Vintage treasure hunting

In the past couple of weeks I have had success in my vintage treasure hunting. I am always on the look out, I rummage, I act on hunches, I dig through piles, I grab anything that looks interesting, I examine,I check regularly and I ask. But often, it is just simply a case of being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes you have great success, sometimes you walk away empty handed. I always enjoy the hunt though!

These are from a local charity shop.

Perfect for Kate-Em! They need a clean up and the mounting needs sorting out but I couldn't leave these cross stitch pictures behind. They are Kate Greenaway figures and I already have the K one as my Godmother stitched it for me when I was born!

Charity shops are a fantastic source of buttons, once you have dug through all the little plastic bags of men's shirt buttons and random oddments. I don't know what I will use these on yet so into the button tin they go.

This piece of fabric was hard to photograph as it has a slight sheen to it. It looks a bit like a brocade but I don't think it is. I liked the delicate pattern and there was a decent length of it so I snapped it up.

I collect Stitchcraft magazines so when the lovely Lucy from 1940's style for you was selling some recently I was able to fill a few holes in my collection.

Very glamorous! Wish I looked like that answering the phone. Love the jumper.

Camels! Need I say more!?

Fabulous hat and mittens set.

Great hair, twinset and parrot!

Beautiful. I think I might like a nice fluffy bolero.

The vast majority of this haul I found at the fabulous Hebden Bridge Women's Institute Rag Market. This twice yearly event is run by some members of the WI and is a fantastic place for crafters to go shopping. The hall is packed with stalls piled with craft related goodness; fabric, wool, buttons, thread, patterns, notions, paper, books etc. Some of the stall holders are selling their stash, some are shop owners, some are selling the contents of their granny's attic. Everything is priced reasonably and it is a great place for a rummage. The recent market was so very good that I spent my budget by 9.45 (I was helping set up, it didn't open until 11am), and I had to pay a visit to the bank! It was worth it.

I found some fabric:

Gorgeous colours, heavy weight and a really good length for £2!

Modern John Lewis but looks very Mid Century.

Some small pieces of tweed for a project that is half formed in my mind!

I found some knitting patterns:

Apart from the lovely gloves I love the styling of this one.

I will probably be selling this one on as I am fairly sure I have it. Great hats!

I have to try this and see if it can indeed be knitted in 2 hours.

Intrigued by the peculiar cone hat which can be styled slouched or straight up!

I love the Growing up in Sirdar range for their colours and styling as much as the patterns.

I had to get this as the socks match the yoke of the jumper.

 Just a lovely set.

I found embroidered goodies:

Tablecloth with baskets of flowers in each of the corners.

Tablecloth with garland of flowers in each corner.

An oval cloth for a dressing table.

A really gorgeous tray cloth.

I found books:

I found buttons:

For 1950's Tyrolean knits.

Magnificent!

I found some random bits and pieces:

Boxed embroidered hankies.

Close up.

A marvellous crocheted doily.

Close up. Look how fine that work is.

A lovely cheery tin.

I found Stitchcrafts:

Great jumper and hat set.

I was very happy indeed with all my finds! Lots and lots of projects and ideas to be getting on with!

Hartnell to Amies. Couture by royal appointment exhibition.



Amies.
 Bronze & silver geometric patterned brocade
day dress with decorative fur tippet.
The first dress you see! I love a bit of brocade.

I spent a few days in London recently and went to this amazing exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum. It is only on until the 23rd February so if you get a chance to go in the next two days I really would do. It focuses on the timeless elegance of fashionable London couture and the selection of outfits is absolutely stunning. Only a few are behind glass, the rest are on mannequins so you can get quite close up and see all the amazing fine detail.

I thought about writing about the lives of Hartnell and Amies and their influence on couture but then realised that I just want to talk about the beautiful clothes and that others have written huge books on the subject. If you wish to read more about them and the period of couture featured in this exhibition then this book, this book and this book should cover it.

Norman Hartnell

Hardy Amies

I should just say that some of my pictures are a little dark as flash photography was not allowed. I am including the pictures that I think are the best. There are some lovely clothes that I have had to leave out as the lighting and lack of flash did not allow for a good picture. This applies particularly to a gorgeous 1950s black coat embellished with tiny black beads.

I am showing the outfits pretty much in the order that they are laid out in the exhibition so that it will be a little like taking a tour around it yourself. This is why they are not in period order.

There are lots and lots of photographs to come!

Hartnell. 1929.
Embroidered silk satin wedding dress for
Miss Oonagh Guinness.
The picture does not do it justice. It is so, so beautiful.

Close up showing beading round neck, waist and cuffs and
embellished bodice.

Close up of the embellishment on the train.
I can't imagine how much time and patience this work would have taken.

 Hartnell. 1935.
 Evening dress embroidered with
gold palliates.
Worn by HM Queen Mary.

 Close up of bodice. So twinkly!

Amies. 1968.
Hunting, shooting and fishing green tweed suit.
Worn by Lady Delamere.
Check out the knickerbockers!

 Hartnell. 1938.
Black crepe evening dress with matching beaded
bolero jacket.

Close up to show the pink rope twist bead embroidered decoration.
Such a gorgeous dress. One of my favourites.

