Sunshine came softly through my a-window today

Hello there! Hows your weekend going?

My version of Simplicity 3833 for Rosie Wednesday's shift dress sew along is complete! I did take some progress photos, but I lost them whilst I was switching to my new phone so I don't have them to share! They could always be buried in a folder in my computer somewhere...

Anyway! I took a little trip to the city today and had some luck at both the record and vintage stores so I thought I'd share with you what I got.

Sewingthe60s dresses for sale!

Hello there! Guess what, guess what, guess what!!

I have things for sale!

That's right I have been sneakily sewing up 2 dresses from a 60s sewing pattern. The pattern is far too small for me, and I wanted to try it out, so I decided to whip up some sweet dresses for you! Take a look below for the details and let me know if you’d be interested in making them part of your wardrobe!

First up...

Aqua blue sleeveless shift dress with top stitch details on front yoke and decorative buttons. Dress is fastened with zip at back. Dress is handmade by me with facings and hem slip stitched. Great care has been taken to sew this one of a kind dress!

Fabric - Vintage cotton fabric with slub. Hand wash only please.

Approx. size 8 Aus/UK (Size 4 US)

Measurements lying flat and doubled

Bust 83 cm (32 ½ inches)

Waist 80cm (31 ½ inches)

Hips 94cm (37 inches)

Length 90cm (35 ½ inches) – Upon ordering please advise your desired length of the hem and I will sew it before posting

Price $60 AUD (Approx $52 USD, GBP ₤32)

And also this bright lime green sleeveless shift dress with top stitch details on front yoke and decorative buttons. Dress is fastened with zip at back. Dress is handmade by me with facings and hem slip stitched. Great care has been taken to sew this one of a kind dress!

Fabric info – Stretch cotton gabardine – new fabric. Hand wash only please.

Approx. size 8 Aus/UK (Size 4 US)

Measurements lying flat and doubled

Bust 83 cm (32 ½ inches)

Waist 80cm (31 ½ inches)

Hips 94cm (37 inches)

Length 90cm (35 ½ inches) – Upon ordering please advise your desired length of the hem and I will sew it before posting

Price $60 AUD (Approx $52 USD, GBP ₤32)

Postage for one dress is AUD $6.95, GBP ₤13, USD $18. Exact postage will be calculated upon inquiry

Email me if you’re interested or for more detailed photos. If your happy to go ahead with the purchase I will send you a paypal invoice

Thanks for taking a look, and we'll be back to our regular Sewing the 60s programming soon!

See you later lovelies! 

Cat xo

Norma Tullo

Hi there good lookin! How’s your week been? I’ve been a busy little bee myself sewing up some new dresses and doing a lot of research for today’s post.

It’s also our national day tomorrow – Australia day, and my friends and I will be celebrating by having a picnic and watching a classic Aussie film The Castle in the backyard projected up onto a sheet.

So now let’s learn a little more about one of Australia’s most prominent designers from the 60s. 

Norma Tullo

Grain lines, cut and Ossie Clark

While working on Simplicity 3833 for the sew along I thought I'd work on Burda 10/2011 which requests you to cut your skirt piece on the bias, and I wondered how this will make the end garment look, especially cause this pic isn't that great for detail. I decided to do some reading on grain lines and cut to understand more

In my research I came across some articles about Ossie Clark which spoke of his talent at being able to cut a garment well. I was rather confused because it obviously didn't mean that he was good at holding scissors and I knew it had something to do with getting his garments to fit women in a flattering way, but I still didn't know what it meant when a garment was well cut! 

Sunday's on the phone to Monday

Well, that dreaded day has come - tomorrow I go back to work after 3 weeks off. I'm kinda looking forward to it, but I'm sure the novelty will wear off by 9:30. 

The last week of holidays was well spent, I went to the MCA in Sydney to see the Yoko Ono exhibit, visited friends and got lots of housework done. And I also had a huge pile of opp-shop finds that needed new hems or some fitting changes made to them. (One dress I had been waiting to fix for 2 years!)

So unfortunately there are no new fancy new things to show of this week, but I have been spending a lot of time on Pinterest looking for work outfit ideas. I'd like to share with you some of my favourite looks which if I could I'd pluck them off the screen and wear them to work!

That would save a lot time in the morning... 

Paulene Stone

I'm Just mad about Saffron

"...Saffrons mad about me"

Oh Donovan! How many post titles can I come up with from his lyrics? Perhaps we can discuss that another time, because now I have my finished dress to show you! 

The Simplicity Sewing book 1969

Why hello there and welcome to 2014!! I hope your New Years celebrations were filled with lots of fun and sparklers!

I'd like to share with you today some images from the Simplicity 1969 sewing book. Two of my favourite things combined - sewing and the 60s! (in case you couldn't tell) 

The book itself is like most sewing books, with instructions in a lot of basic techniques and tips on how to use Simplicity patterns, but this one also comes with advertisements for sewing products and full colour fashion photos - Fun!*

*Mine also includes scribbles from a budding artist wielding a ball point! See if you can spot them!

Lets take a look!

Front cover