Friday 15 April 2011

New purchases


It’s the school holidays, so sadly, there’s not much time for sewing.  I have to get my fix somehow though, and this usually involves new fabric and/or patterns.  We had a very rare day and night away this week – we left the children with my in-laws in Cheltenham and sped off to Bath to be tourists.  I must say a BIG thank you to Scruffy Badger (Winnie) who, as a Bath resident provided me with a fantastic list of places to eat and drink, most of which we sampled.  Here’s what else I managed to sniff out whilst we were away:


Lovely polka dot fabric, destined for this pattern.


The most gorgeous 1930’s style greeny/blue fabric.  


The lady in the shop pointed out that it was actually lining fabric, but I ignored her and bought it anyway.  I really want to make another version of my 1930’s rabbit blouse using this colour fabric, so I can pretend to be Miss Sarah Burton from South Riding.  

Image: BBC
With hindsight, and after several dreams about it (yes, seriously) I think it probably does look like lining fabric (doh).  Never mind, I shall use it to line something fabulous so you just get a flash of the gorgeous colour.  My search for the South Riding fabric continues…

Whilst we were looking round an antiques market, I found a whole stall devoted to vintage buttons.  


I bought these lovelies, all of which could be used for a South Riding blouse.  Obsessed?  Me?  No chance.

On the way back to Cheltenham, we stopped off in Stroud.  An hour later I had my grubby mitts on this lot.  

I’ve already planned the fabric for two versions of this A-line skirt (red wool crepe left over from my Swing dress and black gabardine if you’re interested).



The last one looks like a great pattern if I can tone down the collar so it doesn't make me look  like the scary queen from Snow White.  



The 1960’s pattern with the Go-Go boots may be pushing it a bit, but I can always keep it up my sleeve for a giveaway.

Definitely enough booty to keep me quiet for a few days...

21 comments:

  1. ooohhh! Fabulous finds! I want to go to Bath! P.S. are you coming to the London meet-up in May?

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  2. YEEESSS!! I'm definitely doing the Goldhawk Road fabric fest and hope to get over to the V & A to meet the Sew Weekly gang. Really looking forward to it. x

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  3. Ooh, Jane, I dream A LOT about sewing. I think there's a whole blog post there.

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  4. The dreams have been coming more these days. I used to think of winning the lottery to send me to sleep. Now I think about possible sewing projects to lure myself to sleep.
    I love the patterns, especially the mccalls 6847.

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  5. Love all the patterns! I really need to start adding some vintage patterns to my stash. That polka dot fabric is gorgeous too!

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  6. Great finds! And I love that last shirt, colar included.

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  7. What a great shopping trip! loving those blouse patterns and looking forward to seeing your polka dot one!

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  8. Lovely finds, I think I'm especially smitten with your polka dot fabric and the pattern you have it earmarked for!

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  9. Oh wow i have that last blouse pattern too, and would love to see your version of it. I'm too scare to touch my vintage patterns yet.

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  10. I'm glad it was such a successful trip & that you had a great time. Good haul!! I'm so sorry we weren't able to meet up- but there is London. Very impressed with your finds - will have to get the lowdown on where you went. I haven't been shopping in Stroud - always on my way through (also up to Cheltenham)- would also like to find out where you'd recommend going as it's not that far away for a change of scenery & inspirational purchases :-)

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  11. What great finds, I love that skirt pattern and the polka dot fabric! I always love when bloggers share their fabric/notions finds, I should start doing that more :)

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  12. Lol! Your Queen comment made me laugh out loud! I love that blouse, collar and all ;o)

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  13. Ooh, I love the polka dot fabric.

    Glad I'm not the only one wanting to be Miss Sarah Burton after watching South Riding - although with me it's manifesting itself in finding the perfect red lipstick.

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  14. Hi Jane I wasn't sure what that pattern company was called when we were talking yesterday but I found them on Etsy. Its Sew Chic Pattern Co.
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewChicPatternCo?ga_search_query=+pattern+constance&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=
    was lovely to meet you yesterday. Hope your having a fab day in the sun!
    Stevie x

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  15. What a fabulous haul! I have a very similar 60s McCall's skirt pattern to yours and by tomorrow will have made five of View 3 (which handily requires the least fabric - at last I have found a way to use up all those 2yd lengths I had!). I've finished two already and the next three are in the process of acquiring zips and waistbands. It's so quick and easy to make that I can see quite a few more following soon. Can't wait to see yours!

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  16. I loved South Riding! There was some great knitted jumpers in that show, too!

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  17. How about cotton voile for a South Riding Blouse? There is a lovely "aqua" colour at Ditto which has that vintage look, though it would need underlining.
    Love those patterns! And buttons! I got carried away by polka dots and ric rac yesterday. I think it may be addictive!

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  18. Hi everyone, thanks for your comments. Stevie, I left a comment on your blog, thanks for the link. Nathalie, hoorah, I thought that skirt pattern looked versatile and you've just convinced me, I've now got three versions planned! Roobeedoo, that's hilarious, I was on a bloggers meet up in Brighton and went to Ditto fabrics specifically to buy the aqua voile you mention!! Sitting right next to it in the shop was THE MOST PERFECT bluey/green drapey cotton which I snapped up for my South Riding blouse. It's already cut out and ready to go! x

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  19. Love those patterns Jane, in fact I'm so in love with the skirt I've just tracked one down all for myself!! I've been amassing a little collection of vintage patterns recently but like you, have met a stumbling block - aka the school holidays ! x

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  20. That's fantastic that you got the same pattern Kate! Can't wait to see your version(s). x

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  21. I recently made my own version of the 'Scary Queen' pattern, without modifying the collar, and I have to say it really doesn't look that Scary-Queenish!
    Here's a link to my version:
    http://charityshopchic.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/sheet-shirt/

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