Audrey Hepburn in Charade

It was time to get my DVD copy out and watch this 1963 movie, with Cary Grant & Walter Matthau. Its classical 1960's fashion and filmaking. It covers a variety of genres; comedy, thriller, romance & mystery. However best of all it has Audrey ! What a beautiful, stylish, pettit lady she was. She could wear a potato sack and look clasically elegant.

The coat pictured was a strong orange in colour and possibly wool.

Designed by Givenchy.

The coat has an open, stand up collar & raglan sleeve.



Large fabric cover buttons in contrast black, which went to wonderfully with her black leather gloves, black bag and black shoes. There is the golden rule - bag should match the shoes !

Vogue 2988



Vogue 2988



Coat in this pattern has very similar neck line and buttoning, however shorter than the Audrey, Givenchy original.

Wool Givenchy Dress with bateau neckline





Simplicity 2602



Without the optional overskirt, a similar style dress with bateau neck & short sleeve dress.

All thats needed is your black belt !

Butterick 9097

The bateau neckline is lovely, but how much sweeter does it look with the bow finish.



Givenchy wool button coat.




Simplicity 8455 - Circa 1969.



The classic Trench




Finished off with her little white leather gloves and scarf.



Vogue 7004



Simplicity 7307




McCalls 5525

I know its not a vintage pattern, but is a modern pattern of a vintage design.

And...don't forget your gloves !



Butterick 4260



Womans Day Vintage sewing pattern.

I have not yet made gloves, but do have a pattern. How hard cna they be? I think they may be a bit fiddley, but would be a pleasure to create in your own colours and textures.

At the start of the movie, Audrey in the Alps

Mcalls 8009

This pattern will create the hood scraf Audrey wears in the alps as well as her head scarf in her trech wearing scene.

Audrey with Pill box style head attire.

Vogue 6121

You too can create the 60's Pill Box Hat at home.

Graceful Grace Kelly and Inspired Patterns

I recently watched Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief featuring the beautiful Grace Kelly. Both movies are not only intrigueing and fabulous cinematography, but the fashion is so iconic of the time. Grace has the ability to wear anything and look amazing. She even makes a swim at the beach look graceful and sophisticated...how is that achievable? She is a rare occurance !



Grace Kelly - Rear Window 1954



 Floor length nightdress and gown. Grace pulls this from her overnight bag and the fabric looks like satin / silk. It's cream in colour, although the film is coloured by Technicolor, so its hard to know its true representation.



Grace Kelly & James Stuart - Rear Window.



The movie is made in 1954, but I found patterns that were in a similar vein to Grace's nightdress are 1940's. 

McCalls 7929.



"So Easy"  pattern Number 159.



Grace enters the room asking JS what he thinks of her nightdress and he hardly notices as he is literally looking out the rear window LOL



So easy pattern # 159



Simplicity 3508.



Butterick 4652.

This 1950's full skirted dress with simple top with a low V back. Tulle skirting with underskirt elegantly completed with white gloves and black clutch purse.



McCalls 4045 - Galanos.



I beleive this pattern is extremely rare. I could only find it as a stock photo.



Suit in green worn in Rear Window.



McCalls 3790



Designer sketch of the suit worn on set by Edith head.





To Catch a Thief is so beautiful to watch both geographically and of course the wardrobe fashion of Grace Kelly.

Grace takes a day at the beach with Cary Grant and is waiting in the hotel lobby wearing her sophisticated swim wear. Overskirt to her swim suit with wide brimmed hat. She looks truly stunning.





Design sketch of the swimsuit and over skirt - Edith Head.



I saw the overskirt on this pattern and it reminded me of the swimsuit and overskirt Grace wore on her way to the beach with Cary Grant. Oh so elegant for a day at the beach.

Simplicity 2602.



Lets Party like it's 1950's !!!

It's New Year so lets start it off with some 1950's Party time fashion.

Feminine, timeless classics, beauty & elegance.

Butterick 7285

Five section dress, with bias front yoke, has short sleeves cut in one with dress front and set in at back. Dress is lined, has pockets of dress fabric and lining fabric in front seams and zipper in center back seam. Dress neck is faced & interfaced. Yoke is lined and sewn to dress front. Top is bound and turned under and yoke is included in shoulder seams 



Vogue Special Design 1951

A Vogue Special Design one piece dress with a gathered skirt with applied lace skirt which is optional joins the bodice at wasit line. Underbodice included in pattern. Low square neckline in front, round in back. Sectional shaped collar. Above elbow-length sleeves gathered in seam.



