And now for something (slightly) different ...

1) excuse the ever changing layout, I have the fidgets.

2) yes I do seem to be on blogging / photography overdrive.

3) here, have some rather nice things to look at. Skip this post if you aren't interested in antiques or clothing!

Not many people know that I have always had a bit of a thing for vintage clothing - by vintage I don't mean 60s and 70s crimpelene and Primarni type static attacks, but more antique.
Where I used to live there was one tiny antique shop, perfectly set inside a very old end building - the clothes were upstairs and it was great not to have to duck like anyone else to avoid very low ceilings! This is going back to my yoof, so I certainly didn't have much money and would rummage to find anything I could afford - I suspect it was usually birthday or Chrimbo money.

Anyway, I still have a few of my beloved antiques and dug them out of hiding the other day - I plan on framing them all, ideally in box frames so they don't get too squished. It's a shame to have them out of sight but I don't want them in the air as they will just get damaged or scoffed by moths.

So here is one of my beauties - an Edwardian jacket. I had the skirt too but no idea what became of that sadly.

'Scuse the piccies / background, I will have to get some better photos before I frame this.

From around 1901.

I love this - it is totally handsewn except for the longer side and sleeve seams - by hand sewn I don't mean on a hand cranked machine but stitched with a needle and thread. It's very small (maybe a UK size 8) with a larger bust, very much the silhouette of its time.

The material feels like a lightweight wool, in a deep blue, with what feels like silk for the cream piece at the neck. The entire jacket has an underlayer, also handsewn with tiny hooks and eyes to fasten as has the jacket outer.

There is a small area of patching which was done before I bought it - I must have had this for around 30 years. The lining itself feels and looks like a soft cotton.
The embroidery sections are heavy and intricate - I am sure they have specific names but I don't pretend to be anything near an expert! If anyone knows more please do shout out, I would love to know.

The jacket is boned inside, again by hand - it certainly isn't the neatest or tiniest stitching around but this would have been everyday wear rather than something spectacular for evenings. Tis maybe the equivalent of me throwing something together for myself on my machine ... The larger hooks were to fasten the matching skirt so that it hung like a dress.

I love the detailing on the back, again stitched by hand - tiny pleats.

The sleeves are very full and taper to slim fitting cuffs which also fasten with hooks and eyes.

Amazingly there is very real damage to it - it has literally been 'stored' in a carrier bag. There is some fraying on one of the front edges

and the aforementioned patching inside.

There.

One of the few things I own that is of any monetary worth, but very precious in terms of personal interest.

I suspect this post will have been utterly boring for those looking for SCKC gossip ;-)

(pee ess - is this layout and font bearable?)