Monday, November 11, 2013

The Last Chintz

Yesterday, I went out to Tai Tapu (a little village close to Christchurch) to visit Last Chintz. It's a new shop that sells "upcycled furniture" (quotes because I think the word 'upcycled' is stupid) and vintage fabrics. The furniture was gorgeous, but I was far more interested in the fabric, obviously. There was floor to ceiling shelving filled with lots of lovely, old material. I was pretty restrained and only bought two pieces.


This lovely, soft rayon is going to be turned into a 1940's style dress. It's nice and drape-y so something with gathers would be nice. The whole piece was $18 and there's about 4 metres there.


This one's a rayon too, but I think it's a crepe so it has a completely different texture. I'm not that great at dating fabrics, but it's probably quite old because it's not very wide. Fabric these days tends to be 45 inches or wider. Before the 1960's fabric usually came in widths of between 36 and 39 inches. This one's 39 inches.  
The print looks like the sort of novelty prints that were popular in the 1940's too. It has medieval-type coins on it. There's about 4 metres of it, and it was $6/metre. 

I'm probably going to make another dress with this because, let's face it, I pretty much only make dresses. That is, if I ever get around to sewing. I'm still getting used to fitting sewing in with working full time. I used to sew pretty much every day when I was at uni, but I'm lucky if I manage to sew once a week since I started working. 

14 comments:

  1. Those fabrics are gorgeous, especially the coin printed one! I haven't made anything for ages, if i found something that cute I probably would! x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never heard of that shop, thanks for letting me know. I love the coiny fabric too. I daydream of sewing all the time but at the moment I'm too tired after work to do anything.

    ReplyDelete
  3. These look great, I'm interested in seeing what you do with them :) Have a lovely week x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Both of those fabrics are seriously fabulous. Can't wait to see them made up into gorgeous frocks! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't been out there as yet, it's not really a part of town I go to, but you are convincing me with these gorgeous fabrics. Not that I need more fabric! GAH! I did pick up a lovely piece of barkcloth the other day though.......
    I only make frocks too, although I am thinking (!) of a skirt. Feck me, when did I last complete something?!
    XXX

    ReplyDelete
  6. That sounds like a really interesting shop, I don't sew much but I do keep buying old fabric wherever I see it. You were very well restrained, both fabrics are gorgeous!
    http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been meaning to get out to Tai Tapu and have a look. Those fabrics are lovely - if I sewed I would only make frocks too - can't wait to see what you create!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can´t harly wait to see your project come a reality, ahhhhhhhhhhhh.
    I wish I could make somthing from scratch.
    You clever girl.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh lucky you... I love rayon and find it so difficult to get it. Sounds cheap enough too. I had a skirt in the '80s made with fabric very similar to the first one - oh I so loved that skirt. Can't wait to see your dresses!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow - looks like I have another reason to come down and visit Christchurch. These are both beautiful, but I love the one with the coins and castles the most.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That places sounds so great! Rayon is one of my favourite fabrics but I have a hard time finding it in NZ :(

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great post I would like to thank you for the efforts,Exactly where are your contact details though? Capuchin Monkey

    ReplyDelete