Now that I'm back and starting to recover from my weekend camping at Cambridge Folk Festival, I thought I'd share some of the lovely things I came across. Here they are:
Music
Karine Polwart had to be my favourite artist of the festival. Both her sets were excellent. On Friday she got us singing along in Stage Two and doing Usain Bolt moves to Chariots of Fire played on the Kazoo. On Saturday she showcased her songwriting talents with eloquent new songs 'Cover Your Eyes', about Donald Trump's controversial golf course, and 'King of Birds', which nods to the Occupy Movement. In the singing workshop she showed us what a talented musician she is, switching keys and harmonies effortlessly and directing the entire Club Tent to sing together in many different parts. Here is Karine rocking the twenties look 'Flapperette' style:
The best band to dance to was Blackbeard's Tea Party. Wonderfully energetic songs played with bountiful exuberance were just the thing to ceilidh to. Reworkings of Tomorrow We'll Be Sober and Chicken on a Raft were my personal favourites. R2 magazine described them as ' vintage folk-rock at its best' and I would quite agree. It just goes to show even my taste in music is vintage themed...
Photograph from http://www.blackbeardsteaparty.com/
Fashion
As always fashion at the Folk Fest was diverse, from waterproofs and wellies to crazy hats and cut offs. Flower garlands and headscarves proved popular too. Gorgeous vintage inspired dresses were provided by Lynn from C+V in the Traders Marquee. The fabulous Fifties shape frocks came in an eclectic array of vintage fabrics. You can see my love of print and bright colours in the ones I showcase here. The dresses are made at the HEBA Women's Project in Brick Lane, so they are not only stunning, but have great ethical and green credentials too.
 Ossie Clark Trouser Suit Fabric  Inspired by Bonnard |  1980s 'Princess Margaret' Fabric  Ikat with Lace Trim |
Upcycling
I spotted some great ideas for reusing and upcycling fabrics around the festival - signs covered in old knitted jumpers, floral bunting made from clothes scraps and cute patchwork bags upcycled from girls' jeans. Definitely going to try these out...
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What Sophie Did
In amongst running around after my niece and nephew and listening to all the lovely music I managed to get quite a lot done: dancing, playing my guitar, taking over 600 pics, going to lots of workshops and modelling some of Retrovert's vintage accessories.
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Such is my dedication to vintage treasure hunting that I even walked 3 miles to a car boot sale after only 5 hours sleep! I found some beautifully embroidered linens and two romantic tea sets, as well as the 70s beaded bag and headscarf in the above picture.
And finally, here I am brushing up on my circus skills and looking like a really hippy in Retrovert's 70s bead and seed necklaces and the read garland I made. I did take me quite a while to get the hang of plate spinning, but was ridiculously delighted when I finally did!
And finally, here I am brushing up on my circus skills and looking like a really hippy in Retrovert's 70s bead and seed necklaces and the read garland I made. I did take me quite a while to get the hang of plate spinning, but was ridiculously delighted when I finally did!
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Did you go to the Folk Festival? What were your best bits...
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