Winter 1966-67 - Dazzling Evening Dresses

Check out these gorgeous, hot dresses for cocktails, parties, and evenings out from 1966. They are perfect for the holidays! I think it is scrumptious style, but then, I am partial to the era. :) These dresses are from a Butterick home catalog, and the pattern number for each dress is listed at the model's feet.

Teen Spring and Summer Fashion from 1964

These two patterns (and images from a McCall's fashion flyer that illustrate them) provide popular teen fashion from 1964. Perfect for spring and summer, they are easy to sew, provide flattering fit, and are simply an inspiring style in a fast-moving decade that loved all things sleek and modern. Hemlines aren't "mini" yet, but just wait a few years. ;) Read on!

McCall's 7709

This dress with a drop waistline illustrates the "new standard" of the A-line in skirts and dresses, which became enormously popular in the 1960s and well into the 1970s. The scalloped edging adds an extra "cuteness factor".

 

Check out this pattern in my Etsy shop

McCall's 7606

This pattern for a sporty ensemble shows the slim, skinny lines in pants in the 1960s (a significant trend), and includes the popular A-line skirt.

Check out this pattern in my Etsy shop.

And as a side note, yes, wearing scarves back then was popular! ;)

Old Things are New - 1920s Negligee and1970s Caftan

When I was listing an elegant caftan pattern in my Etsy shop the other night (Simplicity 7211), I noticed that its construction is actually very similar to a negligee from the 1920s that I posted about a few days ago. Both are a length of fabric, folded, then a neckline cut along the fold. Then side seams are sewn along "body lines" (if I may put it that way ;), leaving the edges to drape gracefully.

Note how the side seams are sewn for this 1920s negligee (which, I mean really, it's a frock, is it not?). The body silhouette was pretty straight in the 1920s, and the result is flapper fabulous. :)

 

Now look at this lovely caftan from the 1970s and Simplicity, and look at the pattern back:

 

Look familiar? As in the 1920s pattern, the fabric is folded, the neckline cut on the fold, and seams sewn to follow the body silhouette. But since it is the 1970s, the body silhouette has curves, specifically curves that form a lovely contoured A-line. :) Gorgeous.

Hmmm. And I just noticed - both models are posing with a hand to the side of the head, and jewelry, including a bracelet.... :)

March 1968 Fashion News - London Swingers!

It's March, and what's the fashion news from March 1968? Well, 35 years ago, it was all about sun-bright dresses, pretty ensembles, and London swingers! ;) I love the colors and crisp style of these dresses and ensembles - such flirty attitude!

Simplicity 7524 

This Chelsea favorite has sassy mini-length and breaks into pleats. Bag and detachable collar and cuffs are included.

  

That pink on the model sure pops!

 Simplicity 7527

This London style has an on-the-go attitude in design and color - its mini-skirt length has flared flip!

 

I love the model's dress (crazy daisies :) and that super cute hair-do!

Simplicity 7535

 Go bold and striking with the architectural contrast of this classic A-line dress!

 

How bold dare you go?

Simplicity 7543

 This wardrobe pattern greets the new season with flair!

 
Envisioned in budding green flannel  and clear blue tweed by Simplicity - such eye-popping and soft colors.

Before and After Hit Parade: 1960s Wrap Skirts Revisited

Seamstress: Rachel

Pattern: Simplicity 5385

True to her word, Rachel, who had commented on my previous post about wrap skirts (The Ever Popular Wrap Skirt - 1960s Style), sewed the following classic 60s wrap skirt and wrote about the project in her blog, The Jacobite Rose.

The results are fab! Rachel chose a poly-cotton blend, twill, bottom-weight fabric because it was sturdy and casual. It also had the bonus of helping maintain the A-line shape. Isn't that a beautiful blue?

I agree with Rachel, that the pockets look wonderful, and the length is perfect too. It's a great look, front and back!

Be sure to check Rachel's post, because she includes some great tips about sewing a wrap skirt that she learned during this sewing project.

And you'll definitely want to follow Rachel's blog, because she loves sewing vintage patterns, knitting vintage, .... and more!

Scraps from the Past - 1970s Skirt is a School Sewing Lesson

This fine A-line flared skirt goes from mini to maxi length and has fun details. The pattern is McCall's 4589, with view B circled - the skirt our student must have sewed. The pattern envelope included fabric pieces and also pages from an eighth grade school home economics sewing lesson and exam. It's a sewing lesson from the mid-1970s - how fun! :)

The fabric the student selected is a durable cotton broadcloth floral print, perfect for spring & summer.

Here are the mimeographed instructions for the sewing lesson, addressed to the parents (because they must pay for the fabric, pattern and other sewing notions). Note that the teacher indicates a preference for Simplicity patterns, but has no objections to McCall's. The teacher requires washable cotton or cotton blend fabric. A full list of needed supplies, including tools, is provided.

 Here is the exam on sewing terms - she gets a perfect score!:

Scraps from the Past: 1960s A-line Sheath in Dainty Cotton Print

This 1968 A-line sheath with empire waistline is so charming - a popular style that flattered every figure. :)

 

Tucked inside was this bias strip of deep navy blue and tiny white floral print cotton:

The original seamstress sewed view A (on the far left) - can you picture it? It looks like summer to me. :)

By Any Name...

Recently I had listed and sold the following coat (McCall's 4685 from 1958), described as a trapeze coat.

And then I acquired the February 1962 edition of Seventeen magazine, which featured very similar coats.

The cover of the magazine features this beautiful blue coat described as having a "baby-doll look", with empire waist, flared skirt, double-breasted closing, and slender bracelet length sleeves. And that cute hat is a "checked baby cap." ;D

A few page into the magazine is an advertisement for these coats described as having the "new A-line silhouette". :)

So what is the difference? The trapeze silhouette is narrow at the top and wider at the hem, almost triangular in shape. The A-line silhouette is defined as being narrower at the top, flaring gently wider toward the bottom.  The babydoll dress is defined as having an empire waist and loose, A-line skirt.

By whatever name you call it, it's adorable, inspiring fashion!