Friday 14 September 2012

Sew What?: 1940's pinafore skirt in the last days of Summer!

Oh my, have I been away a long time! Doesn't time fly when you're...err.....working really hard!

Now I hadn't realised just how long it was since I last wrote a post, and I wouldn't blame you for thinking I had dropped off the face of the earth. Or taken a wonderful, lengthy summer holiday. However, I have not.

I have instead just been working really, really hard. In June I started my own alterations and repairs business (plus a sideline in vintage inspired hair accessories) and took the scary leap to self-employment which has left me feeling tired, busy and a little bit all over the place. That, and rather poor. So with not much time and very little money, you'll forgive me for not blogging for *GASP* almost two whole months. It's hard to know what to blog about when you aren't buying wonderful things/going anywhere exciting!

My lack of funds has left me pining after lots of pretty things but unable to afford them....so last night I got a little creative with my sewing machine and took a little bit of time to sew something for myself! I decided to make myself a 1940's style pinafore skirt because it is one of those items I have been pining after for goodness knows how long. Being thrifty, I dived into my stash and made use of some of the fabric I already had; I used a chunky black linen, and some vintage deep orange buttons.

Ever the impatient sewer, once I'd started it became something I simply had to finish immediately. I sewed into the night, and went to bed  one 40's style pinafore skirt richer!

So when I got up this morning, remembered my skirt-making success of the previous night and saw the sun shining (although there is a definite chill in the air) I of course threw on a bright and colourful enseble as I decided to celebrate the dying summer days.

Please excuse the terrible self-taken photographs, my chap wasn't around to take any for me!

 Yellow chiffon headscarf and hair flower, made by me (available here); Peasant top secondhand, originally Topshop); 1940's style pinafore skirt, made by me; Nude seamed stockings, What Katie Did; Coral sandals, a present from my chap and purchased from Clarks.
On the skirt, I made the straps attach to the waistband by way of buttons, as this means it can be worn in a multitude of ways: straight straps, crossed-over at the back, or even strapless as a simple skirt!





I covered up with a little blue wool bolero, part of a repro two-piece from Ebay.
1950's handbag, secondhand shop.


Outfit details:
Beautiful vintage brooch, gift from a friend.
A detail shot of the waist of my skirt, look at those lovely buttons!
Bamboo and green wooden bracelets....and dream shoes.
Hair accessories made by me, find them on my Rosie Alia Hair Accessories Facebook page.

I'll try not to stay away too long this time, promise!

Pip pip xx

7 comments:

  1. This is beautiful, I love the headscarf and little floral details! xo.

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  2. Looks great, love the whole outfit. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who sews into the wee hours!

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  3. Fab outfit - I'm so impressed with your skills.

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  4. Your outfit looks just perfect! I love your choice of colours, esp. the yellow (my favorite!) headscarf with the cherries :)

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  5. I really love that skirt so well done, it looks fantastic. I'd love to be self employed you're really lucky!

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  6. Thanks ladies, it means a lot! I have a feeling it is going to become a new favourite! x

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  7. That skirt is gorgeous :-) think it might be going near the top of my list of things to sew when my sewing machine is working!

    Congrats on the self employment by the way. Hard work but worth it!

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Please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what you beauties think.