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.

Lets go Back to Mod !

Who was the wise guy who was right in saying "youth is wasted on the young"? How very true ! I want to play dress ups in some Mod gear and not feel silly *pout*. I missed the Mod 1960's thing, but now its made a bit of a return, I'm probably too old ! Well we can always daydream...



                                          

Vogue Paris Original ~ Balmain 1529.

When I first saw this, I thought it looked like leather. Now that would be Mod. Its a smart suit set but really Mod to me.

McCalls 8126 .

This block dress could be worn with the sensible shoes or could be with some white Knee highs. What about a white cap?

A scene from "Man From Uncle"

How cute is the zip front dress (to hemline) matching colour knee highs and hat. Note the white segmented detail along the long sleeve arm.

"Bewitched" Serena in her Groovy gear.

Its really hard to find stills from Bewitched and there is some amazingly great time pieces of fashion in it that, some, I have managed to find patterns for. I'd love to bring in some more Bewitched stills and match to patterns, so if anyone knows a good site, do tell.

"I Dream of Jeanie"

I see that Roger has fallen for Jeanie this time in her Mod gear. A sweet pale blue suit with her cute white boots. You would have to match with a white clasp top handbag, surely ?

"The Avengers"

WOW how bold, however I think its more bold today than it was then. Why is that? Why is leather deemed naughty? Well she does have her sensible flat rider type boot on ! The top and pants actually look really comfortable to wear.

Gosh my Mum had a mini as short as this in suede and I still have it. I have not worn it as the waist is way too small. She wore it even after 6 kids and looked really great.

Just love this magazine spread. It captures some of the great fabrics, poses, style and youth of the time.

It's Cold Outside !

The cold is finally here with icy air and "I dont want to get out of bed" feeling. Although this region is warmer than the southern areas of NSW, I still feel the cold these last few days. I found the perfect pattern for keeping so, sooo warm.

Vogue Paris Original 2484 Givenchy.

Circa 1970's

Long sleeve tunic top with straight legged pants and front zip closure.Tunic is semi fitted with back button closure & front side slits and collar. There is a detached  hood with snap closure.

I'd add those gloves in this climate with a nice pair of warm boots.

Retro reproduction pattern 1950's

I bought this reproduction pattern of 1950's styled garments. Originally I loved the three- quarter sleeve swing coat, so cute! I have nearly completed the three - quarter pinstripe pants and want to make the white cotton top to go with it.

Thank you Simplicity for a reproduction series...I only want them all !

Evening Gown Luxury

Cocktail Dresses & Evening Gowns are pure Style

McCalls 3788 Givenchy. Circa 1956.

Simple, elegant, and oh so stylish ! A rare and expensive pattern to find.

If you're lucky enough to find one of these now out of print patterns, hang on to it.

Could be made in satins, taffita or silk for the glamour evening feel. The opera gloves just finish it off perfectly.

Princess seams, boat neck with strap back, flowing into a bowed sash.

I think McCalls should do a re-print for those of us who won't find one at the garage sales...

McCalls 4257 Pauline Trigere .

Short sleeve, full skirted cocktail dress. Tied bow detail on front and cowl neck feature shows mostly at rear neck, appears as boat neck at front.

Would be glamourous in satins, silks and taffeta.

Vogue Paris Original 1434 - Nina Rici.

Circa 1954.

Empire waist two piece evening dress. Sheath dress with thin straps and tunic worn over dress. Can be made in two lengths.

A nice adaptation for the "Littele Black Dress" theme with elegance.

Longer length in glamour fabrics such as satin, silk or taffetas ideal for those special events.

Despite the year it is made, it never goes out of style if its classical.

McCalls 4007 by Givenchy.

I saw an original newspaper article describing this pattern & other McCalls Givenchy patterns.

Its from the Tuscaloosa News (?). Cut paste address below to your browser page:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19570407&id=tmIeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5pkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4091,4472139

I'd like to buy it with the original price please! I wonder if I sent my money to the address would I be lucky? Not....

Vogue Vintage Model Original 1931 Design.

I was inspired by these slinky designs with  low cut backs. These are reproduction patterns from the 1930's. Very early Hollywood glamour design. I see them in a slinky satin fabric, but where I would wear it on a country property I'm not quite sure, but I'd give it a try !

Vogue Vintage Model Original 1934 Design.

Capes

My facination with fashion cape wear

Its such a shame that the fashion cape is not worn anymore. Its quite a practical item, keeping you warm and allowing you to either tuck away your arms or having them through the cape slots. I have only once seen them in streetwear in my time, in cold winter Canberra ACT a woman in a three quarter brown cape, on her way to work. Here in this country town of NSW it would surely look out of place.

They can be for warmth or for rain & wind protection. I have added a few nice patterns I have found to demonstrate their appeal.

Beautiful cream double breasted buttoning with boots.

Although this is a knitted pattern, its still is a great look with the hat &and gloves.

More of an office look with a suit set of the 1960's.

I think the Simplicity 8504 button detail is adorable on the red front chest, with the high collar.

Simple, street wear cape for the young lady. Also could be Nurses uniform, of days gone by. Here this cape is worn not for winter, but with a summer dress, to cover the shoulders from those cool evenings.

I found this reproduction 1948 pattern and could not go past it. Variation in cape styles from medium to capelette. I look forward to trying out these. The white hooded one is so sweet, ideal for a winter wedding.

Princess For A Day

Vogue Paris Original 1897.

Yves Saint Laurent

Circa 1960.

I found this 'Princess' pattern on Ebay & initially thought it was a bit over the top, but I couldn't look away. Then I thought why not, everyone deserves to be a Princess even if only for a day. So I bought it. It's currently flying first class (of course) to me and I am going to make up this cape. I will try the tamer version also, eventually.

A line cape, lined to edge in evening or street length, with or without fur trim. High waisted dress in evening or street length, sleeves or sleeveless.