Completed Project: 1970s Betsey Johnson High Waist Pants

When I moved back to North Carolina almost 9 months ago, I unintentionally lost a lot of weight due to stress and other factors. I found that all of the pants and trousers that I'd put so much time into making no longer fit, which left me without a few essential wardrobe basics. So now, along with looking for thrifted vintage pieces, I'm trying to sew and build up my wardrobe again (with a 1970s slant, of course)! I used Butterick #3846 (a "Young Designer" pattern by Betsey Johnson) to make this pair of simple high waist pants:

Do forgive the dark and pixelated photos! I am well in need of a new camera (and some natural sunlight)!

I omitted quite a few details from the original design and opted to keep these pants extremely basic. I thought the extreme high waist fit and wide legs made enough of a statement. The original pattern design included huge patch pockets over the hips, round applique patches at the knees and a detachable bib.

I wore these out to lunch today and received a few nice compliments. The fabric that I used is a lightly slubbed medium weight denim-look cotton that I purchased with a huge lot of patterns at a local sale. I thought this type of fabric would be perfect for the transition from winter to spring - not too heavy or too light. The pants have a front zipper, wider than usual waistband and button closure.

I will definitely be wearing these often and I'm so glad to have a basic pair of high waist pants in my wardrobe again!

TOTAL PROJECT COST:

Fabric - approximately $1.00

Zipper - approximately $2.00

Pattern - $6.49 from Granni Gert's Attic @ Etsy

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$9.49

Sewing....How I've Missed You!

I can't believe this, but it's been almost 10 months since I've posted anything here on my sewing blog. Without going into specific details, let's just say that I've been going though a major life change and I'm now a single mom working full-time. It's been extremely difficult and sewing (sadly) hasn't been a major part of my life recently. I feel like I've missed out on so many possible sewing projects and not being able to sew as much as I used to has been like suffering a huge loss....like I've had a creative hole in my life for the past 10 months.

Things are looking up, though! I have a new project in the works and my goal is to start sewing and posting here regularly again. Here's the pattern I'll be using, an amazing Betsey Johnson of Alley Cat pattern, circa 1974:

I'll be making the high waist pants, without the detachable bib, from a nice lightweight dark denim chambray, perfect for the transition from winter to spring. Definitely time to start thinking about a home sewn spring wardrobe!

Hero Worship

Vogue Fashion

Every once in a while, I'm lucky enough enough to find a really cool fashion book at one of the library branches here in Springfield! I picked this one up yesterday - VOGUE FASHION.

It's a 400-page book that's jam-packed with info on the history of Vogue magazine, breaking everything down by decade. The majority of the book, however, is an encyclopedia of designers whose fashions have appeared in Vogue. I'm not a huge fan of the modern Vogue magazine itself, but I do love all of the amazing photographic images from past fashion editorials. I've picked out my faves and scanned them to share!

Classic Chanel sports ensemble, circa 1928.

Beautiful Cecil Beaton photograph - Suits on Blocks.

Wasp-waisted playsuit by Claire McCardell, circa 1953.

Gorgeous 1960s swinging London couple Terrence Stamp and Jean Shrimpton.

Twiggy and a fellow 1960s doe-eyed model showcasing Mary Quant's innocent babydoll dresses.

An early Betsey Johnson design, circa 1968.

Probably one of my favorite images of all! Signature Jean Muir jersey dress, circa 1971.

1970s-meets-1930s at Biba!

Speaking of Biba, I have a copy of Barbara Hulanicki's autobiography From A to Biba that I plan to give away to a lucky reader (if there are any out there, that is!) in a few weeks. Stay tuned - I will make an announcement on the Sew Retro Blog!