For the last few months, I've been working my way through a collection of patterns that I've acquired; some were free in magazines, others in my fave shop in Chepstow 'Serendipity' so I hadn't spent loads and I always enjoy trying to match something in my existing fabric stash to one of these patterns.  A couple of months ago I was lucky enough to collect many many big bags of vintage dress-making fabric courtesy of the friendliest estate agent in Bath, what a coup!  I rummaged through and whilst it was was all lovely, mostly plain cottons, corduroys and some viscose, there wasn't anything particularly hippyish or what I was hoping for from those crazy days.  However, when I spotted this gorgeous white fabric with cute lemon and blue flowers I knew I'd found my treasure.  It's super thin, so I'm not sure what it was intended for but I used it on Simplicity 1609 as it has a retro look to it and I knew the style would set the border off well.  It was a straightforward pattern and apart from lengthening the front facing to protect my modesty I love the dress!!  It's a very fitted shape, with 2 pairs of front darts and a long rear zip.  I had to purchase an M&S full length slip to go underneath, you know, like your mum used to wear, but I have to say, it's one of the most comfy pieces of lingerie I've ever owned!! Who'd have thunk it?!  Please excuse the criminal photo below…

For this dress I was mostly listening to: Burning by The War On Drugs

Oops, where did that time go?  I do have an excuse though, I've been preoccupied acquiring a new addition to the Turner household.  No, it's not a fluffy rabbit or a cute puppy, her name is Mabel and she's a Sprite Musketeer, yep, I'm now proud to announce that I'm a caravanner!  And Mabel is finally on home turf having been purchased on ebay a few weeks ago and kindly collected and looked after on my lovely friends' farm (thanks the Gibsons!).  She's now cluttering up the front lawn and creating much interest from the neighbours, who are all keen to have a nose, but probably more interested in finding out just how long exactly, she's going to be parked there?!
As a child we had many fun caravan holidays; for years in large static vans in Cornwall and Devon and then when my dad became more brave, he bought a Sprite Alpine that soon became very loved and well used.  I can still remember the classic brown and orange combo that it was kitted out in, complete with orange melamine cups and as you can see, Mabel seems to be very similar, even though she's a bit younger (1986). She needs some tlc and this extends further than my anticipated fabric makeover as, inevitably, there is some damp and my husband, although sceptical at first, has grasped this challenge with both hands and can often be caught perusing caravan parts websites late in the evening!  I nearly fell over when he declared 'it's going to be fun!' Here are some photos of her now and as I revamp the old girl, I'll post some more.  Still not sure what colourway to go for, maybe teal and red or green and blue or something very different.  All I can guarantee is that she won't be 'shabby chic' as that isn't my style at all.  New curtains, flooring, seat covers and accessories for starters, then we'll see what the local car boot sales offer for the rest.  The children are very excited and wanted to sleep in her the first night, emptying half their bedrooms into her within minutes.  We'll try to squeeze a cheeky weekend away in her this summer and park her on a site somewhere next summer.  A site that allows old ladies to visit and not just brand new, all singing, all dancing caravans that is...