Other than wearing long flowy maxi dresses this whole summer, I’ve also really liked wearing cotton jumpsuits. I currently have one jumpsuit that’s a hand-me-down from my mom which I’ve been wearing to death, so it’s time to make another one.
This pattern dates from the 80s (or late 70s?) so I don’t know if it even counts as vintage, but I really do miss sewing older (40s/50s/60s) patterns.
I got these patterns over the summer and only had a chance to talk about them now.
McCall’s 4589 skirt, circa 1970s. Could easily pass for 40s.
Butterick 4104, another 70s does 50s romper.
Simplicity 2331, circa 1950s. Love the sailor details.
Simplicity 3882. I definitely need more versatile blouses.
Dress: homemade
Shoes: Cork wedges, thrifted
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I finished this 1970s Stevie Nicks inspired dress over the weekend. My pattern review is below.
Pattern used:
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Pattern: Butterick 6287, circa 1970s
Pattern Sizing: Bust 32, size 9
Description: Junior and Misses dress. Semi-fitted V-neckline high-waisted dress, has flared skirt two inches above knee or three inches above ankle, flutter sleeves and front brad trim at neckline and double wrap tie braid belt.
Did it look like the pattern envelope when you were done sewing it? Yes, but I made adjustments.
Fabric: Lightweight cotton with a good drape.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn’t read the instructions.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? My favorite part is the flutter sleeves.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made? I left out the braid along the neckline and the braided belt. I also omitted the zipper at the back. This dress isn’t as fitted as I normally make things since there is no zipper anywhere, but it fits over my head just fine.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? No, I would not sew it again just because I don’t think I need two 1970s style dresses in my closet. I will recommend it to others.
Butterick 6287, circa 1970s
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This is my progress so far on the Butterick pattern. It looks surprisingly modern for a 70s pattern. The back is pinned together and needs an invisible zipper attached.
Shameless Stevie Nicks inspirational pic-spam.
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Once in awhile I will find a pattern that convinces me step out of my 1940s comfort zone. I decided on this Stevie Nicks inspired pattern a few months ago. I need to size up the bodice and will probably make a muslin of it just to be sure.
I’ve been listening to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours non-stop lately, and though late 1970s is barely considered vintage, I’ve always been inspired to dress like my rock star idols.
Stevie Nicks is the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac. She pioneered a unique gypsy-luxe bohemian look: long fluid chiffon skirts, airy capes, shawls, platform boots and lots of black.
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Stevie Nicks performing on stage, late 1970s. Note the beaded black lace shawl with a classic cotton tank top.
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Stevie Nicks in the early 1980s, wearing a white fringed shawl, low-cut dress with a ruffle, and high-heeled boots.
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Fleetwood Mac in the late 1970s. Stevie in the center wearing a black chiffon dress and a top hat.
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Stevie is on the bottom right wearing a lace blouse and an ethnic print handkerchief skirt (or dress?).
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Wearing a white lace shawl and a black dress.
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This photograph isn’t really a good example of her personal style since you can barely see what she’s wearing, but I love the rock and roll vibe of this shot.
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“I was very influenced by Janis Joplin,” Stevie said during a recent interview*, “the one time I saw Janis in person, and all the times I saw her on television with her feathers and her bell-bottomed pants and her beautiful silky blouse tops.” Stevie travelled to San Francisco to the Velvet Underground in at attempt to re-create her look. “It was a tiny little store, but it had the most beautiful things,” Nicks recalls. “Tunic tops that came down to your mid-thigh, and evening gown, old-lady nightgown material bell-bottoms that weren’t really wide, but instead fell straight over a really high boot.It was in that room where I thought ‘Wow! These are the kind of clothes I’m going to wear forever.’”
My new sewing motto from now on is: sew clothes that I’m going to wear forever.
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This leads me to my next sewing project, Butterick 6287 from the late 1970s:
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I don’t have any fabric for this yet, but I’ll probably modify the hem so it has an asymmetrical hem or a handkerchief skirt.
* (interview source: LA Times, 10/23/97, Airy Godmother)