The Real Deal.

Hullo All!


Some of you may remember me showing you the patch that I embroidered for my quilt? Well, if not, here's a snap of what I'm on about to jog your memory.

"My Attempt!"

Here's the link to the original post

 

Well, forget about my measly attempt because the real deal arrived in parcel form a couple of Fridays back!

It certainly puts my embroidery to shame-  It's so neatly worked. (pah!) It took all my strength not to show you then and I'm glad I can finally let it loose on the interweb now.

So, what do you think?

I know nothing about the original owner, except that it also came with the sweetest little aluminium frame. I'm pretty certain that they belong together; due to the fact that both frames have the same thick, black tape on the back! I know, this hardly confirms anything, but the tape used isn't the sort that is usually used on such items. My ma says it's 'mans tape' and thinks it was embroidered by a chap and I must say, I rather like this theory! I like to imagine that the chap in the frame is also the chap who embroidered it! Oooh, perhaps he did it while convalescing or perhaps 'he' did it whilst in the confinement of his P.O.W. camp, and then gave it to his beloved?!!! OK, maybe its a little fanciful, but the Red Cross did ask for people to send items to keep the POW boys busy...who knows?!

These embroideries could be worked and framed like my one or used to decorate different household and personal items (more ideas can bee seen in this snap). I particually like the Radio Times cover.... I want, I want, I want!

And the frame that came with the embroidery...

^ What I call a dish with a fine head of hair!
This little frame is only 3 x 4 inches and is super cute.
I love the fact that this frame has printed inside the words...

"Real Aluminium
British Make "

A real sign of the times!


 

All in all, it was a very lovely little bundle to receive and will be very much treasured by me!

 

***

Oh, and here are some very silly snaps of me with some of my my pin-ups- John Gregson, David Niven, Bing and yes that's Arthur Askey in the background! Tommy Trinder and Roger Moore are also on my wall of fame, but unfortunately I'm sitting in front of them!
I hate to think what the original owner would say or think if he saw me wearing his "best blue" like this... ah well... Sorry Mr. R.A.F chappy!

 

Happy R.A.F Friday All,

Have a wonderful weekend...

 

Tups xxx

 

 

***

 

RAF Fridays so far...

 

The Apprentice and the Sweetheart.
R.A.F. Friday Christmas Special

R.A.F War Pictures

Nothing but Patches
It's a Piece of Cake
Mrs Pickup's
Knitting for the R.A.F
Love Is In The Air
Double Trouble
One Mans Photo's
The Rings
Here Comes The Bride...
The Other Box
The Box
Mayday! Mayday! She has bought more wings...

Show me your Colours.

And suggest a patch!

People sound the trumpets and bring out ye flags, Tupney has nearly finished her patchwork!
Yes, I have very nearly finished turning my patchwork panel into the planned cushion. All I really need to do now is to pull my finger out and do a row of proper stitching and then it's complete....- simple. Yes it is simple, but at the moment such a task seems to feel like the most arduous task ever! So with that in mind, the cushion cover has now been filled and left on my bed with only the tacking threads holding it together!

The unfinished.. i mean nearly finished patchwork cushion next to one of my messy bookshelves....
(the wonkiness of this picture makes me feel a little queasy- ahh can't look at it!)

Well anyway I digress....
Whilst taking out the remainder of my patchwork guides, a snazzy new project suddenly popped into my noggin (I was taken quite unawares as I usually think up my good ideas in the shower- it's my thinking place.. but again I digress).

***
"Tupney! How about doing a patchwork quilt with the services, regiments and units embroidered onto it?
Forget all about how the hand sewing and the tiny stitches nearly tipped you over the edge on your previous project..... Forget all about how your poor fingers felt like they were going to fall off at the end.... and forget about the fact you are rubbish at embroidery, or at least haven't mastered the art of embroidery yet... you can learn!
Forget it. Banish the lot from your simple mind.

