Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customising vintage pieces, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes – Dita Von Teese
Upcoming events for 2012
Visit the Events page to find some of the places I’ll be appearing at this year to speak about Minxy Vintage. Free styling sessions, workshops and champagne soirees aplenty… hope to see you at one or more.
x
Aprons in your downtime
This is Mabel. Mabel’s mother Alison came along to the handmade gifts workshop at Surry Hills Library just before Christmas, and knocked up this oilcloth apron in an hour or so following instructions from my book, The Crafty Kid: projects for and with children.
These aprons have to be one of the simplest and most gratifying craft projects to create. Excellent gifts, the oilcloth also renders them perfect for little ones in the kitchen because they’re so utterly food-proof – simply wipe clean. I even made a grownup’s version for myself.
MINI-ME APRONS
Materials
For an apron fit for your favourite five-year-old, a 35cm wide x 45cm high piece of oilcloth
2 metres ribbon
2 metres bias binding
2 colours embroidery thread; one to match bias binding, one in a contrasting colour
Embroidery needle
Scissors
Ruler
One round saucer or small plate
Pen
Instructions
1. Take your rectangle of oilcloth, ruler and pen. Measure and make a small mark 10cm in from the top right hand corner of the oilcloth, and 15cm down.
2. Place one quarter of the saucer on the spot where these two lines will intersect, and use your pen to draw around the outside, directly onto the oilcloth.
3. Use scissors to cut away the excess fabric beyond the line you have made.
4. Repeat the above two steps on the top left corner of the oilcloth.
5. Take your bias binding, apron-shaped oilcloth, and fold the binding over the edge of the bottom left-hand corner. Secure in place with a couple of small, firm stitches, then use a running stitch to affix the bias binding around the entire border.
6. When you reach a corner, fold the bias binding under itself and keep stitching. You might want to insert another stitch diagonally at each corner, just to be safe.
7. When you get to the end, leave a few millimetres and chop off any excess binding. Fold underneath at an angle and stitch firmly in place.
8. Place one end of the shortest length of ribbon to the top right corner of the apron, at the back. Use your contrasting embroidery thread and needle to affix with three small, ‘x’ shaped stitches.
9. Close the loop by securing the other side in place as well.
10. Secure the remaining lengths of ribbon to either corner just underneath the armhole with the same ‘x’ stitches. Et voila, you’re done.
Cute Christina in her adult-size apron
Crisscross
Frocks published in China & Love Vintage
I just returned home after a lovely, meandering chat about vintage on morning radio with ABC 702′s Deborah Cameron and setting up a Minxy Vintage window display at Cammeray Bookshop, when I heard the news A Life in Frocks is being translated into Chinese! What a thrill to see my book written in the language I so struggled with learning a decade ago (Mandarin, that is… although I was living in Hong Kong at the time, I didn’t even attempt Cantonese – typical gwei-lo).
Pop on your dancing shoes & head to Love Vintage
Writing this post in a stolen half hour before heading off to Love Vintage, in full shopping mode and ready to officially open the fair tonight (shopping first, officiating second). Here’s a few reasons why you need to be there:
- Discover stylish, quirky, glamorous gear for girls and guys, plus designer vintage fashions from New York, London and Paris
- Attend my free workshops on how to wear and revamp vintage for a modern look
- Shop for linen, lace, jewellery, antique tablecloths, hand-made aprons, buckles, vintage sewing patterns, magazines, antique prints, jewelled ’50s compacts & lipstick cases, rare Bakelite brooches, the prettiest parasols, and so much more
- See summer and special occasion fashion presented by Mistress of Parades, Miss Bonnie Rose
- Learn tips and tricks for perfect ‘hair and hat’ race-day styling with the Mistresses from the Lindy Charm School for Girls
- Enjoy presentations of gorgeous gowns from the 1920s-70s
- Buy fabulous shoes, hats and handbags to complement a race-day outfit, classic suit to wear in the office, or to-die-for party dress.
Tonight is ‘Best Dressed in Vintage’ night, so dress to impress. There’s also prizes being given out all weekend, so you can rock your favourite vintage look anytime at the show.
