Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Who'll be the next in Line?

So! How have we all been so far this week? I’m rather excited because after lots of being sick and in toothy pain, I have finally finished the drop waist dress! I have decided to call it the Tuffin dress after Sally Tuffin from the 60s design duo, Foale and Tuffin. 

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I’m currently reading their biography and read that Sally mainly designed the dresses and Marion designed the suits, hence the name!  


Taa-daa!

I'll take some proper photos this weekend after I get my new braces (eek!)

So now is the time to start planning the next project! 

Around the same time I finished reading A to Biba, I was perusing the new fabrics for spring that Lincraft had on offer. I didn't expect anything extraordinary but my eye came across a black chiffon with gold printed detail. As my mind was in Biba mode, I envisioned something similar to this jersey dress. 

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The fabric reminded me of the black and gold of the Big Biba interiors and the signage, so that really firmed it up for me. 

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So in a sort of storyboard type style, here are the plans for the Barbara Dress! 

Dress with fitted bodice, a-line skirt, gathered shoulders with bishop sleeves and buttoned cuffs. 
Bodice underlined with black crepe, with sleeves to remain unlined. Cuffs to be lined in organza to keep the lightness
Zippered back hem just above knee length

Lovely black and gold chiffon, centre

Here is my elementary attempt at sketching my vision (no people, I can't do those well)


I will be using Style 1118 as the pattern for the bodice, which bought for 50c at the opp shop, and the sleeves from McCalls 2197 (Same as the teal silk dress). I'll add the cuffs myself.

The pattern isn't the exact same as the Biba dress, but I'm not trying for an exact replication.


This will be the first time I have sewn with chiffon, so I'll also attempt French seams to keep them all neat and tidy. I've never done them successfully, so there will be lots of trial and error!

But before I start I might sew a few easy things, just to reassure myself that I do know what I'm doing and that I'm not some fashion designer wannabe and progressively freak out like someone on Project Runway.

What will I sew?? Who will know?
I plan to do lots of sewing in the next week as I'm taking a break from work and I may even visit some museums or some of the city fabric stores

Exciting!

What sort of things do you have coming up next?






22 comments:

  1. Molly Ringwald was Pretty in Pink. You, dear Catherine, will surely be beautiful in braces. I hope you are feeling better by this time and I look forward to your next outfit post. Good night to you, dear friend, and enjoy the rest of your week!

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    1. oh thanks Shady! Im kinda excited to get them cause i know in the end it will all be worth it

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  2. Oh I love your dropwaist dress, I was excited too see this dress sewn up. Your plans look good for the bibs dress. Good luck with your braces.

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  3. Your dropwaist dress is fantastic ! and i can't wait to see your new project , black and gold, good choice ! Whatever about sewing , fabric , pattern ... , I hope you're feeling better now Cat.

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  4. Your dress is fantastic and I'm looking forward to seeing you rocking it when you're pain free! xxxx

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    1. Thanks Vix! I have a special surprise for you in the next post!

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  5. The dress is great! I just love the colour and the white edging. I hope you have a nice week off work and gets lots of sewing done x

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  6. I'm so excited to have randomly found you on BlogLovin' - I ADORE the 60's (seriously, if I could pick any decade to live in, it would TOTALLY be the 60's. Can't wait to see more from you!

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    1. Well hello! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you come back often for lots more 60s stuff!

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  7. The dress ist fantastic, I'm looking forward to the photos :-)
    I have to sew for the fall and winter, because I always feel cold ...
    I think a lot of skirts, pants and sweater.

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    1. Thanks! I hope to see your new things soon? i have so many things i want to sew for summer - thankfully summer sewing is easiest

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  8. O, my, that frock is going to look DIVOON with go go boots! Love that shade of red, and you've done a lovely job! Yep, we need to see you rocking it out when you're feeling better.
    Your drawing is perfect, the vision is clear! I hate sewing chiffon, personally, but I expect there are little tricks to make it easier. Frigging LOVE Biba, Barbara Hulanicki is a genius. Swanning about that shop is something I would love to time travel back for! I must look for that Foale and Tuffin bio, they created some wonderful frocks!
    XXX

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    1. Why thank you Helga! I wish i had some go-go boots, it would be perfect with this dress, but i don't!
      I got the Foale and Tuffin book from Amazon - its really good. not like a normal biography. there's interviews with the models, journos and other friends and lots of fashion sketches. i highly recommend it

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  9. LOVE your dress, so pretty! You always have such eye candy in your posts, love it :)

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    1. Thank you! I try to make it interesting for everyone!

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  10. Ooh so excited to see how that chiffon dress turns out! And eager to learn of any tips you come across after sewing it up! Good luck x

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    1. Oh me too! Ill try to remember to take progress photos as well

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  11. The drop waist dress turned out amazing - gorgeous colour and mod detailing. I have the Foale and Tuffin book as well and my jaw dropped when I first saw their amazing designs. I'd really love to recreate one of their letter vest dresses.

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    1. Thanks! I love their illustrations, i didnt realise how vast their designs were. Those letter vest dresses wouldnt be too hart to replicate ;)

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