Showing posts with label Frances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frances. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Dreaming


..... about this beautiful fabric from a very lovely (and most generous) lady.

I'm thinking wrap skirt panel plus an a-line skirt.

In the meantime, Frances is quite enjoying her new draped dress.... it sure beats being naked on a chilly Melbourne morning!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Back on Duty


It's been a while since since good old Frances has had to work on any blog modelling assignments.

She's been patiently waiting in the corner, draped in all sorts of random junk that makes it's way into my office.


But today is her lucky day.... the random junk is now piled on top of the heater, and she's bathing in dappled sunlight.


I haven't made a teatowel apron for the longest time! This one is for a male friend of Bec's who has Scottish heritage (hence the lack of floral fabric).

Now if I could just find my metal snaps and snap setter to finish the adjustable neck strap......

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

To Be Read With A Fine Scottish Accent


Well hello my lovelies.  It is I, Frances.  I was ever so delighted when a few of you suggested yesterday that it would be lovely to know a little more about me.  I heartily agree.  

So with my dear Ms CurlyPops away on her great adventure I thought I would share my story.

It's a wonderful story, I'm sure you'll agree, and goes back a good long way.  Way back to the wee land of Scotland where I spent my years as a young lass.

I come from a long line of talented and passionate craftspeople.  Our family has a history that goes back many generations.  We are known for our work throughout the land, including resident staff positions for the royal family.  My father was a tailor's assistant and my mother a designer and fine dressmaker. 

In my early 20's I was blessed with an opportunity to move to Paris and begin my own career in the fashion industry.  I worked with many of the great Parisian design houses and it was a time of great joy in my life.  I learned so much, met amazing people and attended wonderful parties and events.

I met my first love Jean Paul in my first year in Paris.  It was love at first sight and within weeks we were ensconced in a magnificent apartment filled with fine furnishings in the most luxurious array of colours and textures.  As it is with love that starts with an inexplicable burning passion our flame petered out and we went our separate ways.

It was then, in my third year in Paris, that I met the great love of my life.  Antoinette was a shining light in a dark world.  A seamstress beyond compare, she made couture unlike the world has ever seen.  We had a wonderful life together, filled with warmth and laughter and love.

My darling Antoinette was lost to me in a tragic accident, of which I cannot bare to speak.  It is enough to say that for many years I was left completely bereft.

I had to make a break, seek out a fresh start in a brave new world.  I bought myself a one way passage to Australia and sought work as an assistant with a kind tailor.  Marco took me in, and I worked by his side until he retired in early 2009.

And that is how I came to live with my dear Ms CurlyPops.  I placed an ad in the local paper looking for a live-in assistant's role and found myself in the colourful and creative home of everyone's favourite crafty soul.

These days I'm living a much quieter life, which suits me just fine.  I just love to work with Ms CurlyPops.  She's always coming up with amazing new ideas and stunning, colourful, bright, happy creations.  I can't imagine a better way to spend my late years.

When Ms CurlyPops goes out I like to indulge in the wee tipple of a fine Scotch whiskey, and a few hands of poker.  I've been teaching Houdini Dog and Bastard Cat the finer intricacies of the game.  I can't say that I find either of them to be strong competitors, but I shan't lose all hope yet.

With Ms CurlyPops away on the great adventure I've been keeping the house running, taking care of my household companions and dreaming up all sorts of sewing projects.  I can't wait to talk to my mistress when she gets home.

Do come home soon my dear Ms CurlyPops.   We miss you.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Devastated

 
I went on a little op shopping mission with Beccasaurus last week, where she spotted this magnificent vintage dress. We're both a similar size, but I have quite narrow shoulders so it was more likely to fit me (OK, I admit that I might have been doing a happy dance in my head that it was more likely to fit me - sorry Bec).

It's been sitting on my kitchen bench ever since, so I thought it was about time to try it on (with the intention of wearing it to the market today).....


....and now I want to cry

It fits my shouders and my hips, but it's too tight around the boobs and the belly region.

So what to do???

I know that there are plenty of vintage dress lovers out there in blogland, so I'm giving it away.

It's labelled a size 10.5, so when comparing to my current size, I'm thinking that it will fit a slim size 10 or smaller. Frances is approximately a size 8 and it fits her quite easily.

It's 100% polyester baby and in great condition except for a small seam on the front which needs a little bit of re-stitiching. I haven't tried to wash it yet, so it's in the exact condition that I found it at the oppy.

If you think it will fit, leave a comment and I'll draw a random winner Monday night (Melbourne time).

Friday, June 26, 2009

Mission completed

I managed to ignore distractions yesterday afternoon and finish my Baguette handbag.

Frances kindly offered to model it for me thismorning - I thought that might be more attractive as I'm still in my banana print flannelette pj's (I could join the bananas in pyjamas).

This is my very first zippered handbag pocket. I'm actually amazed at just how easy it was (due to Nikki's fantastic instructions).

I'm going to fill it up with my various bits and bobs and hit the op shops later on today...yippee!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Watcha Wearing Wednesday

Well I'm not actually wearing anything that could be deemed interesting enough to blog about today.... although I did do a little op-shopping on Tuesday and picked up some new shorts, corduroy pants and jeans.
They're all in the washing machine right now.

Thanks for all the cheeriness yesterday. My mojo is back so I might actually switch the sewing machine back on today.... but I'm thinking that I might bake a chocolate cake first (don't get too excited... it's a Greens Packet Mix)!

So, this is Watcha Wearing Wednesday bought to you by Frances!

Frances is wearing a lovely vintage Queensland tea towel, which has been teamed with some fabulous cotton floral, and then finished off with spotty trim and straps to create an apron.

Frances likes baking biccies and muffins, and also a bit of flower arranging on the side while wearing her apron.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

A top year


1974 was a marvellous year....

Apologies to anyone who is getting tired of seeing photos of teatowel aprons!
This is what happens when a production line is running through the house.

I'm making Frances work hard at modelling for her money - no time for breaks here at CurlyPops HQ.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Love Fridays..... meet Frances

I've been searching high and low for a mannequin or dressmakers dummy for what seems like the longest time ever! I've tried freecycle, ebay, the oppy, secondhand shops.... all with no luck.

My mum arrived on my doorstep Wednesday night with a housewarming present - she was advertised in the local paper (a place where I would have never thought to look).
Mum suggested that I should christen her Frances, because that's her middle name... and now it's sort of stuck, so, may I introduce you to my new model - Frances.


The reason why she deserves to be my Love Friday post - well, now I don't have to model my own creations and try to take self-timed shots with the camera.

The home of Love Fridays....