Supersizers Go...Wartime!

With all the Royal wedding excitement and patriotic street parties that have been happening all over the country I was reminded of a BBC series that was shown a few years ago called Supersizers Go... It was a series hosted by Sue Perkins (comedienne) and Giles Coran (food critic) where they tested the diets for various eras by living on them for a week.

This is a look back at an era which is supposed to be lighthearted and fun, to highlight some of the health benefits of theses diets. But I have to say, though I loved the series and their silly chemistry, I found their apparent lack of respect for the era they are re-living got a tad irritating. There is an element of mickey taking which I found a little grating at times; I guess this is what makes their relationship and the show work. Perhaps it just further highlights just how difficult life could be back then and how lucky we are to have the choices we do now, or perhaps I'm just feeling far too protective of an era I have a huge respect for?! I suppose their style is a bit like some of the wartime food not always appealing, but it does the job!

That said it is definitely worth a watch as it brought to light (for me at least) a few new and interesting facts I had not known before and it has Mike Brown Author of 'The 1940s Look' sharing his some of his vast knowledge on the era.

Wendy x

Giveaway Time - The 1930's

Hello, dear followers! 

I'd like to start by saying a big old 'Thank You' to all that have left lovely comments on my blog recently, thank you for taking the time I really am grateful to you all :) You may remember that a while back I promised you all a giveaway, for sticking with me! It has as usual taken a bit longer than I hoped to post about it, this is due to me deciding to make one of the prizes myself. You will be glad to know the wait is finally over, so now without further ado, here is what you could win in 'The 1930's giveaway'...

Get the 30's look, with inspirations from Stitchcraft and a Vintage, styled crochet beret to Adorne your Barnet!

1. An original copy of December 1937 Stitchcraft Magazine (from my collection). 

Sadly it is missing its free transfer, but as it is over 70 years old, I guess it's understandable!

I have collected a few Stitchcraft Magazines over the years and I love them all, but must confess that the ones from the 1930's are my favourite. They really capture the end of an era just before the world was about to change forever. They are packed full of vintage inspirations, lots of knitting patterns, gloriously stylish adverts and lovely homely recipes. It really doesn't matter if you can't knit, as it's just as much fun to gaze at all the vintage pictures and adverts and get a snapshot of the era!

What you'll find inside this issue ...

More fabulous Knitting Patterns including the knitted dress on the cover!

Knitting Paters Galore: A sporting set for Him and Her, a toddlers dress, and ladies cardigan.

A few homely makes including some Christmas time recipes (not very summery I know!!)

2. A 1930's style Puff stitch Beret in a vibrant cherry red, made from the same pattern as this and lovingly (slowly) crocheted by yours truly! Oh but don't let that put you off :)

A Puff Stitch Beret for unleashing your inner 30's starlet or perhaps for a sojourn in the French Resistance. Oh and I'm really not as miserable as I look, Promise!

So there you have it what do you think?  Is it something you would like to get your mitts on?

If so then here is what you need to do:

1. Be a follower of the blog.

2. Leave me a little comment below.

 It's that Simple!

I will post this giveaway prize to anywhere in the world so please feel free to join in! This contest will be open until 31st of May 2011. After that one winner will be chosen at random. I will then post the winners name on the blog and it will be up to the winner to get in contact with me to receive their prize!

Good Luck!
Wendy x

Stitch Her Style - South Riding

After falling in love with the BBC's South Riding, costume department a few posts ago now, I thought it was about time I shared with you some of the modern patterns which I found that I think would create the fabulous 30's South Riding look.
The benefit of using modern patterns is they can be a fraction of the cost of a vintage pattern from eBay or Etsy and they all are multi-sized so no head scratching re-sizing!

So here some of the best...

8503 Blouse : Burda : sizes: 12 to 24

  Adding a little height to the sleeve pattern would give a perfect puffed sleeve.

This could also easily double as a waistcoat pattern

  

M6206 Misses'/Miss Petite Lined Jackets McCall's

M6148 Misses' Shirts McCall's

KS 3668 Misses' Blouses Kwik Sew

S4221 Misses or Plus Size Skirt, and Pullover Tops Simplicity

Loved the floaty teal top and feel that this Simplicity pattern is as near to it as possible, just add two diagonal rows of pin tucks and a larger bow and your there!

 

Essentially for the Miss Burton style a high waisted, long ankle length, pencil skirt ...

 

M3830 MISSES' SKIRTS IN 5 LENGTHS McCall's

6917 Misses' Pencil Skirt sizes 8 to 18 New Look
this one is very reminiscent of a stunning skirt made by Nabby!!

V8697 Misses'/Misses' Petite Skirt Vogue ( Easy )

V2859 MISSES' JACKET, BLOUSE AND DRESS Vogue Pattern ( ADVANCED )
This Vintage Vogue pattern from the 30's is practically perfect in every way!

D30-1379 Ladies' Dinner Dress, circa 1934

And if your feeling a little more adventurous and are prepared to do a little re-sizing, on some beautiful vintage repro patterns then, these from Eva Dress are just fantabulous!  I want them all !!!

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