Not an easy decision

 

 

 

Well I thought I'd just photograph and organise all my vintage patterns and then it would be easy to pick what I'm going to make to take part in Marie's Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge.

 

I've got them all photographed and saved on a special page on the blog, all 66 of them, I don't have a problem at all and it's such a lovely even number.

 

I need to record dates and sizes I think, get a bit more organised, that'll help enormously.

 

I've eliminated the measly 3 I've made already - that would be outright cheating, especially as I've made them multiple times.

 

So that leaves me with 63.  That's it, time to get ruthless and pick out the ones I'm definitely not going to be making any time soon.  The reasons for them being on the 'not making' list vary a bit:

 

They're just not 'me'

I don't think I'm a 'skirt and waistcoat' kind of woman - but this look might come back, you never know.
So I'd better hold on to them just in case!
 

I love, love, love this but the neckline isn't good for me -
my bosom will end up looking like a shelf - sounds ridiculous, trust me
it's a real issue!
I'd have to alter it a bit to make it work for me and have other
patterns that would work better I think so this is on hold

It love this and it's Maudella - but a bit frilly for me, that bosom again!



This is what I'm going to wear when I'm important!



 

I love the jacket, gorgeous shape but it's the kind of work wear I don't
need for my job.  I'm waiting for an occasion when I need that skirt suit, so elegant



Actually, I was never going to make this!

Delightful - this brings me joy!

 

Frankly I am too old for this pattern!  But I love it so, and it reminds me of the clothes
my mother used to make and wear
I didn't grow up knowing my mother so I'm attracted to these kinds of images I think
 

Reminds me of the first 'grown up' outfit I was bought when I was 11 :)

It's Biba - enough said!

Unless I get invited to a fancy dress and want to go as a 60s actress I can't see
I'm ever going to have cause to make this sadly

 

I'm not sure about this neckline but it reminds me of a dress
I had when I was a teenager ... red polka dot in case you were wondering :)

Reminds me of my Geography teacher at Grammar School -
I did not enjoy secondary school, she probably doesn't know it, or even remember me, but
she helped make it bearable.  And she was brilliant at macramé!

I'm waiting to be invited to a 'Do'!

I love this so much but need to go somewhere posh - isn't it gorgeous?

I'm waiting for an occasion that justifies that much cleavage -
no idea where that would be!

I will make these when I am clever

 



I do not have these skills - one day :)



 So that's 16 off the list - I'm down to 47. 

I think I'm going to do the next 'sift' by ruling out any that need a lot of grading -

that's a job for another day.

 

Jacq

x

 

Biba & Beyond: Barbara Hulanicki

P and I have been in Brighton for a few days. My OH has always been entirely open about his first love - Olivia Newton John. Given P's career and his usual taste in music (he has industrial deafness for a reason) ONJ is not musically credible but that's not why he's hopelessly devoted!
When I heard she would be touring in the UK I rushed to buy tickets and managed to get front row seats at The Brighton Centre. Keeping it quiet from October until Christmas was tricky but he was thrilled, and this has provided endless opportunities for friends and family to take the mickey - he cares not!
We had a fab time but it was cold so we tried to mix up the mooching outside in the weather with 'lets pop in here - it's warm', this mostly involved tea and cake. As an aside I think we're now officially old as 'tea' is no longer sufficient, we're both after 'a nice cup of tea' - honestly I sound like my Nainy!

Well being selfless pays off - how wonderful.

It was fine to take photos, without a flash, which was a bonus

I now have a dream where I stumble across a stash of Biba dressmaking patterns in a charity shop!

There were posters up for a Biba exhibition at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery so we went along. It's running until the 14th of April, if you get a chance to go. The Museum has free entry, the exhibition was £6 for adults. I really enjoyed it and P was very good and said it was 'interesting' but he does indulge me!
Because life is complicated in ways I won't bore you with I have an interest I didn't always understand or acknowledge that links Brighton, the 1970s, fashion and dressmaking. This exhibition was an especially interesting experience for me because of that.
Barbara's history is fascinating and her approach to design, not just fashion but lifestyle too, was innovative.

It's close but I think this was my favourite garment

The story behind the design

And the wallpaper - beautiful

Barbara brought fashionable clothes within reach of everyone and I loved that the clothes in the exhibit were donated and had notes from the owner about where they wore them and what they loved about them - a real living history.

Gorgeous outfit, and so simple

The outfit in the middle was worn as a wedding dress but the owner had to make a lining for it as it was totally see-through

The outfit on the right was worn with pride to a dinner dance - some time later the owner saw it in the catalogue described as a negligee set - she'd gone out in her PJs! Brilliant

Barbara still designs clothes today, after a long gap working on styling buildings/hotels, for Top Shop and George at Asda.

A skater dress designed for Top Shop

If you get the chance I would definitely recommend a visit. And the Exhibition is right next to the museum cafe so you could always get a 'nice' cup of tea ;)

Posted with Blogsy