Confessions of a Sewing Machine Junkie

Welcome to my sewing Station:





This is my workhorse. My parents bought her for me as a moving out present 4 years ago. She came from the wonderful Brighton Sewing Centre, who are based over in the North Laines in Brighton. I like to call her Elly.

She's an Elna Air Electronic SU from 1978, and she has done me proud. She even made winter jackets for the Beagles! But sadly she is now making horrible noises and I think she needs a trip to Sewing Machine Hospital. Off back to the Sewing Centre she goes.

My mum has been going there since we moved to England, so about 10 years now, and I just found out that Jenny Leggings over at Jeggings does Vintage works there too! They also have lots of arts and crafts courses running, such as 'Learn to embroider, the old fashioned way', run by the lovely Miss Amy Phipps, who I have the pleasure of calling a dear friend and occasional tutor.

One day, the Mister came to pick me up from work, and pointed at the back seat. First, I didn't realise what it was....had he bought me another suitcase? (I'm in desperate need of more storage) was it a big jewellery box? what was it?!

And then he told me to open it:

I must say, this has got to be one of the best presents the Mister has bought me....there are alot of presents in the running for the grand prize, but this is right up there! He'd seen it in a charity shop at an undiscolsed location, and thought of me straight away. I have always wanted an old school Singer, and it came with all the original bits and bobs, even the instructions and a very old looking ruler!

I haven't used this one yet, and it's a manual hand crank, so not sure I'll fare too well, but I'll give it a go some day soon.

Next up, this cute little children's sewing machine. Another present from the Mister, again, Charity shop find, but I had never seen one before. That's what started off my hunt for more miniatures!

One day while out shopping in Lewes, I picked up my favourite yet. A pillarbox red kids machine, named the Vulcan, and in it's original box too! The chap who sold it for me knew how excited I was about buying it a week earlier, but found I didnt have enough money, and pay day was another week away. So I kept all my fingers and toes crossed for the next 7 days, went back, and she was still there! He'd put her aside for me out of view, so no one would find her while I was gone. He even took my details and said he'll call me if he comes across any others.

I think my favourite detail of this one is the streamlining along the top, and that it's made right here in England.

So imagine my excitement when I popped along to the local Shelter and found this:

The thing I enjoy the most when I come across a possible future sewing machine, is lifting off the lid. What wonders would be under this one? What state would it be in? And how many spares do I have to find before I can use it?!?

Lo and behold, my new Singer, a 1974 model, complete with electric foot, spare bulbs, the original manual, and lots of spare bobbins. I fell in love. It needed a good home, and by Jove I shall give it one! So while Elly is off to Rehab for a little, I shall get acquainted to my new addition...

I am an addict.

And I love it.

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J

xxx

Village Vintage

I picked up the Friday-Ad for the first time in donkey's years while house sitting in the countryside near Cuckfield, and came across a little Ad for a vintage fair in Lindfield, Village Vintage.

Held in the quaint King Edward Hall in Lindfield, I didn't really know what to expect. I've not seen it advertised elsewhere, and it proved to be a little gem of a secret.

The hall was rammed full of stalls and it was a bit of a push to get round everything, fighting through the crowds. This crowd, however, were a little different. Gone were the hordes of 20 somethings, the trendies looking for that Maxi dress no one else will have, replaced by a buzzing crowd of collectors, and a vast majority of yummy mummy's. A very different crowd indeed.

But this made for a different collection of stalls too, lots of habidashery, baby clothes, and homeware, with a few clothes stalls wedged in between. A lovely tea room serving home made cakes, and banners hanging from the walls!

I drooled over many a glamorous frock, having to pass them over as I'm on a very tight Budget right now, but I couldn't pass these by.

An 80's, never been worn, white linen skirt. I think this'll do quite nicely for the Summer, rolling round the seaside:

This red and gold striped dress. The lady who sold it to me told me this used to be her Aunts. A very stylish Aunt indeed! and a snip at £12!

