Fifties Fair Day, Rose Seidler House

I can't remember when I first I started going to the Fifities Fair - but I do know that this year was very different to previous years! (full Flickr Set here)

They had limited the ticket sales to 2,500 people (online only), and reduced the stalls from over thirty to just thirteen.

This had the nice effect of it not being so crowded you had to fight your way through the masses of people,  but I do feel bad for the stall holders who didnt get the same turn over as last year.

One of my favourite people, Christine from Classic Vintage was there (she was a crack-up at Viva earlier this year), her range of men's vintage can't be beaten!



Jakk decides to get the amazing 1950's slacks



And as for my haul this year - nothing note worthy! My favourite sewing-notions and jewellery stalls wern't there, and I came home with a couple of 1940's magazines and a fan.

We did get a lot of dancing in - our favourite band 'The ReChords' were here again from Melbourne.

My Outfit:

Dress: Vintage Nylon Pique, from Raleigh Vintage on Etsy
Hat: Stetson Fifth Avenue, an amazing bargin on Etsy
Cardigan: Goodwill, Haight and Ashbuy, San Francisco
Pearls: my Nan
Shoes: Miss L Fire
Wicker Handbag: markets

I got up early and hot-tonged my hair into curls, brushed out, and pinned one side behind my ear.

Overall, i'm not sure if we'll go again next year. The markets and people watching make up a big part of the Fair for us - not to mention they moved the dancing area to a slope?!?! and we looked like drunken sailors.





I know I say it every year, but if you've never been to the Fifties Fair make sure you go next year!

Fashion Supplement, December 1938

Another lovely Fashion Supplement from Good Needlework December 1938, filled with pretty frocks, blouses and suits.

I hope you find them as interesting as I do!

I love the sitting model's shoes - they look like very cute flats!

I think this page is my favourite - I love the stripey frock in the middle, and the outfit on the far right is something i'd definitely wear to work.

Monogrammed nighties - yes please!

'Geoffrey', Men's Diamond Patterned Cardigan, c. 1920s/30s

I know I don't list many mens/masculine patterns on here, but I promise to list some more this year.

This design is 'Geoffrey', and comes from Patons & Baldwins Speciality Knitting Book No.22 - I think this is very early 1930s, but might even be late 1920s.

I like the unisex style of this design, and the simple garter-stitch square shapes.
The pattern used fingering weight yarn on 3.75mm and 2.75mm needles - to fit a chest size of 38 inches.

Target 'Quick-to-Knit' Cardigan, with shade card. c. 1950s

Target Pattern no. 1198, I would think its from the mid-fifties? A great pin-up knitting pattern for the wasp-waisted rockabilly gal.

Continuing in the vein of shade cards, this pattern from Target has a useful colour guide down the side.
I love the coral-red on the card - and the little bobbles on the cardigan adds some great interest to a plain cardigan.

To fit 34,36 and 38 inch busts, and knit in Motoravia Double Knitting Wool (a worsted/10ply according to Rav) on 3.75mm and 4mm needles.

Hope you enjoy it!
xx

The Latest Yarn Shades, for 1938

Have you ever wondered what colour 'Ionian Green' is? What about 'Thrift' or 'Larkspur'?

Here's a colour card from 1938 - 'the Latest Shades for Bathing Costumes & Sports Wear' that I couldnt wait to share with you!

Its a lovely look at what colours were popular (in the UK) during the late thirties - I hope they prove useful to anyone trying to reproduce their own vintage knits.
(I'm going to use it to match the colours from my modern shade cards to the vintage equivalents).

xxx

Bex

My good news!

Sorry for the lack of content this month - i've been working really hard on my little house and finally have some good news! My house has finally finished all the renovations and...

The bank is letting me buy (my ex) Fin out!
So my little 1930s dream house will be all mine....

I'll take some up to date photos soon, but here is the photo from when we bought it nearly four years ago.

It looks much nicer now, let me assure you!

The other thing i've been doing is preparing a Guest Post for another blogger - I can't tell you the details yet but here is a sneaky photo from the shoot.

Do you like the cherry brooch?
I found it in Chicago back in April (the Land of Vintage-Goodness), but the stems were crumbling and a cherry popped off.

Lucky that Brittany from Va-Voom Vintage had an AMAZING post on how to repair them. 

I gritted my teeth, and with some green leather string, elbow grease and epoxy glue I had a fully functional cherry brooch again.

I'll be posting some vintage knits again really soon - and I hope everyone had a great weekend.

x

Bex