Be there or be square.
Learn of the Evans sisters' intriguing story, and see their original 1930s dresses up close
Craft me s-l-o-w
Miss Olive, all toasty & warm
I demarcated the month of June ‘relaxation’, but of course have taken such time to unwind, I’m extending the self-imposed break for another couple of weeks and James will be joining me soon with time off (hooray).
We’re staying in Sydney to be tourists in our home town for a change. With food tours, novel reading, lunch at Quay and ferry rides on the agenda, I’m switching the phone and brain off for a while before embarking on the next project, which is already underway. And I will eat with abandon – Snow Eggs, here we come.
This week has been such a happy winding-up of all the things I’ve been working on this year. On Tuesday, I journeyed in to Murdoch Books to talk to the sales team about Minxy Vintage: How to Customise & Wear Vintage Clothing, which hits bookstores in October. And on Wednesday I had a Crafty Kid workshop at Gleebooks with 15 or so children on school holidays, which was such fun. Here’s some pics from the day below.
I finally finished crocheting my scarf and love it so ‘darn much, I’ve bought some divine merino yarn in lilac, shell-pink and daffodil to create a smaller version for Olive (although she’s quite happy for the moment sporting a beanie and scarf bought from the Rozelle Markets for a few dollars apiece, and adorned with my crocheted roses). And I turned the last page on a superb novel by one of my favourite writers. I hadn’t read Muriel Spark’s A Far Cry from Kensington before, but it’s an absolute must for anyone working in, or fascinated by, the world of book publishing. Much mirth.
And we had a tradesman over the other day to quote on fixing some things in our house. In a moment of irritation, I mentioned how frustrated I am with the limitations of our tiny, rundown, fifties-era kitchen – namely, the fact you can’t swing the proverbial cat in it (not that I would, promise, but it would be lovely to not feel crowded when more than two people are in it). With a thick Slavic accent he responded, “Be lucky you have house”. Quite. All the reminder needed while these icy winds whip our city and we nestle, so cosily, by the fire.
An alien hand puppet from the Crafty Kid workshop
Sweet Alice & her ribbon brooch
Orange the Dog & Snowy the Owl hand puppets
It’s all about the crochet
Pansies made with Rowan Kidsilk Haze
Another love affair has begun – I’ve gone mad for crochet. And not just with any yarn, but the dusky-coloured wool I’ve chosen to make these two favourite crochet projects with.
The above is 70% super kid mohair and 30% silk (Rowan Kidsilk Haze). Heather Hunt, our fab Calico & Ivy crochet teacher came up with the pattern but I’ve been modifying it as I’ve gone along, basing changes on the pansies Olive picked out at Rozelle Markets last weekend.
Below is the scarf I’ve ground to a halt with. Must start up again soon, but somehow the pansies are far more satisfying, given they’re completed in under an hour.
For images of the crochet and string quilting classes I’ve been attending, check out the Calico & Ivy blog, which is of course new favourite supplier for all things woollen and haberdashery-wise.
Gaga for these Japanese pattern books as well...
Debbie Bliss Andes in a mustard tone, and more Kidsilk Haze
Knitting will have to wait -
Free workshops at Fixit Fest
Take advantage of these events organized by Waverley Council, and say no to waste and our increasingly throwaway culture. Fixit Fest is coming up, with workshops to passing on knitting, sewing, re-upholstery and darning skills – I’m keen on the upholstery one myself.
Drop-in knitting and darning workshop
Date: Sunday 5 June
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: part of ‘Bondi the Beautiful’ Fair at Bondi Park, located near the kindy farm
Details: Learn how to hem, darn or knit with Fixit Fest’s volunteers. Bring an item to darn or use what’s there. Bookings not required – free hot soup for the first 50 people.
Upscale your upholstery workshop
Date: Saturday 18 June
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: Rose Bay Secondary College, Dover Heights
Details: Learn how to re-upholster a chair to give it a fresh new look. Places strictly limited – book at eleanorr@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 02 9369 8242.
