Hello! Guess what? I finally have something new to show you!
Yay!
It's been a little while since I posted a new dress, so thank goodness it's a super happy bright one! Are you excited to see it?
My mum had the below Simplicity pattern from 1975 and I always remember it from her collection. I didn't take it with me when I moved out of home but a random mini 70's obsession prompted me to go find it on Etsy.
I didn't even notice in the product description that the straps and facings were missing, so a quick call to mum and now I have both patterns!
While looking for inspiration to name this dress I found this image - Obviously I went with a different name, but I thought I should leave it here... Similar non?
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| Mr. Freedom Range :: Models Endy Cartnell, in a spotted sundress and hat, and Selina, in a striped sundress and bolero with 1950's jewelry / King's Road, Chelsea, London, April 1973 |
I started working on this at the Sydney Spoolettes sewing day. I got through about 80% of the dress and had to go home.
That was about a month ago, and all I had left to do were the buttons down the back and the straps.
The actual dress was also too big so I had to take in a bit as well around the bust, but not after I'd already done the facings and the nice top stitching.
But finally after all of that mucking about, I have a lovely sunny frock and on the first real summer day that hits, this lovely girl is going to be out and about!
The back of the dress is where all the business is - Crossed straps and buttons!
I'll have to walk into rooms backwards it's that amazing!
The fabric by the way is from Lincraft, my least favourite sewing supply place, but for some reason they had a bunch of nice floral fabrics, which I bought quite a bit of and you'll of course get to see them all!
The only tiny issue was with the front buttons.
The buttons on their own weren't very strong and with only a small amount of dancing around the house, pulled the straps up and away in a very awkward way.
So I attached a hook and eye to anchor the strap to the dress a little better. This is much more effective as it pulls the dress up if the straps start to slip to the back
Also the marvellous ruffle at the back! How nice is it?
Makes you want to dance!
Over all quite a fun dress! So happy and sunny don't you think?
Another rather exciting thing happened recently, Betty Magazine in the UK invited me for an interview on their blog. (For my Australian readers, Betty is quite similar to Frankie and Peppermint). You can see the whole post here if you like!
In addition, I have actually done more sewing then this over the past months. There are two other dresses ready to post, but I had the help of Leesa from Makers Society to take some lovely outdoor photos so hopefully they will be up here for you soon!
Well thank you for popping in my lovelies, enjoy your week and I hope Monday is kind to you
Cat xo
Hello, dear Catherine! It's Shady, one of your American lovelies! :)
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing this post of yours there's a song in my heart:
"I've looked at Cat from both sides now." :)
Front view and back, that bright yellow dress you made is a sensation and it's obvious that you are already having fun wearing it even before summer arrives. Beautiful job!
I also congratulate you on your interview in Betty. I'm glad you showed off that bright purple and green dress I admire so much and had the chance to share your thoughts about the spirit of fun and freedom that prevailed in the Sixties.
Good night, dear friend Catherine, and enjoy the rest of your week down under!
thank you shady! haha yes there is two sides to every dress i guess! The interview with Betty was really unexpected and fun, and it had a good reaction on instagram, so it was well worth it!
DeleteI just love your floral sundress! You pick out such cute patterns, I have actually baught a few after seeing them on your blog, cheers!
ReplyDeletethank you! and im so glad and flattered that i help influence your pattern purchases! I know a lot of people ask after my Peggy pinny pattern. which ones did you buy? have you sewn any up yet?
DeleteI purchased Butterick 6959 (whic I am super excited about!) and Simplicity 9861. Haven't made either but they are on my list!! Thank you for all of the awesome inspiration!!
DeleteI'm in awe! That dress is astounding, I love it! the ruffle at the bottom and the patch pockets are divine. The fabric is amazing, yellow is definitely your colour. Off to check out your interview.xxx
ReplyDeletethank you Vix! I knew it would be one that you would like. Especially the ruffle hem and bright colour I know is your thing. I'm glad to have made you smile! xo
DeleteI LOVE this dress! Such a cool style, and the fabric is perfect. Well done on the interview, will have a look now. xxx
ReplyDeletethank you! xo
DeleteSuch a lovely summer dress! The colour looks great on you x
ReplyDeletethank you! I really should wear more yellow!