 Amies. 1940.
Prince of Wales check fine woollen suit.
Worn by Mildred Shay.

The edges of the jacket lapels show the woven selvage stating
Made in England. This adds unusual detail.

 A view of the exhibition staging.

Hartnell. 1947.
A sketch of the wedding gown for  Princess Elizabeth.

 Examples of embellishment.
I love the Christmas cards. You could use these for inspiration for cards or
for making covered notebooks.

1938.
Sequin and feather hats worn by Virginia Cherrill.
I like the colour combination, classic metallic with a
 shot of pink.

I would like to see this on.

 Hartnell. 1930s.
Gold silk dress with large bow.

 Close up of bodice embellishment.
Hours and hours of work here, it is so pretty.

Hartnell. 1945.
Detail of embroidered black silk and velvet coat
with 3/4 sleeves. Known as the Jewel Coat.
Not to my taste but magnificent all the same.

 Amies. 1962.
Abstract white leaf printed blue silk day ensemble
of sleeveless dress and long sleeved loose coat.
Another favourite! I need a day ensemble!

Foreground - Amies 1950.
Blue and grey fine tweed suit with blue velvet collar
and slant flaps to pockets.

Background - Hartnell 1959.
Ribbed taupe and grey suit with a velvet collar.
These make me want a suit even though I have no need
of one.

Hartnell. 1956.
Blue crepe two piece suit with blue and white polka
dot detail. So lovely yet so simple.

 Hartnell. 1957.
Black and white printed silk three piece suit
with blouse top.
I like the cut and drape of this.

Hartnell. 1932.
Pale celadon bias gut gown.
So elegant!
Full length view of the Jewel Coat in the background.

 Love, love, love.

 Amies. 1960.
Dark red and black printed, glazed man made satin
cocktail dress. Boat shaped neck, fitted bodice,
3/4 sleeves and a full skirt.
I need this dress.

Amies. 1952.
Copper satin strapless cocktail dress with a fitted
bodice and a full reinforced skirt with wide pleats.
Love the colour!

 Hartnell. 1952.
Chartreuse beaded evening dress.
The photo does not do the colour justice. It is a truly
stunning dress. I want it alot.

Close up of the incredibly detailed beading.

Lovely grey beaded evening gown.
I don't seem to have written down who this is by
but it is too pretty to leave out.

 Close up of the bodice beading.

 Background. Amies. 1950.
Ivory silk evening dress with a fitted bodice, sweetheart
neckline and an open back to a full skirt with draped
panel decoration.

Foreground. Amies. 1981.
Cream silk taffeta wedding dress with long sleeves.
It has a draped bustle effect held by bunches of white
roses. Worn by  the Duchess of Buccleuch.

 Bodice detail.

 Hartnell. 1959.
Embroidered crystal bead vermicelli pattern grosgrain white
evening dress.

Close up of beading on bodice.
Look at all that work!

Hartnell. 1956.
Satin organza wedding dress worn by Lady Anne Coke.

 Close up of the silver corded lace bodice.
How gorgeous!

Hartnell. 1953.
Embroidered sky blue and white silk faile evening dress.
I don't know that I like this dress but the detail is amazing.

Close up of the embellished collar.

Hartnell.1966.
Brown silk satin short evening dress.
This looks stunning but very wearable.

 Close up of white and crystal bead geometrically embroidered bodice.

 Hartnell. 1952.
Pearl grey gathered and draped shot silk taffeta cocktail
dress with wrap around panel.
I think this is a really interesting shape.

Amies. 1965.
Scarlet nubbed wool cape with black and white
checked fabric lining.
I would love to have this cape.

 Amies. 1968.
Pink and gold abstract patterned brocade evening coat
with long sleeves.
Another lovely piece of brocade.

 Close up of fabric.

Hartnell. 1962.
Sky blue satin cocktail dress with floating fringed sash
and saucer button decoration.
Worn by the Duchess of Leeds.

 Close up of pleating and saucer buttons.
I bet it looks amazing on.

Amies. 1980.
Pink chiffon and net embroidered cocktail dress with
full skirt.
Worn by  Barbara Cartland.

 Close up of bodice embellishment.
Again, not to my taste but I had to include it because it just screams
Barbara Cartland.

The Queen.
Hat close up in next picture.

An interesting hat! I like the fact that you can see how
the flowers were made.

These three dresses are by other designers, there was a small section at the end of the exhibition of the work of contemporaries of Hartnell and Amies.

On the left is a wedding dress made by Worth London in 1950. It is a cream damask full skirted , pleated dress with a drop shoulder bodice. Worn by Miss Peggy Cummins.

In the middle is a pink silk organza suit by Michael of Carlos Place in 1960. It is a straight dress with a waisted jacket with 3/4 length sleeves.

On the right is a pale green zibeline butterfly and leaf diamante evening dress made by Cavanagh in 1962. It has slim shoulder straps and a slim bow at the waist. It was worn by Lady Daphane Straight.

Dotted throughout the exhibition were sketches of designs by Hartnell and Amies. This are beautiful works of art, finely drawn with the detail painted in. The photographs are not brilliant but I am including a couple as I don't want to leave them out of the story.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the exhibition.