Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Daisy chain

Oh well hey there pretty people! I promised myself I would blog at least once a week this month but I'm already behind on that little promise, oops!

Not that I fussed about it really. Everything has been pretty swell no-blog wise. I've been doing lots of sewing and this past weekend the boy and I took a little trip up to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains for my birthday! We visited Scenic World which is basically the most touristy thing to do up there. They have a train thingy that takes you down the mountain on a 52 degree incline at a nice little speed so that you can actually look around. I had this idea that it was roller coaster speed but the ticket seller just had to chuckle at me and said they wouldn't let as many pensioners on if it was!




They also have 2 kinds of cable car which gives you lovely views of Jamison Valley and of course a raised walking track down among the trees which we accidentally walked around twice. We were both a little sick with a cold but the lovely mountain air was quite refreshing. Perhaps it was all the eucalyptus trees? The excess eucalyptus being absorbed into the air by the sun is what creates the blue haze, hence the name - Blue Mountains! 

We also did a little opp shopping and I missed out on convincing the boy to buy me a lovely lame 60s evening coat cause I couldn't think of where I would wear something so fancy, plus it wasn't a cheap coat to begin with so I just had to buy some patterns and other vintage trinkets instead. The mountains are especially good for antique shopping both of the expensive and regular junk-shop kind.

Usually at this time in the year the weather will have turned and normally my birthday is on a rainy cold day, but as you can tell by the photos it was gorgeous! So I am still getting away with wearing summer clothes (Sorry to those of you still in the depths of winter up there in the north)

Below is a dress I made back in January during holidays to just wear around the house. I don't normally show you guys things I wear at home, but I liked it so much I wore it shopping and to visit friends so I guess you can see it too!


The pattern I used for it was McCall's 8761 view c. I changed the dress so that it has a zipper in the back instead on buttons up the front. I also had to take out a few cm from the armcyce cause it was super tight! That's not normal for size 14 patterns to be so small, but a lot of my McCall's patterns have been like that so it may just be a company preference? 


The fabric used was a vintage cotton with a very typically 60's daisy pattern I bought from Susan my fabric selling buddy. The colour and print are so bright, the original owner clearly did a good job storing it


The armholes and neck line were finished with bias tape and once again I stuffed up the darn zipper top with uneven bias. But remember I only wanted to wear this at home initially... and my hair hides it anyway. 

I've since done a similar neckline on another dress and it worked out so another achievement unlocked! 



Such a simple little dress!

I wanted to make another one out of vintage-sheet looking material. I have a vintage sheet that I don't use but I really don't want to cut it up! There are some paisley and daisy covered fabrics around that have that busy sheet look which I could try. And heck who knows by the time I make it, it may still be silly hot!

I hope you've all been well anyway and I hope spring comes soon for those of you in the cold areas. I really am looking forward to wearing some of the new things I've made which have been waiting for the temp to drop before I can do so.

Thanks for reading lovelies and happy belated International Women's Day to all my lady readers! 

Cat xo 

P.S I got my braces off too!! Yay town! There are photos on my instagram!

20 comments:

  1. Good morning/evening, dear Catherine, and happy belated birthday to you! It's not every day that a girl turns sweet sixteen. :)

    I'm happy to know that you and your boy went on a special getaway to the beautiful Blue Mountains. I remember looking at pictures of the area when you told me about it following my trip to the Grand Canyon last summer. I'm so glad the weather held up for you on your birthday holiday. The dress you made might be simple, but it looks simply marvelous on you!

    Good night to you, dear friend Cat, and enjoy the rest of your week!

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    1. hello! haha 16! you're 13 years off but ill take it!

      I hope your house moving is going well :)

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  2. That's a really cute dress, and I would totally wear it out if I were you! Thanks for sharing your travels---love seeing Australia again (I went in 2000). I think I went there---does it have those three peaks called the 3 sisters or something like that? I remember going on a steep train thingie as well, so maybe it was the same place! Anywhoooo, happy birthday and thanks for sharing!

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    1. oh fantastic! Yes! it does have the 3 sisters all within the same veiw so there is a lot to look at in that valley. And yeah the train - we went on that too! The scenic rail or something like that its called. I hope you have many happy memories from your trip there!

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  3. Happy Belated birthday, dear Cat! That dress is gorgeous, the fabric, the fit, the cuteness.
    I was watching a TV show that visited the Blue Mountains last week, your photos make them look even more spectacular. xx
    PS Great news on the braces.

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    1. Thanks Vix! Oh how interesting! Its such a lovely place to visit. quite and clean and fresh and so close to us too which is awesome.

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  4. Happy belated birthday Cat! The print on that dress is super cute, I'm not surprised you wore it out to see friends. Great news on the braces, I had braces when I was a teenager and I was so happy the day they came off - I couldn't stop smiling! x

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    1. Thank you Sarah! Its quite cute isn't it! People have been telling me that im smiling more but im still really scared they'll go crooked, I've been wearing my retainer more then what's really necessary :)

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  5. Oh my goodness, I just acquired this pattern in a box of old vintage sewing patterns. Yours looks so good! I'm glad to see it made up a bit differently because sometimes I can't see past the pattern illustrations (which are of course gorgeous too but in a different way).

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    1. How fantastic! Yes sometime seeing it in real life is so much better, and someone else gets to tell you all the problems the pattern has! haha

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  6. It sounds like you had a wonderful birthday, even if you didn't get the evening coat!
    Oh my goodness, when the boy and I went down to Katoomba area we were both too scared to go on the cable cart! And yes, the Blue Mountains are great for fabulous little vintage/antique stores. I've bought quite a few things from that area when I've been down there.

    Also loving the daisy dress, it's looks fab on you and great to hear about the braces!

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    1. Oh it so was! The cable car wasn't scary at all! Your so busy looking at the water fall you forget to be scared :)
      This antique store was in Blackheath - a big one in an old theatre with a cafe in front of it. They had Mary Quant stockings but i was worried they wouldn't fit me and just disintegrate after 1 wear.

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  7. Look at that amazing view! And that is one cute daisy of a dress, you look lovely. xxx

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    1. Thank you! It such a nice view especially when the clouds settle in the valley :)

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  8. 60s tent shaped dresses are the bizness! so easy and simple to wear. Plus i bet u hated ur braces but i thought u looked cool with them 😊

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    1. Haha I did get to hate them but only right at the end. When i put them on i swore they changed the shape of my face! haha Tent dresses are the best especially for hiding post birthday cake bellies!

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  9. Oh I'm very happy to stumble on your blog via Vix's. That dress is really wonderful, I love that shape, it's so perfect for doing odd jobs and shopping in! Lally

    www.lallymacbeth.com

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    1. oh thank you! yes it such a practical dress, though its too cold here now for it

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