DeleteSuch a cute dress! I have that pattern in my stash and it's so great to see it made up. Love that yellow!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I hope it inspires you to try sewing it one day!
DeleteYour blog inspires me so much! I also love the 60s and have one post up on my blog about a Mary Quant style dress I made but your blog makes me want to create so many more dresses! xx
ReplyDeletehollyoliviacreates.blogspot.com
aww thank you! You should totally keep sewing, especially 60s stuff, its such fun!
DeleteIll check out the post now xo
Love your new dress. So sunny looking.
ReplyDeleteI have some needle corduroy in my stash that you would love - its printed with big 60's style flowers (kind of Marimekko looking). I was going to make a skirt with it years ago and I just don't think its going to happen. If you would like a photo of it I am happy to e-mail you. I'll look into the costs of posting from the UK ; )
Share the fabric love x
Hi! Oh sorry for taking so long to reply! I would love to see this fabric you have if you're still interested in selling it? My email is catherine.alekna@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon! xo
DeleteI have this pattern too! You look gorgeous, well done!
ReplyDeletewow! its so popular!! So many people have it, and i totally think you should sew it up! xo
DeleteThis dress is gorgeous! The straps with the buttons, the pockets, the length - it's all so great. You look smashing in it!
ReplyDeletethank you lovely! xo
DeleteSuch a happy, sunny frock! I imagine you are going to be wearing it a lot this coming Summer, I know I would! I love how you've worn it with those shoes. You look like you could have been on the cover of the pattern sleeve. And ruffles at the bottom of dresses like that always make me want to dance or twirl as well. Very clever with the eye and hooks and congratulations on the Betty interview!
ReplyDeletethanks! I Totally was aiming to copy the pattern envelope! I had red fabric, but it wasn't quite enough then i saw the yellow at lincraft and knew what I needed to do! I have done so much swishing already with this skirt. and it has a good weight so i find myself subconsciously swinging around while standing in one spot.
DeleteIt looks wonderful, that yellow is the sunniest, happiest, prettiest colour ever!
ReplyDeleteheck yes it is! doesnt it make you want to give a big ol' smile!
DeleteIt looks spectacular - so perfect for summer! And I love the shoes you've chosen to wear with the dress.
ReplyDeletethanks! i think i might wear it to the spoolettes picnic!
DeleteIt's lovely and so full of sunshine. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes sunshine! Such a perfect word to describe this dress :)
DeleteSuch a lovely pattern and a beautiful dress! In my teens I had a 70ies book for adolescent girls my mum bought at a library-sale, your dress reminds me so much of the illustrations in it (a shame I gave it away some years ago).
ReplyDeleteThe fabric matches perfectly to the cuteness of the pattern, a real great dress for summer (weird to write this. Here in Europe the whole summer was very rainy and now in autumn it finally gets really warm. So it seems as if it is summery on both sides of the globe at the moment :-) )
love, ette
thank you! That book sounds amazing! I love finding old catalogues like that. they seem like junk but their totally useful.
Deletehaha i know what you mean. There are so many blog posts right now for autumn and Halloween but its spring here! Oh my how the world works...
What a perfect dress! I love the fabric choice and how closely you've made it to the cover, and the buttons up the back are such a lovely unexpected touch! Such a happy dress, it's definitely make me want to dance and swirl too!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the interview, I'm gonna go give it a read now!
thanks! Its wonderful this dress! Buttons and yellow and frills. so much fun right?
DeleteI love this dress !! You look stunning :-) The fabric choice is perfect for this 70s pattern
ReplyDeletethank you! I saw a blue fabric with the same print, but it didnt work as well with this pattern :)
DeleteJust catching up - the dress looks fabulous! Perfect for the lovely weather we are having :)
ReplyDeleteoh im behind too! I cant wait till we get to that really hot weather in November. it'll be perfect!
DeleteI love this- it's the perfect dress for summer! The fabric you chose looks similar to the one on the pattern too. Also, perfect shoes! I can't believe all those buttons up the back! I'm always so inspired by your dresses on Instagram- I realllly want to be better at sewing. I'm working on a fit and flare dress right now, hopefully it will fit. It's so depressing to finish something and it doesn't fit- that's when I give up sewing for months- haha :)
ReplyDelete