Wedding bells and bombed out buildings

I had a wonderful time at my friends' wedding last night. One of the benefits of having both halves of the couple for 10 or so years was that their friends were my friends too. It's been a while since we were all together, so the occasion was extra special.

I wore my 1950s repro dress, made by my good friend Jamie of Gimme Shelter! boutique and vintage dressmaker. The hat is an eBay purchase from America. I threw on a topshop 40s inspired cardie for the chilly night air, although I warmed up pretty quickly once I was dancing. The full skirt and pettycoat were fabulous when I did some reasonable dancing and twirling with my multi talented dancing friend, Sanjay. They were less cool when I was headbanging to The Prodigy, when the late 90s rock came on and we relived our 'alternative' youths. Watching the Groom mosh in a kilt was worth the torturous journey there all on its own.

Indian/Scottish metal dance-off







The next morning a group of us went to visit Coventry Cathedral. During the war most of Coventry was destroyed in one night by bombing. The Cathedral was gutted, only the outside walls survived and it's been left as a monument, with the new Cathedral build on the side. It's quite beautiful to look at now, though very sad. There are lots statues and bible quotes about war, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation in and around the ruins. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

And just to illustrate that Coventry doesn't all look this nice (a legacy of hurried and cut-price building post war), here's a picture of the Toy Museum...you'd bring your child here right?

Busy busy busy

Last night was cutting out, and it took me forever!

I had to cut 4 of each piece, and since I'm rubbish at cutting straight, I took my time and did each piece twice. Then I had to do my tailor tacks and notches.

I now have all the pieces cut out and am going to stitch about half the bodice before bed tonight. I figure if I get half done tonight, half Wednesday, the skirt on Thursday and sew it all together on Friday, I can hem and finish etc at the weekend and will still have 3 days spare before Goodwood for any last minute bits and bobs. I know I have a repair to do on a pair of gloves I want to wear and I'm sure I'll find more to do once I start packing.

I'm really hoping to get it done before the weekend, as I'm probably going to be heading off to the Brecon Jazz festival with hubby. He grew up in the Welsh wilds not far from Brecon, so it'll double up as a visit to his parents and a chance to get some toe tapping done. Despite being in Brecon about six times a year for the last 5 years, we've never made the festival! I'll be pleased to finally see what all the fuss is about.

We might take a trip into Hay on Wye on the way home too (most shops are open on Sundays and closed Mondays instead) - some of my favourite antiques and vintage shops are in Hay, not to mention the bookshops. For those of you who don't know, Hay is basically a retirement home for second hand books. There are probably 20 or more second hand bookshops there, some of them are massive. Those books which don't get sold in any of the regular shops get chucked into the Castle bookshop - a courtyard in the ruined castle - on shelves, open to the elements. There's an honesty box and a standard charge of 50p a book - it's well worth a rummage! It's a wonderful place, very olde worldy, and between the shops and cafes you can waste a happy day there, just pottering. If you're ever in the vicinity it really is well worth a visit.

 

I've had a look through some patterns I've inherited from my Nan today. Most aren't to my taste but they're wonderful all the same. The children's dress is one my mum would have worn.

There is also a box of zip, saved over the years. There's a sign of a different generation, and of a poor upbringing. My mum says she remembers my great-grandad picking up bits of string in the street to keep.

Finally, and the best item, is the pattern my Nan used to make my Mum's wedding dress. It's in bad condition, but it's definately one to keep!