Wendy's Week - Patterns & Packing

Hello, I hope you are having a great week and looking forward to the bank holiday that is just around the corner here in the UK (sorry if there's no holiday where you are I'm sure you'll have a lovely weekend anyway)! Thank you for all your get well wishes it's very kind of you all, I can confirm I am feeling much better now and have been super busy to make up for my much needed lazy spell last week!

~ Patterns & Packing ~

- 18th - 24th April -

Beautiful Spring Blossom // Officially a geek // Lots of new old knitting patterns
// A gift of sewing patterns // My Anderson Blouse // Packing for a trip

- Renewed my membership to the I.O.W Steam Railway. I haven't already made myself sound like a teenage boy what with Airfix kits and my love of sci-fi, I have gone one better and I am now a member of a steam railway too! OK, I've actually been on and off been a member from birth as my parents have been members since I think the 70s, but now that I have started regularly attending the annual 1940s weekend, it seemed only right to join up myself and help support them all year round, as nothing beats a steam train ride for a little bit of time travel!

- I went to the cinema! On Tuesday I went with my best friend Diane to see Disney's new version of The Jungle Book. It was great I won't lie I wasn't expecting very much but it was really good, it even had a couple of the original songs which was a nice surprise, my favourite character had to be Baloo played by Bill Murray, his voice was perfect for the part! How similar it is to the original cartoon I can't say as I have actually only ever seen the first half, due to it being the video of choice at Junior school for filling in the last day of term when we were all too demob happy to be expected to do any work which also meant it was always, without fail, turned off before it reached the end, so I know the beginning very, very well. The end? Well, that's still a mystery!

- I Bought some knitting patterns! My obsession with that Home Fires Fair Isle is still going strong and thanks to the amazing Liza from The Vintage Knitter I now am the proud owner of the original pattern (amongst a few others which I couldn't resist, see header photo)! I lucked out when found the original pattern on The Vintage Knitting Lady website so I knew it had to be mine. The original cast on and ribbing that I did for the jumper has turned out way too big so I will need to rip that back and start from scratch anyway though the pattern that I originally charted matches up perfectly, which means all I need to do now is work out how many stitches to add for a (much) bigger size and I will be ready to get started! If you are as besotted with ITV's Home Fires as I am, then do pop over to Liza's blog where she has created the most fabulous 'Home Fires: The Knitwear' post matching up the knitwear in the show with its original patterns, it is really wonderful and is making me want to add them all to my must-knit list!

The mini wheelie bin is a belated birthday present for my brother, if you have ever been to Liverpool you'll understand why!

- Started Packing for my trip Tomorrow I will be heading off up to Liverpool to meet my parents and brother, before flying off on Friday to Amsterdam for the bank holiday weekend! I need to stop for a second to appreciate the fact I have typed a sentence that has the word 'flying' in it without the usual stomach-churning terror, yes my nails are still bitten in anxiety, but the therapy I am taking is certainly starting to work! We are going to explore the city and to take a trip to the Keukenhof to see the tulips in bloom. I am really looking forward to our trip as it's somewhere I have wanted to visit for many years, especially the Keukenhof, as if it is in full blooming glory it should be really magnificent. Expect lots of pictures on my return!

- I was gifted some Vintage Sewing Patterns! Last week I got a message from one of my Facebook friends David, who I met (albeit virtually) through writing this blog over our shared love of the history of WWII's home front. He contacted me to ask if I would like some old sewing patterns that he had been given in a house clearance and were only going to be binned if he couldn't find a home for them, obviously, I snapped his offer up and so they arrived this week! They are fabulous, mostly they date from the 60s & 70s and most are in larger sizes, which is wonderful for us more curvaceous gals! I am honestly blown away by his kindness in thinking of me, it's really touching just how generous people can be, so with this in mind, once I am back from Amsterdam I will be hosting a giveaway so that I can pass kindness forward to you lovely lot, so watch this space!

