60's Fashion elements - The gritty and glamorous 1930's

Its been over a year since the last "Fashion elements" post. I know! I'm terrible!! But there's a lot to research and now I can finally give you a new design element that I've been enjoying noticing since watching Bonnie and Clyde and reading the "Sixties Fashion" book. 

The 1930s gave the 60s a lot of inspiration in the mid to late 60s, via films and designers who looked to the past for inspiration from the heros and characters that drove folk lore and adorned the screens during the dark depression era. So many films were produced in that period, that one would think there was no depression in LA, but there surely was and the films were often used as an escape from real life for everyday people. The fantasy of those films and outlaws like Bonnie and Clyde remained so ingrained in peoples memories that it was bound to repeat itself at some point. 

The story of Bonnie and Clyde was a perfect segue for the 30s to introduce itself to the 60s. One of things that really drove the popularity of this film in 1967 was the fashions and of course fantastical story line of Bonnie and Clyde. 

So popular was the films fashion that designers such as Yves Saint Laurent Norman Norell both designed collections based of Bonnie's outfits as played by Faye Dunaway

Vintage pattern party

It's sunday night and I've spent most of the weekend doing chores, so I've not gotten any sewing or fun stuff done. Boo!

However, I did get to enjoy sorting through a bunch of new patterns that I bought from Stratostreak Vintage (Check out the video with her Twiggy collection!)

I have a good chunk of patterns that I need to post onto the Pattern collection page now, hopefully I don't screw up the HTML!

Anyway! Its time for a little Sunday evening/afternoon/morning eye candy!!

I am so loving this set of 70 patterns! So many Biba dreams waiting to be sewn up!

I'm not sure if I'll ever sew up those bottom two, but I think you know you're a collector when you have things just for the sake of having them

I have been after these two Chelsea collared beauties for awhile!

The top pattern very much appeals to my cuter girly side, but that Vogue pattern and its sophisticated chicness is so appealing. I wish wearing a shirt and skirt didn't look so boring on me, but this pattern seems to be promising a whole lot!

The top right pattern has a lovely detail at the neck with a little scarf holder. Such a great idea, especially because my scarves tend to move around a lot. And the pinny on the bottom right is really awesome! Look at that collar and buttons! 

Two more 70s beauties! The one on the right is too small so I'll have to go looking for the right size soon.

Oh so many pretties! And I buy each one with every intention of sewing them up one day too.

Which ones your favourite here? Send me an email if you'd ever like to do a pattern tracing swap!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday lovelies!

Cat xo 

Tangerine or Mandarin

How have you been fabulous people? I do hope life is being kind to you! 

This weekend past was spent attempting to sew in 35 degree heat, followed by a huge storm that blew plenty of fresh air back into the house. I did actually get to finish a dress which I'll show you later.

A few months back I spent the afternoon with the fabulous Leesa from the Makers Society who kindly took some picture of me and my dresses to share on both our blogs. 

I don't often have my photo taken in a non-party/ passport photo situation and in times where I control the countdown timer I'm more relaxed and slightly more natural in my photos. It was a little awkward having the photos taken by another person who I pretty much had just met in real life that day. Hanging out in a public park, with the sun blinding my eyes and receiving direction, but Lessa did an excellent job to suggest which way to look and hold my hand and what not, and we ended up with some lovely photos! 

Seeing myself through someone else's eyes is really different and interesting at the same time. I feel like half the photos my mouth is wide open waiting to catch flies, but really, I was just smiling! haha funny how that happens. 

It was a fabulous day anyway and a dog tried to eat one of the prop cupcakes which was pretty funny

Barbara Hulanicki - The patron saint of Sewingthe60s

Oh Barbara Hulanicki! How do I love thee!

In a recent interview with The De-brief, Barbara wisely tells readers, that if they want to achieve the 60's look the best way to do so, other then buying it, is to make it yourself!

"The easiest way to do the look yourself then? Make it. 'I think sewing is coming back like mad,' says Hulinicki. 'The high street is doing some simple pieces that actually look very 60's, so you can very carefully unpick the seams and make a new pattern from a finished garment. Then you can make the look your own.'

The right approach to fabric shopping might not be what you'd expect either. 'We used to use a hell of a lot of fabric for furnishing or curtains, which is actually the kind of look Prada’s just done a lot of,' Hulanicki says. If curtains are a step too far, then she suggests that 'fabric shops in the East End of London are fantastic for the brocades'.

Happiness runs in a circular motion

Hello dearest readers!

I've been working away on some little projects lately. Just small ones that are very simple and only require a couple hours work. Would you like to see? 

First off is this paisley buttoned shirt which I made from Simplicity 8399. The fit isn't great which is sad cause this fabric is so amazing! 

The fit is off around the shoulders. Its a bit tight and the buttons didn't meet at the front properly. Size 12 is usually ok for me, but obviously not on this occasion! Its ok to wear with a pinafore or with the top button undone though

Julie

Hello everyone! I was so ready to show you the photos of this new dress but our internet allowance got gobbled up my the boys new Playstation updates which left us with snail paced internet for a week! Ah but anyway - I now present to you the most recent of my sewn projects - Julie!

Named after Julie Christie for no reason in particular! I just wanted the dear thing to have a name, and because its a darling of a dress! 

Book review - Sixties Fashion - From 'Less is more' to Youthquake

Last year I found this sturdy tome at Pentimento in Newtown and promised myself I would buy it on my next visit. Well it took another 6 months before I bought it and another few months after that before I read it.

In order to read any book I have to read it during my transit to and from work because home time is spent sewing or some such activity, so I had to carry this around with me each day and pull it out for the two 20 minute train rides. I get a lot of funny looks but there's no other way for me to read it! 

And being that its so big and thick I do have to read it quickly so that I'm only carrying it for a week at max, so there are plenty of post-it notes strewn through out which you'll see in the photos.

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