Thursday 26 April 2012

Better make something....

Just found out that my covered suitcase is on the Mollie Makes blog/facebook pages today (http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/blog/thrifty-thursday-best-vintage-trunk-ideas my fifth appearance - she said rather cockily I think) so thought I better post something that I have made rather than just 'things' in the house!  So, courtesy of dear Marcie - The Rustic Victorian http://www.flickr.com/photos/therusticvictorian/ (who very kindly sent me her own pattern) I have been trying very hard to try and get these little mannequins 'right'!  Still not there and need to figure out how to do some details - but I will show here my three stages (stooges!) so far.  The first I made from some 70s sheet fabric but had not figured out how to do the neck properly


Pppppllllleeeeassse do not look closely at the stitching - this was just a trial and I desperately need new glasses!!!


I was trying to achieve the Edwardian pigeon bust and bustle!!


Then I got a little cocky and decided to use some original Edwardian embroidery to make another.... a double whammy of failure as I used a 1930s bedcover (otherwise damaged - don't fret so) with blue roses for the reverse.....the perils of using older fabric can be that once you start the stuffing process it all caves in like a house of cards.  I tried patching but daft as more unravelling occurred...grrrrrr....into the 'Drawer of Shame' (don't forget that this needs to be said in an echoey voice)  it goes


We had to have a little lie down after that.....


It was a shame as I thought that the little embroidery was just the right size

Then I pressed on - this time I used some French 1930s (I think??) linen showing Mr Darcy having a picnic with the Bennet sisters!!


This is the reverse (sitting atop a beautiful cup - a selection of which I bought at last years car boot for £3)


Oh Mr Darcy you are such a laugh...



Don't look at the stitches again but I liked how the little dog just about managed to fit on the neck.

And there is a horse on the underside!




All in a row



Do I seem a bit smug as to how this one turned out?  Well I shouldn't be because I still haven't figured out the best way to insert the arm 'pad' bits so left these out - more trial dummies to come I fear!



I am not going to blog for a while (that could mean anything between two days and two  months) because I have GOT TO DO PROPER JOB and yet another essay to write, marking to do, study days to plan for and paid work to consider.....so do not distract me any more please!!!!
As always please do not post or pin these photographs elsewhere - now I know how to post copyright forms to Pinterest in particular I have become fiendish!!!
Tatty bye everyone - tatty bye......

10 comments:

  1. my days will not be the same without a fix of custard. What will I do... I guess go through the 'drawer of shame' and see what can be fixed/recycled. I thought I was the only one with such a drawer. It is nice to know that I am not alone........love the pictures today!

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    1. Hello and thank you crafty Lisa - I was 'forced' to look at blog to see if Scheduler had worked! My Drawer of Shame is pretty full - I hope that yours is not as bad as mine!

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  2. Hello sweet Jenny! Marcie is a sweetheart! I think your mannequins are beautiful, and so are your stitches! I especially love the one with Mr. Darcy and the Bennet sisters! Oh, you do make me laugh! I love how the doggie fit in the neck too! I will MISS you so much and hope that you are not gone for 2 months!!! Two weeks would be bad enough! Best wishes for your essay, making, studying, and paid work! Take good care of your lovely self and come back soon! Tatty bye! xo~Paula

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    1. Dear Paula - you are such a kind hearted soul - my curiosity got the better of me (sadly not for the first time..) so had to look at blog. Stitches really are awful Paula but new glasses come the summer should help here! Tatty bye Paula tatty bye

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  3. Hi Jenny I was day dreaming about your pictures today at work and nearly overcharged a customer!!!PLEASE don't go for 2 months I couldn't bear the silence!!!I NEED a fix of photos.IF you HAVE to go for a while it would give me time to try and perfect my photo's to impress you.Don't work too hard and are you SURE you don't live in another time I was CERTAIN I saw sunshine through your sewing room window!!! Whilst I HAVE RAIN RAIN RAIN pouring down on me!!! 'bye for now Pam.

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    1. Oh Pam you do make me laugh - rest assured that there is plenty of rain in Cakeshire - the sun was a fleeting glimpse and then away it went! Please don't overcharge customers - I would hate for you to be sacked as the result of daydreaming!

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  4. I have just found your blog, apart from marvelling at your gorgeous makes, I have been laughing out loud at your comments. This is not considered strange behaviour by the men of the family, who are used to me dragging them over to the computer to look at someone's blog. For boys 21 and 19 they are fairly tolerant of my obsessions. And now I found you, you are then off on a sabbatical, very unfair, but delightful blog.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Aunty Bee - this blog keeps me amused so always glad if it amuses others too. My of my sisters (you know who you are Gail..) said that it was all a waste of ruddy time (in a joking sort of way...I think...hope...). I work mainly from home so this blog could easily keep me fully occupied if I let it but I must show who is master sometimes!

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  5. Hello!! Lovely, Lovely.....Its not just time that goes into creating these pieces,it's love and you can tell!!! Happy Puttering!

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    1. Aww thank you kindly Maria. I must put 'puttering' back into daily usage!

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