- I finished my Sew Over It Anderson Blouse! As usual I could look happier about it in this photo, but honestly, I do really love it! I will write a more detailed/waffelsome post once I can get some better photos of it but it's done, I think it's great and I've already worn it twice! The fabric was a challenge at times, more so in the poor cutting out than in the sewing together, and basting the pieces before stitching worked a treat, thank you, Cate! It's by no means perfect, there are some dead wonky seams, but it has certainly given me the confidence to start on the dressing gown soon which is all I was really hoping for anyway, and now I have a bonus top to boot!

Have you any exciting or crafty plans for the bank holiday weekend?

Wendy x

Who Took Nanny's Pictures

At work, I spend most of my days working alongside Ray, a fellow graphic designer, and a talented drummer (he's in a 60's inspired band called The Everglows, definitely worth a listen). Between us we are responsible for all of the graphics related stuff for our company, drawing up the model specs, researching vehicles, designing the artworks and creating any advertising that may need doing. All of this is done to a soundtrack of 6 Music and conversions about interesting TV & films we have watched, our mutual love of 60's music and culture, books we have read, photography or just the day to day stuff and nonsense of our lives. We don't always agree on everything, but we do both agree we love watching a good documentary and so when Ray recommends something I have missed, I always know that it's going to be worth checking out.

It is one of Ray's recommendations (that could be a feature of its very own) which is the basis of today's post, he told me about an episode of BBC's Imagine, which featured the story of recently discovered photographer Vivian Maier. Having never heard of Vivian before I was intrigued so after little internet biased searching I found a link to the show in question and was amazed by what I saw so I thought I would share!

BBC Imagine (2013) Vivian Maier - Who Took Nanny's Pictures
(video takes a little while to load)

As much as it's wonderful that we get to see her beautiful captivating images of mid-century Chicago, I can't help feeling its such a shame that Vivian was not able to see what an effect her images have had on the art world, and lets face it for her rather than art dealer to profit from her talent. Though I do wonder, being the compulsive photographer that she was and having never really shown anyone her images, if she would have been horrified by the attention they are now receiving? Her photography appears to have been as much a passion as an obsession, would she really want the world to be in on her secret, I guess we will never know.

To see more of Vivian's work from one of the many owners of her work at vianmaier.com

Wendy x

My Pattern Pyramid Picks

Hello, remember me? No, well I don't blame you its been a while! 

I promised to show you what patterns I picked from Karen's Pattern Pyramid and here they are! I'd fully intended to show off my finished creations along with my pattern choices, but things haven't gone quite to plan on the sewing front, so rather than leave it another month, while I continue faffing, I figured I should just get on and show you so...



I had a real tough decision choosing, as you will be aware there are some lovely patterns in there so it took me some time to settle on my favorites. My plan to make my decision easier was to think more practically, ie. no more fancy evening dresses thank you, to go for styles I could see myself wearing every day and which would also be perfect for summer, with these criteria in mind I chose Style 2136 and Simplicity 9171.

I love 1960s styles, it's the simple lines and easy elegance of the era that appeals, so I was instantly drawn to Simplicity 9171 a cute late 60s shift dress with slightly fitted shape and a natty little jacket. As much as this is a practical choice, it does take me a little out of my comfort zone shape wise. My early 20 were spent slavishly trying to recreate 60's styles from the high street stores, but as much as I loved them I realised then, that some of the iconic 60s styles don't flatter my fuller figure especially when you're not fond of showing off your legs! But I decided it was time to have another dalliance with the 60s, this pattern has a bit more shaping than your average A-line (it was probably aimed at the older lady, but I am fine with that) so might do my curves a bit more justice and my sewing stash could really use a quick to make dress pattern (Ha-ha I'm currently still battling, my own fault not the patterns) which could be ready in a few hours and help to fill the gaps in my wardrobe, fingers crossed this will be the one to do the trick!



