Wallpaper!

It. Is. Done. It was a battle, but I got the wallpaper up in the studio. Sewing patterns are flimsy and delicate at best, but even more so when you're trying to stick them to the wall.

Putting up the first piece...(excuse the bad iphone photos!)




8 hours later and...




Lots more still to go, but it's a start...

I love my job...

Not many people can say they truly love their job. But look - This is what I get to work in all day...



















And... I get to wear what I like! Have a nice weekend!

Further Progress...

So, the shop needed the ugly carpet ripped up. Done!

Yuk. Then the roof needed painting. Done!


And then, the walls.


Ta-da!

I plan to get the wallpaper up this weekend. I also found a great old bakelite clock and cupboard and some beautiful etched glass lampshades...

Snail Mail...

Look what came in the mail! Don't you just love it when you buy something from ebay or similar and forget until it shows up?



I always get excited when I see this on an envelope!

Nearly...

Kathy! of Dallas!

Sweet detailing...

My messy dresser...

Thanks, self timer!



Thanks for all your well wishes for my shop! I'm doing some wallpapering in the next few days, so stick around for more photos...

Big News.

I haven't been writing here as much as usual because I've been busy on a secret project. The photos below are the (very) raw start of my own shop! It's a teeny tiny studio space in the GPO in Melbourne city in the stairwell on the second and a half floor. I specialise in vintage clothing alterations, deadstock anything and most importantly, I will offer made to measure coats, suits and dresses from the 30's-50's. I'll be using vintage patterns but tailoring them so that the item fits the customer perfectly. So, stay tuned for more updates...

I'll be ripping up the carpet and laying a nice timber floor...

I love these stairs!


Lots of work to be done! The roof will be black, with vintage glass lightshades hanging down the middle. The walls will be covered in vintage sewing patterns. I'll have my desk and sewing machines and a fitting room and everything! So excited!
This is the building. It was built between 1859 and 1867. It looks the same today.


I'll post progress pictures as I go. Eep!

The Princess...

Check out this little peice of awesome! She's a H.G. Palmer Princess and she's all mine.

She's got pretty dials...

Automatic Zigzag!

and thread settings!


I'm still researching it, but sources so far date her around 1941...anyone know better?

Earthquakes, Aftershocks and New Hair...

Hi! I'm in New Zealand. Queenstown, to be more accurate. We flew over here to meet up with Garth's parents for their 30th wedding anniversary. The day before we left, Christchurch (the town we were flying into) was struck by a 7.4 earthquake. Awesome. But, we made it. See? (click to zoom...)

There's a really pretty walk that we do each time we go, along the lake into town.




Queenstown is a total bust when it comes to vintage/thrifting adventures, but I did find this nice skirt for $5 in an op shop in Dunedin.
And my Cheap Monday sunnies arrived in the mail just before we left. Excellent!


For fancy, I packed this dress. The long sleeves make it nice and warm. It's a Berkshire "In Between Size Casual" from the late 50's.

I attempted something different with my hair...
Which I think looked okay.

Back home and to work Monday!

The Apprentice?

Some of you may know I work at Captains of Industry. We're a gentlemen's outfitter and we make (among other things) bespoke leather shoes. My boss James makes one pair a week and is teaching me. So, here's my first pair so far...

Plans and patternmaking...

A "fit shoe" is made to check size and pattern...

It is stretched over the last - a wooden foot to shape the leather...

The leather uppers and lining for the real deal...


The edges are thinned down to reduce bulk at the stitch lines...

The heels are sewn first and top edges folded down...

Lining is sewn in...

The buckles is sewn in place...

Topstitching done...

Ready for lasting (stretching over the last)...





Lsted up and ready to dye...


First coat...


Last coat...


Sealed with hi shine sealant.

And that's it so far...stay tuned!