Attention, attention! Vintage knitters, seamstresses, crocheters!

For those of you who haven't already stumbled across The Vintage Pattern Files, you really must go and check it out.

No, really, I insist!

It is a new blog by Wendy of The Butterfly Balcony, where she intends to keep an up-to-date online link-library (if you will) of free vintage and vintage-inspired sewing, knit and crochet patterns. This is going to be so incredibly useful...you can even sort them by decade!

 

Here are a few of my favourites, to give you an idea of the sort of wonderfulness she has links to on the blog:

Clockwise from top left:

1) Source, 2) Source, 3) Source, 4) Source

Pip pip! xx

Spending rainy days in my finest vintage find!

Yes....the *great* British weather strikes again.
Grey skies and lots of rain has been present for the most part since we had that burst of glorious sun a few weeks ago! And such weather can be a pain for a girl who likes vintage- I have an abundance of summer dresses and cardigans, but what do I wear when it's cold and soggy?

Well, I have recently been getting a lot of use out of my very finest vintage find. 

Wait, that's a big claim, I hear you cry! What's so special about it?
Well, price vs. age, vs. condition.
It is most certainly and undoubtedly my biggest vintage bargain....ever!

The item in question was happened upon when, 3 years ago, I decided to pop into a local synagogue's table-top sale to see if there were any bargains to be had. Now, as me and Mr Mike walked in we felt all eyes on us; there was literally no one there except the stall holders (all 4 of them) and their children. We got an overwhelming urge to run but, of course, that would have been rude! So we politely declined offers of kids toys and and baby clothes from eager stall holders as we made our way round the stalls.

...And then we arrived at one that looked promising. It had lots of clothes, neatly folded and priced at 30p each. I happily handed over a whole 60p for a couple of 60's-stye shift dresses; one Naf Naf and one Karen Millen. Result.

But as I turned to leave, something caught my eye. Just next to the table, laid out on a chair, was the most glorious coat I had ever seen! I tugged at Mike's hand and went back for a proper look.
As I picked it up the stall holder told me she had hoped I'd notice it as she wanted it to go to a good home, and that it was in fact a coat her mother had saved up for in the 1930's and treasured ever since!

I tried very hard to contain my excitement, as me and the woman discussed it's history. And then I tentatively asked how much it was....I was a rather penniless student who couldn't afford to spend a fortune on a coat, but I had fallen head over heels for it!
....the woman replied, rather apologetically, that unfortunately due to it's age it was a little bit more expensive. It was a whopping great £1!

Yes, you heard me right, ONE squiddly little pound!

I offered her more for it, but she wouldn't take it. In the end she let me donate her an additional pound but that was all, claiming that all she really wanted was for it to go to a good home.

The coat in question looks like this:

 

Look at the wonderful black velvet cuffs and collar, embroidered with rich yellow thread. 

It unfortunately doesn't do up over my *ahem* front....but I have plans for that!

The coat has the most phenomenal weight to it which gives the skirt a swing that is to die for.

 

Just out of sight are these boots, which are perfect for splashing around in.

Boots: Clarks via ebay, lined by me- you can see how here.

 And to keep my wrists from catching a chill (is that possible? I'm sure it is!), I wear these beautiful gauntlet gloves knitted for me by Iwona Jenner...psst, she takes orders, if anyone's interested!

What is your biggest ever vintage bargain?
And just what do you wear to keep you warm when the weather's this drab?

Pip pip xx

Cold weather turbans: my new love!

Frequent readers of the blog may have observed my Nan's incredible millinery skills (all self-taught).

Well, just the other week she called me and told me she had created a knitted turban headband, to which I gave a little squeal and of course asked her to send me one immediately!

When it arrived to me it seemingly brought the cold weather with it...but no matter, because it is a gorgeous creation and warm to boot. I popped it on atop my curls, and there it has remained pretty much ever since!

So, naturally, I just had to share this vintage inspired beauty with you.

What do you girls reckon?

 

The beauty of this is that you can mould the top part to sit however you'd like it to.

 

On it's first outing, I teamed it with a dark green 1930's style dress (a charity shop find, cut from a 1930's pattern it would seem, but using modern dressmaking techniques) and a black beaded cardigan. 

 

My nan has just ventured into the world of technology by way of her first ever Trishe Darling website, and is taking orders currently by phone (an internet shop is next on the list to master, but for now I think the website is more than enough for her to be getting on with).

The turbans are available in a variety of colours, and what's more, come at a cost of only £25 each- positively a bargain for all the wear you'll get out of it. 

Perfect for adding a touch of vintage glamour to any outfit.

Find the turbans and her other millinery creations here!

Pip pip xx

Bits and bobs...

It is currently day three (and a half) of being hauled up in bed ill, and I am in need of things to do. I have sat here in my bed having a Mad Men marathon, thanks to Mr Mike for downloading them for me. And whilst doing that, I have been crafting, almost non-stop! I have sat here and knitted and embroidered, and boy am i proud of the results! I wish I could share them with you but it just so happens that they are christmas pressies for special people, so alas I must wait excitedly before I can reveal the fruits of my labour!
How is everyone's chistmas shopping going? I am pleased to say that mine is finished, apart from a couple of wee pressies, for Mr Mike's family and such like. I started early this year as I tend to buy second hand or make them myself, and so it is much easier to give myself lots of time.
 
Now I just cannot wait to get my wrapping paper made (I'm stamping my own) and my presents wrapped and under the tree (which I am yet to buy).
One other exciting thing I can put under my tree is this stocking full of presents from my Mumma:

 

 Yes, this is my stocking <3
Now those of you who know me will be aware that I, as an out-and-out hoarder, have rather a thing for brown boxes, vintage suitcases and the like. This one is simply wonderful....and full of presents for opening at christmas.

Now for any of you looking for christmas shopping inspiration, here are some ideas from Urban Outfitters. I don't often find new things that are to my tastes, but UO is currently filled with all sorts of wonders!
Just look at these fabulous vintage inspired things:

 Bird salt and pepper set, £7

 Horse tapestry bag, £58

 Clock radio £55

 

 AV room green turntable, £150

Beathoven speaker, £15

 

Plate clock, £45

 

Cat bow plate, £6

The thing with UO is the price; they have lovely stuff, but it is rather expensive... or it is to a thrifter like me who frequents charity shops and carboots more than real shops. But they have some fabulous little trinkets for not too many pennies! I have fallen head-over-heels for that cat plate, at only £6. And those salt and pepper shakers could sit happily next to my collection of kitsch animal ornaments without looking out of place. As for Beathoven....well, I want him purely because he looks miles better than my current ugly-beast computer speakers, even if he doesnt exactly fit into my vintage home! 

That record player...expensive, but beautful! But I already have one almost exactly the same but from the 1950's. Mine is tatty and well-loved, just how I like it.

 

Pip pip! x