And from the same Aunt, this cute little Boater, for just £5:

Also found a bag and some gloves to go with the dress I have now finally finished. I'm waiting for the weather to improve a little, and then I'll wear the whole outfit to take some pics. Quite excited actually!

Gloves, £3:

Bags, £5 & £3:

In other News, the Mister and I had the pleasure of looking after the Beagles, and also popping in on the parents place. The Beagles look rather happy in my dog's old basket, although it was a bit of a squish!

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Curly Girly

Last night was one hell of a restless night. And yes, it was down to those damned rollers! But as they say, no pain no gain!

Having got rather flustered with my normal set on a new hair cut (this was 2 weeks ago and I'm still struggling to style my hair even after just a trim), I thought I'd give a new technique a try. I usually set my hair after a shower, before I go to bed, so my hair has enough time to dry before taking it out. But whenever I brush it through, it just turns into frizz. I prefer it the day after, when its calmed down a bit. And then I came across this fantastic blog by Yesterday Girl. Feeling inspired to give it a go, here are todays results!

Please excuse the weird expressions, I'd literally just walked through the front door after a busy day at work and looking a little windswept. Add to that, the first time I've used the self-timer on my camera, and it only gives you the option of 2secs!! How does that give you any chance?

I like to call this 'The Startled Deer'

Sorry for the heavy cropping, you do not want to see the state of my room *shudder*

And in other News, I wore my new dress I snapped up at Frock Me yesterday. My collar seems to be wanting to have a life of it's own today...

Anyone else come across some good hair tutorials? Big love to Yesterday Girl, I'm really enjoying her blogs, and wish I'd come across them sooner. A real hidden Gem!

Much Love from Brighton

L.J.

xxx



Frock Me Vintage Fashion Fair - Brighton

Frock Me returned to the Corn Exchange again yesterday. As if Saturday's shopping wasn't enough, yesterday was sure to prove a little hard to stop myself splurging after having been so good all month.

I'm trying to get over my fear of asking people if I can take a picture of them; I always fear they'll think I'm a tad odd! So I cornered a few people who really stood out to me and made me smile:

the lovely Roxlene

Can you believe, she made the suit herself! One of my many to-do's this year.

I was told these were from Tights for Sore Eyes...I want some!

and their owner!

One of the many exciting stalls this time, very nearly bought a 50s skirt suit from here

I do love people watching, and Frock Me is one of the best places to do so. All the stall holders are great help, and really know their stuff. And it always surprises me how many of them remember the Mister or I from previous shows, and pick out pieces they've thought of for us! I've earmarked THE most amazing dress suit from Harrods I've spotted there for the past 3 events, and I've decided that if it is still there the next time Frock Me is in town, its mine! Quite a bit above my normal budget, but it is amazing. Fingers crossed for next time!!

Stopped for a quick cuppa and a slice of sponge cake (yum!), a second swoop around, and off we went, several bags heavier than we had arrived with.

It was such a beautiful day out, that we decided to take advantage of it and go home via a stroll along the seafront to the pier and back. Here we are messing about on the Pier:

Brighton Beach

The Mister

So on to today's finds! First up, a 40s/50s Wool Day Dress, wore this baby to work today! Fab teamed with a tweed jacket and little brown kitten heels. Not bad for£8!



A little spot on the skirt of the dress, but i'll try and find out how to get rid of it. Any tips?



Next up was a dress labelled up as 80's, but the only thing remortely 80s I could find about this was the shoulder pads! On closer inspection, it looks more like a hand made, silk 40s wiggle dress, for just £10. I can never be bothered to queue to change at Frock Me, so its always a bit hit and miss, but for the last few months I seem to have figured out my size and can take a pretty accurate guess if it'll fit or not....and this fit like a glove! Bit of a contortion act trying to get the damn thing back off again, and then realised I hadn't taken a photo of it on, and it wouldn't fit on the manequin for some reason....

Anyway, here it is, looking rather less glamorous on a hanger:

I know, I told myself I wouldn't buy any dresses as my New Years resolution was only to buy the absolute essentials, and make everything else. So shoot me! How could I resist?

Also picked up a really big feather broach for £3:



I'm thinking hat...or scraf?



