Thank you for all your comments on my last post, I'm feeling much better about my choice. I've decided to put my the chiffon frock away for a bit until I feel ready to sew it again.
It's not often that I completely feel the need to just stop a project, even at work or in regular life situations. Normally I have the energy and drive to be able to complete projects and deal with any little pains that come up, but not this time!
It's probably something as silly as the hot humid weather we're having, exhaustion from work or distraction from watching the Olympics that's making this dress less interesting. Combine all of that with something as tricky and fiddly as chiffon and well it's a drag. I hope that explains whats going on in my dear little head!
To get myself back into the right frame of mind and refresh my 60s love, I've been spending lots of time of Etsy looking at fun 60s frocks, trawling through my Pinterest pins and visiting my favourite place for ideas - Vintage Pattern wiki!
I also created a separate Pinterest board for sewing patterns only, so they aren't all mixed up in fashion, sewing and private boards.
One particular image which I pinned not too long ago, came back to my attention whilst going through my pins
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Couple attends the Festival of the Flower Children at the Windsor Jazz Festival, August 12, 1967 |
This photo of a "Flower child"couple at the Windsor Jazz Festival in 1967 really captured my imagination. The girls dress with ruffled sleeves and hem is so attractive to the sewing the 60s part of my mind. Her bag, that giant flower and the boys outfit complete a look which I just can't forget!
I posted this same image on Instagram and one of my followers happened to come across an image of the couple from the front in a book they just happened to be reading!
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| Image from Stratostreakvintage's Instagram |
Although both their faces are obscured, the girl looks a little to me like Charlotte Martin, who at the time was dating Eric Clapton. Hence the name of this dress.
Cream did actually play at the Festival of the Flower Children, though his outfit photos from the event don't match the boys, so I think this couple are just well dressed doppelgangers!
What do you think?
If I could get a hold of a pattern tomorrow, I'd probably use this one to replicate her dress.
But then again, it is simply a shift dress for the bodice. The sleeves as well as having ruffles, also flare out slightly. These should be easy to do myself - though I've never sewn ruffles onto a sleeve so I'll definitely show you my progress on that.
I'll probably use my faithful old shift dress pattern as the base as I know it fits and what modifications I can make to it without a fuss.
The fabric I will use is this patterned cotton from Fabric.com called Dear Stella Hadley Paisley Atlantic - long name but gorgeous print!
The repeat at large gives a different look than close up - less green with warmer colours. To me it has a sort of Indian feel - kind of like the arches you see in the Raj's palaces!
The fabric is actually a quilting cotton so I had to order more than my standard 2 meters, but I'm glad I got it even if I had to pay more, cause I'm really in love with this print now!
So that's what I'll be working on this weekend - this time with renewed excitement, passion and energy to actually finish it!
What do you currently have in your sewing machine? Or where is your favourite place to renew your spirit for the things you love? Share it with me in you comment!
Cat xoxo
I love the fabric! I hope you have a fab weekend sewing x
ReplyDeleteThanks! It gorgeous isn't it?! I hope you are having/had a good weekend!
DeleteHi, Cat! Is it too late for me to change my answer on the previous post? :) I was heavily outnumbered on that one but, at the same time, it illustrates the value of having blog friends of different ages, genders and backgrounds. You gain perspective, a different way of looking at a problem, an issue or life in general. My seminar training was in evidence when I suggested that you break through the block and bask in the afterglow of a challenging accomplishment. However, I do understand that you can't force the creative process. It needs to flow. You need to have your mojo working in order for that to happen. Perhaps, as you say, you will be inspired to come back to that project with a fresh enthusiasm some day, but until then I'm sure you are doing the right thing by setting it aside.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I can't be of any help identifying that couple at the Windsor Jazz Festival although, to me, the guy looks a little like one of the Gibb brothers (Bee Gees) or Peter Fonda. I probably "sound" like a broken record, but the girl's dress and long straight hair again remind me of my 60s girlfriend.
Happy Friday to you, dear friend Catherine, and have a great weekend as well!
haha! thats ok! Im sure you must know how hard it is to make a woman change her mind about clothes? But thank you for giving such a diplomatic and well reasoned response.
DeleteI will definitely come back to it, when my imaginations start going that direction again. usually when the weather is colder i get lots of ideas!
Peter Fonda? that's a possibility! for now im going to pretend its Clapton and Charlotte. that makes it a little more fun!
What a wonderful fabric !! I love it :-)
ReplyDeleteIts gorgeous isn't it! i hope it looks as good once its made up!
DeleteThat's a great picture and dress. I love it when inspiration comes slamming into me with just the look of one picture.
ReplyDeleteJust one question, why don't people carry around giant flowers anymore?!
Yeah i know what you mean! i think they are always my most favourite - the ones that hit you like a brick!
Deleteand yeah! theres plenty of tutorials on how to make your own giant flower! you'd think there'd be more!
DeleteThat is super-gorgeous fabric!
ReplyDeleteI know! i cant wait to wear the finished version!
DeleteGorgeous fabric and sweet inspiration! I've a heap of mending looking at me (all stock!) Once that's out of the way I'm hoping to crack on with a 1967 pattern! x
ReplyDeleteOh i love that dress of yours! its giving me lots of motivation to get on with mine
DeleteCan't wait to see this one! I just made Simplicity 1609 shift dress reprint. My second one. I love it so!
ReplyDeleteMe too! i hope its as good as i imagine. Simplicity 1609 - oh ill have to check it out! xo
DeleteI think it looks just like my Megan Draper dress from last year's Mad Men challenge with longer sleeves plus a bottom ruffle! We can be twins!
ReplyDeletehttp://missalliemass.blogspot.com/2013/04/colette-laurel-mad-men-challenge-2.html
Oooh i love that dress of yours! so cute and chic! i think i voted for it back when they had the Laurel comp!
DeleteI think i might make my ruffles bigger - and the sleeve flare out a bit - but yeah we can be dress twins!
Hello, popped over to your pinterest patterns - you may want to check out this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/crafts/sewing/patterns/dresses/auction-697577263.htm
ReplyDeleteTrade Me is like the New Zealand version of etsy, but I believe its in Australia now too(?)
Thanks for the link! I'll have to see it they'll post to Aus - if not i can get it sent to one of my cousins and forward it on. I'm half kiwi!
Deletexo
I've always loved that photo (I haven't seen the second one until now, though!), and I cannot wait to see how your dress turns out! Even though I just recently stumbled upon your blog, you've already given me tons of inspiration to start making another dress :)
ReplyDeleteI thought i was funny that two managed to be taken of the same girl - she must have really made a few heads turn that day!
DeleteI found your blog as well the other day from The Carnebetian Army's Leibster award post - i really enjoyed your post about being a CODA. I have a friend who is studying to be a deaf translator - is that the right term? she always posts lots of interesting posts on facebook about the deaf community. its very interesting to know how hey get on and go about their day and the struggles they go through still after many years of educating the hearing community and coming up with infrastructure to help them
Definitely! I wonder if there happen to be any more photos from that day?
DeleteOh, thank you for your kind words! I'm absolutely thrilled to hear you enjoyed it. That is very interesting about your friend! It's so nice to read about how there's some awareness being spread. :')
Muito bom o blog, parabéns pelo o tópico está ótimo.
ReplyDeleteobrigado!
DeleteI literally LOVE every single dress that you sewed! Fabrics are amazing, the overall dresses so groovy, and you're very skilled and obviously put much effort into what you do. So, well done! Lucking forward to seeing more dresses! :)
ReplyDeletethank you!!! youre so lovely and kind. apologies for taking so long to reply and publish your comment also :)
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