What I'm Sewing

I don't generally post pictures of things that I'm in the middle of sewing. Mostly because, in my rush to finish something, I forget to take photos. The project I'm working on at the moment, a suit, is pretty labour intensive and slow. Since most of the detail is inside, I thought I'd take some pictures of the inner workings before they get covered up by the lining.

I'm using McCall's 8813 for the jacket. I bought the pattern without the envelope, so the only picture is the black and white one on the instruction sheet. I can't find any info about when the pattern dates from, but the next pattern number up (McCall's 8814) is from 1952, so it's probably from around then.

I don't love the straight skirt in the McCall's pattern. It seems like an unflattering shape and length, and I don't like the seam down the front. I'm thinking of using a pencil skirt pattern like the one above that I recently op shopped.

The white thread is just basting holding the buttonholes closed

This is the jacket so far. I'm using a dark green wool that I got from trademe. Because good wool fabric is almost impossible to buy here (in a country where there are more sheep than people), I ended up buying a secondhand roll that had 16 metres on it. This was way cheaper than buying one of the nasty wool blend (20% wool, 80% polyester, 100% likely to start pilling if you so much as look at it) fabrics that you can get new.

I couldn't find any in my huge stash that went with the wool, so I made some covered buttons using this old kit that I op shopped. They required lots of bashing with the hammer because the fabric is so thick. I have to say, bashing things with a hammer is quite therapeutic. 

  

The colour came out funny, but they are the same green as the jacket. 

This is the inside. The front and hip pieces are interfaced with hair canvas. Hair canvas feels gross, but it's traditional in tailoring, and the pattern says to use it. It helps things hold their shape. Cotton tape is used along the armholes and the front seams and bias tape along the waistline to strengthen them.

 I still have quite a bit to go on the jacket before I start on the skirt. It's a lot of work, but I'm actually enjoying all the handsewing.

Shiny, shiny, shiny

It's been raining here in the last couple of days which means that I've finally been able to wear the red vinyl raincoat I bought at a charity shop in the UK. I took these pictures quickly during a break in the rain. 

Beret: Op shopped
Raincoat: Sue Ryder charity shop, Haworth
Dress (peeking out under the coat): Trademe
Shoes: Hunters and Collectors

The weird expression on my face is because I'm overcome with excitement about the pockets, obviously

P.S. I'm having a stall at Anissa Victoria's Vintage on Saturday from 12pm to 3pm at the Sandridge Hotel, 30 Huxley St.

Black and Gold

After my last post complaining about how expensive the op shops have become, here I am wearing one of my favourite op shopping finds ever; a 1950s/60s beaded, lambswool cardigan. I bought it about three years ago for $5. I found another one at the same time (they must have belonged to the same person) with black beading. Sadly, that one is too big for me, so I gave it to my mum.  

Sunglasses: My grandma gave them to me.
Vintage Dress: Oh La La Vintage in Haworth
Vintage Cardigan: Op shopped
Bakelite Bangles: Etsy and Ebay
Bag: Two Squirrels Vintage
Shoes: Hunters and Collectors

Recently op shopped

Op shopping has been pretty rubbish lately, or maybe I'm just becoming more discerning as it's becoming more expensive. I'm shocked by some of the outrageous prices I've seen in the last few months; $12 for a faded and stained 60s hat, $50 for a matted faux fur jacket, $2 for a zip (I can buy them new for less than that), $30 for a typical '80s dress that you could find a dozen of at any op shop. These aren't fancy, clean charity shops like I saw when I was in England, these are musty, junky op shops. Don't get me wrong,  junky ones are my favourite kind of op shop, but the reason I love them is because of the thrill of finding a bargain hidden under all the rubbish. Anyway, enough of my complaining, here's some relatively cheap stuff I op shopped recently. 

This blue pom pom hat is cute and it only cost $1.

This '60s sewing pattern also cost $1. The lady on the front has been partially beheaded, but is still keeping it classy with her gloves and handbag.

I know, I know, it's another blue hat. I was actually going to sell this at the vintage fair, but then I tried it on and really liked it. It was $2.

This vintage bag is my most expensive purchase. It cost $10. I didn't really want to pay that much, but it's really nice.

Vintage Market

For anyone in Christchurch, I have a stall tonight at Anissa Victoria's Vintage Market selling vintage clothing, accessories and sewing patterns. It's on from 5pm to 9pm at the Sandridge Hotel, 30 Huxley St.

I made jeans*

 Well, sort of. They're more like trousers made of denim. See, I was going to buy some Freddies of Pinewood 1940s style jeans, but after checking the measurements I wasn't sure that they would fit me properly. I didn't want to spend over $100 on something that might not fit so I decided to make a pair instead.

I used Eva Dress T40-3322 and some non-stretch denim. Since I hate doing flat fell seams and top stitching, these jeans don't have either. They also don't have pockets or a fly front. In other words, I didn't do lots of the time-consuming parts that making jeans normally entails. Because I skipped all the hard parts, they were really quick and easy to sew. 

I made a couple of changes to the pattern; I took in the sides an inch and added belt loops because I feel naked without a belt. I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. I still wear dresses most of the time, but it's nice to occasionally be more casual.   

Blouse: I made it
Cardigan: Op shopped
Belt: Op shopped
Jeans: I made them
Shoes: Op shopped

*...about six months ago. I just didn't get around to photographing them until now.