What the heck is Wings of Goose?

Thursday 1 March 2012

Pants Party!

I was trying and trying to come up with an innovative title for this post, but this one stood out the most for me, so I just want with the simple and obvious choice. Last weekend I went to a pants party!

Well ok, actually that wasn't exactly it, and and it was by no means limited to pants. It was a very old friend of mine's hen do, and she chose as her Saturday activity to do a Vintage Knicker Making Party, arranged by my lovely, also old friend, Carly (who's blog I've just discovered here). We collected in a room at the Tobacco Factory in Southville, Bristol; an absolutely fantastic location for any workshop of this sort. The room was large, bright and airy, with ample space for ladies and sewing machines.


The lady with the headscarf in a 50s housewife style was one of the teachers (not sure if that's quite the right word - sounds like we were at school). All three of the teachers were fab, friendly and helpful.


We basically were given a choice of loads of gorgeous fabrics from which to cut our knicker pattern. They were cottons, not your usual stretchy jersey kind of fabric. Then we drew around the template and cut out our pattern, sewed the gusset together, including a little jersey cotton for the gusset, chose our elastic to complement (or not!) our fabric, sewed it on and sewed the side seams, et voila - 21 pairs of knickers!

Me in action
I'm astonished they managed to get 21 people to make pants in such a short space of time, especially with such a vast range of experience. Some people hadn't done any sewing since school, and I didn't see one pair of knickers that wasn't at the least a very good effort. Everyone was really imaginative. I also couldn't believe we had to sew elastic, since although lots of people may have sewed before, sewing elastic onto a piece of fabric is not necessarily something they will have done. I only did it in the last couple of years.


Many embellishments were made


A small group of pants



A large group of pants


My pants

Well I'm pleased to report that my pants fit perfectly, thank you very much. What a totally fab idea and fun way to spend a morning. Also, it was the first time I've left Noah on his own for a whole night and day, which was both liberating but also clarifying, in terms of reminding me who I am now; a mummy to a lovely little boy, who has priority over anything I may wish to spend my time on. This was a very enjoyable treat but I'm certainly happy to wait a while to do the things I want to, when I want to, again (just don't be a little monster tomorrow ok Noah!).

x Sam

7 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the knickers: they're very pretty! I've only left Eoin for one night so far: I think it's very good for him and his dad to spend the time together, but I agree it's hard to do!

    Lorna

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  2. Hi Sam!!!

    Oh my goodness - how cute is this party?!?! I've never in my life heard of this kind of party, but it sure looks like fun! :) Looks like you all had a great time and your creation came out great!!! :) Wishing you a most lovely Sunday!!!


    Hugs,
    Jessie

    P.S. Thank you for your comment on my last post!!! I always appreciate your visits. :)

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  3. Thanks Jessie, I had never heard of it either!!! It was so fun though. Thanks for your lovely comment xxx

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  4. What a fantastic party! .....and what a pretty pair of knickers!

    You can wear then with pride!

    Fleur xx

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  5. Ooh, you're in Mollie Makes this month! I was flicking through, and there's a feature on this boutique: you can see you and your pants in the front row!

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    1. Ooh, seriously? You'll have to show me as my friend whose hen do it was will be totally chuffed, and her organizer and chief bridesmaid!

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  6. Will do. It's on one of the earliest recto pages of this month's issue (the one with the macarons on the cover).

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