Vintage Op-Shoppery

I've been thinking that its been too long long since my last (waaay back here) op-shopping "haul" post. It's not like I haven't been cruising charity stores for sewing/crafting/clothing items - god knows that is my one little regular "splurge" - rather its the time involved in taking/uploading pics of the resulting finds. 

I know I know "excuses, excuses"!

So without further ado this is the result of my most recent expedition (of the thrift stores along Scarborough Beach Road):

Harking back to the early 1980s this dress was probably the height of fashion in its time. It now reminds me of the uniform I had to wear for my first ever job in a delicatessen (imagine it all in white with a name badge). The styling seems to be a little confused; all "Laura Ashley"/ladylike with the floppy hat and strappy heels, but the dress shape itself is very sporty/tuckshop lady/early 1980s checkout operator. 

Here we have a outfit I could jave imagined my mum in during the 1970's/80s and a background setting not unlike my very earliest childhood recollections. God bless carpet tiles and modular furniture ;)

 

Enid Gilchrist sewing books are a bit different from regular paper patterns as what you actually get is detailed instructions for drawing up your own pattern from the diagram given. I am guessing this was a more economical way of selling so many patterns (than printing out the actual pattern pieces themselves). I think this book is 1970s era (after 1966 anyway as it's price is in cents). Not sure what to make of the little girls outfit.... 

An example of one of the diagrams. This one is for changing a given shirt pattern into a blouse by altering some of the pattern pieces.

Six pale blue vintage buttons. Looking at the scrap of blue fabric on the back of one button I wonder whether they originally were much brighter in colour. Labelled as ceramic but in fact 100% plastic.
 

A roll of red bias cut stiffened fabric. Unfolded bias binding or stabilising tape? Sure it will come in handy and so cheap to boot! 

A very cute collection of smocked/pleated cushion covers, circa early 1960s. Unfortunately part of the front cover is missing but otherwise it seems complete. Happy to find this one as I haven't got anything else like it in my collection :)

So that's the beginning, I still have a huge backlog of op-shopping finds to get through!

Til next time...

Happy sewing/op-shopping ;)

Kate x

Op-shoppery: Recent fabric pickings (part 2)

The same op shop yielded quite a bounty on another day. The roll of grey is lining fabric, $8 for the roll but a bargain considering it costs at least $5/metre new. The pink fabric was also $8 for the roll. I think its some type of 1990's parasilk type synthetic. It has a matte finish and a crisp hand so I think would be great for a 1950's style dress: 

The pale mint green fabric is actually silk - 7 metres for $1 as it has several large stains, but at that price I can cut around them! Question is what to make with it as it very fine and floaty. Would it tear when wet? Have to do some testing...

The last fabric is a soft cotton-y dress fabric with an interesting faux stitched hibiscus print :

(yes I Instagrammed this one)

 Skirt or shirt maybe?

Oh and I nearly forgot! Either a very large hanky or smallish scarf? Regardless... am digging this graphic print:

 

All up quite a good haul for two separate half hour visits to my local Oppy ;)

Happy sewing/thrifting!!!

Kate :)

Op-shoppery: Recent fabric pickings (part 1)

Just some of the goodies recent thrift store visits have uncovered. First up a bag of fabric pieces plus a knit pattern for tees:

  

I'm not sure how i feel about the striped fabric, hoping it may be usable for maybe a bucket hat or perhaps pants for DS but not sure about the colours on him. I love the flower print for it's retro style.

Not in love with the train print but am pretty sure DS will be!

 

There isn't quite enough of the train fabric for a full child's garment but I figure a pocket or two (or maybe a hood lining?) can be squeezed out.

It's turning to colder weather here in Oz and suddenly fleece fabric - in any form- is starting to look good...

 Pays to be overprepared in the winter clothing stakes when you have two very mess-making three year olds running around ;)