Style 2136 from 1977 is a lovely floaty tiered maxi skirt, I have long lusted over a pattern like this. 1970s fashions are where I tend to turn when the summer heat strikes as they are floaty, just that little bit glamorous and above all despite being made of  man-made fibers are able to keep you cool! I was really hoping to have made this pattern up to show you all by now, but I'm really struggling to find just the right fabric for it. I have nothing in my stash at the moment that will do the job or anything that even comes close to the amount of fabric needed, 7.5 yards for the maxi! There is also the small matter of re-sizing it, which as its essentially a tiered dirndl skirt should not be too difficult (as you will see in my next post I've gotten quite good at sewing dirndl skirts) at least that's what I am hoping anyway!

So these were my pattern picks, but don't forget, if you want a chance to win some patterns from the Pattern Pyramid and see some beautiful handmade creations then make sure you follow Helen's blog Sew Stylish as she will be showing off her choices and hosting the next leg of its journey soon!

Wendy x

Things To Make & Do - Mathilde

I made the most of the super sunny bank holiday at the end of may to stay at home and get on with some of the things I have been putting off or to one side lately, in favor of allotmenteering.

My weekend was spent: Sunny Sewing // Spinning Records // Wartime Farm Knitting // Grumpy Gargoyle watching (I mean look at that face!) // Free Plant receiving - I have the best friends // Dancing shamelessly around my kitchen to Herb Alpert & The Walker Brothers - just like being at a 60's cocktail party!

I had been expecting the May bank holiday to be another rainy affair, there are a few things you can rely on in England and rainy bank holidays are usually one. This meant the only plans I'd made were to stay inside and keep as warm as possible. So the glorious sunshine took me by surprise, we usually like to go off exploring when the weather's right, but as much I love visiting interesting and beautiful places, I must confess I really enjoyed having a whole weekend dedicated to just staying at home, making the most of the space we now have to do all of the above, which means I've actually done some sewing to blog about, hurrah!

Mathilde - A Button Back Blouse

(Stash Buster)

Designer: Tilly Walnes of Tilly and the Buttons

Pattern: Mathilde - £7

Ingredients:

Fabric – 2 yards/1.9m x 60”/150cm OR 2 ½ yards/2.2m x 45”/115cm 

Matching thread 

Lightweight fusible interfacing 

7 x 5/8” / 15mm buttons

Recently I was given some floral printed blue cotton mix fabric by one of my Mums friends. I knew that its lovely drapeyness would mean it would make a cracking blouse, though I also knew the 40s patterns I am usually drawn to would not really have suited its flamboyant floral print. So I left the fabric to one side and put it on the back burner, it wasn't until I saw Tilly's cute button back blouse pattern which I knew it would be perfect for this fabric!

It soon dawned on me that 'Mathilde' required quite a bit of fabric for those lovely billowy sleeves, sadly on closer inspection I realised I had only 1m, which no matter how hard I tried to fit the pieces into it, (and I really did try) there was never going to be enough. Drat! After a bit head scratching I remembered I had some remnants of heavy satin fabric from my 50s Butterick sunburst tuck dress which was a close colour match and though a completely different weight and makeup, I hoped would work for the yoke and sleeve cuffs!

As you will see from the pictures below, I ended up using much more of the satin than I had anticipated. It worked out that the whole back section, as well as the front yoke, would have to be blue satin as once the sleeves were cut, there was nowhere near enough floral fabric left, so as a compromise and to get as much as I could of the floral into the back I created a back yoke.

Front View

I marked the break at the same level as the front yoke and added a seam allowance to both sections. I actually surprised myself, by it working really well and it all matched up perfectly, which is rather unheard of where I'm concerned!

Back View

Once I had all my pieces figured out, it went together like a dream, Tilly's detailed instructions certainly ensured that. I have to admit it's the first time I have ironed everything, constantly through the whole process, and I really think it paid off. It's also one of the quickest things I have ever made, I took just over an afternoon to finish from cutting to sewing the buttons on, which is honestly a record!

I don't know if it was my choice of musical accompaniment, the bold floral print or the pattern (or all three) that has given this project have a very 60's feel, which I love and as long as the weather stays warm I know I will be wearing it a lot over the next few months!

