On My 1940's Playsuit!

I finished my 1940's playsuit for The Girl With the Star-Spangled Heart vintage playsuit sew along!

First, some technical details, which were going to get their own post, but didn't.

The initial sewing of the top went well...until I tried it on and realized that if I intended to move at all while wearing it there would be issues of exposing myself. Oops!      

As I certainly didn't want that, I added a contrasting strip of the fabric I was using for the shorts along the bottom, the problem was averted, and no eyes will have to be averted when I wear it.

For the shorts I decided to give underling a try, meaning you sew two layers of fabric together and then treat them as one piece. I was pleasantly surprised with how well this went. I also made a few adjustments to the pattern.

Layers basted together and partially sewn.

First, I added an inseam pocket because I like having pockets and since these shorts aren't super fitted I thought it'd be silly not to add one.

I also changed the side closure from snaps to buttons. In doing this I realized I had misunderstood the directions on my favorite skirt pattern for a side closure, not once, but twice. As they say, though, third time's the charm, so from now on my button closures will be done properly.

Buttons and front pleats.

I think the overall length of these could have been shortened about another inch. Had I done a muslin I could have caught this and adjusted the pattern, but like with the top I just jumped right in. In either case, though, while it's frustrating that I knew what to do to fix both issues, they are things I can live with.

Anyway, now for the pictures of the completed playsuit!    

Last night I pin curled my hair, which I haven't done for about a year and a half due to my hair being on the longer side and am decidedly pleased with the results. My hair always holds the curl really well without hairspray, so I'm not sure why I don't style it this way more often. I stuck a comb in one side, pinned the other side back, and got what I consider to be the perfect quick 1940's hairstyle.

And here's the back, where you can see how the top is almost even with the shorts. The back of the shorts seems to be prone to ballooning a little (not apparent in this photo, thank goodness), so I might add pockets to combat this or just wait to see if the fabric softens with more washing.  

While I'm not sure this look is entirely flattering on me (eh-hem, pleated shorts that means you), this outfit will be perfect for hanging around the house this summer! Stay tuned to see how my attempt to turn my childhood dress into a playsuit turns out!

♥♥♥

On “Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden”: A Book Review

Title: Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden

Author: Reginald Arkell

Genre: Fiction 

About the book…

First published in 1950, Reginald Arkell’s novel explores the life of a man whose world revolves around the garden and carrying for the things in it. Following the reflections of Herbert Pinnegar, known as “Old Herbaceous” in his advanced age, the reader is treated to an account of how he came to the Manor house and moved his way up to head gardener spanning the time of the Victorian era through WWII.

What I think…

I was attracted to this book based on the charming cover and the phrase “back in print after 50 years,” which is a phrase that tends pique my interest immediately.

While the life of a gardener may not sound like the most interesting of subjects, Herbert’s quirky, sometime cantankerous, behavior makes him very enjoyable to read about from beginning to end. This is one of those rare characters who has a passion that the author is fully able to delve into without making it seem tiresome or overwhelming, which is saying a lot since the whole book is devoted to gardening.

The small details such as his opinions on what plants to plant and why, how he reacts to a young man pretending to be the lady of the manor’s nephew when the gardens are opened to the public and his irritation when they took the metal garden gates for the war effort all make for very pleasant reading, as well as offering a slight (if not completely accurate) account of the times.

This book is well written and, while of a slower pace than I generally prefer, I felt that this pace suited the subject matter. This is truly a relaxing breath of fresh (garden) air, which I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t want it to end. 

To sum it all up… 

This is an absolute gem and a perfect escape from the harried pace of today to the relaxing world of gardening. ♥

On Inky’s Summer Reading Recommendations

This is the time of year when everyone comes out with their booklists for summer reading and, to be perfectly honest, I’m just not that impressed with them. Based on this displeasure, I have created my own list and while they aren’t new books, they are ones I can’t help but full heartedly recommend.  

Some fiction...

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith 

Seventeen year old Casandra Mortmain and her family live in a decrepit castle, which she is determined to capture all aspects of in her journal in a way that is bound to delight readers both young and old. A coming of age story that “captures the castle”, the lives of those living there, and the heart of the reader, it will have you wishing it didn’t have to come to an end so soon. (See the full review here!)

