Sometimes the thrifty Gods are smiling.

There have been a few good things about our move up to Newcastle. Definitely one of the best as been the quantity and quality of the antique and op shops in the Hunter region. The antique shops sell wares for very reasonable prices, and there are at least 4 op shops in every town, over flowing with random bits and pieces.

I recently visited one such shop and found a stack of vintage patterns stuffed under a counter table stacked with miscellaneous crockery. I was told patterns were 50 cents each. As I was on my lunch break I didn't have the time to sort through the boxes to check the patterns individually for complete pieces and instructions. I asked what price they would accept for the three boxes, and just about fell over when the reply was $10. 

$10?!? I normally pay this for one vintage pattern on Etsy! So I handed over my blue $10 note and left with three boxes of sewing patterns!

~ The patterns all boxed up ~

~ Mt favourite little boy patterns ~

~ My favourite little girl patterns ~

~ My favourite of the vintage patterns ~

I spent an evening sorting through the boxes. There were soooo many patterns (expect a few giveaways people!) that I divided them up into piles: vintage patterns, more modern patterns I would wear, and those 80's style patterns that are just scary... I am set for children's patterns, the only thing I am missing are the actual kiddies ;-) The ladies vintage patterns were all darling, and there were also some odd ball patterns that are kinda cool. I have checked over half the patterns I want to keep and they are complete, which I am thrilled about.

~ What is it with cats, sunshine, and boxes? ~

What has been your best thrift store find?

Sam xox

Loving these.

Some of my favourite patterns for sale on Etsy at the moment (if only I had the time, fabric and money!).

~ Click Here ~

~ Click Here ~

~ Click Here ~

~ Click Here ~

~ Click Here ~

A girl can dream right?

Sam xox

The Madeline mini bloomers.

I finally whipped up my first pair of Colette Patterns bloomers this weekend. These are the Madeline mini bloomers and the pattern is available for free on the Colette Patterns website.

I used a soft pink quilting cotton and some burgundy ribbon. I followed the pattern pretty loyally until I came to the leg elastic bit. Instead of the pattern, I sewed a simple tube hem and gathered very thin elastic in each leg. I then sewed some lace over the top of the hem stitching line, and finished it off with some ribbon bows.

This is a very easy pattern to follow and the result is a very comfortable fit. The bloomers do not cover a lot of leg (hence I did not model these) but the pattern could be easily adapted by lengthening the legs to make a cute pair of shorts, or even three-quarter pajama pants.

A pattern I will definitely make again.

Sam xox