Tying up loose ends

As I mentioned in my last post I have been finishing off some of my incomplete projects and general mending.

As you have probably noticed I usually have many different projects going at once and they can sometimes be difficult to pick up again later, leading to a pile of items that are half done or in need of either altering or mending.
The list of projects gets added to or the priority of which needs to be finished first changes due to various upcoming deadlines or unforeseen circumstances mean that I have to put my own project on hold to complete someone else's for a close deadline.
I am sure a lot of you have similar difficulties.

I still have a long list to do (several hats to finish, coats to alter, a pile of darning, incomplete frocks for summer to finish, original patterns to trace off/resize/cut out and put together, patterns to draft for outfits I have designed  and already bought fabric for, etc. etc. etc. The list really does go on and on!
But I am happy to have at least finally made a start on some of the hand sewing/mending. =)

One of the first things to finally complete is a 30's style resort clutch that Mum crocheted a while back that needed stiffening, lining and the back handle to be attached.

  I used a Buckram type stuff between the lining to stiffen the back of the clutch.

I used a white quilting muslin to line the clutch to ensure that the crochet doesn't stretch and sag from use and added a little mirror pocket.

The strap at the back is also lined and stiffened so that it can support the weight of the clutch when in use.

I am looking forward to finally using the completed article this Summer! =)

The next was a red tilted beret also crocheted by Mum. 

Apologies for the quality of the pic, but you get the idea.

In my last post I promised a pic of the collar I am embroidering. Well here it is so far!

This is embroidered on a very fine stiff-ish sheer cotton, so it will take a tad longer than expected as I need to be careful. This will be one half of the collar, I plan on making a pair of cuffs and a belt to match. As I said previously though it will be a long term project, because it will be slotted in between my other projects as time allows. 

Well that's it for now, back to my mending!

M. 

Little Pretties

A few Lingerie inspiration scans from 1933.
Such elegant intimated and aren't the embroidered finishes just too sweet!

Don't you just love the curtain fabric in the first pic?

I have been working on an embroidered chrysanthemum collar, I think it will be a long term project, but I will show you a pic of my progress =)

I have also been doing a bit of completing old unfinished projects including structuring and lining a 30s style crochet clutch of which I will also show you.

Don't worry I am still beavering away at my Plaza knit suit. Hope I get done in time for Winter Deco!

Wish me luck!
M.

My Gal Adele!

Meet one of my more recent acquisitions!
This is Adele, she is an original 1930s mannequin, she does have legs, but is missing her stand so I am just using her top portion until I can make her a base. Unfortunately her arms are missing, but she's a lovely gal.

 When I found this 30's hat in a thrift shop it was in a very sad condition, it was dirty, faded, squashed and moth nibbled. I took off the trimming, gave it a good clean and reshaped it back to its original lines. 

 Unfortunately its original gross-grain band was not salvageable, so I replaced it with some lovely dead-stock gross-grain I had. 

 I finished the hat with a pleated gross-grain fan flourish.

 The lovely hat, collar and cuff set my darling Mum crocheted for me.

 A depression style brooch I crafted. I am thinking of possibly swapping it with a feather quill, what do you think?

 The matching gauntlet cuffs.

Another of my current project is this mid 30s dress and jacket set which I am sewing for Mum out of a lovely cotton lawn. 

Cheerio!

M.

Any one at home?

Don't worry, I'm still here and crafting on as usual. I have been knitting every moment I get on my Plaza suit and am progressing well (I may even get it completed in time for Winter Deco festival!).

Mum has been crocheting me some spiffing 30's style hats and a lovely winter cuff and collar set!

I also restored an old felt swagger hat to its former glory with gross-grain detailing.

All of which I will post pics of soon!

Cheers!
M.