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

Countdown to Christmas (Vintage Fairs)

Just a brief and long overdue update of what I've been up to:

Mostly preparing for these upcoming vintage fairs in Rugby and Sutton Coldfield

 

Christmas Vintage and Handcrafts Bazaar  November 24th

" The Christmas Vintage & Handcrafts Bazaar has a large range of stalls offering unique, beautiful and practical Christmas gifts or treats for yourself in vintage fashion, retro homewares, gorgeous handcrafts, cakes, jewellery and much more.

Take time out from your shopping to relax and enjoy traditional festive refreshments in the Vintage Tearoom, served on vintage china and crisp linen with lashings of style. Dairy and gluten free, vegan and vegetarian cakes available. "

11am – 4pm, entry £1 (under 16s free)

Venue: Benn Hall, Newbold Road, RUGBY, CV21 2LN 
https://www.facebook.com/events/589744124400966/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

Sutton Vintage & Arts Festive Fair 1st December

 

" As usual we will be filling Sutton Town Hall with all things Vintage from the 20's to the 90's, amazing handmade goodies & enviable Home wares - it's the BIGGEST & best value Vintage Fair in all of Birmingham!!!

OVER 80 STALLS FROM ALL OVER THE UK SPANNING 5 ROOMS!

Amazing venue, easy to get to by car or train. Lots of nearby great value parking - unlike the city centre!!!

Live entertainment & cakes a plenty too. Still just £1 - we have 2 entrances now so no fears of queuing in the cold for too long! Invite all your friends :) "

https://www.facebook.com/events/730205386993401/


and working on some new items, including more clutch bags, based on my collection that made it's debut on the catwalk back in July, ready for selling on my (currently closed for refurbishment) folksy page. Stay tuned for more.....

Fashion show 2013

 Beth wears machine knitted wrapover skirt with jersey waistband and ribbon tie. Her top is made from secondhand t-shirts.

 Sadie's dress has a bodice made using a man's shirt, and skirt panels made from a selection of vintage skirts. She carries a machine knitted clutch bag, wiith button detail and her fascinator is made from fabric remnants and a vintage fabric flower.

Giovanna models a top made from cotton t-shirts, with a yoke made from a fine vintage poly-cotton. It has a bound neckline and button fastening at the back. Her skirt is an upcycled charity shop find.

 Lucy wears Sportster jumper in pure wool with a striped cotton polo neck made from vintage jumpers. The left sleeve has a new cuff made from grey wool, part of another jumper. Her blue cord shorts are made from a fabric remnant.

 Angie's jumper has a pink cashmere yoke, from another jumper, and panelled bodice and sleeves in grey cashmere, from a cardigan. Her trousers are handmade, re-cut from a man's pair of trousers in dark checkered wool. The top part of the trousers are lined and have in-seam pockets. The clutch bag she carries I made from vintage woollen fabric, believed to have belonged to my Gran.

 Francesca's cardigan has a handknitted fairisle patterned yoke, with bodice and sleeves made from a cashmere jumper. It is hand finished with crochet edging and fastens with a two buttons. Her shorts are made from a pair of ladies trousers, which were unpicked and used as normal fabric. They have narrow panels, back and front and small pleats at the waist. She carries a machine knitted clutch bag. Her vest top is by Andrea Bonnell.

Kate's outfit comprises of an upcycled floral skirt and cardigan, upycled from a cashmere and cotton mix jumper. The cardigan has a back yoke made from leftover pieces from a previous project. Her fascinator is again, from a selection made by myself. She carries a Teddy Wilson record in complimentary colours!

Cristina wears an upcyled top, made from a dress in cotton jersey. Panels were added to give shape and the armholes were adjusted to fit. Her skirt is made from several vintage skirts in a soft grey-blue, beige and lilac, one of which was also used for Sadie's dress. The waistband shows the selvedge edge of the original fabric, showing text woven into the fabric, saying 'Made in England'. It's a lovely detail to have. Her fascinator is from a selection by myself.

 

 

 

Ruth's top has a bodice made from a fabric remnant with a woven striped and floral pattern in cotton. The lower part of the bodice is made from a polyester top and the sleeves are made from a silk blouse. It has a back zip fastening and is hand finished with a rolled hem. The skirt is made from ready-pleated fabric remnant and has a pale pink poly-cotton lining and a cotton waistband.

 Thank you to Andy Bonnell for his photographs. You can see more of his work here. http://andybonnellphotographicart.blogspot.co.uk/

 

fashion show photos coming soon....

 

Look out for the new collection!

 

photo by Andy Bonnell

One week to go....

Thanks to the Birmingham Mail for writing a lovely piece last week about the fashion show and the wonderful work of Miss Andrea Bonnell. You can read it on their website here : http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/lifestyle/shopping/fashion-show-difference-takes-place-4873369

and find out more about Andrea's work here : http://www.andreabonnell.blogspot.co.uk/

 

The show's also featured in this month's SLAP magazine. Thank you both to SLAP and the Birmingham Mail for their support :)

 

 

 

fashion Show July 13th

Less than a month to go till Andrea Bonnell's and Grandma Chic's fashion show!!

Grandma Chic and Andrea Bonnell present an evening of buzzing creativity, live music and fashion at Ort Cafe, based in the Old Printworks, Balsall Heath, Birmingham.

Opening the evening will be acoustic duo Mellow Peaches. “Purveyors of rootsy stomps and gutsy grooves, the unassuming Peaches have long immersed themselves in traditional, organic and freshly sourced American blues and roots, mixing it up with their own gumbo of exotic flavours to create a wholesome dish that aids digestion.” The first of two fashion shows will follow, presenting the collections of independent local designers Andrea Bonnell and Grandma Chic in an unusual take on the classic catwalk. “Andrea Bonnell’s fashion ethos is a mission to enhance natural female curves, combining tailored quality with contoured structuring. Her latest collection is inspired by the powerful and sexually emancipated Bond Girl.” Grandma Chic, an ethical fashion label who produce handmade and upcycled clothing using vintage, reclaimed and sustainable materials, will also have a pop-up shop to browse and purchase from.

Also playing are groovy electric duo Return of The Bygones, a new project from Abie and Dan of Abie’s Miracle Tonic, Little Sister and The Destroyers. Following the second catwalk show Pretentious Class will close the evening, “energetic and ballsy, Pretentious Class are a five piece rock and roll band with the spirit of times gone by and a sound to match.”

Admission is £5 on the door, and includes a free raffle ticket. Prizes will also be given for the best dressed with the theme being ‘Come as your favourite music icon’.Doors are at 8pm with music from 8.30pm.

 

Fashion Show 2013

artwork by Abie and Sam Budgen 2013

Grandma Chic on tour

We're excited about taking Grandma Chic to a few events this May.

Saturday 4th May - Vintage and Handmade Fair at Blakesley Hall, Birmingham. 12 till 4pm with free entry to the fair.
http://www.bmag.org.uk/events?id=2448

Sunday 5th May - Swingamajig, Digbeth, Birmingham. Electro swing festival, some tickets still available!
http://swingamajig.co.uk/

Sunday 19th May - Vintage and Retro Bazaar, Benn Hall, Rugby. 12 till 4pm, £1 entry.
http://www.vintagestylerooms.co.uk/

'Scandinavian Designs' Fair Isle Cardigan

I have always loved fair isle patterns, and this was a very good excuse for me to practice my technique. This cardigan was knitted from a pattern given to me, which I think is from the early sixties. Finally completed it for my friends new born baby and glad to report that it's just what he needs to grow into.

 

Knitting and photography by Sam Budgen 2013