A book I needed and a card I loved

So, I promised some pictures of the birthday presents, right? This all came from my wonderful mom. It's a book about fitting and altering sewing patterns! Something I really wanted, as I've been having huge problems lately (and therefore haven't finished a garment in forever). I realised a while back that I've never actually done a fitted bodice with sleeves! Sure, I've done a lot of strange medieval clothes, but this very basic piece of sewing I've never actually done. No wonder it was giving me such huge problems!

I'm pretty sure this is very copyright-protected, so I'm just giving you all a glimpse of it. As you can see, it's not just descriptions of how to make a basic pattern, but it's actually included 6 different types of patterns (pants, bodice, coat etc) in different sizes.


The list of contents, doesn't say much unless you read swedish though =) Basically, the book covers shirts, skirts, pants, blouses and dresses, coats, jackets, stretch-material and construction of basic patterns.
I might have mentioned I've decided to take a sewing class coming fall, and this is the book and patterns the teacher of that class recommended for me. Now I'm really on the go. I will learn this! =)

Also, the cute card I got from my mom.
Love, Erika

A swingin' birthday

Sunday the 9th of May was my birthday, and it was a great weekend! Rikard and Johanna, two wonderful teachers from Luleå, came to Umeå to hold classes Saturday and Sunday, and on Saturday evening there was social dancing to live music (a local big band-orchestra). I did pincurls friday night, and took them out in time for the dance. Curly indeed! =) Since spring is finally here in earnest, I chosed a pale green 50s dress I got at Herräng dance camp last summer.


Kajsa was cute in the skirt she made herself and a darling new top (although the top doesn't really show well in the photo...). I did her hair in hot rolls, but we came to the conclusion that for hot rolls to work in her hair it needs to be a great deal shorter. Sure, there was a bend to the ends, but it has that anyway. We'll try again after she's cut it a bit.


As everyone who has tried to capture dancers with a camera knows, it's very tricky. Esp when it's dark! =) But here's a little picture anyway, just to give you all an idea. I must say I thought everybody had done a very good job with their outfits this evening! Remember, this is people who are into lindy, not into vintage. We say that we encourage to an attempt at vintage-inspired; a very mild dress-code with other words. You can see Kajsa in the almost center of the photo, just look for a purple skirt =)

My friends had arranged a little surprise for me: at exactly midnight the band leader said "Before the last song, I'm going to tell a story. A story about a girl that was born at this day..." and then the whole room sang for me! I can't remember the last time that happened. Or ever! Anyway, thank you so much, guys, that was so very sweet of you and it will sure be a birthday to remember!


Coming home from the dance I of course started playing around with hair-do's. I don't want to sit down in front of a movie after dancing, but I have too much energy to just go to sleep. Anyway, I tried the new hair-binds and this is the result. What do you think?


I've always loved the late 30s-look, but assumed it wouldn't work on me (considering my very strong jaw-line). Now I'm seriously considering if maybe next time I go to the hairdresser... What do you think? Cutting it this short would make any of my other favorite hairdo's impossible. But I like this style. And hair grows back really fast. But I like variety as well... Decisions, decisions!


Sunday, when it actually was my birthday, I was so tired after the weekend that a quiet evening with Kajsa was perfect. We had a very nice dinner, and the best china came out of the cupboards.
Sorry for the slow update on posting btw, the camera batteries has died completley. 1 day in the charger - 3 photos taken - another day in the charger - those photos transferred to the computer ... Better late than never, right? =) The pictures of presents and the last results of the shopping spree on ebay will have to wait, though. Until I get new batteries...

Love, Erika

Purse for stockings, genius or weird?

I've had a bit of a shopping spree on Tradera/Ebay lately, here's some of this month's purchases: a purse for stockings, a sewing book from 1940s, hair-ties (actually from the shop Hemlängtan). I've played around a bit with the hair-ties, but it doesn't go too well for me. Any advice? Someone who's tried these things?