Funk up your wardrobe workshop
Date: Sunday 19 June
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: Rose Bay Secondary College, Dover Heights
Details: Learn sewing, repairing and alteration techniques to make at least one fully-recycled, customized piece. Sewing machines provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Places strictly limited – book at eleanorr@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 02 9369 8242.
Gimme skills
Completed: one headband for Ruby's birthday, modelled by Olive
I have just had the most inspiring weekend. Which, considering I’m in the throes of a full-blown chest infection, was not expected. Conversations with creative people which resonated and made so much sense, from the Books & Nooks event yesterday with Pia Jane Bijkerk to a five year old’s birthday party next door.
Case in point: I was chatting to Maja, co-0wner and jewellery designer from Polli on Sunday. Maja’s gone mad for knitting; making jumpers and scarves and beanies and all sorts of complicated things lately. Because she runs a business and is a mother and no longer actually makes much jewellery anymore (like Dinosaur Designs, Polli started at Paddington Markets before growing massively both here and internationally, while retaining their Made in Australia, by hand ethos), Maja needed to find a new hobby, and knitting is it.
I can’t tell you how much satisfaction I’ve had in learning to crochet this week at Calico & Ivy. With sewing my job now – what with the books and workshops, etc. – it feels like a wholly indulgent, relaxing pastime again to be making for the pure pleasure of it. And it’s given me the confidence to think, what new dizzying heights of craftiness could I be scaling? I have a view to mastering knitting myself. The first project? A beautiful, bold-shouldered cardigan, taken from an original 1940s pattern. Wish me luck.
My hexagon blanket takes shape
The rosette cushion I long to make, at Calico & Ivy
And the mohair scarf I will try next, Calico & Ivy
Easter craft at Calico & Ivy
Amy (aka Badskirt) at Calico & Ivy
Sydney crafters have a new heartland – Calico & Ivy‘s Balmain store, managed by the lovely Sarah Wheatley and sales assistants Donna & Amy (Ms Badskirt herself). I am feeling the onset of a new addiction, and not just for the two charming Japanese pattern books I couldn’t resist buying yesterday (even though I know, in my heart, I will not be making that smock dress for some time, given the current writing schedule). It’s the kind of store you just want to curl up and live in.
While rain pelted down on the corrugated tin roof of 10 Birchgrove Rd, we 15 or so sat down to high tea, Zumbo macarons, Sarah’s homemade cake and a trunk full of felt and pearl thread to construct fripperies for Easter, based on some of the projects from The Crafty Kid. A cooler bunch of crafty women you could not hope to meet – it was a gas.
Sign up to the newsletter to receive this year’s workshop schedule. I’m heading along to make a proper quilt for myself, sharpish. Love love.
Too many treats
At work, with a bolstering champagne or three
My kind of colour palette
Calico & Ivy's inspiring manageress
Easter motifs a-go-go
Bunny hand puppet
Felt flower egg cosy
Never fear, Artspark is here
Travis with his Artspark creation
Nervous about filling the upcoming school holidays with meaningful activities, especially when it’s bucketing down outside? Artspark is running sewing and art classes every day throughout the duration. Go for one or as many as you like, or two-day sewing workshops for 5-15 year olds. The school’s also running term classes starting May 9th for 8 weeks.
Some inspiring workshops at Artspark:
2 to 3 year olds – Tuesday and Thursday at 10am
3 to 5 year olds – Monday and Friday 9am to 12 noon
3 to 5 year olds – Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1.5 hour art classes weekly
5 to 10 year olds – art after school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
5 to 10 year olds – Sewing after school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
10 to 15 year olds – Advanced Sewing after school on Tuesdays
5 to 10 year olds – Drawing after school on Tuesdays
There’s also adult sewing classes on Tuesday eveings and Wednesday mornings. Enjoy!
Make Do Mend London
London's Make Do Mend
Crafty chic hen 'do
UK reader Isabel put me on to Make Do Mend: apparently crafty hen ‘dos and baby showers are taking place in London hot spots such as Covent Garden’s The Hospital Club (below).
Surely only a matter of time before the trend catches on here?
Bellini Bar at The Hospital Club
Tea and crochet with Make Do Mend
High tea and craft... a match made in heaven