LIBERTY in Fashion

If you love vintage and retro fashion you will
thoroughly enjoy this exhibition
Liberty in Fashion at the Fashion and Textile Museum
on until the 28th of February 2016

Liberty has been around for 140 years and the exhibition
covers from 1875 to present day

I especially loved these tea dresses from the 1930's to the 1940's.
the attention to detail was exquisite. The shape of these dresses is
very flattering to most body shapes. I have made some simple
versions of the tea dress using this pattern. Vogue also have a good
selection of 1940 patterns.

 Liberty's strong relationship with designers since 1875 is also

 Catalogued in the exhibition.

 Collaborations with Mary Quant 1960's, Jean Muir,  Cacharel

 Nike  ( don't you just love the trainers ) and Vivienne Westwood, bring the exhibition to present day.

Defiantly one to pop in and see ! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did :-)

Christmas Gifts

If you know anyone who loves sewing I can't recommend this book enough.

Its been out for a while, but this book, is fantastic, 

it includes 30 full size patterns to make the different projects, 

with the instructions printed in the hard back book.

You will have to use spot and cross paper to trace of your project and size.

The instructions range from very simple i.e. the sleeveless shell top

( good for a beginner) to more challenging, i.e. 

the tweed and faux leather jacket.

How ever there is plenty for the beginner.

Many of the projects I have made again in different fabric,

as I have been so pleased with the shape.

I have often found when I have bought a book that I will only

make a few of the projects inside !

But...... with this book I have or some in the sewing class has made all but 5 of
the projects !

 If you love sewing a need a little treat, this is it, enjoy.

Sunday cake

This week for the Sewing classes I tried this recipe for

Cherry, choc and coconut tray bake, which I found here,
WOW not only was it super simple, it definitely hit the
spot. The perfect accompaniment to a lovely sewing
class.

Half term Happiness - even if you are not on half term

On a recent trip to Lewes, East Sussex,
I found these little gems at abigailsdrapery,
they reminded me of
the Cloth Kits of the seventies.
Instant sewing success for all ages.
You very simply cut around the
dash line and hand sew or machine together,
clip, turn in side out, stuff, and you have the sweetest
Tiger or Orangutan.

Patchwork Quilts

Making a patchwork quilt is the perfect way to use up
all you precious bits of vintage fabric, that are not
big enough for any thing else. Grouping colours together
as Natalie did, stops the quilt looking too busy.
I have found that the most important buy is the
wadding or batting as its called in America.
Bamboo or cotton wadding makes the sewing SO much
easier. Well worth the few extra pounds that it costs.
A packet of safety pins holds the quilt together nicely
as you assemble it.  The Beginners Guide to Quilting
is full of handy tips to get started, creating your own
heir loom.

Simplicity Patterns - half price ...... but hurry

Simplicity has a great range of Retro
 and Vintage dress makers patterns

Until the 6th of October 2014 they are on offer at half price.

I have ordered these three, to make some winter tops !

I thought they would look good with A line skirts.

Summer Shifts !

Summer 2014 is the Summer of the shift at Sew Retro,

These patterns from New Look and the vintage patterns,

are being whipped up

into fantastic dresses for  the summer. If you are new to sewing the
shift is a good starting point, most of the styles have a bust dart,
and a back zip, it presents bit more of a challenge than a simple
a line skirt, but if you have mastered that, this would be a step forward.