Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

This is actually a very good idea! Wonder if I can find a slinky nightdress pattern?

The first term we didn't do needlework with SWSNBN, the required thing for us to make was a traditional slip, which wasn't too difficult. Much the same thing to construct!

Daughters! I'm sure one of mine nicked my pale pink silk nightie...

I'm going in to Exeter on Monday and will try to find a dressmaking dept. Debenhams might have one. A good reason to get out that sewing machine!

Love and thanks, Munch

If there is a John Lewis in Exeter, I find their haberdashery department very good.

Thye used to be but they seem to have banished it to the basement now. Even the Oxford Street one doesn't have a very good selection of fabrics

Angela Woodford wrote:The first term we didn't do needlework with SWSNBN, the required thing for us to make was a traditional slip, which wasn't too difficult. Much the same thing to construct!

Our first thing was a nightie!! As you say they can be almost the same!

Angela Woodford wrote:This is actually a very good idea! Wonder if I can find a slinky nightdress pattern?

The first term we didn't do needlework with SWSNBN, the required thing for us to make was a traditional slip, which wasn't too difficult. Much the same thing to construct!

Daughters! I'm sure one of mine nicked my pale pink silk nightie...

I'm going in to Exeter on Monday and will try to find a dressmaking dept. Debenhams might have one. A good reason to get out that sewing machine!

Love and thanks, Munch

Can't think of many sewing establishments in Exeter - certainly nothing in Debenhams and the nearest JL is Bristol. Your best bet is Heatcoats mill factory shop at Tiverton. I haven't found anywhere that beats it.

Blimey the responses you get on here, it's better than Google.

Well, thank you Catherine, I won't bother hunting in the Debenhams if it's useless for sewing things! By the way, we set off to drive over Exmoor and I spotted the most lovely haberdashery/needlework shop whilst going through Dulverton. Of course I screamed with excitement and had to stop.

Jo, how I agree that JL is a terrific place for sewing. Bristol's the nearest now - bit of a bash away -

I have a very vivid memory of those pastel nighties we had at Hertford. They absolutely were not pretty, and it was always a struggle to get dressed underneath them, but it was a pleasure at bedtime to put on that nightie, when fresh from the laundry. Stiff, but very very boiled clean!

I don't suppose the present CH girls get nighties supplied?

Munch

They wouldn't want the ones we had-they stood up on their own when fresh back from the laundry.
Haven't been into Exeter foe ages, but I'm sure there used to be a fabric shop down past Dingles.

I'll have a look, Maggie!

And while in Exeter I have found the Blue Boy statue in the new shopping mall-y area. He certainly is a weird shade of blue, but his dress is very similar!

Oh well, what to wear tonight?

midget wrote:They wouldn't want the ones we had-they stood up on their own when fresh back from the laundry.
Haven't been into Exeter foe ages, but I'm sure there used to be a fabric shop down past Dingles.

The official Hertford school uniform list had pyjamas or nighties from John Lewis's (plus pants and vests) but everyone just had what they wore at home, and was probably cheaper! We made a nightie shaped ike a tent from very thin poly/cotton in our second year at Hertford. I gave mine to my mum who was thrilled and wore it 'til it fell apart.

Re. haberdashers in Exeter: Opposite BHS is an arcade called St George's Market (I think). That has some fabric stalls. The shop which used to be down South Street next to the wedding shop has gone there now. And there used to be a craft shop with some haberdashery items in the parade around Exeter Central railway station, but I have a feeling that's gone. Mind you, my info about Exeter is a little out of date as I haven't been that way shopping for a while now. Barnstaple has a very good fabric shop on Boutport Street (I think that's right, midget?) and a bit in Banbury's department store too. And of course, we have a very good fabric shop here (upholstery and dressmaking) - Tavy Textiles - for when you next come down to visit!! I'm knitting at the moment but will have to get the sewing machine out before Ethelbert's arrival to alter the curtains in our room as the very least job - there is a gap of several inches as the windows here are longer than in our cottage, so I think I shall lengthen them to the floor with a nice piece of cream velvet and ribbon.

Thanks Cath--I had completely forgotten about the Boutport St shop, still there and well stocked. There is also the Factory shop
off the Vicarage St roundabout.

Catherine, I noticed the most lovely second-hand/vintage dress agency in Tavistock called (I think) Tilly Whim.

Am I right? Definitely worth a browse, I thought.

I was really really lucky in the PDSA shop in Ashford a couple of years ago, in finding a new Windsmoor coat in scarlet with a black velvet collar for £20! It was a quiet moment, and the worthy volunteers regailed me with stories of men who come in and beg to try on any items of lingerie behing the little curtain... Well, that's Ashford!

The nightwear was no good. Rows of quilted nylon dressing gowns from the local seconds shop.

Munch

Thanks for resurrecting this thread, as it has reminded me that I need to dig out my practical but unattractive night shirt for Tuesday. Off to a sensory workshop for two days, staying (oh, how I love business travel) in a youth camp - bed linen provided at extra cost, but we have to take our own pillow. Not sure who, if anyone, is allocating rooms (4 to each), but I thought that I had better take along something other than a bottle of No 5 incase I'm bunking in with Trent.

xx

Angela Woodford wrote:Catherine, I noticed the most lovely second-hand/vintage dress agency in Tavistock called (I think) Tilly Whim.

Am I right? Definitely worth a browse, I thought.

Munch

Tilly Whims. Yes, that's the place, on West Street. I don't know what the prices for clothes are like but the hats are to die for. We had to go to a hat-wearing occasion last Spring and I hired the most beautiful creation from there - black with coloured ribbon strips on the brim.

Hat hiring!!!!

See Weddings thread. This could be it! Hire rather than buy for Miss Susannah's wedding! I must be over to Tavistock for a look!

Sensory Workshop! Caroline, I am emailing you - I long for every detail - how exciting!!!

Love, Munch