Just about settled into my new studio space. And I'm pretty pleased with it, especially the curtains, made from vintage embroidered tray cloths and napkins. Here's a peek....

 

photos by Sam Budgen

New collection of handmade fascinators

 

 photography by Sam Budgen

Each fascinator is one of a kind, handmade using reclaimed vintage fabrics and beautiful vintage fake flowers. Available now at :

  www.folksy.com/shops/grandmachic

Coming soon to my Folksy shop

 

photography by Sam Budgen

Bags for my knitting

I've been quite frustrated carrying around plastic carrier bags of unfinished knitting projects, (not only because they are unfinished) but the bags themselves look shabby and unappealing, so I thought I should make myself (and others) a proper knitting bag. Whilst working on some designs, I came across a couple of old blankets made from lovely welsh wool that belonged to my Gran, and thought they'd be perfect.

Both bags are adapted patterns and have handles made from secondhand belts. The smaller bag (in front) has a pearl button fastening and binding around the top to match the lining. The larger bag has a zip fastening and pretty floral cotton lining, ideal for carrying all my yarns. I'll be working on a few more ideas before I make a batch of these, so stay tuned.

photography by Sam Budgen 2014

Just a few things I've been working on....

A summer dress for a friend, made in fabric she was given, with trim cut from an old skirt, and design adapted from a vintage late 1950s/early 1960s sewing pattern.

Have a few other projects on the go which I will post up soon, as well as a few more photos of the dress being modelled.

A little update

Here's Ruth modelling an outfit from my new collection, as featured in the fashion show. Machine knitted wrap-over skirt with front ribbon tie in charity shop bought yarn (think it's cotton) and sleeveless jersey top made from vintage cotton t-shirts. Both are one-off pieces, but I am working on reproducing them in different reclaimed yarns and fabrics so stay tuned for more!

 

photography by Sam Budgen 2014

looking forward to having a stall again here on 3rd May..

Had a lovely afternoon yesterday with my friend Ruth, who kindly agreed to model some outfits that appeared in our fashion show back in the summer. Will be posting them up soon along with an update of where I'm at with the latest collection.

Gravity and me

A little while ago (actually being more than a year ago) I made this drawing, originally intended to be used as artwork for folk and blues guitar duo Mellow Peaches, for their album 'I'll Go Down With This Ship'. I was really inspired by the rough mixes they played to me, particularly the song 'Gravity'. And the painting has now been used in a video for their song Ernest. Which you can watch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKrpcnVFjx8

And you can purchase the album here:
http://www.mellowpeaches.co.uk/?page_id=15

 

Painting by Sam Budgen copyright 2012

Pure silk camisoles

At our fashion show back in July, I hastily borrowed a couple of jersey camisoles having realised I hadn't anything for the models to wear underneath their cardigans. This resulted in me designing my own camisoles using reclaimed pure silk fabrics. More of these to come...

Front view

Back view

photography by Sam Budgen

Clutch bags for spring

Just editing some photographs of my new range of clutch bags, complete with handles. There'll definitely be more of these to come. This particular bag is made from a piece of vintage hand-embroidery in a pretty floral pattern. One of my favourites!

 photography by Sam Budgen