Cardigan process!

Working on my cardigan...I think I've been working on it for like two and a half weeks? Anyway, I've knitted eight inches so far and am about to start on the bust area. I decided to go with a late 1930s silhouette, so in addition to steeking the front, I'll also be steeking the armholes...kind of frightening! 

I graduated on Sunday so I've got nothing to do but blog, sew, and knit. I've also got a big announcement I'll post later this week!

What are you doing this summer?

xoxo,

Annie Belle

A novel use for beer

Source:  http://digital.nls.uk/propaganda/white/booklet_06.html

While researching women's lifestyles of the past, I am always impressed by the ingenuity of our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers. In today's world, we are surrounded by things to make life easier--from food processors to supermarkets to the Internet itself. But sometimes, the bygone method of doing things may actually be superior. I have discovered this today in the form of beer setting lotion.

Promotional photo from Bell's Brewery. Day-old beer isn't quite this photogenic.

I first read about it on The Fedora Lounge while searching for homemade setting lotion. I love pin curling my hair and I usually just use hairspray, but sometimes I want that extra hold, you know? I'd heard about flax seed setting lotion, which sounded great, but the process sounded messy and complicated. If it can be done yourself, I like to do it myself, but there are some things I just won't touch, and the stove is one of them. (So much for the joy of domesticity.) However, on that post, someone mentioned using beer, and how girls of the thirties and forties used it all the time to set their hair. Aha! I thought to myself. Brilliant! Unfortunately, I also like to be resourceful with my beer, and that usually means there isn't a lot left over the next day. (I only have one!) But yesterday was different!

Image from Snoodlebug Vintage

I did have beer left over, and I wanted to practice the above hairstyle (or a variation of it) for graduation, which is this Sunday. There was definitely enough left over for setting lotion. So I combed it through my hair, and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. (Not pleasantly surprised enough to share a photo. I'm already sharing my drinking habits with you guys; my hair set is too much information!) I've only had the set in for about an hour, but it was so much easier to work with, and really shiny and soft. My sink does smell a bit like beer, but hopefully that will wear off.

I'm going to sleep on the set and hopefully I'll post pictures tomorrow! I certainly don't think I'll look like Ava Gardner, but I'm interested to see if the hold will be better!

XOXO,

Annie Belle

An awesome vintage sewing tool!

Speaking of basting and pleating, I'm almost done with a dress I've been working on, and it actually looks halfway decent! I'll post pictures and a review of the pattern soon. Like probably tomorrow soon.

Hope you're all doing well! I'm graduating on Sunday, so I certainly am!

xoxo,

Annie Belle

In a knitting mood

I've been knitting like crazy since I last posted! I found a video by Hazel Tindall, a legendarily FAST knitter, on how she uses a knitting belt. I wanted to share because her video demonstrates almost EXACTLY how I knit, except I use a knitting stick instead of a knitting belt.

 

This technique has allowed me to get a respectable four inches knitted (on size 00 needles) since I really started knitting it on Thursday. I'd like to have it finished by graduation, but I'm also planning on making a dress for that, and I think that takes a little more precedence (on top of my photo transfer skirt which I will post about soon).

What are you working on?

xoxo,

Annie Belle