Anne Bonny's Locker

14/02/2026

I forgot to mention it in the vid, but it was while I was working on the Hussar inspired jacket/vest (mock-up in drab military green on the right) that I reassessed shoulder line shaping. If you would like to learn how to use historical bespoke garment pattern techniques into your personal garment making repertoire, I offer one on one tailored to your needs tuition on sewing, garment making and other related skills. My aim is always to build confidence and competence, always to encourage play and experimentation; remember, no matter how much you think you know, there is always more to learn, so stay curious, pay attention to small details, and we can create wonder filled lasting beauty rather than short lived novelty.
Remember, to improve on Viv Weswood’s famous quote:
Buy Less.
Choose Better.
Make Life Wonderful!!!

12/02/2026

It is a very simple shirt, but I went to a bit more effort to match up the polka dots (partially because I regret not doing so on the frock).
It is not unusual for cloth to be "off grain", but the benefit of slow fashioned clothing is that the maker can compensate.
Remember, everything you wear is a costume (whether you recognise it or not), and all the small details will change how people see you, your clothing tells a story. So what do your clothes say about you?

08/02/2026

Hemming my new shop frock:

06/02/2026

I'm just a slow fashioned girl . . .

Good things come to people who are patient

05/02/2026

How fast time slips by!!! The next VSM Demo & Adoption day is only a little over three weeks away!

Our final Demo & Adoption day till next March is going to be on Sunday, we'll be open from 11:00am

04/02/2026

Recorded some vids as well, but they need editing. I'll likely finish the new dress on Friday.

03/02/2026

I am making myself another shop frock using the pattern I have been making variations of to myself for about three decades. I always play with it a bit, making little tweaks bases on the fabric etc (I sourced both of these fabrics from op shops separately). While I quite like the boldness of the red polkadot, I knew it wouldn't flatter me if the entire frock was made of it. I decided to use pleats rather than darts for the bust shaping to soften the bodice and have a more open neckline (the last dress I made myself had a collar detail) for comfort on hotter days.
I am using French seams and bound edges to show you how to construct a beautifully finished garment with only a straight stitch machine.

31/01/2026

Finished four more Baudrei Pocket Dilly Bags yesterday out of an interesting dusty blue damask stripe soft furnishing fabric remnant.
The limited edition Baudrei Pocket Dilly Bags (designed and sewn by me: Cyndy Kitt Productions) are the best shoulder bag a person who needs lots more pockets could ever own, and at just $100 each, seriously, why haven't you bought one (or more) yet!!!

27/01/2026

I almost forgot! Today is the third anniversary of launching the Hawthorn incarnation of Anne Bonny's Locker!
To those who don't know, my name is Cyndy Kitt (my actual business name is Cyndy Kitt Productions) but the shop was named after the infamous girl-brat and sometime pirate, Anne Bonny.
But also, it is a reference to an Adam & The Ants album track "Five Guns West" which had the lyrics:

Ladies can be captains and ladies can be chiefs
Just like glorious Amazons, Anne Bonny, Mary Read
A woman can be captain and a woman can be chief
This stuff I'm talking, buddy Bob, don't give me any grief

The song is one that I felt gave me permission (and courage) to live my life on my own terms, to not make myself small for the comfort of others, I was determined to carve my own crimson career.

Ladies can be captains and ladies can be chiefs / Just like glorious Amazons, Anne Bonny, Mary Read / Ladies can be captains and ladies can be chiefs / This stuff I'm talking buddy

27/01/2026

Fortunately the thick 1890s masonry walls and high ceilings of my shop kept things relatively cool in the good ship Anne Bonny's Locker despite it being in the mid 40s, so I was able to finish another pair of Baudrei Pocket Dilly Bags yesterday; black with purple lining. Even more fortuitous, a cool change came through last night so it is going to be a very pleasant low mid 20s today
The limited edition Baudrei Pocket Dilly Bags (designed and sewn by me: Cyndy Kitt Productions) are the best shoulder bag a person who needs lots more pockets could ever own, and at just $100 each, they are a serious bargain!

















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