Fruits, florals and more at tomorrow's Funk Fair

Apologies for the unintended hiatus, y'all. I started a new day job last fall and wasn't sure at the time whether I'd be able to keep On the Mend going. Then I realised that the crates of vintage clothes in my flat (which seemed to be filling up more every weekend) weren't going to sell themselves. So take comfort in knowing that as long as my addiction to charity shopping remains strong, On the Mend will survive!

And on that note - I will be hawking my vintage and reworked duds at tomorrow's Funk Fair in Edinburgh. My very first fair was a Funk Fair, and I have to say that On the Mend has come a long way... back then I only had one meager, sad looking rail. This time I will be back with loads of bright colours and floral patterns, just in time for spring. Would have posted some preview pics but alas, I haven't had a sunny day all week. Might have a chance to do a short before and after tomorrow, pre-fair, but otherwise you'll just have to come and see things in person for yourself!

Well... ok. One preview, leftover from last year's Magpie photoshoot. Think Stella McCartney Spring 2011:

(from style.com)

Nothing says summer like a bold fruit print! So imagine my delight when I came across this beauty on ebay:

It was, however, a tad on the frumpy side. So I did what I do best - hacked bits off and tidied it all up with my sewing machine. And voila:

A cute summer sundress that I was tempted to keep for myself. Which I may do if it doesn't find a home at tomorrow's fair - come snag it for yourself at Cafe Camino (behind John Lewis) in Edinburgh tomorrow from 10am to 5pm. Check out the event on Facebook for more deets and see you tomorrow!

July Magpie Market Preview

I was going to brag about for once getting my act together for this Sunday's Magpie Market, but I don't think taking preview photos three days before the fair counts as being on top of things.

At any rate, here's a little glimpse of some pieces I'll be bringing along on Sunday (accessories are my own and sadly neither vintage or for sale).

Blue silk sleeveless top, black button skirt with camel polka dots

French pastel stripe top, blush pleated maxi skirt

Leopard print burnout top, zigzag pleated skirt

Nude polkadot top, blue button skirt

I'll have lots of summery things - more dresses than last time and loads of silk shirts, tops, skirts and blazers as usual. There's a small chance I'll get a few more up on the blog beforehand - if not you'll just have to come to the Hub and check them out in person. Hope to see you there!

Merci, Magpie Market!

Has it only been a week since the Magpie Market? Maybe it's just because this was the first five day work week that I've had in a month and a bit (thanks for the holidays, JC and Wills and Kate!) but it feels like eons ago!

This was the first time that Magpie was being held in the Hub on the Royal Mile. Despite the fact that I lived just across the road during my first year in Edinburgh, I had never seen the inside of the hall before (though I had been in the cafe). In short, it was stunning - bright, colourful, spacious, the perfect venue! 

In the hustle and bustle of getting all my stock over to the Hub (in a downpour, no less!!) I forgot to bring my camera. My lovely assistant (also known as the best boyfriend in the world - who also designed my awesome blog header!) had already made it halfway home when I realised that we had forgotten to take pictures - so I had to summon him back and he took the pics below on his phone (did I mention that he's the best? in the world?). A little on the fuzzy side but better than nothing, right?

All in all it was a really nice day with a great mix of items for sale, not just vintage clothing but handmade jewelery, stationary, art and more. I'm always blown away by people's handmade items - not only because they clearly take so much careful time and effort to make, but because so many vendors pay such close attention to their packaging, branding and display. A lot of hard work and a lot of talent in that hall on Sunday! Thanks to everyone at Magpie for putting together such a great day.

I'm hoping to be at the next Magpie Market in July, but I will post here when I can confirm for sure. There are a few other opportunities for  you to see more of On the Mend in the works, but mostly in the very early stages. I met with the lovely Agata of Whispering Grass this afternoon to discuss one idea in particular but I'm afraid mum's the word for now!

One secret that I can let out of the bag - On the Mend is now on Facebook! Please give us a "Like" to stay updated on future fairs and the odd preview and promotion.

Until next time! x

Magpie Market Tomorrow!

I am madly hemming and ironing and sewing buttons in preparation for tomorrow's Magpie Market. I did squeeze in a few minutes to take some before and after pictures of dresses that I'll be bringing along with me tomorrow!

Two former shapeless sack dresses now cute and ready for summer! I hope they find new owners tomorrow... otherwise I might be tempted to keep them myself.

I'll also be bringing along loads of skirts (pleated, polka dotted and generally pretty!), silk shirts in every colour of the rainbow and lots more. Can't wait to give them all new homes. See you tomorrow between 11am and 4pm at the Hub on the Royal Mile!