Wendy x

Better Late Than Never!

Not only am I an unreliable blogger, I am a unreliable daughter too.

Yesterday was my Mums birthday and I totally forgot. To be fair I thought today was the 25th not yesterday, but that's no excuse especially in the days of smartphones with alarm reminders. It is so bad that she had to ring me early this morning to see if I was alright. So I've not only forgotten to say Happy Birthday but also made her worry! *hangs head in shame*

I love this picture so much, it has really captured a sweet moment between them, and have you spotted my Mums fabulous glasses!!! 

Luckily I am popping down to see my parents this weekend, so at least I can apologise in person, armed with a big box of chocolates, but I thought as an extra apology I'd share my favourite picture of my mum and grandma (more on my grandma in the next post), taken by my keen photographer Granddad in the 60s.

Happy Birthday Mum!

Wendy x

Things To Make & Do - 1940s Turban

Today's post is a quick one, about an even quicker stash-busting sewing project

~1940s Turban ~

(Stash Buster)

Designed by: Mary Jane of Make Your Way Around Britain

Free Tutorial: Guardian - T-shirt Turban For Women

The tutorial does not require a pattern, but I find it easier to have a pattern to work from so I can note any adjustments for future makes. So I have created a PDF file which you can download HERE if you so desire!

Ingredients

T-shirt OR *A Light Weight Knitted OR Any Stretch Fabric

Scissors

Chalk or marking pencil OR a Printout of the PDF

Pins

Needle & Thread OR Your Trusty Sewing Machine

* I love the idea of using an old jumper or scarf for this project as it will create the look of a knitted turban without the many hours of knitting, just be sure to overlock/secure the cut edges to prevent it gradually unraveling.

Confession Time!
For the past 5 years of owning my sewing machine, I had no idea that A & B (see left) are stretch stitches for guess what, stitching on stretch fabrics!
What a Numpty! If it hadn't been for me moving some boxes out of the way of my little Pee monster, and finding the manual inside, I would have no doubt remained none the wiser for another 5 years. You probably already knew this, but just in case I'm not alone in my manual reading ineptitude, then is worth looking out for this stitch! It is not essential, but it certainly helps!

This project took no longer than 30 mins from cutting to finishing and it would have been quicker still if I had used a t-shirt with a lower edge seam already included rather than an off cut of stretch velvet which needed hemming.

The stretch stitch is great it takes a bit longer to do, due to the back and forth action of the needle, but it is worth it to have seams that move with the fabric, with no risk of them suddenly popping open under tension! I was so keen to use my new found knowledge that I totally forgot I have a big old head! So my first attempt with the (medium) measurements given was a bit too tight - headache inducing in fact, so I added an inch and a half, to the width and that did the trick.

Pleats at the back!
Since this photo, I've added an extra pleat to remove a bit more of the fullness that was sagging at the back and removed that pesky thread.

It is looser than perhaps it should be (bit more like a beanie) but much more comfortable, and I am only guessing here, but I would think, seeing as there was no lycra back in the 40s then the fabric turbans would have had to have been a slightly looser fit anyway, perhaps with a bit of elastic stitched somewhere to help it stay put!

I love my turban it is stylish enough for wearing out and about (especially in the autumnal weather) and perfect for hiding your hair whilst, cooking, cleaning or just slobbing about on the sofa! It's also a great way to use up old t-shirts, jumpers and scraps of leftover fabric, so I am sure I'll be making many more very soon!

Wendy x

The Vintage Pattern Files

Morning!

I think it is about time I told you all about a little blog which I have been working on over the last few months...

As the title suggests this is my attempt to create an on-line link library of free vintage knitting, crochet, and sewing patterns. The idea being, it will make it easier for you and me to find the perfect vintage pattern by having them all (I can dream) listed in one place. 

It is obviously going to be an ongoing project, as there will always be new patterns somewhere on the web to be added to the collection, but hopefully, it will be a useful tool for those of you who love vintage patterns and free stuff as much as I do!

