10. Love Connie's dress -simple and beautiful. Also love your vintage togs, and the rug is gorgeous. You are a busy lady Emma Kate!

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  11. beautiful. Everything is lovely. And as for veins on legs... mine are actually abstract tattoo lines. I'm seriously considering inking in with felt pen a couple of butterflies and flowers to supplement them

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    1. Thanks Teri, great idea, creeping vines with roses! xx

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  12. Lovely, lovely, lovely! You are truly a fine sewer - you see that doesn't look right does it? A sewerer? There must be a name for someone who sews that doesn't make it sound like you are part of a drainage system! And as for that rug - lubbly jubbly. Well done x Jane

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    1. Thank you Jane, is it a sewist? No idea. I've just hemmed the dress and added a sequin butterfly in a last minute lust for bling. xx

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  13. You can sew as well, you kept that quiet! Connie's dress is fantastic and so are the alterations on your gorgeous vintage frocks... taking out sleeves sounds v.complicated. LOVING the rug. x

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    1. I rarely get time but I do enjoy it. One day when the house is finished I can get back into it...xx

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  14. Wow you sew too! A lady of many talents. The dresses look great and I love the rug xx

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  15. woah! The blog has changed, and the name ... ♥

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    1. Yes, always hated the name. I mean, it's not even a thing is it? Painted style doesn't make sense. And after two years, I felt like a makeover! xx

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