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Clothkits

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Hippie-dippy mail-order clothes company who sold you kits for making smocks, dresses and even dolls. They were always patterned and had the sewing instructions printed on the back of the fabric. The Clothkits doll was called Kitty.

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Do You Remember Clothkits?

Do You Remember Clothkits?

  • Anonymous user
    on
    I have just found an unmade up kit for a child's hat, bag and pencil case which I never got round to making for my daughter back in the early 80's. So here I am, now living in Barbados, happily making up this new-found kit and thoroughly enjoying the whole process. I can see why I used to love making these kits. They work out so well. Not sure who the hat will fit now - one of my two grand-daughters I guess. Glad to hear that Clothkits is still going strong and that so many people remember them from the early days. Lesley D
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I bought the first ever one i saw . On offer from a sunday newspaper...THE Observer ? 1971 ?.It was a heavy duty patterned linen waistcoat lined in navy ' fur', which could be worn inside out and i wore it on playground duty till the colours faded away...I also bought my children kits,jumpers ?,large cotton pictures of the country side in different seasonal colours....i made into quilts....and i got zero for sewing at school..ah yes and the most beautiful patterned jacket...oh why did i part with that..and affordable !!!.but have you seen the new selection...nothing like the old. Patsy 22.1.2013
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I was delighted when I found Clothkits back! My children (and myself) were Clothkitted in the 80s, and I even helped to organise a Clothkits evening to raise money for charity. Now with grandchildren, I shall be buying more! Yes, the clothes do get passed down, but that's because they are of such good quality. They were, anyway. I look forward to putting in orders for the new items. (The original rag doll, nicknamed Raggy Annie, still lives on top of her owner's wardrobe!) Janette.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I found a whole lot of cloth kits, and one new beautiful size 14 dress. I loved the colours and designs. Also it was so easy to have matching clothes! Why did they close? Oh well in my big clear out of 'the past' I shall put them on the e-bay and somebody will appreciate them, for now they are quite distinctive.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Did you all know clothkits are up and running? google it and you'll find they are making just as gorgeous stuff as they always did.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I lived in Lewes next door to the brother of the creator of Clothkits and I remember well Finn's sister in law Jan helping and working at setting up the company. We both had small children and they all wore these remarkable and unique outfits. When we emigrated to Australia my two girls 3 & 4 years were given matching sets by Jan which they wore on the plane here. I still have a blue jumper that has gone between mt 3 daughters and me for many years. Lovely memories.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I'm so pleased to find that people remember Clothkits with as much affection as I do. My sons, now 28 and 24, loved the bright green tracksuits, stripey t shirts and loads of colourful dungarees. People would often comment about my sons' "eccentric clothes", but I loved the fact they were so different. I still have a big cat tidy from those days--I can't part with it. I gained a lot of confidence in my creativity by sewing those fool-proof kits and I am glad to see that they are back--in time for my grandchildren........
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I was also married in Clothkits in 1983 - I adapted a lovely beige needlecord pinafore with a pink and brown print for my wedding dress and my bridesmaids outfits (they wore the matching pink blouses too) The kits were in the sale and the whole lot cost about £50 for 4 pinafores and 2 blouses I even had a Juliet cap made from the offcuts , and the print pattern was copied onto our wedding cake too!
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Ahhhhh yes, Clothkits - I remember them well, purple baby-cord pinafores with a loud floral pattern! I remember the little scissor symbol and helping my Mum sew them together. I now have my own label - Knitti - you know, pretty knitted dresses and tunics and if I got a £1 for every person that asked me if if I used to wear Clothkits and did they inspire my own designs I'd certainly be better off than I am now! Well, what can I say other than being born in 71 to slightly self-sufficient, good-life parents in North Wales it is a strong possibility that the Clothkit designs stayed with me longer than I thought! Gillie, Harrogate. 11 June 08
  • Anonymous user
    on
    My two boys were born in 1979 and 1982 and in their early years wore great little outfits (I thought at the time, anyway)consisting of stripey knitted sweaters with knitted trousers in a plain matching colour with elasticated cuffs. So practical and warm, and differet from anything else in the shops. The autumn catalogue was always my faveurite the pics vibrant with autumn leaves and conkers, and those gorgeous earthy autumn colours. I also had a Clothkits baby changing bag which was so pretty and practical. Great designs, so glad they're back!

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