Vintage Fair at Kelham Hall

We headed to Kelham Hall last Saturday, to go to the Big Vintage festival.  We were looking forward to it, but at the same time, weren't quite sure what to expect.

Kelham Hall is an impressive place, although somewhat of a mish-mash of styles.  The main building is Victorian Gothic, but there is also a large chapel, called The Dome, which was built in the 1920s by the monks who owned it at the time.
As we went in, we could only see one room and were disappointed, but then we found that there were lots more stalls in the Dome as well, so we were relieved about that. The signage could have benefited from being more obvious!

Before I tell you what I bought, I did spend a lot of time looking upwards. The ceilings were amazing.

 Yes, it's over the top, but you have got to love the Victorian Pugin-esque decoration!

 Flashes of gold abounded and there were very few unpainted areas.

 It could be a Cathedral.

 There were amazing carvings on the many pillars too.  We would love to go back and have a proper guided tour so that's something to add to the list.

 So, what did I buy?  Well, as you know, I do enjoy buying material and yes, that's what I bought this time.  The daisy pattern material reminded me of some pottery bowls we have at home and was so cheerful that it just had to be purchased.  Then there was an embroidered dressing table set.  I immediately thought that I could cut off the embroidery (said very quietly, as it could be thought to be sacrilegious!)and applique it to something else, like bunting.

 I love the butterfly motifs and I would like to be able to see them, rather than have them languishing in a drawer somewhere! It is very careful embroidery.

This mad green patterned material and I have met before, as I saw it at a previous vintage fair I went to and deliberated about it, before putting it back.  So, when I saw it again, I thought, it's fate - I am meant to have it!  It is a cotton and I think there is enough to make a sleeveless summery top.  Yet another thing to add to my 'It would be nice to make that...' list!  Unfortunately, there are no tea and cake photos as we didn't have any - the tea room was far too busy and the bar just didn't have the right ambiance!  I also paid a deposit on a 1950s style dress with a full skirt in a pink rose print which was lovely, but just a little big around the waist.  The lady from Unique Frocks is going to alter it for me, so I am looking forward to getting that in a few weeks' time.
I haven't talked about the blue materials which can be seen in the top photo, but they came from the Newark Antiques Centre which we visited before heading home and there is a story to be told there, but that is for another post...

Vintage Fairs

 

Yesterday, a friend and I headed off to sample the delights of two vintage fairs being held in Lincoln.  As she said, 'vintage fairs here are like buses, nothing for ages and then two turn up together!'  Above is a photos of the cathedral, just because I like it!

The first fair was held at the University of Lincoln, at The Engine Shed, a venue which used to be, yes, you've guessed it, an engine shed!  There were quite a few people there and we were there when it started.  It was a real trip down memory lane and the 1980s fashions with ruching, bows and dropped waists were very familiar. In fact, I owned several of those types of dresses!  There was also a plethora of crimplene but also some very nice 1950s and 1960s dresses too, though, sadly, not in my size.  The music was quite random though and didn't really fit so well with the vintage theme. I bought some material and hope that there is enough for me to make a tunic dress.

The next fair was organised by Britain does Vintage and was at the Drill Hall, a lovely theatre/music/comedy venue which used to be, yes, a Drill Hall!

 I must admit, of the two fairs, this was our favourite.  The music was suitably vintage too, ranging from the 1940s to the 1960s.  There were some beautiful 1950s dresses here too, and one in particular caught my eye.  It had red roses on it and a high collar at the front, then at the back, the collar dipped down and had a lovely bow with long tails which covered the zip. It had a full skirt and I could just imagine myself in it. Sadly, it wasn't my size though.

 The other thing we really liked about this fair was the tea room above the main hall.  It was decorated with patriotic and floral bunting and had proper china.  The ladies serving the refreshments were dressed in vintage clothes and the music was mainly from the 1940s - Glenn Miller featuring quite a bit.  In the photo above, you can see the cake I chose (and delicious it was too) and a little lemon pot which my friend bought as a Christmas present for a member of her family as she collects them.  I bought more material!

Here are the two rather different patterns I bought.  I'm not sure how vintage they are, but they were very good value. The Liberty-type pattern was from the first fair and the fabulous floral number was from the second. (I showed them to Chris, who said the one on the right was 'a bit loud').  He's probably right, but I like it!  The plan, as I mentioned, is to make them into tunic dresses, to be worn with leggings and ankle boots at this time of year.  However, I am seriously contemplating a few sewing lessons because I am not at all confident about making clothes and I think a bit of tuition from someone who knows what they are doing would help.  I really want to make some clothes, so watch this space...

My mad skirt

I happened to be in a little vintage/retro/eco clothes shop last week and was drawn to a skirt due to this fantastic material. I looked at it, put it back on the rail, went and looked round the shop again and then came back to it. I love the colours and the over-the-top pattern. So, I bought it. The zip was broken so I was able to get a discount, but it then meant I had to undo it to put a new zip in. I have bought a new zip, but haven't yet plucked up the courage to sew it in, not having had much experience in the zip sewing department. Still, if it all goes horribly wrong, I can always make a cushion or a top out of it instead! Nothing like having a Plan B!

A New Bag!

I was in a charity shop the other day, looking at their selection of bags. I needed a new bag for carrying my lunch and other necessities to work, but the lockers at work are quite small. I looked for a while and then it hit me! Why not make your own bag? Earlier in the year, I had treated myself to a simple but fabulous Janome sewing machine which spends a lot of time sitting about doing nothing, so here was a great opportunity!

From the mountain of material we have secreted away in the loft, I chose this rather fetching vintage floral number that was originally either upholstery or curtain fabric. I used a simple pattern from the book, "Yeah, I made it myself" which I adapted. It was relatively simple to do but probably wouldn't stand up to really close scrutiny as my measurements were not that accurate. Still, for a first attempt at a lined bag, I am really proud of it and no-one will have one the same! I added a velcro strip to close it for security and can't wait to use it. The other good thing is that because the lining is calico, the bag is washable. I'm not the world's best at sewing or using a sewing machine, but it took me about four hours or so to do, and saved me from spending any precious pennies!