Pop to Popisim - Mods vs hippies night

Last Wednesday was an event that couldn't be missed! So much so that I went by myself! eep!

The Art Gallery of NSW is currently holding an exhibit - Pop to Popisim, which shows as you may guess lots of well known art works from pop artists from the 50's through to the 80's.

AGNSW likes to hold events called Art After Hours, which usually involves a bar, some music and various talks from relevant industry experts. Throughout the Pop to Popisim exhibition they have been holding events themed by each of the decades featured in the exhibit. The week before was 50's and this week is 70's. And I'm sure you can guess which one I went to! 

Chloe and myself in a new dress made from the giant floor cushion found at the op shop!

Françoise - a pattern review

Late last year, Tilly released a new pattern on her website called Françoise! A spunky little 60s number with raglan sleeves and a sweeping A-line shape

Tilly had reached out to me to give this lovely lady a review but I didn't get to sewing it well after the sew-along in early December cause things were just too crazy. But here she is now!*

2014 Things I sewed and did - A short review

Well, its that time of year again! And all I can say is that I'm pretty happy this year is coming to a close. Its been pretty shitty for most of the part, but there were also some really kick-ass things that happened this year and I sewed some really awesome frocks! 

At the end of last year, I had also made a bunch of sewing resolutions which I promptly broke, not cause I wanted to, but well, life happened. But I did make many splendid dresses and met lots of people through the Spoolettes and Makers Society. I also was featured in lots of magazines and other wonderful blogs. Here is a round up of the things I made this year. (There are more, but I'm yet to post them! 

Good day Sunshine, Shift dress sew along
Saffron, Charlotte, Peggy
Swing dress, Sally, Julie
Olivia, Tangerine, Chrissie

All in all 2014 wasn't too bad. I need to stop kicking myself for not blogging every week, and even though work was super stressful, I have a new job next year and therefore many more things to sew for it and opportunities to experience.

I hope you all enjoy your new years, I'll be down the coast sunning it up and spending hopefully a whole day at the beach! 

Thanks for reading this year and for being totally awesome and wonderful. I hope to see you all in 2015!

Cat xoxoxoxo

Busy as a bee

Merry Christmas readers! It's been a while since my last post, but I have a really good excuse  I promise! Well multiple excuses actually! I have been hiding out on the other side of the internet not reading my blogroll (500+ unread!) and generally being a busy little bee. 

I have been sewing, working and Christmas party-ing. All those sorts of things that stop me from getting around to doing anything blog related. I have however been reading all of your blogs, so apologies for not commenting where I normally like to do so. 

In other more exciting news, as of February next year I have a new job!

Isn't that exciting!? Its actually a secondment away to a different department at work in a higher role, but this department is a little more casual and they embrace fun and staff culture a little more then my current department. As someone who enjoys the atmosphere and aesthetic of work more then any thing else, I'm really excited at the prospect of working somewhere with a slightly smaller team but more responsibility in a relaxed environment. I really am going to miss my current boss and immediate team as they are so awesome, but this is a great chance for me to get more experience in my career and after the killer year I've had I really needed to be somewhere else away from the emotional drain of where I am now. 

So that means I'll be sewing more casual things! I love this idea so much as I've had to wear smart/business wear for 4 years. I celebrated by buying a cute little Japanese sewing book - Formal and Little black dress. It doesn't sound casual but the cut of most of the patterns is very loose and cute, like most Japanese books, so they could be easily made casual with the right fabric. 

Would you like to see what I've been up to this last month (in between work and getting sloshed?)

Olivia + Giveaway winner

Hello!!

Well now, I know I said I was going to announce the winner of the Make and Mend Fabulous give-away yesterday, but I got home a little late after attending my friends end of year Design Exhibition and after a happy amount of free wine, I may or may not have been in the mood to eat spaghetti and fall asleep on the couch. And cause, you know, blogging while under the influence can been risky... so yeah... Anyway! Everything looked wonderful and I'm very proud of my friend for completing TAFE with a small child and working as well! Super mum for sure!

So, I'm sure you've heard enough of my antics... The winner of the Make and Mend fabulous book, DVDs and vintage pattern tracing is... PIGEONWISH! 

Pigeonwish commented that she would "make me and my boyfriend coordinating outfits (in as classy a way possible) Wonderful answer! How many of us would like to make something not just for ourselves but also our partners? 

Congratulations lovely! I'll send you an email soon and thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Now that the formalities are over, lets get on to having a look at the latest addition to the Sewing the 60s family, Olivia!

Burdastyles 50 Best bloggers Part 2 (and a giveaway!!!)

You may remember this post in which Burdastyle announced a competition to find the 50 best bloggers for sewers and I asked for your help in voting for me... 

Well guess what??

I AM ONE OF THEM! YAY!!!

60s style leaps all over!!

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!