If you have any links you would like to add or suggestions on how to make it more user-friendly I would love to hear from you, I will always ensure that you are credited :)

Wendy x

Things to Make & Do - A Colette Set

Hello!  I want to say a quick welcome to my new followers I hope you enjoy being here, )and before I forget I am having a few blogger glitches at the moment, one of them being on the 'Blogs I love' widget (to the left). It is refusing to let me add any new blogs to the roll and has deleted off some of the others. I can only fix it by adding one at a time and then saving which takes ages, so please don't think I've gone off you if you blog isn't showing, it's just it going to take a while to add you all back!

This weeks project is a Stash Buster and UFO Slayer all in one! After giving my fabric a thorough sort through recently I found two pieces of black satin, which I had cut out to make a late 60's A-line wrap dress (this was a UFO I had completely forgotten about...it may even be older than my never finished tank top!)
 

I really wanted (actually I still do) to make the maxi version of this dress, in black satin, but I ran out of fabric!

I remember that I had intended to make this to wear to a work Christmas party, many moons ago, but being the rush-in-head-first kind of a girl that I am, I completely underestimated the amount of fabric it would take to make (read the instructions..what me?!) and so ended up a meter and a bit short, which meant that no matter how many different ways I tried to fit the three pieces on the fabric, it was never going to fit. I was short by one front section and when I went back to the shop to buy more fabric...guess what?..yep it had all gone!

So it was time to put this UFO to rest and re-purpose some of that fabric into something wearable. A quick look through my patterns reminded me that I had printed out a couple of free patterns from Colette - The Sorbetto & The Madeline Mini Bloomers - which were small enough to fit on the fabric I had left.


The Sorbetto Top

(Stash Buster)

Designed By: Sarai Mitnick

Download FREE Here: The Sorbetto Top

Flikr: Sorbetto

Ingredients

• 1.5 yards of Fabric
• Spool of Matching Thread
• 3 yards 1/2" Bias Tape

This was a blissfully simple pattern to sew, It is made up of only two pieces both cut on the fold, the front has a central pleat and has two bust darts to give it some shape. The instructions were very well written and easy to follow.

I decide against making my own bias binding as I found the perfect matching satin bias binding in my stash. I have always struggled with attaching this stuff before, but it was so well explained in the instructions that it was a doodle, inevitably I now want to attach it to everything!

The only tricky bit I found was when hemming the bottom, due to the outward flick on the bottom of the pattern it refused to be hemmed neatly, it went all wobbly and baggy - Any tips on making this work I would really appreciate - Not sure if it is because I haven't sewn anything in a while or I had cut the pattern out a bit wonky, either way, frustration got the better of me and I decided to bias bind the hem.

My only mistake with this top was to set my iron too hot when pressing the front pleat, which meant I melted the hem edge quite badly, luckily I had cut it bit long so I managed to cut off the worst of it off. I will definitely be using this pattern again as it is so simple and could be reworked in so many different ways, just look at the Flickr page HERE!

Madeline Mini Bloomers
(Stash Buster)

Designed By: Sarai Mitnick

Download FREE Here: Madeline Mini Bloomers

Flikr: Colette Madeline Bloomers

Ingredients

• 1 yard of Fabric
• Spool of Matching Thread
• 2.5 yards 1/4" Ribbon
• 2.5 yards 1/4" Elastic
• Safety pin (for threading elastic)

Again this pattern was very straight forward to follow due to it being really well explained and consisting of only 4 pieces.

As with the Sorbetto I did struggle with the hem and ribbon casings on the legs, it just would not turn over neatly as again there seemed to be too much fabric.

Is it just me or have these come out looking a bit like a bat! The boyfriend thinks they look like something Blackadder would wear...without the bows, I kind of agree!

So after a bit of faffing, I decided to just to fold the edge over and rather than making a channel for the ribbon to sit in, I would hem them as best I could and fit the hemmed channel with elastic. As I had already made and opened the button holes in preparation for the casing I decided to hide them with some black lacy ribbon and a button.

