The humble Safety-pin comes to town, c. 1948

In 1948 the UK and Australia were still on rations - what was a girl to do when she need some new jewellery?

Well, if she was lucky she could just whip out some safety pins and plastic tubing to make some new dress clips.

From 'Needlework Illustrated, 1948' available here.

I'd rather be sewing...

But instead, i'm trying to fix my place up to sell!

 
It's slow going, and it means no spare time for sewing over the next few months (at least I have knitting time on the train, but thats another story).
 
I'm sad about the house work, because these pretties just arrived in the mail recently and my hands are itching to make something.

Can you see the pointed waistband?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this would be perfect for work.

 

Vavoom!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you noticed anything similar about these patterns?

How about they're all 'larger' sized?
 
My pattern collection is huge now (over 200 sewing patterns) but i'll probably never make the majority of them because i'm so nervous about upsizing a 32 inch bust to a 40 inch bust. I've started to get a bit realistic about what I buy this year, and get patterns I don't need to fiddle around with as much.
 
Is anyone else afraid of re-sizing patterns, or are you an expert?

Part Three: Hoover Dam, New York

No visit to Las Vegas is complete without a visit to the Art Deco masterpiece, the Hoover Dam.

Apparently, the cement at the base will take 100 years to set completely, so its still curing.

No visit to Las Vegas is complete without a visit to the 'Las Vegas' sign either.

The very next day we were off to New York for different taste of the USA.

Coney Island was a bit disappointing, I think we were expecting retro rides but it was a bit faded and sad. Hard to believe that just outside of the city is a beautiful beach though!

The High Line

Central Park

And of course, getting GAY MARRIED!

Jakk and I had only told a couple of people back home we were planning on tying the knot, and we were very lucky that a Facebook aquaintance happened to be in New York and agreed to be our witness. (We'll have an Aussie one eventually, once we've bought a place to live together).

My wedding dress came from Sweet Virginia Brooklyn literally the day before. I spyed a very crowded vintage store, chatted to the owner and discovered that I was the same size as her great aunt. I ended up leaving with three of her beautiful 1950s dresses (the brooch came from there as well).

Jakk wore an amazing burgandy and yellow 1940s tie, vintage vest and vintage trousers. She was getting a lot of admiring looks at the Registry Office, thats for sure!

We really loved New York, its just so full of people and places to go. Despite what people have said about New Yorkers being unfriendly, we didnt find it the case at all.

I think when we come back we'll stay in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) instead of the East Village. Its still really close to Manhattan, but its cheaper and there are fabulous places to eat and shop.

Highlights:

Williamsburg Flea - gourmet food, oddities and curiousities, and quite cheap vintage homewares

Enzos - modern pinup clothing and Freddies Jeans in the East Village. The owner is very friendly, and gave us the run-down on the Rockabilly scene in New York.

Cobblestones Vintage - beautifully laid out, specialising in pre-1960s

Stella Dallas 10 ft. Single - oh my goodness, where to start! Massive warehouse full of vintage (the good stuff is at the back) and prices were OK. But don't miss the homewares building next door if you're looking for real vintage fabric, rugs, curtains, tea towels etc.

Spring Ensemble, from Stitchcraft April 1951

Part Two: Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas is something i've wanted to do since I was 19, and it didnt disappoint.

We arrived the day befoe VLV, and headed off to see 'The Strip' with all the other tourists.

















The Bellagio Fountain was Jakk's favourite, we ended up coming back to see it again.

And the next day - VIVA!

Its really hard to convey the atmosphere (or amount of rockabillies) at VLV. Eveywhere you turn there are all kinds - pure vintage, psychobilly, hillbilly, forties, modern pinup - it doesnt matter what you're wearing (or what size you are), you'll fit in.

The shopping at the vendor stalls was amazing (compared to what we get over here in Australia) - great prices and great range. Be prepared for queues and crowds though!

I admit to having to buy another suitcase while in the US - and coming home with 10 vintage dresses and five new handbags.

We had such a great time and will definitely try to go again (maybe 2014). A big hi to Moxie Tonic for our brief encounter at JD McPherson, and hopefully we get to meet again next time.

USA Trip Part One - Alcatraz and Yosemite

I'm breaking down my trip into a few blog posts, so I don't overload people! The whole set is here on Flickr if you really want to see.

After a 16 hour flight, it was nice to finally get to San Francisco and meet the man we were staying with (he was lovely!). I loved San Fran - it feels a bit like Melbourne, and I could definitely live there if I ever had the chance to.

The next morning we caught the ferry over to Alcatraz Island to explore.

Alcatraz Prison itself is really interesting, but has this sad feeling hanging over it. It must have been very depressing for the guys there to be able to see San Francisco from the barred windows.

The next day was a day trip to Yosemite National Park, which turned out to be one of our favourite places in the USA.

And - SNOW!

Jakk and I went a bit nuts when we saw the snow - I think the other people on the bus were just thinking 'crazy aussies'.

My first snowman!

Yosemite is just so breathtakingly beautiful, that every photo you take looks like a postcard.

Jakk and I are already planning our next holiday back to the USA, and spending more time at Yosemite is a must!

Blue and White and Rayen

Today was the Garage Sale Trail (an annual Australia-wide garage sale day), so Jakk and I decided it would be nice to make a day of it. Plus, it was also a chance to wear some of our nice vintage from the USA.

We stuck to Surry Hills (and the Surry Hills market), and while the vintage pickings are slim what you do find is normally a bargin.
I can finally tick one of those vintage bead shopping bags off my want list. The seller at the Market insisted I had to buy them all, crazy cheap for the lot. I only wanted the one on the far right! Hmm I think Ebay for the rest? Anyone want a bag? LOL.

My other super favourite buy was these pair of 1940s 'Rayen' pumps. I have a heck of a time trying to get vintage shoes to fit my size 9 feet and these fit like a glove!

Even better, they matched the blue1940s silk crepe dress and bolero that I got at Viva!

Wah, why am I standing funny? Fix that belt woman!

I love this suit to death. The silk crepe is comfortable to wear, and the chartreuse contrast with the blue is not something you see very often over here (in Australia). Plus - mini puffed sleeves! My favourite!

Dress and bolero: Rainbow Vintage at VLV
Telephone cord handbag: Belmont Vintage, Chicago
Shoes: Surry Hills Markets
Belt: Opshop
Bracelets: VLV and Modern Vintage Chicago

Did anyone else do the Garage Sale Trail?