More Vintage Goodies!! (Warning - Patterns!)

Hi guys,

I know what you're thinking. Emmie, stop buying shit, and sew something. Also, don't you already have a shed-load of patterns? When are you going to get around to sewing the ones you already have...

Or maybe you're not thinking that, because you guys are like me! 

But I'm sure that's what Mr.G is thinking. 

I swear I have been! I have a couple of UFO's hanging around that I need to get to finishing. 

I'm not that bad at putting in zips, so I don't know why I avoid them for so long. I would do it today, as Mr.G is off playing golf, but I've been invited for a wine & cheese afternoon. 

I thought it was an evening, but no, it's starting at about 2pm!

But I digress, you came here for Goodies... scroll on for the parade of dresses (with a couple of blouses thrown in for good measure)

And how did these fall into my lap. Well Laurie from Sew Exhausted bought her own parade, and when I stole a glance at Vintage Martini I was sold. Prices are so good, and when you have you're own personal enabler, what other way could the story end. Thanks again Laurie, I love them all!!

And further to that, I had my lovely Mammy visiting me, and when I took her to my favourite little vintage shop, I ended up coming home with some lovely cast iron Iron's (to use as pattern weights)....

And a lovely cantilever sewing box :)

This month I have also acquired some new scissors, which were cheap and appear to be nice and sharp! And a couple of rotary cutters. That's all, I swear. That's all I can remember anyways.

Just a little side note for all you out there who struggle to store their patterns... I spotted the most perfect little storage boxes in Wilkinsons today (although I forgot to go back and get them). I think they were these ones. The picture shows them from the side, but they are the right width for standard sized patterns I think (I have no idea what I am going to do with the large sized repro-vintage Vogue ones).

LYLT,

Emmie xx

Who doesn't like pulled pork?

... Just a reference to the masses of pulled pork that was eaten at the beautiful Fiona from Diary of a Chain Stitcher's birthday drinks.

We went to Barrell & Horn in Bromley, a really cool bar, and we will all now highly recommend their pulled pork and sweet potato salad :) it was delicious. 

A selection of The Spoolettes were in attendance, and there were cocktails, wine and beer to be had by all :)

Who doesn't love a long armed selfie??

LYLT

Emmie x

Sewcialist Blog Voices ....

(You may have to click through to the blog post if you're in the Feedly App for some reason, sorry!)

I'm joining into the Blog meme that is spreading around (See Lady Katza, The Seeds of 3, Three Dresses, Sew Exhausted). I know you guys got a sneak preview of my voice if you follow me on Instagram (vintageinkfairy if you are interested - but don't all rush at once, I'm not a very active Instagram-er as of yet, but I'm getting better). 

So, background. Born and raised in the country in Ireland (Southern/Republic of). Tipperary to be exact, and yes, it is a long way. Har Har

I have lived in the UK for almost 4 years. I don't think my accent has changed but I have definitely adjusted the words that I use for things and how I describe things. I think it is slightly less strong when I haven't bee home for a while.


I have recently had people asking me if I am American, or more often Canadian, which I find most peculiar... But I did hear it in another Irish person recently on the TV so maybe there's something odd in it? Or maybe all the Canadians at work are worming their way in..


Anywho, here goes....

List of Words: Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

List of Questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you change the TV channel with?


Emmie x

Simplicity giveaway winner!

Hi guys!

I would like to announce that I have drawn the winner of the 1940s style pattern! (In the rolled up piece of paper official stylee!)

And the winner is ..... Sabs!!

Mr.G was very happy to be judiciary in the proceedings :)

If you see this post before I manage to get in contact with you, email me your address to myohsewvintagelife@gmail.com

Chat soon,

(Am up to my eyes in gathers)!

Emmie x

Claiming my Blog on Bloglovin' - who knew?

Hi guys,

Not a blog post filled with insight and knowledge -  I just realised that there was such a thing as claiming your blog on Bloglovin', thanks to Marie :)

SO here goes nothing - 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

^^ This is apparently the magic link that helps me do it!

Jumping on the Simplicity Bandwagon...

Good Evening Ladies (& Gentlemen?)

This evening, as I'm sure you may have guessed 'Jumping on the Simplicity Bandwagon' refers to the fact that the generous people people over at Simplicity have added me to their long list of pattern review/giveaway hosts. And of course I was happy to oblige! 

I have spent hours trawling through the options, and came up with this pattern for you to fight over..

Just kidding, this ain't no competition. 