This Button and Bow hides my wonky buttonholes

I am quite happy with them, though, to be honest, they are not the most wearable item I have made, they sit very low (don't dare bend over!!), and are quite puffy, but I'm pretty sure the puffiness is due to my attempts to overcome my hemming issues! I will definitely have another go at these, as they would make great summer bed shorts, but next time I will increase the waistband height by a couple of inches!

So two items finished, one wearable and one...not so wearable perhaps, but at least I have used up some of my fabric and finally rid myself of another UFO!

Have a great day!

Wendy x

Sew It - A Bank Holiday Blogging Ban

I am painfully slow at this blogging lark. It takes me so long to type what I want to say that I tend to lose enthusiasm for it halfway through and give up. I always know what I want to say until the moment I actually have to say it then my mind goes blank. It doesn't help also that the minute I get online I get tend to get sucked into the time eating vortex that is the Internet and more over that evil temptress Google.

I don't really need to know the name of the very first single by The Who ('Zoot Suit' 1964 if you ever wanted to know, which I doubt) any more than I need to know why a Pirate is called a Pirate (I'll let you Google that one) or even the lyrics to 'It's Only a Paper Moon' (well that one was kind of necessary it was an ear worm and driving me crazy!). Yet I spend way too much time on these random searches, so much so I seldom achieve what I set out to when I turn my PC on. So I decide that this Bank Holiday weekend I was going to  devote my time purely to blog worthy pursuits namely sewing, meaning my PC was going to be out of bounds! So what did I spend my time on?

Well, after much prevaricating over what to do first, oh and a spot of charity and fabric shopping, I finally started and finished a very cute poncho-dress-top-beach cover up-dressing gown-Kimono-thingummy!! After spotting a fab free pattern for a Scallop waist skirt on Grosgrain. I went to the designers own blog Vivat Veritas and after having a nosey around I found a fab tutorial for a poncho top, it looked really simple to do and best of all it was quick - It's great when the pattern you suddenly become obsessed with only puts your current projects a teeny bit back!

I had seen on Etsy a while ago a beautiful flappers dressing gown made from chiffon almost the same way, so I decide this could be my own version of a dressing gown to flounce around the house in.

I managed to get 2 meters of the most lovely pink fabric from my local high street at £1 a meter. It's a medium weight polyester mix fabric (oh that almost sounds like I have a clue! It don't go crinkly when squashed up that's my way of telling!) It is a bit heavier weight than I would of liked but it was the only poly fabric which was in a pretty colour so it had to be!

The only change I made to the pattern was to make giant buttonholes in the sides rather than using elastic gathered at the waist. In truth, I did try the elastic route, but because the fabric was heavier or slightly wider than the example, it did not pull the waist in enough. Also, the elastic line rode up at the back and looked truly ridiculous! So to bring it all together neatly and to stop me look like I had been eaten by a giant pink marshmallow, I decide on holes for the belt to pass through and believe me it looks 100% better for it!

One thing that I will change a bit later on is the hem. I did a double hem to hide the raw edges but again as the fabric is a little heavy it feels a bit too chunky I will address this by sewing on some bias tape along the edge instead at some point - that's going to be a lot of bias tape!

 

I definitely want to make this again, If I can find a lighter weight fabric on the weekend I will make another one as I think It would be perfect for floating around the Isle of Wight Festival which I'm off to next week Oh, and another great thing about this pattern is, if you get bored with it, you still have a good sized piece of fabric to re-fashion, well that is if you don't stick two ruddy great Buttonholes in it like me!

Wendy x

Things To Make & Do - Little Black Dress

As it's been a bit quiet on the sewing front of late, so I thought it was about time I shared with you all a dress I made last year for the boyfriend's mums birthday meal. It was made from a Butterick reprint of a pattern from 1952 - Though to me it has got a real 60s feel to it and is really reminiscent of the dress Audrey Hepburn wore in 'Breakfast at Tiffanys'!

