Dressing up a birthday present

 THE DRESS I made over for my niece was only the beginning, after making the retro looking dress to wear to my cousins wedding I decided to make the same pattern up for my niece for her birthday.  I found this lovely fabric in our local haberdashery shop (this shop is in two parts - one for fabric and one for everything else) http://www.the-haberdashery-shop.co.uk/

 

I brought three metre of this pretty Rose and Hubble fabric and cut it carefully (this time very close to the pattern, I did change the sleeves slightly) and there should be enough fabric left to make a fitted summer top or sleeveless blouse. 

I often line the bodices of dresses, partly because if the skirt is very full this gives the garment more strength, partly because it is easier than sewing the recommended facings and partly to just make the overall finish neater,  This cotton is very lightweight so lining it was a must.   I decided to finish the neckline and the elbow sleeves with shell edging.  It has been years since I last did this.  A catch stitch every four stitches gives a lovely decorative edge - just like a line of shells in a seaside garden.

The dress was finished in time for my nieces planned birthday holiday in Rome.  I also want to make her a froufrou petticoat to wear with this dress when she comes home to finish its retro look.

A little sewing/a little shopping

After visiting the WAR AND PEACE REVIVAL SHOW at its new venue (Folkstone racecourse) I became very inspired by the fantastic array of vintage clothing, hats and bags.  If you love vintage then this show is a must for you.  It may be advertised as the largest display of military vehicles on the planet but don't be fooled.  There has always been vintage clothing stalls and as there are dances 'for the troops' in the evenings places to have a make-over 40's style.  This summer was even better with an entire vintage village.   Original and repro items to suit every budget.  I even found a parasol.  http://www.thewarandpeacerevival.co.uk/ 

We also went to MILITARY ODYSSEY - we have been visiting this show at the Kent County Showground since the first show.  
https://www.military-odyssey.com/index.php?ix=1&iw=251&iz=0 
This is a multi-period show and covers so much history from stone age through to modern day.  Quite apart from all the 'living history and arena events there are wonderful opportunities to buy items that would be either hard to find or only available on line.  This year I found the range and number of stallholders very disappointing - several traders that I have dealt with in the past weren't there and things seemed to be spread out so the lack of traders wasn't as noticable.  

 Still I did manage to find a fabric stall and get some very nice linen and cotton.  A length of what I think may be matress ticking and most importantly a length of (small) dog tooth check.  

This weekend dressmaking has begun!  A pinafore out of the ticking to begin with and enough left for at least two more items of clothing.  And now I have the sewing bug again I might even do the few items that need mending.