BY GONE ERA WALLPAPER PATTERNS...

 

 

If you are looking for some by gone era wallpaper patterns from the 50's to the 70's, then you need to head to Little Greene, who have been selling paper and paint since 1773.

Their latest 'Retrospective' collection comprises eight authentic patterns from the 1960s and 1970s and is the result of research into a variety of historical sources, including the extensive archive at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery.

The ‘Retrospective Papers’ tells several simultaneous stories about interior design in the late twentieth century, combining hallmark ‘retro’ designs that embody the fashion for geometric patterns, two-colour silk-screen prints that echo the graphic quality of the pop-art movement, and more classic designs that drew inspiration from earlier periods, arguably nostalgic in their own time.

Head to their website for more details www.thelittlegreene.com

CHIC ON A SHOESTRING BOOK REVIEW...

 

Why throw out your old clothes when they can be transformed for very little money? With an eye for all things 'stylishly vintage', Mary Jane takes throw-away items and illustrates how they can be used to create a host of covetable clothes and accessories.
An old tie can be turned into a purse, knitting needle holder, cute corsage and a belt. Silk scarves can make a return as a sexy top or skirt, and T-shirts as funky 40s-style turbans. 'Chic on a Shoestring' will take you through - step-by-step - all you need to know to create fabulous clothes and accessories you actually want to wear, and provide you with lots of variations and inspiration to foster your own style.
And with advice on how to find useful treasures at markets, charity shops and vintage stores, you will be making your own creations in no time.
It's packed with brilliant ideas for sewing vintage-style accessories for virtually nothing.

WHERE TO SELL OR RECYCLE YOUR VINTAGE CLOTHES...

 

With such an awful summer, I'm sure many of us (myself included) have a wardrobe full of items we need to either sell or want but haven't been inspired to do anything about it.
Well, I've done a bit of research for you and you are sure to find one of the website below perfect for you to either sell, recycle or buy clothes.
www.bigwardrobe.com
www.fashionfayre.com
www.clothesagency.com
www.kerrytaylorauctions.com
www.auction-help.co.uk
www.stuffusell.co.uk
www.auctioning4u.co.uk
www.dropbuysell.com
www.gumtree.com
www.vivastreet.co.uk
www.priceminister.co.uk

VINTAGE FASHION...

                                     VINTAGE FASHION...

'We Heart Vintage Co', is a stunning blog on fashion and photography for the 1920's to the 70's and beyond.

The photographs are beautiful and the writer covers the different decades, fashion, cinema and tv, music and pin-up girls with flare.

You will want to spend all day slowly browsing her site to learn all there is to know about the vintage years, www.weheartvintage.co

THE SEWING DIRECTORY FOR ALL YOUR SEWING NEEDS...

Do you want to make some of your own clothes, revamp your home or want to learn how to sew with workshops, how to guides, and projects ?

The Sewing Directory site has all your sewing suppliers (local or online) sewing courses and sewing groups.

For example 'monthly mending soc-ials' in Central Bath. Details on how to revamp your home. You name it you can find it on this amazing web site. I've totally fallen in love with it and would love to go on a sewing course when things have quietened down at home.

You will be 'inspired', there is no question of that.

Go to 'The Sewing Directory', for more details.

GUCCI CELEBRATING ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY...

In 1881 Guccio Gucci was born in Florence. He found some work at the Savoy Hotel, London in 1897 but returned to Florence to join the leather manufacturer Franzi in 1902.
Between 1905 to 1912 Gucci and his wife Aida have three sons, Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo. He doesn't open his first store in Florence until 1921 when he was 40, and had his first successful suitcases made in 1936. In 1938, the Rome store opened on Via Condotti in 1938.
After World War 11 Gucci introduced the pigskin, which became a signature house material and the first bamboo-handled bag, inspired by the shape of a saddle was produced.
Rodolfo (one of his sons) opened the first Milan store in 1951 when the green-red-green web became a hallmark of the company. By 1953 Gucci became a pioneer of Italian design in the US where Aldo (another son) opened the first American store in the Savoy Plaza Hotel on East 59th Street in New York.
Guccio Gucci died at age 72, only 15 days after the New York store opens. Since then his sons have opened stores all over the world and the rest is history.

SIMPLE SEWN GIFTS, BY HELEN PHILIPPS...

SIMPLE SEWN GIFTS BOOK REVIEW...

'Simple Sewn Gifts', by Helen Philipps has 25 projects to make and give. From bunting and aprons to pin cushions and stockings.
Every one of these gorgeous sewing projects is so simple to make up, Yo-yos, applique, embroidery and other stitching techniques add that essential touch of personalisation, and each project comes with a lovely cross stitch motif.
With an easy-to-follow sewing techniques section, and a comprehensive guide to the stitches used in the book, so that you can try your hand at new decorative sewing tricks on a small and easy scale.
It has 184 coloured illustrations of decorative bunting and wall hangings to laundry bags, aprons and eggs cosies, vintage sewing sets, embroidered tote bags and stuffed toys for children. You will be spoilt for choice to decide what to make for Christmas, with a whole chapter full of fantastic needlework designs for Christmas. Available from all good book shops and www.amazon.co.uk

VINTAGE FABRICS AND TRIMS...

Donna Flower is one of the biggest online store specialising in beautiful antique, vintage and retro fabrics. From 19th Century French textiles to fabrics from the 1980's.

Whether you are looking for small pieces of fabric for quilting or yardage for curtains, or dressmaking, they have a huge stock range to choose from. You can even email them if you do not see what you want on the website as their online selection is not their full range.

They also have some great Christmas gift ideas, from gold floral terrecotta vases, Inspiritus Christmas Candle Floral pots, or a Vintage Button Bag for your Vintage lover friend.

Head to the website for loads of ideas http://www.donnaflower.com/

VINTAGE SEWING PATTERNS...

With Vintage Fashion being the 'one to wear' at the moment, it is no surprise that Vintage Sewing Patterns are also making a comeback.

One website http://www.sovintagepatterns.com/vintagepatterns.html has over 4,000 hand selected true vintage not copies dress making sewing patterns to choose from!

One example is a 1940s beautiful strapless evening gown dress, flowing cascade overskirt, which was a Vogue Couturier Pattern.

And it's not just patterns for vintage style dresses that this website has but also lingerie slips patterns, which they say is 'totally Audrey Hepburn'.

Other's on offer are 1970s Dress Patterns for Betsey Johnson patterns, 1960 Dress Patterns , Movie Star Patterns, Evening Gown Patterns, 1900-1930s Dress Patterns, 1950s Dress Patterns for new additions, Vogue Couturier Patterns.

Their choice in vintage patterns is wide with the big band swing era 1940s and the glamorous 1950s being their speciality!

And for the home-maker or collector they offer a vast selection of vintage apron patterns from 1920s to the 60s, as well as children's patterns, such cute clothing styles from 1910s to the funky 70s!

They also have fabulous Hats purses and gloves and a wide selection of slips, robes lounging pyjamas and nightgown patterns.

So, get that sewing machine out of the attic and give it a good dusting down as you have no excuse now to not have a vintage style dress in your wardrobe. Of course, the patterns would also make a great Christmas present for someone you know who adores vintage wear.

You can also get some patterns on ebay but personally after browsing the internet this website has by far the biggest and best choice of vintage patterns