{Source}

~ Butterick B5032 ~

With 5032 you get quite a bit for your buck! There is the shift dress, which you can add a chiffon overskirt, to give it a real 50's feel, a cummerbund Sash, narrow belt and a caplet!

 I really love this pattern,  the dress came out just like the drawing, which is so rare! Also, it was very easy to make up, and bar the hemming It was finished within a day! I used a quite thick black brocade curtain type fabric which I picked up from Walthamstow Market for £1 a meter! A total bargain!

 Butterick 5032 Retro 1952 

One thing I don't like though, is the way the skirt pleats make it stick out around the waist making it look puffy, although it does mean you can eat as much food as you like and I suppose it must also make your waist look smaller by contrast!

Puffy Pleats!

My only other gripe is that the neckline does tend to gape a bit at the front, but I guess if I had done a muslin first, I could have probably sorted that, it's those lazy genes again!

 Now, as anyone who knows me will testify, I HAAATE having my photo taken, I would much rather be behind the lens. But with the weather here in London being all glorious and sunny last weekend, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to take some photos. Also having just bought a new floppy hat (from Sainsbury's no less) I felt a bit more inspired to do some random posing (albeit very uncomfortably) and prance about a la Miss Hepburn on my balcony. 

I'm sure I gave all the people waiting at the bus stop and in the Pizza shop across the road the a jolly good laugh, as I kept popping in and out like a crazed Weather House Woman who seriously needs to join match.com, whilst repeatedly setting the timer on my camera! I must get a remote trigger!

Welcome to my awkward face!?!?

I don't know what I was doing here, but at least you get a view of the back and The Balcony!

 New Hat!! Only £4 from Sainsbury's available in Black and a Browny Beige!

I took off the scruffy raffia band which it came with and swapped it for some black ribbon, so much nicer (shame I tied a very messy bow) and a bit less 70s this way. I think depending on how you dress this hat up it could also pass as 1930s?!

Oh,Where is that Bus?

Right, I am off now to photograph the giveaway prize I have found for you fabulous followers!  It's a very vintage item from 1937 - though it has fared quite well for a 74 year old! I am really excited and I hope you like it!

Enjoy the rest of your week!
Wendy x

The Kitchen Front - Picnic Slice

Today I thought I would share with you, a family recipe that I have recently re-discovered, Picnic Slice. It's a gooey, coconutty, chocolaty, rasiny, cherry tray bake, which due to some severe comfort eating lately I have become a little addicted to!

The name may well suggest a cakey treat that was a staple of many a family picnic, but I can honestly say that I never remember ever actually taking it on a picnic. This little treat was solely reserved for family gatherings and celebrations. It was Grandmas specialty, I am guessing the recipe is from the 50's or 60's as something this Technicolor sweet and calorie laden could never have survived rationing.

 So here it is...be warned it's addictive and waistlines may suffer!

~ Grandmas Picnic Slice ~

Makes approx. 14 squares
Ingredients :

8oz Dark Chocolate 

2oz Butter or Sunflower Spread 

4oz Sugar 

1 Egg 

4oz Desiccated Coconut 

2oz chopped Glacé Cherries 

2oz Sultanas or Raisins 

Greaseproof paper

1. Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pan of boiling water or on a low heat in the microwave for 30 second blasts, stir between each blast until fully melted. 

2. Pour the melted chocolate into the base of a Swiss roll tin, which has been lined with greaseproof paper. 

3. Cream the sugar and butter together. 

4. Add in the egg, mix well, then gradually add in the Coconut, Cherries and Sultanas.

Mix well. 

5. Spread the coconut mixture evenly over the layer of melted chocolate.

6. Pop into the oven on GM 2 or 150c for 45 mins or until golden brown.

7. Leave to cool on the baking tray before covering with cling film and popping into the fridge until the chocolate has set.

8. Once it is set you can chop it up into chunks as big or as small as you like!

I think it tastes best munched straight out of the fridge, but you can store it in a tin for up to two weeks!

Wendy x