Spotted in a Shop Window - Artful Top with Crochet & Tucks

Spotted in the shop window of Anthropologie in downtown Seattle is this enchanting sheer button-down lacy top, with contoured bodice of tucks and crocheted-picot-lace below. The surprise of this winning style is the swing back!

 

Totally scrumptious fashion!

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! ;)

Refashionista! From Thrift Shop Pillow Sham to 50s Blouse

 Take one really big pillow sham from the Goodwill thrift shop:

 And a late 1950s pullover "overblouse" pattern - I opted for view 2:

I had to remove all seams and spread it out to see how much fabric I really had to work with. The tricky part was lining up the pockets so the dots were aligned and matched:

And the finished blouse! It's great alone as a summer top or with a turtleneck underneath for cooler weather wear. And note how those pockets are in perfect alignment! ;) The pattern is fairly boxy, so I added vertical contour darts in back for a better, less-loose fit.

It's not spectacular, but it IS versatile and a fun addition to my separates wardrobe - good enough for work or play!