Alls you gotta do is leave me a comment telling me if you would like the pattern in your collection!

Which reminds me, I really need to update the 'Pattern Collection' tab in my header.

Although doing that may cause me to feel fairly guilty! I'm sure by now I MUST have all the patterns I need.

Unless you know... 

Someone releases a new pattern

Is it ridiculous that sometimes I don't even LIKE a newly released pattern until you gorgeous ladies start putting your beautiful creative spins all over them.

Anywho, enough about me, more about you!

You want?

I picked the 1587 as I love a bit of vintage styling (as if you hadn't guessed) and I thought it was quite pretty!
Not sure I could personally pull off a dropped waist but I'm sure swapping a different skirt in wouldn't take from the dress. It almost has a hint of a vintage Deer & Doe Reglissé about it.

It's sizing is H5 6-14 (Eur 32-42). I was stumped on what size to go for, but I usually err on the side of most people doing an FBA. We gots bewbs.

To be honest I really love this pattern, and honestly wanted to keep it all to myself, but I thought that the Simplicity people might get a bit mad at me.
I got guilt brain.

So if you would like to get 1587 popped through your letterbox (in the most timely fashion I can humanly (slothly) manage), please comment below before Sunday 18th August 2013 6pm GMT.
Winner will be drawn at random Sunday night. Open to anyone, anywhere :)

For fun, you could tell me where you see yourself wearing this dress??

Emmie x

Upgrade...

Hi guys!

Am currently working on little bits of drafting and fitting (and trying to wrangle the stash after the London Meetup), so haven't finished anything in the past couple weeks. That might also be to do with the fact that I can't seem to remember to pre-wash the lining I bought. Dope.

One of the things I do want to ask you guys about is your sewing machines. 

I currently sew on my boyfriends mum's old sewing machine, which is a beginners Janome 2032

Although I also have my Vintage Singer (though I haven't sewn properly with it yet... shhhhh)

I don't know why I have a fear of it. Although I do need to get a set of bobbin cases for it. 

Must get on that.

But I digress...

The title of the post refers to the fact that I have been considering upgrading my sewing machine to a more intermediate level. The Janome does fine, but sometimes it gets a bit clunky, and eats thread and wraps it round the bobbin case and rotary hook. Now it's could be my fault when it happens; you know, maybe the needle hit on a pin, or maybe I didn't hold the thread ends out of the way when I was starting off. Those kinds of things.

But even so, you still dream.

So I dream and peruse the machines in a sort of £250-£500 price area.

Although clearly I would like not to pay more than I have to!

When I was thinking about what I really wanted from a sewing machine, I came up with a few ideals:

Reliability/Reputable Brand

Pretty obvious really

Smooth stitching

Speed limiter 

If possible, as I find it hard to regulate my speed sometimes and I would like to go slower

One-Step Buttonhole

Just for ease :)

7-Piece Feed dog

I just looked, thought I had 5. Looks like there's only 3!

Needle Up/Down control

would be great when turning corners

I'm not too fussed about a low or high shank machine (top/bottom loading bobbin). I guess that top loading would be easier to see how much is left on the bobbin, and I guess they are easier to drop in, and are jam-proof. But I do have feet for low shank ones.

I know that there is a big debate over manual or computerised machines, and I haven't been exposed to any computerised machines, so I can't really comment on what I prefer at this point in time. That being said, computerised ones are looking pretty tempting. Not a super fancy super computerised, but maybe one that selected the appropriate settings for stitches (and all that jazz) would be pretty cool.

What do you guys think??

I had a little scour around the interwebs today and I came up with a couple that demonstrate the type of machine that I am after. I'm ashamed to say that I have a specific 'look' in my head too, which is hard to shake. I want them to be sturdy and roomy, but look like they are worth their money. 

I don't know why but I kind of want it to be big. Important looking. 

Is that odd?

Janome DXL603 £399 (QXL605 £449) both look the same with minor feature add-ons

Brother Innov-is NV350SE £549

Husqvarna Viking Opal 650 £599

I do like them both, but I like the Brother and Husqvarna because they are a bit bigger (or so it appears in pictures). And they both have a few extra features that excite me. I also prefer that they show the stitches in the lid, and not drawn on the sides. 

I know they are both slightly beyond my price range but.....

I don't think I'm gonna be giving this sewing malarky up

Ok, so please tell me what sewing machine you have, how you feel about it, what you would look for in a new machine....

Give me guidance people please!