Vintage fairs, past and future

So... regular blogging is not my forte. Meant to let you know that the Funk Fair was a success and that I was booked to sell my duds at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair at the beginning of March... and then I got caught up in a whirlwind of hemming and ironing and swing tag preparation (I lead a thrilling life, I know).

And then after Judy's I meant to let you know that the fair was a super success (with over 1,000 vintage lovers in attendance!), but I went away on holiday. And then I was just lazy. Pure and simple.

But a three day weekend here in lovely Edinburgh means no more laziness, no more excuses. So I thought I would share some pics of Judy's with you, as well as a little preview of what's to come.

I should probably get straight to the real point of this post before I do anything else: I will be selling at the Magpie Market on Sunday May 8th. I've been to Magpie as a customer before and they always have the coolest handmade goodies. This year they've moved to the Hub on the Royal Mile (right by my old flat, actually). Doors will be open 11am to 4pm and I really hope to see you there.

I will try (emphasis on try) to do more previews this time around, so here's a tiny teaser to start off with.

(leftover scraps of fabric from some skirts I was hemming this aft - and my wooden duck)

(a rainbow of silk shirts and silky blouses - you have no idea how tempted I am to keep some of these for myself)

And, as promised, some pics from Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair back in March. Originally I was a bit worried they wouldn't have the same turn out as in the past, since this year it was held down at the Drill Hall in Leith, but the size of the queue quickly reassured me! I always get super nervous the night before a fair ("will anyone buy any of this? or will I be stuck with a flat full of hemmed pleated skirts?") but luckily all the other sellers were lovely people, and the response to my stock was fantastic. Thanks to all who took home a little piece of On the Mend!

My only regret is that I didn't have a chance to browse the other stalls until late in the day - which means lots of the best items had already been snapped up. Oh well - probably better for my bank account in the long run. Judy's is back again in the autumn, so fingers crossed I'll be there too. But with Magpie in May (and possibly again in July), I'll definitely be keeping busy this summer!

Funk Fair Preview

This Saturday I will be taking my DIY/thrifting addiction public for the first time. I'll be selling my humble wares at Edinburgh's Funk Fair, happening at St Mary's Parish Centre from 10am til 6pm. Most of these will be upcycled/updated vintage items that were a little worse for wear when I found them, or in need of a little updating, with a little straight-up vintage mixed in.

Here's one item that needed a little tweaking. Exhibit A (forgive the less-than-fashionable stripey socks):

Hard to see in the pictures but it's a wool dress - so the long skirt and long sleeves made the whole thing way too heavy. The print, however, was lovely, and the basic structure of the dress definitely had potential.After  a little sleeve and hem shortening, including adding elastic to the sleeves, and sewing up some moth holes, and voila!

Much cuter when it isn't ill fitting and huge, no? Gotta love a dress with pockets! And the best part is that one lucky buyer can be the proud owner of this dress on Saturday! Hope y'all can make it to the Funk Fair!

Introducing... On the Mend

Hi and welcome to On the Mend! Excuse the awkward, self-conscious first blog post - hopefully all shyness will be overcome quickly.

I have always loved hunting for second hand and vintage bargains but often found things that were so-close but not-quite right. This summer I bit the bullet and bought a sewing machine for fifty quid on Gumtree and set about using YouTube and blog tutorials to teach myself how to sew. Slowly but surely I figured it out... but quickly accumulated a ton of charity shop finds with potential for greatness that simply could not fit in my ever-expanding wardrobe.

So in comes On the Mend: uniting my love of thrifting and DIYing, I'll track down vintage treasures that are a little rough around the edges and (if you'll allow the mixed metaphor) polish them til they shine. Some are mine to keep, but many could be yours to own (for a small price). More info on that to come.

But first: one of my first DIY triumphs. I found this vintage cotton dress in a charity shop for £8. Even though magenta is not normally my thing, I fell for the gorgeous painterly print, though the fit was a bit frumpy. 

A little nipping and tucking (i.e. shortening the hem and sleeves, taking in the waist), and I had a lovely little floral dress. Just in time for... autumn. In Scotland. Meaning that sadly, this dress has had few outings at this point, but I have a feeling it will see lots of action next summer. Nonetheless, I did take it for a spin last month on a day trip to Aberdour Castle.

I need to work on my modelling skills, clearly. (And do something about my hair) But you get the idea.


Stay tuned for more thrilling, thrifted alterations and transformations!