The Joy of Charity Shops: Vintage jumpsuit and old leather wallet

I've had a very good run of bargainous finds recently. My two best recent purchases are an old (sorry, 'vintage') Marks and Spencer jumpsuit and a lovely old leather wallet.

First up, this jumpsuit which I thought was a dress, then realised was not. Either way, my initial reaction to it was "man, that is vile!". It resembes some sort of 1980's fashion monstrosity, but something was drawing me towards it...so I had another look. This time I thought "hmmm...maybe i can work with this".

I gave it a try on - the cross over style suits my figure so wouldn't need any adjusting. However the length was all wrong. Who ever thought that a mid-calf length jumpsuit was a good idea? That would need sorting. Was happy with the fabric - cotton jersey, and in good condition. Ok floral pattern, but the colour is in need of a kick up the arse. A dye job, perhaps....

For £2.90, I decided it was worth a risk and would be a nice little project over the Easter break. I sorted out the length issue, and it instantly became wearable. I'm still deliberating on to dye, or ot to dye...but looking good so far.

My other amazing buy, was this lovely old leather wallet - I think it was originally made for holding your cheque book and cheque guarantee cards (did people really carry around cheque books?)

I thought it was a Mulberry purse from a distance (cue: heart palpatations), and it does look very similar, but at £2.95, I wasn't too upset that it wasn't.

Thinking of making it my new passport holder - what do you think?

Sew good

I made a pact with myself at the start of the year; this was the year I would buy myself a sewing machine, and actualy use it too. I had made several plans to buy one before, but they fell apart due to laziness, lack of room, or me having a nervous breakdown at the price of a decent one.

But this year, armed with donations from my family for my birthday (thanks all!), I went to John Lewis and got myself a sewing machine.

The lovely lady who sold me the machine also sat me down and went over how to use the machine - I did textiles GCSE, but scarily that was 11 yeas ago. So I learnt how to thread it, how to choose which stitch to use, how to change the feet, how to use the free arm, and something about a 'drop feed dog', which sounded more like how you get your pet to eat its food, but apparently it is sewing machine related.

So far, in just over a month of ownership, I have already made two cushions and a simple fabric bag using some African wrapper material that had been sat just waiting for me to do something with it. Not bad, methinks.

I've just booked myself on a basic sewing machine and dressmaking course so I can learn to  follow a simple pattern, and start making clothes. The Boy is hankering after a pair of trousers to suit his 6 foot 5 inch frame. Better get me some lessons then...

The Old Suitcase

There's something about old suitcases. I love how they look, and i love to imagine where they've been - holidays with loved ones, weekends away, trips to remember, to forget - I really wish this one could speak. It is an Ebay find that i plan to use for storing my jewellery. I wonder who the initials belonged to....

I'm planning on re-lining the case to with new fabric or paper; hopefully giving it a new lease of life without taking away it's character. I'll keep you posted.