Three Men in a Boat to Say Nothing of the Dog by Jerome K. Jerome

What do you get when you combine three men in the Victorian era, a boat, stinky cheese, lack of a can opener, and angry swans, to say nothing of the dog, Montmorency? This wonderfully hilarious book, of course!

When the narrator and his two friends George and Harris decide they need a rest, the idea of going boating on the Thames seems like a splendid idea. However, they never guess all the trouble they’ll have and that the restful time they had hoped for will be anything but. Written in 1889, this book will have you smiling ear to ear with its British humor. 

(And if you like it, there’s also a sequel called Three Men on the Bummel.)       

Village School by Miss Read  

A peaceful and relaxing book, Village School takes you into the lives of the residents of Fairacre and makes you feel right at home with them. While great year round, this is one book that’s absolutely perfect for summer! (See the full review here!) 

The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett

I’m of the firm option that not all summer book lists should consist of light reading and this book is definitely not a light read, but one that is well worth making an effort for and if you enjoy extremely detailed and well written historical fiction that takes place in the 1500’s, then this might be the perfect choice for you!

In this first book of the Lymond Chronicles, the reader is introduced to the fascinating, Frances Crawford of Lymond who is making a grand attempt to clear his name, and drawn directly into the tensions between Scotland, England, and France. 

A word of advice, be prepared to look things up because there are a lot of references and there are quotes in different languages (hence, why someone wrote The Dorothy Dunnett Companion).

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

Flora Poste finding herself orphaned at 19 years old decides to send out letters to her relatives to see who might offer her a home. When the only answer that proves to be of any hope turns out to be her distant cousins living on a farm in Sussex, she becomes convinced that she is the one to change the ways of her backward relatives the Starkadders.

Published in 1932, Gibbon’s amusing wit that pokes fun at the ideals of British country life will have you giggling with delight. As is said “there have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort” and after reading this book you’ll want to revisit them again and again.

The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

Dumas while certainly better known for his The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, also wrote quite a few other books including his lighter weight (in comparison to the afore mentioned that is)  romance, The Black Tulip.

Cornelius von Baerle’s dream is to develop the legendary black tulip and win a large sum for doing so, but when his neighbor’s greed for the bulb that will bloom into the black tulip grows to the extreme, Cornelius finds himself in jail accused of treason. However, with the help of the jailer’s daughter, Cornelius might just be successful after all.

Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden by Reginald Arkell

This is the story of a gardener, his love for plants, and his views on how a proper garden should be managed. Herbert Pinnegar, also known as “Old Herbaceous,” is the charming subject of this novel and this gem should be on any garden lover’s reading list.

Stay tuned for a review in the coming weeks!

The Mousewife by Rumer Godden

A children’s book, but a children’s book that can be equally enjoyed by adults.

The Mousewife has a longing for something outside her tiny mouse world and when a pigeon end up caged in the house where she lives she gets a taste of the outside world and all the wonders that come with it. Beautifully written and accompanied with lovely pen and ink sketches by William Pène du Bois, Rumer Godden’s delicate touch captures the longing often felt for a world different than our own.

Some non-fiction...

The Making of the African Queen: Or How I went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and almost lost my mind by Katharine Hepburn 

An expectedly amusing account, Hepburn shares all the details you could ever possibly want to know (or not know) about what it was like making the 1951 film The African Queen from the trip to Africa to its conclusion. It’s relatively short (I read it over two days), great for those who like Hollywood history, and great for those who are a fan of Hepburn.

A Zoo in My Luggage by Gerald Durrell

In 1957 naturalist George Durrell set out to Africa on expedition to collect animals for a zoo of his own and recorded it in this wonderful little book published in 1960. This is a fun look at a man whose quest to find animals brought about a variety of hilarious encounters involving things such a mischievous chimp, a search for a snake, his interactions with the natives of Africa and what happens when he returns home to England. 

I hope one of these lovely, charming, amusing, and entertaining books piques your interest and finds its way into your summer reading! Please let me know what you think if they do! ♥