Simplicity Fashion News

Finding some old pattern advertisements in a box of notions that I recently purchased was a fun discovery.  I remember piles of these laying on the cutting counters when I worked at Mary Lester Fabrics in Milwaukee.   Here's one by Simplicity from July 1968 when patterns were still 65¢ and 75¢! (click to enlarge)

 Very Twiggy-esque...

By the way, Twiggy is 63 now.

 These dresses look like they're made of polyester double knit...

 I must say that I love the shoes...

 ...but the hair-dos are another story.  Can you say "beehive?"

Love the quintessential yellow floral.
The second gal to the left is very early Carol Brady.
That show must have started very close to '68.

 Solid jewel-tone colors with touches of white are "cool" in 1968.

 Nice colors.  Nice socks.
Ok, maybe I do want knee socks to come back...
but not the sheer, cut-off-your-circulation-under-the-knee-cap kind.

I remember wearing dresses like these...

and pig-tail girl is having a little too much fun... 

and her dress is short.  

That's why we used to sing such taunts as, 

"I see London.  I see France.  I see (fill in the name)'s underpants!"

Oh, and the baby blue sport set on dad is, is, is... no words.

 A ruffle tutorial.

The "Answer Dress.
What's the question?

Gotta love the Don Ho "TV Spectacular" advertisement.

"Tiny bubbles..."

Purdy Pert Pirt

Ok, so I know we once had a discussion about the sizzler, but have you ever heard of a "pirt?" No? Neither had I until the other day when I bought this Butterick pattern at an estate sale. 

 When I read the back of the pattern, I saw the word.

We can only assume it is a combination of

"pants" and "skirt" --- PIRT!  Why, of course.

Were there other pirt patterns out there I wondered?  By the way, I wouldn't suggest googling the word "pirt."  You will only find a bunch of nude and semi nude people in saunas.  I don't even want to know why.  However, if you google "pirt pattern" you may actually find a few pirts of the clothing variety.

It looks like something that Laura Petrie would wear

while planning the latest variety show fundraiser.

I think this passing fad might have hit

a decade too early for me to have worn.

Besides, so many layers...

but definitely a way to look more ladylike in shorts.

If that's what you're looking for.

Pucci Style Urban Chic

Remember this fabric?

It's an early knit from perhaps the late 60s if I had to guess.

Loomskill Inc. on the selvage.  I had a very small piece of it.

A rather dramatic abstract that reminds me of Emilio Pucci designs.

Pucci is a famous Italian designer whose heyday was in the 50s & 60s.

I chose to lay out this wrap top with the front edge lined up on the border.

Could Pucci have designed this fabric for Loomskill?  Hmmm...

Take a look at this vintage Pucci scarf and handbag

from Retroshop Vintage and Couture and you be the judge.

Well who knows?  Maybe Pucci designed this fabric...

or maybe Loomskill was "inspired" by Pucci.

Either way... this is how I picture it being worn (click to enlarge).  Note the vintage photo of the woman driving the convertible on the bag -- she's probably wearing a real Pucci scarf!  And for what it's worth, I picture this outfit on the new superintendent in our school district!  She's got style.

Hallie pant - Kate Spade

Jenna Pump - Michael Kors

Abstract Wrap Top - Coming soon to RubyLemons

Lillian Bassman Bag - Kate Spade

Gray Pearls & Lava Rock Necklace - Rare Find Jewelry on Etsy

Black Leather Cuff - Unearthed on Etsy

Kilauea Lava Earrings - WildLifer78 on Etsy

No Time For Love

In our school district, we are in the middle of a search for the next superintendent and lots of meetings due to great upheaval in education in Wisconsin (you know, the whole union thing).  Anyway, school board life is very intense right now... meetings every night last week and every night this week including Friday as well as 9 hours this last Saturday... which leaves no time for what I love.  Except this.  I love this pattern.  1965.  Don't you love it, too?  Just bought it on Etsy and can't wait to make it up!  But wait I will.  No choice.  Til then, I can look at it longingly and read the instructions and dream about the fabric I'll pick for it.  Sigh.

Let the Festivities End...

Ok, ok, I know... the holidays are over.  Here's hoping yours were light hearted and cheerful.  I guess I'll have to keep this blog going at least one more year since I didn't come close to writing all the Christmas posts yet in my head.  But for now, the cookies and chocolate have almost run out (not soon enough!), the kids are back in school (too soon!) and it's time to take down all those warm and cozy lights and decorations...  sigh...

But before we close the last rubbermaid tub on the ribbons, boughs and bells of 2010, I'd like to share one of my favorite Christmas decorations.  It's a poster found at an antique shop a few years back and decorates my 60s modern porch.

A Pretty Little Filly with a Ponytail

This is a close up of one of the screen printed, long lashed, winking fillies on a dress that I've had for about 20 years.  I must have found it at a thrift store.  I didn't buy it for me, but had to have it because it was so cute.  It's been hanging in my sewing room closet all these years.  I'm going to list it in my Etsy shop in the next few days.

It's a very preppy 60s shift - similar to Lilly Pulitzer dresses.

It was made by The Vested Gentress of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Whoever created this line had a playful sense of humor.

Check out those gingham bows on the pony tails on the back of the dress!  

But all I can think of when I see it is a song my husband remembers from Mr. Ed!  

Some Enchanted Evening

These three vintage dresses are

going up for sale in my Etsy shop tonight.

This one, with the embroidered bodice, is my favorite.

Crunchy taffeta and chiffon - 60s all the way.

But let's not forget the pink and yellow girls from the 70s.

They've had a bit of a makeover since the last time you saw them.

I added velvet ribbon to the waist and removed the sleeves.

Now they're ready for a summer wedding

or some other enchanted evening.

Treasury Making on Etsy

Check out my latest treasury on Etsy

I could get addicted to making treasuries!

Mod and Feminine

These old Butterick patterns I recently bought are speaking to me.  

I'm still feeling the mod vibe... don't you just love that attached belt that goes around back criss-crossing and buttoning?  I think when I make it, I'll scoop the neck just a little more... maybe.  What do you think?  Solid color or all over floral?  Texture?  Two fabrics?

At the same time, I'm also feeling a bit of the wistful femininity of the crinoline puffed and fluffed skirts and dresses of the early 60s.  Love that midriff that gets wider at the side seams.  I want to make this in a crisp white cotton with orange border print flowers - maybe an exposed orange metal zipper going right down the back.  I'd also choose the diagonal overlapped front and put three jeweled buttons for closure?  Or maybe three funky orange shaped buttons...  Hmmm... thinking... thinking...

The good news is I'm almost ready to crank the sewing machines up... in their new location - my bedroom - for the summer.  Just a last bit of organizing and set up yet to finish.  Can't wait!