#VintagePledge 2016

Behold - a new challenge for a new year of blogging.

What a brilliant idea! The #VintagePledge gives you the opportunity to plough the pattern stash and pledge to make something from vintage or repro vintage patterns in 2016.

A Stitching Odyssey is hosting the pledge - take a good look at the rules (they're fun) and sign up with me.

Now, I have three boxes of vintage patterns on top of the wardrobe - surely I can find something to make, especially as I never find clothes I would actually like to wear from the high street.I also have a ton of vintage knitting patterns and these can form part of the pledge too, so I may have something to post soon as I've almost finished a vintage sweater I started .. oh about a year ago ..

So here's my  #VintagePledge:

During 2016, I pledge to make at least 3 items of clothing from my vintage pattern stash - something knitted, something swish and something to swing dance in.
Abi.

Why don't you join in - I'd love to hear about your makes.

Handmade Tea Cosy, Carmen Miranda Style

I’m not sure what possessed me to turn my entry in the Tea Cosy competition for a small Tea Room in the Peak Distirict into an homage to Carmen Miranda … I suspect it had something to do with cosies resembling hats, often sporting flowers.

However once begun, there was no holding me back ...

I used a lightbox to trace a design that I could transfer easily to linen and then embroider.

With fabric from the stash I cut a shape for Carmen’s headscarf with iron on adhesive paper – the double backed type for applique.

Once ironed into place, I handstitched around the edges. 

I drew out a very basic cosy pattern, a universal ‘coverall’ with no openings for the spout or handle. 

The appliqued front was quilted with a contrasting lining fabric, as was the colourful back piece. 

I had a go at machine freehand embroidery around the fruit, I’m still getting the hang of this and need a bit more practice.

For added swagger I added a dash of pom poms. These can be quite tricky to sew – you need a million pins to hold the pom pom fringe in place prior to stitching. 

The pom poms were sandwiched on the inside, the quilted cosy back and front pieces being pinned right sides together. 

I inserted a loop at the centre top at this stage, stitched all around the curved cosy edge, then turned the finished cosy right side out.

That’s all there is to it really – a little bit of hand stitching along the bottom inside edge to make a neat cuff.

Of course it wouldn't be Carmen-worthy if I hadn't added a spectacular knitted lily for good measure.

And an earring!

So there you have it - my entry for the Tea Cosy Comp which will be displayed in the Tea Room at White Peak Embroidery, Derbyshire during July 2013 ... and subject to a public vote! 

Wish me luck.

I am posting this link on Handmade Monday Linky party - pop over and see what other people are making this week.