CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR VINTAGE CLOTHING...

Acetate: Dry clean, or machine or hand wash at a cool temperature. Do not wring when wet or put through spin cycle in washer. Hang or dry flat (do not tumble dry). Iron while damp at a cool temperature.

Polyester: Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and dried. To wash use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle. If ironing is required, use a moderately warm iron.

Acrylic: Machine wash. Hang or dry flat. Iron at a cool temperature.

Corduroy: Wash as per material (usually cotton), turning inside out. Leave inside out for ironing and iron at cool temperature.

Cotton: Separate lights & darks and machine wash. Iron at a cool temperature.

Denim: Wash as per cotton, but wash it alone the first time so that dye does not stain other clothing. Turn inside out to discourage fading. Hang dry to avoid shortening and shrinkage.

Leather: Send to specialist dry cleaner.

Nylon: Wash by hand or machine at a cool temperature with similar colours. Nylon's natural hue is grayish and it will revert if mislaundered. Special nylon whiteners can be purchased at the supermarket. Iron cool.

Rayon: If washing instructions are missing, dry clean only. Wash at a cool temperature. Iron cool.

Silk: Dry clean or hand wash in cool water with Stergene or a similar gentle product. Do not rub or a chalky bloom may arise due to broken filaments. Hang or dry flat. Take care with spot cleaning, as this may leave rings. Shirts and blouses should be steamed or ironed on a cool temperature.

Suede: Dry clean only. Protect with suede protector spray once back from the cleaner.

Wool & cashmere: Dry clean or hand wash. Wool may be damaged by traditional soaps and detergents — it’s better to use Stergene or baby shampoo. Put wool through the washing machine or tumble dryer only on settings specifically designated for this fibre. If wrinkled, hang dry woollens in steamy bathroom. Hot water will shrink wool.

VINTAGE FABRICS FROM THE 1900's TO THE 1980's...

 

If your looking for that vintage fabric then this is the online store to head to, www.donnaflower.com
Donna Flower is the online store for beautiful antique, vintage and retro fabrics. From 19th Century French fabrics to fabrics from the 1980's, they have a wide range to suit all. They also sell items made from vintage, recycled fabrics.

Whether you are looking for small pieces of fabric for quilting or yardage for curtains, or dressmaking, they have a huge stock and may have just what you are looking for.

She also sells beautiful buttons, vintage ribbon and twine.

Donna sells to collectors worldwide, particularly the Japanese, who love Liberty 'Lawn' fabric. She also visits vintage fairs in the West Country to meet dealers and buyers face to face. On 1st July, she will be at the Country House Vintage at Castle Hill, Filleigh, South Molton, Devon (www.countryhousevintage.com)

VINTAGE MANICURE SET WITH THE LETTER 'S' ON FRONT...

 This is a lovely vintage manicure set with the letter S on the front

It is a leather holder and has three items inside it with wooden type handles

It measures 1.24” in width and is around 3” in length

Each manicure piece is around 2.5” in length

Item No 020

SPLENDID STITCHES...

 

 

With all the rage being 'second hand/vintage' clothes it will be no surprise to find some that are in a bit of a state. Especially ones bought from a charity shop.

Well, if your not handy with a needle then London's Splendid Stitches is the place to take your outfits to be repaired.

They can repair, restore and alter clothes so they stay true to their original style.

They offer a personal service and owner Nanna Sandom says they can handle everything from a zip replacements, patching, hemming, mending tears and replacing linings, using genuine vintage parts wherever its possible.

I'm sure it won't be long before more of these types of services will be popping up around the UK.

You can find out more details about Splended Stitches by looking on their website www.splendidstitches.co.uk

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.

HARDLY EVER WORN YOUR OUTFIT?...

How many outfits have you got in your wardrobe that you have hardly every worn? I bet you even have some that still have their tags on them. Well if you have some original designer outfits or accessories then a new website HARDLYEVERWORNIT is the one stop shop for you.
Sharon Wolter-Ferguson has spent the last two years developing this site which is a one stop shop for all those designer items you have hardly ever worn.
They call this' the crème de la crème' of designer clothing. So, if you're a shopaholic in remission, or a fashion magpie who just can't say no at the checkout, this is the place for you.
It works a bit like Ebay in that you upload and manage your own listings, and then the site just takes fifteen percent from your sale or Sharon and her team will sell it for you.
Its basically an online resource where you can find your designer clothes at a fraction of their retail price. http://www.hardlyeverwornit.com/
'A verified designer version of Ebay - Grazia'