BBC South Riding - Fashion Fest Part 2

What a wonderful hat!!!

Well as promised I have some more screenshots from the last two episodes of South Riding.

I have to say to all those bloggers who do a lot of screen shots I had no idea just how tricky and time-consuming it is, so hats of to you all!

 I realise that my screen shots are a little obsessive, but I like to get and all round aspect to each outfit, to know exactly how it is made. I blame the day job (which is designing these), all that need for high attention to detail!

So on to the rest of Miss Burton's outfits... 

Image source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 02

Loooove this jumper, it has been paired with a matching pink/salmon skirt and it works perfectly, another outfit, which I am sure would be wearable today and not just by the vintage among us! The jumper looks like it is knitted in a very fine wool. Must find a pattern for this!!

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 01, 02 and 03

There were some wonderful mac style coats too, love the machine detailing on the top one, and just look at the pointy collar on the green one! And how different the colours looks in the screenshot to the publicity photo (left) it is so much more of a vibrant green.

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 02

Now this is what I call an outfit, another delightful coat, it fastens by pulling a strap at the collar across the neck, not very winter friendly (especially as the scene is set in Manchester a few days before Christmas!) but gorgeous none the less. Underneath is a cute little pleated frilled dress in a creamy mushroom colour.

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Press Photo

A stunning bottle green evening dress with diamante shoulder clasps, Could not get a good screen shot of this as the film was sooo dark!

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 02 and 03

   Two more cute little blouses and a fabulous terracotta cardigan.  The shell pattern on the cardigan is the same as used in Ena's Sweater from A stitch in Time Vol. 01 just in a cardigan form. There is a free pattern here or here which the shell pattern could be used on!



Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 03

Another Blouse this time in cream which is identical to the teal one in the last post. This time, it is teamed with a long black coat and high-waisted skirt. Very somber and very chic.

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 03

Last but no means least another cute little blouse this time in a blue and white polka dot pattern worn with high waisted slacks!

So there you have it, some of my favorite Miss Burton outfits from the fabulous BBC South Riding. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this series just wish it had been a longer, and I completely didn't guess the end at all! It has certainly given me lots of inspiration for my Spring wardrobe, I am going to try and see which modern day patterns could be used to make up some of these wonderful creations!

Wendy x

1930's Bow Cardigan Pattern an SOS!!

Image from Porcelina's World

Over the last few weeks I have been working on creating my own knitting pattern for the Miss Lemon Cardigan (Scary as never attempted such a feat before).

The obsession with this cardigan began for me when Miss P over at Porcelina's World posted a screen shot from Poirot of Miss lemon in this little number.

When re-watching La Vie En Rose a few weeks ago I was brought face to face with this wonderful woolly number again and determined to try my hand at creating my own pattern for it which I could share!

All the wool is ordered and the pattern is drafted (cobbled together from a few different 30's patterns) I am just awaiting the wools arrival and I will be ready to start.

There is one small problem, though...

I am a bit of a fussy one when it comes to making my own versions, they really have to be a near as possible to the original otherwise I'm not happy! (combine this with my knitting speed, slooooow it will take a while for me to finish a project!)

The images I have are really dark and I can't quite tell what pattern the main body is knitted in. It looks to me like a lacey rib pattern, but I just can't tell?!?

I have decided on a plain stocking stitch until I can find a better image to go by.

So if anyone out there has any clearer images or can help me out I would really love to know!??


Wendy x

Things To Make & Do - Spring Knitting Inspiration

If all the hours in the day were free for purely crafting, then I would spend my time on knitting up all of these lovely vintage woollies for Spring...

 

Pretty Summer Woolly (1930's)

I am in love with this 1930's Cardigan would be perfect for spring, just love the mix of blue and white

Free 1930's Knitting Pattern Here!

The Charm of Blue and Grey 1933

'This jumper is an irresistible interpretation of the vogue for angora - and why attempt to resist the charm, anyhow, when it can gladden your Spring wardrobe at cost price, thanks to STITCHCRAFT!'

Need I say more I just love the naval quality to this Jumper it would work a treat with a pair of Sailor Pants!

Free 1930s Knitting Pattern Here!

Charm For The Afternoon (1930's)

This looks like it would be a quick-ish knit to have ready in time for spring!

Free 1930s Knitting Pattern Here!

Tatiana Top (1940s)

"This vintage knitting pattern from the 1940s features a striking top, knit sideways in the feather and fan, or "old shale" pattern. The added peplum may be replaced with a band of simple k1, p1 rib for a totally updated look"

Free 1940s Knitting Pattern Here!

Shoulder Warmth (1940s)

"The French have two words for it - Courant d'air - that chill little breeze in a room which makes you wish for a shoulder woolliness such as this blue bolero"

Free 1940s Knitting Pattern Here!

Lacey Stripes and Leg-o-Mutton Sleeves 1933

"This is a jumper that can see you smartly through a variety of occasions, both morning and informal afternoon."

Free 1930s Knitting Pattern Here!

With a Fashionable 'Slit' Neckline (1930's)

Free 1930s Knitting Pattern Here!



