Sewing for Pleasure 2011-Purchases and Earrings

Ok this is definitely my final post about Sewing for Pleasure but I though I should show you what I actually bought at the show even though everything was lovely.  We decided on the plan of going round everything once, watching the fashion show then coming back to our favourite stalls and items.

Firstly I wanted to find some floral print fabric for one of my 1950s dress patterns, there was alot on offer but when I saw this it was perfect.

I love it!  To me it is less granny curtain and more retro vintage or at least I hope that's what it says!  Another thing I was hoping to buy and as if by magic was there was a pattern for my birthday costume.  Every year I have a theme and costume party which I love doing and usually means a night dressed up on the town.  Last year was 1950's for halfway to fifty (I was turning 25) and the year before was Victorian bathers.  This year is going to be Alice in Wonderland because I love it and I think there is alot of options for dressing up and with the Tim Burton film it is pretty popular at the moment.  I have a few good friends who love dressing up but others who think its childish and embarrassing so I am hoping this might be a more inspiring theme. 

This was the pattern I was looking at online, I really like how versatile it is for different costumes.  I am planning on going as the Queen of Hearts and making a jacket and dress combo though not entirely like the pattern.  Just after buying this my friend stopped a lady buying a red ruffly fabric and commented on how perfect it would be for my costume.  She was sooo right!

If you brush it one way it is all red with a black edge and the other is red and black striped.  I'm thinking wearing it upside down, so you can see the red and black would be perfect for the skirt.  These were both bought from the Abakhan stall. http://www.abakhan.co.uk/

Then I found this gorgeous lace trim the button lady stall www.buttoncompany.co.uk

I could only afford a little bit as I had a strict budget and I keep changing my mind on what I want to use it on.  (Sorry the leaflet is upside down!)

I finally bought some lovely beads from Spellbound Bead company which is one of my favourite stalls from last year and has absolutely stunning glass beads.  www.spellboundbead.co.uk

The pearls were from another stall I forget the name of but I really wanted to use in embellishments and jewelry.

This morning I made these 2 pairs of earrings form the beads I bought, the red hearts are to match my red queen costume as I am very inspired by this idea now.

The second are from the beautiful dragonfly beads, which this morning when I took the picture were purple and when I went to work were definitely blue!  Spooky!

 

Sewing for Pleasure 2011-Underwear through the ages

My second Sewing for Pleasure post is all about undies!  There a was lovely and slightly overlooked display of underwear from the 1800's until modern day which was one of the attractions for me this year.  I love period clothing and seeing how underwear shaped over clothes is important to get the right look.  They are a mix of reproduction and original underwear, the displays didn't say which were which but I think it was fairly easy to tell.

Early 1800s

This shows all the different layers of underwear, corsets, hoops, petticoats and shifts.

Bustle skirt hoop

Gorgeous black and gold corset with decorative and practical stitching

Late 1800/Early 1900

Long corset with suspenders

'Bust smoother' to reduce unsightly lumps and bumps!

1920's

Less structured for wearing under flapper dresses

1930's

First bras and 2 piece underwear

Child's underwear

1940's

Still constricting but keeps the stomach and thighs smooth and reduced

1950's

 

With a poofy petticoat

Blow up bra!!!

Mini underwear for shop displays

1970

Pretty prints, knickers and negligees

1980s

Look at that all in one!

Dress made from bras for charity

Really lovely garments I think you will agree!

Sewing for Pleasure 2011-Knitting madness!

WARNING!  PICTURE HEAVY :)

I had a fantastic day at Sewing for Pleasure and I am really glad I went now and didn't just give up when I was trying a failing to book some sort of cheap transport.  I was very good and stayed within my budget though my budget was from savings that I hope I can pay back as I had no money left by the time the event came round *sigh*  I have quite alot of pictures so I am going to split them over a few posts but they will be picture heavy as they are all lovely and I want to share.

This post is dedicated to the knitted sculpture that was made by volunteers to raise money for the RNLI which is a very worthy and fitting cause.

The theme was above and below the sea and they built a huge mound which on the outside was above the sea complete with cliffs, beaches, lighthouses, pirates, and everything you can think of.

For perspective this is the sea monster with my friend.  It is huge!

These have to be my favourites, there is even a Jack Sparrow!

Sunbathing pirates!

Then you go through the mound, into a blue lit tunnel and you are under the sea.

There was a heck of alot of mermaids

My favourites from inside were the jellyfish made from lampshades and the stingrays

And finally, the amazing life size mermaid on the way out

As someone that cannot knit I find all this fascinating and I loved looking at all the little details that were included.

It was a great day out and I got to visit all my favourite stalls from last year and got some great bargains too.  The fashion show was good but maybe not quite as good as last year but I think this was to do with there being less recognisable collections.  the next post will be all about...underwear!