Sewing Stash Giveaway !!!!

So after winning the Pattern Pyramid a few months back, I decided that rather than add to the already overflowing stash of patterns being sent around the globe, I'd host another giveaway to even things out and to give those of you without a blog a chance to win something too!

So I have raided my pattern stash and have chosen some lovely ones for you to win, I have tried to pick a range of patterns from a few eras to mix it up a bit!Lets have a closer look...

1980s New Look 6585 (UK 8-16)

Dress with tucks from fitted buttoned waistband has a large sailor collar divided at the back. View 1 has short Magyar sleeves and wrap skirt. View 2 is sleeveless and has a front buttoning skirt.

1940s Simplicity 1273 (Bust 34)

This dress buttons down the front and is finished with a notched collar. There are tucks at the lower front edge and gathers at the lower back edge of bodice. The skier is seamed at either side of the centre front and back. Interesting pocket like detail is stitched in shoulder seams and buttoned to the bodice front. View 1 has belt flaps which are joined with waistline seams and button to skirt. View 2 is fashioned with long sleeves finished with a wristband.

1960s Retro Butterick B5747 (UK 8-16)

Misses dress and belt, both versions have a collar detachable dickey, fitted bodice, waistband, pleated skirt and belt. View B has a semi-fitted shirt back hemline vent and topstitching.

1972 Simplicity (Bust 36)

Misses dress in two lengths and unlined jacket (dress bodice designed for knit fabrics only. The long or short dress with skirt stitched to contrasting bodice at waistline has back zipper, high rounded neckline, stand-up collar and optional purchased belt. The unlined top-stitched jacket with front closing has yoke back, collar, band, patch pockets and long set-in sleeves.

 1975 Style 1023 (Bust 31")

Misses top, skirt and trousers. Top with collar has a front open zipper, elastic thru waistline casing and set-in sleeves. View 1 has long sleeves pleated buttoned cuffs. View 2 has short sleeves gathered into sleeve bands. The skirt is panelled. Skirt and trousers have waistband and side zipper.

So if you fancy making yourself a pair of 70s flares, a 60s shirt waister or a 40s button through dress then this is what you have to do!

1. Leave me a comment below (you will need a google or Disqus account to do that) needn't be anything fancy a count me in will do!

2. Leave your comment by Friday 17th of October 2014

So don't be shy why not have a go, I will post anywhere in the world so no matter where you live feel free to join in!

Wendy x

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* Just spotted that Helen at Sew Stylish is hosting the next leg of the Pattern Pyramid so hop on over and have a go at that too! *

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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

The Kitchen Front - Greengage Jam

Much of my September has been spent in the pursuit of the perfect set, this time, it had nothing to do with my hair, but everything to do with my Victory Garden harvest!

~ Greengage Jam ~

Ingredients: 

2lb of greengages 

1.5lb of caster sugar 

The juice of a lemon 

Half a pint of water 

4 1lb jars 

Wax disks and labels

1. Wash your fruit and check over for creepy crawly holes cut out any bits you think may be harboring maggots, maggot jam is not particularly pleasant!

2. Sterilize your jars. I filled mine with boiling water, left them to cool a little and then tipped out the water and then placed them on a tray in my gas oven on the lowest setting until the were needed.



3. Count how many greengages you have as you put them into the pan. This may seem super tedious and I know a few people who don't bother with this step, but I am not a fan of finding stones in my jam, so I like to do my best to get them all out and ensure no teeth are broken.



4. Place your fruit into a stainless steel pan and add the water and lemon juice, boil until fruit is soft. The smell at this stage is just lovely!


4. Once the fruit is soft it is time to scoop out all of your stones, this is where the counting the fruit as you put them in pays dividends!

5. Add in the sugar and set on a rolling boil for 10 mins, after 10 mins you will need to test the set, to do this take your plate and drizzle a little of the jam into the centre leave to cool for 2 minutes and then push your finger through the middle if the jam forms ripples, then it is ready to bottle if it's still runny then boil up for another 5 mins and then test it again! Repeat until you are happy!

Once you are happy with the consistency, ladle the jam into your jars and cover with wax discs, seal either with screw tops or cellophane circles and an elastic band, whilst still warm to ensure the jam stays fresher for longer!

Enjoy x

The Butterfly Balcony Boutique

I finally have myself a little Etsy Shop and I have the business cards to prove it!

I say finally as I actually created it way back in 2010, but it has only been in the last few weeks that I have actually listed any stock! Which means it's been a long time in the planning, a little unnecessary really as it's dead easy to set up, but I am confirmed worrier and I do like to make sure I have everything checked and double checked before I hit the publish button, so it has taken me quite a while to get it started!

So what will you find? Well at the moment its a place for me to sell some of my vintage garments, ones which I have been hoarding in the hopes that one day they will fit! After realising I have owned some of these beauties for 10 years, without them even coming close to fitting, I think it is time that they moved on to someone who will love them just as much, but will actually get to show them off!

