Enjoying the Style of Vintage Pedal Pushers or Capris

We had a touch of spring this past weekend, with temperatures reaching the upper 60s on Sunday. Which made many pull out their sunnier clothing. Which put me in mind of capris, otherwise called pedal pushers in the 1940s and 1950s, which provide cute details that you don't see in the store-bought variety. I love the ones that add special treatments to the hemline outseams for that extra touch of spark and fun:

• Fold-back cuffs
• Wing cuffs
• Sporty vents
• Buttoned vents
• Bound and tied vents

And of course, a pattern that includes a darling blouse along with the pedal pushers is always a bargain! Enjoy these examples:

Exotic Fashion with Nehru Style

Does it look better on the envelope or in person? The following pattern, Simplicity 7994, features Nehru fashion for the ladies. Fashion influences from exotic locations (meaning anywhere but here) were a big deal back in the 1960s and 1970s. In this case, the Nehru jacket takes an A-line turn and is done up in rich fabrics, such as brocades, silks, and paisleys. Far Eastern was in!

So here is 7994 in person. It's the outfit on the right. What do you think? I have to admit, that 7993 on the left is cuter (to me). :) Is it because the dress in 7994 is also used as a tunic, making for a long tunic?

1960s Mod Fashion from Mary Quant

Looking confident and totally hip, these models pose with the power stance to flaunt this fab Carnaby Street fashion of skinny pants, A-line skirt, cardigan jacket and newsboy hat. This ensemble was designed for Butterick in 1967 by the marvelous Mary Quant, one of the hottest designers of Mod fashion in "swinging London". I remember reading that she started in fashion by taking Butterick patterns and sewing them shorter. :)

I've Seen That in Vintage Patterns: 1950s Pants & Blouse Ensemble with Cummerbund

Browsing through a September 1955 edition of Mademoiselle magazine, this Ship'n Shore ad caught my eye. It's casual and ever-so-cute. And I'd seen that particular combination before in my vintage patterns!

And sure enough, here it is! Blouse, tapered pants, and the ever popular cummerbund. Simplicity 4464 has a few differences, most notably in the sleeves - set-in vs. French sleeves, and length. Delightful!

Before and After: 1940s Pants Add Class to Work Wardrobe

If you are not familiar with the blog Flashback Summer (of vintage fashion aficionado Emileigh), you need to check it out and follow it! In a recent post, Emileigh kindly described her experience sewing a pair of 1940s slacks using a pattern that she purchased from my shop.

The Pattern: Simplicity 4362

The Result: Doesn't Emileigh look superb in these sophisticated slacks? A flattering fit for work, the slacks look both stylish and comfortable. And not difficult to sew! For all the details and more pictures, check out  Flashback Summer.

Scraps from the Past: 1980s full flirty shorts in nylon

This "scraps from the past" features the pattern Simplicity 6249 from 1983 - for pants, culottes, and short shorts. You may not care for the "Hammer" pants, but the culottes and shorts have a fun, very skirt-like fullness. The pattern has a very nifty design for the waistband, which is really two waistbands, with the front yoke-style band overlapping and fastening to the waistband beneath it.

The fabric our mystery seamstress tucked in the pattern is soft and sheer - plenty of movement for those full gathered skirt-like shorts. Swish, twirl! Can you visualize it? Or do you think she tucked in blouse material to go with the shorts?

Scraps from the Past - 1950s Casual Ensemble in Soft Summer Green

Sometimes a pattern illustration inspires us to sew the pattern just the same (as in my previous Scraps from the Past post). And sometimes we have a favorite fabric and look for a pattern that meets our need.

McCall's 4822 from 1958 is a great mix-n-match pattern for blouse with varying sleeve lengths, shorts in two lengths (short and Bermuda), and tapered ankle-length pants.

The original seamstress tucked this durable, yet soft, cotton fabric inside this pattern. It is a lovely shade of green. It has an almost-like-linen type of weave, but is much more pliable and softer than linen. Based on the pattern pieces that were cut, it looks like she sewed the Bermuda shorts in this fabric.

It makes me think of the pattern differently - in greens and blues and other colors, instead of the earthy browns and reds used on the pattern drawing. Lovely. I'm ready for green!