Marie Antoinette patchwork bag

Started work on a new bag project yesterday. Managed to get some free fabric when buying some other bits at a charity shop and the colours and different kinds of sheen are just the most perfect combination, they had to become a patchwork bag! Both are short little offcuts, one from an old skirt lining and the other a stiff cotton-mix fabric. The colours together reminded me immediately of Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette'.

 (Images from here: http://savanella.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/monday-movie-marie-antoinette.html)

 There is something so satisfying about scanning in fabric! I'm not sure how big my bag is going to get but I do need a new large-ish shoulder bag... This is the second patchwork bag I've attempted, my other one is a smaller one made out of an old silk scarf I was given and it now stores some of my more delicate sewing projects.

 

Rainbow squeeze

So, one of the problems with being addicted to buying clothes is finding the space in which to put it all! This is one of my wardrobes, the one that holds my more precious/long vintage items. It's a rainbow in there! Clothes ages ranging from Victorian - '90s, no modern things in this one... It's quite crowded still despite a recent clear out, which can only mean that more things should go! A big reason for getting rid of lots of things is wanting to move out of home quickly, I just don't think I'd have room to store everything in a smaller place. Along with this reason I have also become very interested in having a smaller and more selective wardrobe in order to save myself time in selecting an outfit and therefore in giving myself more space to think about and do other things. I spend a lot of time at the moment simply tidying things away or organising things and don't give myself enough time to make which is what I want to do most of all!

 

A corner of my room by the sink, laden with vintage treasures, but sometimes I can't even fight my way to the sink! 

 

One of the ways I'm hoping to reduce my wardrobe size is by starting a regular showcase of my favourite things. By treasuring the things I love the most I will be able to let go of things that are not so important to me. Lots of things I hold onto because I've formed a sentimental attachment to them which is false. I often think 'But no one will treasure them like I do!' but of course it is a wonderful thing to love something and then pass it on to be loved by someone else.

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Peachy keen babydoll

It's been very hot lately so I've taken to wearing my undergarments out and about.

Nylon babydoll - charity shop, gingham trousers - charity shop

 After doing lots of filming for my boyfriend's new music video we collapsed in the nature reserve near his house.

New commission

 

Started a new commissioned illustration last night of the most gorgeous 1930s print dress. Top image is the fabric scanned in and next my ink rendering of it. You can't see very well here but the fabric has this sheen to it which is just amazing. The dress belongs to my ma, but she hasn't had much opportunity to wear it, but she loves it so the illustration can go on her wall so she can see it every day!

Beautiful buttons!

 More illustrations and the clothes they come from to follow...

Busy bee

Here are some snaps from my graduation! I wore a hand-made 1930s crepe dress with a vintage glass necklace and Vagabond strappy heels.

After graduating I then went on to my cousin's wedding...

From Left: My boyfriend, me, my cousin, his new wife and my ma

My auntie, mother of the groom looking beautiful with vintage costume necklace from my collection.

My sister's new peacock nail polish

My sis looking cute in her 1930s dress

Green gals! Me with my brother's girlfriend, being silly - I find it very hard posing seriously for pictures!

Slightly more serious... I'm wearing a hand-made 1930s dress with detachable cape, vintage choker and fake flowers and second hand sandals

Then my boyfriend and my brother hopped in for a photo!

Dancing their first dance to the Jeeves and Wooster theme

I love flowers, and this dress! - it has chain stitched symbols embroidered onto the cape and a scalloped edge finished with chain stitch also

Teaser

Little teaser of one of the outfits I wore this weekend. Had the busiest time the last few days, including my graduation and my cousin's wedding on the same day in very different locations so lots of travelling and perspiring and photos!

More photos to come!

Also put some things up on my ebay:  http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sarahrpotts/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Keep your eyes peeled I'll be uploading lots this week!

Hi hi hi hi hi!

Vintage 60s trousers, Ann Summers bralet (second hand), shoes from Vagabond.

(Is this a good idea?! I'm not sure...)

Hi, I'm Sarah and I'm starting this in order to help with my addiction to buying second hand and vintage clothing. This is meant to be the antidote to an obsession which is unhealthy and time-consuming. By posting about how I'm reducing my wardrobe, ways to make the most out of a wardrobe that is getting smaller rather than bigger and celebrating the beautiful things I do have alongside making, mending and recycling I will hopefully be able to create the space I need in order to have the freedom to be able to focus better on things that make me happy.

Cute!