Things of Late...

So...

Lately I built a bike. Sick of the trams - only one solution. Find a cheap Malvern Star at Camberwell markets and do the following:

Strip frame of wheels and other bike bits:

Buy paint stripper.

Apply stripper.

Wait.....

Wet sand and strip all remaining paint:

Spray it with metal primer:

Spray it gloss black:

Buy wood, glue and timber stain:

Cut it up, glue it together:

Make a box:

Put it all together (with the help of the lovely guys at Little Mule):

TA DA!!!

Rides like a dream. Brooks saddle and grips, Sturmey Archer 3 speed internal hub gears, and a gloss black paint job by yours truly.

Also, this - a new dress for me, made from 1940's deadstock wool.

Laying out pattern:

Sew the body of the dress together:

Drafting collar shape:

Peter Pan collar draft:

Nearly done - just need to buy me a zip!:

New Dresses in the Shop!

Hello!
It has been quite a busy week in the shop with lots of lovely ladies collecting their dresses. Photos of them can be found here...

But here is a teaser...

This one is going back to Denmark with my buddy Sandra!

Hope your week is going well...

New Project - Wedding Dress!

I was asked to make a casual 50's style wedding dress for a client at the shop. It was a little daunting, but I'm getting through it. Here is my progress so far...

Drafting the pattern:



Positioning the pieces...


Pressing the darts...


Pinning on the facing...



Final check before sewing..

Ta Da! Skirt to come...

(Sorry about blurry iPhone pics and un-ironed fabric!)

Seven Fold Ties and Gift Vouchers...

A lovely chap called Brendan is getting married and asked me to make him some ties. So I did.

They're a 7 fold traditional design, handsewn and made from satin backed crepe.

I made up little calico pouches to carry them in with care instructions typed on my typewriter.

Thanks Brendan!

Golden Age now does gift vouchers...here is one I made today:




It's typed on the typewriter and backed with a vintage comic page. I feel productive!

The Store is Open!!!

After lots of hard work, The Golden Age is finally open. Check out this nice article from The Melbourne Agenda...(click here to read bigger...)



yay!

Talkin' Shop...

It's about a week to go until the shop opens, which is scary and exciting all at once. I've been collecting lots of little things over the past few months and packed them all up yesterday to move in...



Thread for securing pretty packages...



An amazing "Ezy Hem" skirt marker...




A super cute English made kid's sewing machine...

Deadstock lace in paper packets from the 50's, old wooden spools and tins for pins...


(Never been opened...)

Deadstock hair accessories, sewing supplies and ribbon...


Cool old folding rulers...

Off to paint a mirror...Enjoy your weekend!

60's Dress Sample for the Shop!

I've been watching the new season of Mad Men and enjoying Joan's figure hugging dresses. I don't have her amazing curves, but I wanted to make a dress in that style... I wore it to see Mariachi El Bronx at The Forum Theatre last night. If you haven't heard them, check them out!

Gratuitous butt photo - it's to show the fit and the pockets!

Trying a new style with my hair - cool or fool?


Ignore the hem - I hadn't finished sewing!
What do you think?
**EDIT - Some girls have asked about mail / custom orders - see the comments for details :) **

1950's Suit...or is it?

I've been super busy with the shop plans and many sewing projects (for me and for friends/customers) but I have finally finished them and I wanted to show you this. Behold! The first suit style that I'll be selling made to measure!


It's a fifties/early sixties style and I think it looks reasonably traditional/historically accurate.


There are pockets for cold hands...

Nice buttons...

And it has a pencil skirt - although it doesn't have to. You could have a different skirt style if you wanted...


Lapels!

And look! The jacket has a cute peplum style flare.
Yes?

(If you have any questions or would like one, feel free to email me - karleeslater@optusnet.com.au)

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?