Keep it unreal.

listening to- after time by Mr Scruff (perfect for when the sun sets hazy in the sky, with a glass of pimms)

"What is this life if full of care

We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep, or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this, if full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare."

Sir William Henry Davies

Well no offence to Mr. Davies, poetic justic wins in this case as this is all I seem to be able to do lately.

So today's make- a 50s style summer smock dress with a drawstring plunge neckline, in a gentle floral green cotton poplin. Perfectly in place with some battered old kitchen utensils, a victoria sponge cake and some 'Cath Kidston- esque' garden bunting.

Forigve its creases, it hasn't beeen ironed yet, but the biased cut should help the drape a bit.
I made a straight cut skirt from the remaining fabric with some applique butterflies, a drawstring pocket, and cream biased binding hem and waistband.

Banyan Trees and Wooden Elephants

 Listening to- Sprout and the Bean by Joanna Newsom

Apparently primark is the new vintage, with Newcastle stores such as Best Vintage and Attica stocking recent items to items a few years old, even though they claim to buy only from vintage specialists.

I recently bought a primark camisole (non- vintage!) and gave it sprinkle of hand made dust with some tree and cloud applique, a few trims, and some elephant prints from my little wooden elephant, purchased in camden market.

I used fabric paint for these as it stays on the fabric when washed, i know this after i spilled a whole bottle of dark blue fabric paint on my pale green wool carpet.

applique-ing the tree onto the vest and the finished item, looks a bit scruffy but that was the idea.

The Vegetable Dress

 Listening to- Nightlight by Bonobo ft. Bajka

Ok... the love for vegetables has actually just tipped the scale a little too far.... Yesterday I progressed into making a dress depticitve of actual vegetables...

The top was made from single crochet, no pattern used, with yarn from the trusty Grainger Market habadashery and the skirt is made up entirely of a variety of fabrics from remnant bins at Uni, fabric stores and charity shops. The thing about making your own clothes that I love is that if someone were to purchase them, they would be fair trade. Because the work itself is done only by me.

The dress features a quilted carrot and onion (made from borrowed merino wool tops and my grandmas old curtains) backed onto an embroidered cabbage (from old skirts and jumpers) with layers of soil and a hand dyed (with henna) gingham patch pocket.

Unfortunatley, as I have no access to the industrial machines over the summer, and as it is expressive to a taste only as hideous as mine, I'm afraid it would be unsaleable if I were to produce more than 1.

Embroidering the cabbage with spaghetti stitch and attaching the top piece to the skirt, with the obligatory morning cup of gunpowder tea

The Final Dress, and details of the vegetables :D

Doilies aren't just for grandmas, they're for life.

Listening to John Coltraine and Dave Brubeck- Take 5

I'm having a tendancy to dis- regard everything I've ever learnt in my education about trend lines, and embrace the ever- so- classy, ever- so- up to date Doily.

I took a plain old topshop vest, cut it up, re- arranged it, hand dyed, appliqued, embroidered,  crocheted, appliqued some more and came out with this... (it looks terrible on the hanger but very nice on)

So next time you're feeling a bit retro, retire your grandmas doilies from the arms of her Stannah™ chair lift and join me. Classy bird!!