Blog Award!

The lovely Katrin of Per bar one Penny (and also of Frau Ewert Illustriert where she showcases her great illustrations) nominated me for this award:

Thanks, Katrin!  The rules are:

- Thank and link the person who nominated you.
- Share seven random facts about yourself.
- Pass the award to twelve of your blogging buddies.
- Notify the recipients.

Took me a while to think of 7 facts that may be even vaguely worth reading, and I'm not convinced I achieved even that!  Anyhow:

1.  I wore black almost exclusively from the age of 14 to about 22.  I also only wore Dr Martin boots for the same period, I didn’t own anything else.

2.  I adore pizza.  When I was in Italy I had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day.

3.  I have shaved my hair to just a few millimetres on 3 separate occasions.  I cried each time and so did my grandmother. 

4.  I’ve somehow inadvertently managed to see the pop group Buck’s Fizz THREE fucking times in concert, once when I was about 9 (which can be forgiven) and twice more at nightclubs when I didn’t realise that they would be playing!

5.  I don’t believe in marriage.  It’s an outdated concept that has no relevance for me, only makes me think of religion and patriarchy and gives the state power over your personal life.

6.  Even though I only really wear vintage/old clothes, I don’t romanticise the recent past and I loathe the idea of wanting to live in another era, where women had far less freedoms and society in general was less liberal and accepting.

7. My idea of heaven is a scummy, chaotically-arranged charity shop, with batty old women running it, who believe in putting out all stock, no matter how old or worn, and not charging the earth for it.  This is a rare thing but they can still be found.  More common though is a pristine shop with last season’s Primark and M&S on the racks, with not a ‘vintage’ item in sight, sigh.

It was also tricky choosing who to pass along the award too, I read and enjoy so many blogs, but I decided to nominate 7:

Ivy Black Chat

Sew Vera Venus

It’s a Charmed Life

The Makings of an Urban Rustic

Dial V for Vintage

Moxie Tonic

Delfinelise

I'm off to ponder the tucks versus darts dilemma, for the 1930s dress.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

I have traced a pattern from a 1937 Beyers Mode Für Alle for this dress:

Each pattern piece is numbered at the corners, and you match up the corresponding numbers to construct the dress.  I am able to work this out without being able to read the scant instructions, however, this particular pattern has what I first though were tucks on the bodice, short sleeve and pocket, yet it appears from the photo that they are tapered, like darts.  Now, I need to know a) what amount to take out, as all the pattern pieces show are lines and b) are they tucked or tapered to nothing??  From looking at the pattern pieces, I think the pocket and sleeve are likely tucked and the bodice has darts (in the bodice at least).  I can read that it says 'pocket' '1cm', 'bodice' '1/12cm' and 'sleeve' '1/2cm' but my google translation didn't help me further.... I hope someone reading this speaks German AND understands what I am on about!  If so, I would be most grateful if you could leave me a comment!  Here are the pattern pieces and instructions:

It is a size 88 bust, which means the measurements are for a 34 1/2 inch bust, 27 1/2 inch waist and 37 3/4 hip, and I'm approx 35 1/2, 26 1/2, 38 1/2 so hopefully it will fit without too much alteration.  I have no idea what kind of ease it will have so I will make a partial toile (muslin).  I plan on making this in black crepe, and may not embroider the collar, cuffs and pocket flaps but use a patterned fabric instead.  I expect the lack of instructions to cause me quite a few headaches during construction!

Vintage Fashion June 1938

It seems I really am turning into a collector.  Now, that would not be a bad thing if I had oodles of money and unlimited space, but as both are rather lacking (the latter more so, but if I keep up the buying then the former will diminish too) then I think I should find another hobby other than shopping online.  Now, what to do?  Uh, how about sewing, there's an idea, especially as the majority of purchases -  fabric, buttons, buckles, patterns etc, are intended for just that. 

I may have some form of procrastination condition, as I really am paralysed by it and the more things I amass, and the choices multiply, my overwhelmed mind loses it a little more. So, the 35+ German vintage pattern magazines that I have just bought after a dealer contacted me with an irresistible, bulk-buy offer, are not going to help me one jot.  It does though, however, give me plenty more delicious images to share here... look away now if you're fed up of them!