And some essential stockings. I get through these far too quickly and always get upset when I ladder them. Need to be less clumsy.

And last but not least, a handy bag for all the Car Shows coming up:

Anyone know how I can rotate pictures? Struggling a little.

On the subject of car shows, if anyone is about on Saturday 19th March, head down to Madeira Drive on the Seafront. For the first time, Ace Cafe will be playing host to InCarNation. Expect to see Classics, Hot Rods, and Bikes galore!

I am so excited, I did a little dance when I spotted and add for it a few weeks ago! I've always loved the Ace Cafe Reunion, in September, but I'm a Car Girl at heart. Bikes are cool, but cars are cooler! So for Ace Cafe to finally be holding a car event...YAY!

You'll find me there, getting far too excited and ducking inbetween the crowds to get a better look at everything.

Did anyone else pop down to Frock Me yesterday? Find anything too good to resist?


Much Love from Brighton

L.J.

xxx



Stockings and Fur....and Moths

The Beagles, the Mister and I took a stroll through the North Laines today, first stop: Upper Gardner Street Market.

Upper Gardner Street Market, 1970s

One of my favourite places to pick up a real bargain in Brighton. It's been running for over 100 years now, and a real treat for those early birds out there! However, I am not much of an early riser on Saturdays after a week of getting up at 6am, so we arrived about 2pm. Although the market is advertised as being from 7am-1pm, the traders usually only start packing up when the crowds thin out.

There's one stall I always head for: a lovely gent towards the beginning, who sells pieces of fur, including whole coats, scarves, collars and scraps. Most need a bit of tlc to get them back to their former glory, but for £5 a piece, how can you say no? I've bought 2 pieces previously, and they are always clean, moth free (I hate moths, they ate my angora Japanese 40's fusia wiggle dress...Bastards!), and smell lovely and fresh! I have had bad experiences with fur previously, and so now only buy with extreme caution. One piece I picked up from Lewes, at a costly £48, a gorgeous grey/black/white, fox fur cape/collar. It was couture, and a one off, including the paws as the closing clasp at the front. I instantly fell in love, and thought it was a decent price, and only an Inch of resewing to do.

I brought it home, and thought nothing of the fact the fur had moulted onto my coat...big mistake. About 2 months later, when it had started getting pretty cold, I fetched out my favourite knitted dress EVER. It was perfect, fitted like a glove. On it pops....wait, what's this? 50p sized holes? and...and....LARVAE?!?! The little buggers were having a feast on it. Ruined. Dry cleaners wouldn't touch it. I researched online, and found nothing that could repair the dress with the extent of the damage.

Anyway, enough on that. The war is still continuing, but I am happy to report no more damage found, other than 3 scarves, and a hat also munched on 3 months ago. I think I may finally be winning! Moral of the story: I traced the moths back to the fox fur after much scrutiny. I could actually pull clumps of hair out of the stole, revealing hundreds, if not thousands of eggs on the skin. Luckily old ones. In the bin he had to go : ( I actually couldnt bring myself to part with him, so I had to get the Mister to do the deed and take him out the house. Always check furs before buying! If it moults, leave it well alone. If it feels gritty, check if you can see anything close to skin. Also not a good sign.

Back to the point: this chap's furs are very well loved and a bit worn around the edges, but very well looked after too. I picked up the new member of the family today:

Also found some Dior Stockings for £3:

And this for £1:

Anyone know what these are called? I seem to be having a blonde moment, Shirt Collar? Shirt Ruff? Please enlighten me.

Last buy was actually for The Dress I've been trying to finish off, and here it is:

Finally finished the hem, still need to press it, and also done the embroidery on the bolero. Going to work on the lining tonight, so hopefully have it all finished up by tomorrow. I think the hat, collar and belt finish it off quite nicely, no? What do you think about shoes? I can't make my mind up.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend!

Much Love from Brighton

L.J.

xxx

Hair Ideas

Ok, i've just fallen in love with Miss Burton from South Riding in the new BBC drama, and i want her hair!

What do you think?

L.J.

xxx