The inside of the purse, it has room for seven pairs of stockings. I'm a bit torn, is this a really smart little thing, or is it just strange? Genius or weird? I'm leaning towards genius, at least for travelling...


A tablecloth for the coffetable, also Tradera/Ebay. I needed something more fitting for summer.


The contents of the sewing book. It's not so thick, about 100 pages, bur it's very nice to flip through and it has some useful instructions on measuring, fabrics, buttonholes etc. This book comes up regularly on Tradera, and usually go for 10-50 SEK. I gave 10 SEK (about 1,5 $), plus shipping.


Some pictures from the inside of it.


Have a great week!

Love, Erika

Model for a day

Wiggleskirt: sewn by me from a vintage pattern. Blouse H&M. Gloves from grandma. Hat from Tradera/Ebay.

Sunday me and Kajsa had a little adventure: "Model for a day" at TheStudio. It's a package offered by a studio, they do the make up and then you take a total of 45 pictures in a studio, with three different outfits that you bring along for the day.
It was a nice day in many ways, it was fun to do this with my sister, and I liked posing for the camera =) It was great to discover new angles, I sometimes find that all my pictures are taken from the exact same angle.


Hair is done with hot rolls the same day. Sailor dress from Beyond retro.
On the downside: This was a sort of free event, "we'll do the make up and take pictures, all free, and then if you like some of the pictures you can buy them", which meant there was a ton of people. Everybody had an appointement, but they seemed to have booked everybody at the same time. So hours of waiting in a hot, air-deprived room, people everywhere. Not so glamourous, but quite like I imagine modelling would be. Of course, after spending all that time you'd want to buy at least some of the very expensive photos, and so you'd anyway spend as much on the "free offer" as you would if you'd just booked their usual package. You've just had to wait around a great deal more.
My advice if anyone's interested in one of these events, just book a usual appointement instead.
Nevertheless, it was a fun thing to do, and I'm quite happy with the pictures I bought (yes, I know they failed a bit with the shade of the foundation... ah, well...)
I've had a bit of a shopping spree on Tradera/Ebay (a nice 40s dress for example), check in later this week for pictures =)
Love, Erika
P.S. I just realised this post has a very negative tone to it, please excuse me! I had a great time at the photoshoot, and I'm very happy with the photos! The negative tone is mostley due to this cold that I just can't seem to get rid of =( Note to self: don't blog when sick! =)

Sunday thrifting

Igår så for jag på Nolia-loppis med Katarina. Nolia är alltid lite av en chansning, det finns aldrig så mycket fina kläder där, men däremot så verkar jag alltid komma därifrån med något nytt till köket (som en köksassistent, tekoppar etc). Denna gång var inget undantag, ovan en gjutjärnsstekpanna i fint skick för 75 kr, en lök/mandel-hackare för 10 kr samt glasunderlägg för 20 kr.

Yesterday me and Katarina went thrifting at a sort of gathered yard-sale, meaning lot's of yard-sales in one building, just one afternoon. It's always a bit of a gamble, these things, but I usually find something between all the toys and clothes for children, and usually it has something to do with the kitchen. Yesterday was no exception, above an iron-pan for 7,5euro, an onion/almond-chopper for 1euro and a set of coasters for 2 euros.


Hittade även ett par roliga solglasögon med blåa sammetsbågar, samt ett litet, oanvänt set med sprayparfym-flaska och en fickspegel.

Det var en trevlig dag, var länge sen jag var på loppis! Det riktiga fyndet var nog stekpannan. Det är alltid något till köket... behöver mer köksskåp! =) Vad gjorde ni i helgen?
Kram! / Erika

I also found a fun pair of sunglasses in blue velvet, and a little, unused set of perfume spraybottle and pocket-mirror.

It was a nice day, it was forever since I went thrifting! The real find I believe was the pan. It's always something for the kitchen... I need more kitchen-storage! =) What did you do this weekend?Love, Erika