We have been giggling here a great deal this last week or so. Must be the Christmas spirit! We have been very fortunate in having Angela (Winchester School of Art Graduate) here as our intern and she has the top job of rifling through and organizing our vintage and archive collections of both kits, made clothing and all associated paperwork. In trying to come up with a suitable name for these archive kits that we are collecting, top Clothkitten Nikki came up with the term Mothkits! Truly inspired, and I do think that it is going to stick. But can you come up with something better?
Mothkits
We are particularly keen on collecting good examples of vintage kits from the 1970s, and have been fortunate enough to have had some super kits sent in to us. Last week at the East London Design Show, Sara Tree brought in some fantastic examples such as this pinafore kit from 1976. Sara, we love you!! Thank you so much! I have barely taken the dress off. My little girl Tilly is convinced it is me in the original catalogue (lady top right), and no amount of persuasion (I was actually a mere 5 at the time…) would convince her otherwise. Seemed rude not to come up with a little collage…
If you too have any fine examples of unmade kits that you do not want then do let us know. Whilst we do have plenty, we are still collecting and if it is an item that we do not have we would love to beg, steal, borrow or exchange them in many instances. So do send in pics and as much detail as you can of what you have for the Mothkits collection.
Wishing you all the best for a cracking Christmas!
December 24th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I have a skirt and padded jacket not made up. They are style 333 and 334 in Hyacinth. I will try to upload pictures to the gallery.
Sue
December 31st, 2009 at 10:40 am
I have a vintage pattern instruction sheet - I made up the wrap-around sundress and loved it to bits, kept the instructions thinking one day I’d create a new dress but have never got around to it. Would you like a copy? I’d love to see it produced again as a kit.
January 15th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
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I have an unmade Gardeners’ Apron kit from the 70’s - also a made up child’s padded jacket and a sweet little poppies dress.
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
I still have some unmade Clothkits! I’ll look them out & see which. I loved them & made many, especially for my daughter (now in her 30s). I especially remember my son in his tan ‘Red Indian’ dungarees. I kept all the best ones & am passing them on to grandchildren - matching T-shirts, pants & socks were brilliant, T-shirt dresses too. Dressmaking is coming back, along with other neglected crafts, so well done to revive Clothkits!
June 19th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I have several boxes of Clothkits clothing both cottons and knitwear from the late 70’s and 80’s. I have been trying to find a home for them. My daughter is still wearing the odd one and her children have now inherited some of her (and her brother’s) children’s clothing. As I am downsizing am anxious to find these and old catalogues and instruction sheets a good home. Sally Cole
June 21st, 2010 at 10:47 am
Dear Sally
We would love to receive them! Do send them in to us and we will indeed give them a good home. K x
July 20th, 2010 at 6:19 am
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How can people be passing on old clothkits? - my kids simply WORE THEM TO DEATH!!
You know - I’d absolutely love to see what’s happened to all the familiar old faces…. where are those gorgeous little twins (early 80s) and all the others too…..