McCalls 4008

Shirred Empire waist 1957 pattern. Beautiful full skirt with sleeveless bateu neck.
Silk, cotton, taffeta, or crepe.




Simplicity 2812.

The dart fitted bodice has a decollete V neckline and extended shoulders. The softly flared skirt is cut in four sections and is topped with a purchased or self belt. Style 1 has a collar split at the sides. Style 2 has a jacket with three-quarter length cuffed raglan sleeves. It may be lined to match the dress



Butterick 6988

Butterick 6988 Evening Dress: Short or Floor Length: Planned for gayer evenings--bare shoulders, full skirt. Widem scooped neckline has a deep band that forms the sleeves, is contrasted in View (C). Whirlwind skirt swings a full circle. (A) & (C) Short length. (B) Floor length.

Vogue Special Design 4007.

Misses' One-Piece Dress: Four piece circular skirt, more fullness in back, joins bare-topped bodice at waistline. Bias fold finishes top of bodice.

Vogue Special Design

A Vogue Special Design sewing patterns with a four piece flared skirt pleated at center-front and joins the bodice at wasitline. Low neckline and soft draped collar dropped to a pointed line in back. Elbow lenth kimono sleeves with cuffs.

Simplicity 7897 & Simplicity 6733

Simplicity 7897

Misses' Jiffy Dress - Circa 1968

A - line dres with set in sleeve, back zipper and mandarin collar. Long Bell shaped sleeve. Optional back waistline darts.

I liked this "Mod" very 1960's dress. It brought back the era, with its bell sleeve and short hemline. I put in the optional back and front waistline darts to make it more figure shaping. This was made in a polyester - satin of which the patterning took a while to find, that looked "psychedelic". It calls for bias seam binding for the sleeve trim and I used white. I have never finished a sleeve this way, but I do like it for this particular style and look. Its the first time I have had to match the patterned fabric which was successful, at the back of the dress where the invisible zipper is inserted.

 With this pattern I made a very 60's glossy hat. I have not made a hat before and thought I'd give it a try and I'm pretty happy with it. Its a "sou' wester" style but with some glossy PVC it can look Mod. The hat was really easy to make and now I'll have to make myself some sun hats for this summer.

Simplicity 6733

Misses' Rain Coat & Hat.

Far Out Man !

Inspired by an episode of 1969 Bewitched, I had to bring out the Jumpsuit ! I'm sure many are still hidden in the wardrobe just waiting for the revival...if it may come. I just can't see where they were flattering. Sure is brave though !

Simplicity 7909.

For the Hip Chick of the times in long or short pant. Great with your roman sandals or court shoes for the more conservative look (you wouldn't think conservative is possible!)

Simplicty 6793.

A more tailored leg here, in contrast to the bell bottoms. If you really want to Razz it up try the layered frill at ankle and collar (in pink). So much more romantically feminine.

Simplicity 7445.

You might just need an extra 2 metres on this one just for the pants. Super flared leg available in long or short. WOW.

New York 1967 Designer Dress

1967 Bill Blass - McCalls 8927

I found this gem on Ebay. A gorgeous, stylish, very 60's front  pleated designer dress. A sleeveless four section dress with inverted pleat on the left side. I really like the pleat being to one side and also a sash pocket concealed under pleat. So very modern, but it is really not in time scale. Neck detail has inerfaced bands in neck facing seam. Rear entry zip.

Its so crisp looking and I'm really into the front pleat thing at the moment. Not sure what fabric I will use : Crepe probably, but i like the idea of Linen, but practically I won't as it just crushes harshly, taking away from the perfect crisp look to it.

Welcome Spring !

Yipee its here again...Spring ! This is my favorite time of year. The flowers are blooming and I can smell the scents. I can hear the birds singing again and just love to feel the warmth again. Away goes the flannel bed sheets and put away the jumpers. Something special is in the air.

Butterick 9372.

Cross back button affix, full skirted 1950's dress.

Feeling Spring in this one. Can be worn with a small jacket (Bolero style) to keep the fresh air chill off the shoulders.

This is a Vogue Reproduction of a 1957 design.

Similar in its large skirt but top is more classical and could be for evening or cocktail affairs.

I can hear the rustling fold in this skirt. Crisp cotton blends or for a more seductive dress, satin or taffita.

This Vogue pattern book says it all..."Spring Starts Here!"

For 60 cents you could have had the whole book to view.

I do like the three-quarter sleeve dresses and coat dresses. They are perfect for the warm/ can be cool spring weather.

Simplicity 1970 Pattern Book.

Check out the Groovy scarf and modern independent chick haircut !

Oh that daisy pattern is a classic.