Mimi (1940s)

"This vintage knitting pattern for the "Mimi" short sleeved top was first published in the early 1940s. It features lace panels running up the sides and center front, plus delicate detailing at the neckline."

Free 1940s Knitting Pattern Here!

For more FREE vintage knitting & sewing patterns head on over to my other blog

The Vintage Pattern Files!

Wendy x

BBC South Riding - A 1930's Fashion Fest

Have any of you managed to catch the BBC newest adaptation 'South Riding' which has been airing on Sunday nights over the last two weeks?

Based on a book of the same name written by Winifred Holtby, The story is set in the fictional county of South Riding in 1934, it shows us an England still dealing with the after-effects of the Great War and coping with the immense poverty and social change caused by the depression.

The story (in so much as I have seen)  I feel has echoes of Jane Eyre about it, the tortured husband (Robert Carne), with the unstable wife, the tempestuous troubled daughter (Midge Carne), the school teacher (Sarah Burton) with high ideals and forthright determination, two characters who disagree on everything, but whom you can feel are destined to be together one way or another by the end.

South Riding though has a much more contemporary edge, it is as if the story has been brought forward into the twentieth century and is facing all the difficulties and benefits that the era has to offer. Carne has money problems and risks losing his estate, Sarah is a progressive socialist, who believes that marriage should not be a woman's only path in life, and I don't recall Miss Eyre ever asking for a Whisky Mac!

I have just watched the first episode for the second time, once for the plot and once for the outfits! And I am in love with all of Miss Burton's clothes.  Sarah has been given the most stunning wardrobe, which the use of bold solid colours make her really stand out from, the dark and decaying sets of the South Riding. I love the colour pallet it has certainly given me much-needed inspiration for my next sewing projects!

So here are a few slightly obsessive screen shots of some of
Miss Burton's outfits from episode 01.

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 01

First, up is her Beautiful red suit and hat this has to be my favorite from this episode. I love the waistcoat detail to the top and also look at those fab shoes!

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 01

 Then we have a cute little blouse again styled like a waistcoat with pointy ends worn with a long line high waisted dark blue skirt. Also, the collar appears to have rows of machine quilting on it to give it some detail.

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 01

Next, as Miss Burton address's her new charges she is wearing a beautiful blue two piece outfit with delicate ruffled blouse just look at the detailing on the pockets of the skirt, I love those triangles.

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 01

Another, which is just wonderful  is this soft teal blue/green blouse teamed the same high waisted skirt and a fabulous belt. This outfit would not look out of place today!

Images source BBC South Riding 2011 Episode 01

Lastly, when Miss Burton's car runs out of petrol she is forced to see help, ends up helping Robert Carne to deliver a calf and then gets caught in the rain, she has to borrow clothes from his daughter Midge.  She is sporting a delicate knitted cardigan (couldn't leave out the knitted's now could I) and double front pleated skirt which I really want! 

I'm off now to watch the next episode before tonight's finale,
I am sure there will lots more to share!

Wendy x

Dedicated Follower of Fashion? Who Me?

I have never been much of a follower of fashion. I have always preferred to be a bit different from the
crowd. Whilst a teenager I would drive my poor mum crazy when shopping, because I knew what I wanted but, never could find it. We wasted many Saturdays traipsing around shopping centres only to come away with nothing. What I wanted, was what I had seen in old movies, though I was much more struck with the 60's fashions back then. That is partly why I took up sewing, though vintage patterns were not as easy to find as they are now, there was no eBay in those days!

Anyway, it looks like due to the massive resurgence in vintage, which is currently being favored by the top designers, I for once have found myself 'Bang on trend' as Gok might say!

Who would have guessed!? Not me!

 Some Elle girls working the Scarf Look! (source elleuk.com)

I spotted this article on the ELLE site, it's short and sweet but essentially the headscarf is the new must have accessory for the coming season as it has been seen on the catwalks of Moschino and Missoni.

I'm sure I am not alone in saying that, I have only really used my headscarves for covering/hiding my rollers while at home or sleeping, to venture outside with my hair so adorned struck a fear within me. But with the beginning of a new year and all that, I decided there is no time like the present to actually show off those lovely headscarves that have been residing in the back of a draw since coming home from the charity shop. So over the past few weeks I have been embracing the headscarf in all its vintage satiny glory and adoring my barnet daily.

Mostly I have been wearing it as an Alice Band with the ends all tucked away, but over the last few days I have been a bit braver and have left a bow. So far I have only had compliments from the guys at work, which is a very strange feeling, as they normally spend their days thinking up 'funny' comments to hurl at my 'interesting' dress sense.

One lady, who certainly knows how to wear a headscarf with pride is the ever so stylish Land Girl 1980 just see her blog for proof! One great tip from the lovely Land Girl, is to use snappy clips I am sure they have a proper name - like the ones you had as a child but without the cartoon character attached (but then again why not!) to hold the scarf in place all day rather than hair grips which just keep sliding out along with the scarf!

 

Next up, I found this video tutorial from Super Kawaii Mama she shows us three more wonderful vintage styles!

And then some more vintage headscarf inspirations from Modcloth



Now, Ladies there is no longer any excuse for not adorning your locks with a satiny square of vintage loveliness post haste!

Wendy x