Tupney, just remember how you were so proud of those teeny tiny stitches and remember how you felt on completing your first patchwork... the sense of achievement and how you were so happy, that after all the hard work it, in you eyes anyway, didn't look pants!!!

And one last thing dearest Tuppy... wouldn't you just love to snuggle up under a quilt that has been adorned with all the things that interest you so..... (Yes! Yes I would). Oh go on, take up the gauntlet and strive for patchwork victory!"
(said the little voice in me head!)

So folks that's what I'm going to do.... I'm making me a quilt with the services embroidered onto it!
Now, it's still very much in the planning and development stage and I still haven't quite decided how I'm going to muster this technicolour beauty(Haven't a clue on the design, size, shape of patches, etc! Oh and its going to take me years to make it! ). But one thing I am sure about is that I want as many of the allied regiments/ unit thingies to be represented, and this is why I'm bloging about it- I want your help!

My little poster says it all really (see very top). I want your suggestions. Is there any in particular you would like to see represented on my quilt- unusual and the usual suggestions very much welcome....

So go on, Suggest a Patch- it may end up on my quilt!

Well, I suppose I better go and fish out my 'how to' books on embroidery and start practising.
Wish me luck!

Sincerely Yours

Tupney (the mad woman)
xxx

Oh lummy what I have I gone and done....

 



Crazy patchwork….

…. Or patchwork that sends you potty!

Last month, I started a new project (actually I started it on the first of the month if you’re interested!). A project that incorporated something totally alien to me…. Patchwork! Bet you couldn’t guess from the title eh!

I decided upon making a cushion cover as it was relatively small, and its something that is much needed - mine are rather dull and flat looking!

It took me four days in total to complete all the hand sewing, and blimey did my poor fingers pay for it! I’ve never done so much hand sewing in my life and I’m not sure if I ever want to again. I probably would average at about 18-20 stitches to an inch ( I say this with crossed eyes!) It was indeed enough to send me potty. Though luckily for me I didn’t have the added hassle of cutting out all the templates or the tacking of the patches as it was already done for me. You see, I had a box full of the patches come into my care, so all I had to do was to decide on how to arrange them and get stitching! I may moan and groan about doing patchwork now, but I suppose in some odd way it was quite an enjoyable project whilst I was stitching away…. Well it must have been because I finished it pretty quick and I did very little knitting!  (I say ‘finished’, that’s a little porky, as I’m still to find a nice piece of fabric for the backing.)

So here it is! My first attempt at patchwork!

As it’s not much to look at yet I have taken some photos of a patchwork with more interest and skill involved!

It’s one of my first and favourite items in my collection, and it’s very much treasured.

I started to collect twenties clothing before I found out that it was really far too much out of my league and before I moved on to the thirties and forties (which in all fairness is becoming the same way!)

It’s certainly a piece that has seen happier times, when its jewelled silks and velvets were paraded with such gaiety and pride for the marvellous handiwork involved in making this technicolour cutie. Unfortunately it has lost its sparkle somewhat. No more to be worn with all its shattered patches, and only to be admired by all who visit my room.

This little lovely has been hanging up on my wardrobe since I purchased it. I hadn’t the heart to pack it away. Well, what’s the point? The condition is ‘knackered’ yes, but I might as well get the enjoyment of seeing it every day if I can’t wear it!

I can only imagine where this dress has been and what the original owner was like. What about all the patches? What outfits did they get cut from? Grannies wedding dress maybe, or how about the girls first party dress!  Oh, what it would mean to know exactly!

it should have more of a dropped waist but it has been taken up a bit!

Worn by yours truly...

The inside....

the back... with funny arms!!!

...some of the patches and just look at all the lovely stitching!

and the inside!

I have my sights on making a crazy patchwork dress or garment of sorts of my very own…..maybe when I have some nice scraps and oh yes, some patience would be handy in the sewing department too! I'll keep you posted!!!

Tupney x