Home

Monday 15 June 2015

I Made It Monday - "Mabel Midi"

Welcome back to "I Made It Monday!"

Today I'm wearing something which was half made by me, half made by my Great Grandmother 50 - 60 years ago!

 

I was recently given sewing patterns and fabric which had belonged to my Great Grandmother Mabel.  The oldest of the patterns is for a Nightgown from 1923!  She would have brought this pattern with her when she migrated from Scotland to Australia.

Great Grandma Mabel made everything herself using her peddle powered sewing machine; all of her clothes and even underwear! 

Amongst the fabric remnants was a skirt, with only the side seams sewn.  I was told that she always wore dresses, so this would have been the bottom of the dress but sadly the top was nowhere to be found.  As Mabel was a "sturdy" woman there was enough fabric to make a pleated midi skirt and cut some off the bottom to make into a waist band. 

It is so special to me to work on a piece started by my Great Grandmother.  To think she had lovingly selected this fabric, washed and ironed it, then started to turn it into a garment long before I was born is remarkable. 


Skirt: Vintage collaboration between myself & Great Grandma Mabel / Top: Saba (old)
Shoes: Jane Debster / Purse: Thrifted / Necklace: Refashioned Thrifted



I used lots of hand sewing to be in keeping with how Mabel would have sewn.  I did use my overlocker on one seam, telling myself that if Mabel had an overlocker she would have used it, but then I felt guilty as I wasn't preserving the vintage integrity of the piece so I finished the other side seam using just the sewing machine.  Talk about over thinking a seam!

I used a similar method to this to construct the skirt, but just made 2 box pleats in both the front and back.

As it was a cold day I needed my fav jacket
Jacket: Laura Ashley (old) / Scarf: Seed (old)

No, I'm not striking a fancy pose... I'm falling off my own feet!
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband who catches me at my most awkward moments!

Needless to say this skirt has become an instant favourite which I've dubbed the "Mabel Midi"!  So brace yourselves, you'll be seeing a lot of it! 

I can't wait to style it for summer!


11 comments:

  1. What a wonderful and interesting story behind this skirt. I really enjoyed reading it. Isn't it funny that fabric from so long ago is quite on-trend today? P.S. Your caption on your last photo had me giggling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Beth! I'm so in love with this skirt, because of the look and the history behind it.

      I think my husband takes more candid shots than good ones! One day I should do an "outtakes" post and you can all see what a dork I am!!! X Allison

      Delete
  2. I wish I was talented enough to do something like this. Such a beautiful story and skirt - I love the blue and rusty-red colour combination too.

    Sara xx
    www.girlintheprettydress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Sara!

      You can sew! It just takes practice, like learning any new skill. I'll be posting a really simple skirt tutorial soon which would be great to start with.

      X Allison

      Delete
  3. My great grandmother was named Mabel too! She did love to sew and make clothes as well! What a lovely skirt that you can keep forever!

    www.mylittlenest.org

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ruth! Amazing that you had a Mabel too, it's a perfect Great Grandma name!!
      X Allison

      Delete
  4. I LOVE this skirt. Such an amazing story. Thank you for falling over yourself to share it with us. Haha. Bron x

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is a lovely skirt! I love the print so much!!

    By the way, found you via the linkup. Hope we can connect on GFC and social media :)

    xo,
    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Abby for taking the time to comment! I'm looking forward to reading your blog. X Allison

      Delete
  6. OMG i want to orgasm in that pretty skirt

    ReplyDelete