So there are some gorgeous 60/70s Dresses

1970s Striped Maxi Dress (32" Bust) // 1970s Orange Paisley Maxi Dress (32" Bust)

1960s Black Chiffon Party Dress (34" Bust) // 1960s Pink Halter Neck Maxi Dress (32" Bust)

Plus the are a few larger size knitted items!

1940s Style Feather & Fan Knitted Jumper (SOLD) // Bottle Green 1940s Style Knitted Waistcoat (SOLD)

And a couple of vintage 70/80s skirts for good measure!

1980s Pleated Stripe Skirt (28" Waist) // 1980s Pleated Polka Dot Skirt (26" Waist)

Free UK shipping on everything!

Everywhere else I will only charge shipping costs, and will refund any over payments!

I will be popping a few more dresses up over the next week or so and I am hoping to have a few crafty handmade things in there before too long, along with some of the lovingly crafted things created by my mum who's been a confirmed craft seller from before I was even born!

Wendy x

Sew it - Girls Gathered Skirt Tutorial

A little friend of mine, Keira, who turned 5 a matter of days ago, saw my crazy cat dirndl skirt and fell in love, well you can't blame her! As a cat lady in training herself (she has 'adopted' a scruffy black cat who lives down her street called Rosie, they are now the best of buddies, aah!) I decided as I had a little fabric leftover from my version I really ought to make her a skirt of her own, so that we could be crazy cat ladies together!

~ Girls Gathered Skirt ~

This skirt is as easy as pie to make, there is no need for a pattern just ready your tape measure, and in about an hour you'll have a skirt fit for a princess!

Ingredients:

20" (51 cm) of 2/8" (7cm) Wide Elastic 

About 1/2 yard 45" wide Cotton/Polycotton Fabric

Matching Thread

Sewing Machine & Pins
Tape Measure & Scissors
Elastic threading needle or Safety Pin

Iron & Ironing board

Measure & Cut: 

Waist measurement x 2 = Width

I followed the similar principles to making the adult dirndl version, this will make the skirt nice and full, but as children don't have hips to contend with you could easily add less, it all depends on how much gathering you want and how much fabric you have! 

Waist to Hem + 5 inch = Length

To get the length measurement simple measure from the child's waist to where you want the skirt to fall, above/below the knee, and then add 5 inches to this measurement, that will give you plenty of fabric for the waistband and hem.

Sew It: 

1. Measure out and cut your fabric to size as described above, then zigzag or overlock/serge all of the raw edges of your fabric.

2. Fold the length of fabric together right sides of the fabric touching and sew the side seam within the 5/8th" seam allowance. Using a cool iron (if using polycotton or anything that might melt) open out the new seam and press it gently flat.

3. On the top edge of the hoop of fabric you have created, fold the fabric over twice to enclose the raw edges and to create a tunnel for the elastic this will be your waistband, pin in place as you go round.

4. Zigzag stitch around to secure removing the pins as you go. Start your stitching just past the first seam you created and ending a little before, this will give you a nice little neat gap to thread your gathering elastic through.

5. Thread an elastic needle or safety pin with 0.5cm wide elastic and thread through the hole in the waistband. Work the elastic around the waistband until you have returned to the beginning.

6. Once out the other side, gather the skirt to the required width, ensuring there is enough stretch still left in the elastic for the comfort of wear and ease of getting it on and off! Knot the elastic securely and tuck up into the waistband.

7. You will need to check whereabouts on the leg you want the bottom of the skirt to fall before pinning the hem. This will determine how much of the lower edge you will need to turn over to reach this measurement. 

8. Once you have found your measurement, hem the bottom of the skirt in the same way as you created the waistband, turn the skirt inside out and double fold the raw edges under. The only difference is, this time, leave no gap!!

9. You can either sew the hem with a zigzag stitch as the waistband or if you prefer a  simple straight stitch will do the job just as well.

10. Lastly, give the hem a quick press with your iron (same temp as above) and you are done!

Kiera's skirt was fashioned from a leftover fabric panel which was 44" (112cm)  x 17" (44cm).  I had to guess Keira's measurements as I didn't want to spoil the surprise, luckily I was not too far off, as you will see in the top picture it is a little bit big and I could have easily added less fabric to the width (waistband) of the skirt to make it a little less 'poofy', but if nothing else it will give her room to grow as the elastic can easily be let out when needed, so it should last her a few months at least! I also love the fact that this pattern could easily be scaled up to fit adult measurements, though it would be wise to use a thicker gauge elastic to avoid the waistband from digging in!

By all accounts, Keira seems to love her kitty skirt and on being given it choose to wear it straight away over the skirt she already had on!

A Success I'd Say!

Wendy x