Simplicity 6471: 1974 Puff Sleeve Tent Dress

While I'm working on some new projects, here's an older one that I made three years ago from this amazing 1974 pattern - Simplicity 6471! It's a maternity pattern and I actually made the dress way before I was pregnant. At the time, I was attracted to the flared/tent silhouette and the puff sleeves, and the finished dress actually doesn't look much like a maternity dress, in my opinion.

The fabric that I used was a very strange vintage 1970s primary colored animal print bed sheet. Dig those creepy eyes! In fact, I was so fascinated by those eyes, that I used them to make the fabric covered buttons for the front. I was really happy with the outcome, but the neck band and front button closure proved quite a challenge at the time!

This pattern, by the way, is now available for purchase in my Etsy vintage sewing pattern shop! I know there are a bazillon different patterns shops out there right now, but I think my shop has a really great (and growing) selection of patterns for extremely reasonable prices (most are around $4.00-$5.00 each).

Simplicity 7381: 1976 Short Kimono Sleeve Top

Here are a few photos of my most recent sewing project - a short kimono sleeve blouse with shaped neckband yokes. I just love the illustration on the pattern envelope for Simplicity 7381, especially the lady in the beret with her matching turtleneck top and wide leg pants and long pendant necklace. She just oozes bohemian cool circa 1976!

The fabric is a colorful vintage 1970s faux patchwork print cotton that was given to me by Stephanie of Mid West Vintage. The contrasting sleeve and neckbands are made from cotton chambray and are topstitched with white thread. There is a zipper in the back, but I almost never use it since it's easy to just pull on over my head. I would probably omit the zipper if I ever decide to make this again. I highly recommend this pattern if you're looking for a quick and relatively easy 1970s style top - it took me roughly 3 hours to finish. It's one of those designs that's perfect for spring summer, but would also work in the fall and winter as a layering piece since it's pretty roomy.

Back to Blogging

Wow! These past 8 months have gone by so quickly!!! My little guy is officially 8 months old next week. Now that he's taking good naps and sleeping completely through the night, I'm ready to jump back into blogging and sewing again! Here's a photo of Brydon and I (and a moose!) taken at Rocky Mountain National Park last weekend:

I've also joined the BurdaStyle community, which I'm super-excited about, and I have 7 handmade dresses making their way to Pack Rats, Etsy member Softspoken's new brick 'n' mortar shop opening soon in Columbia, SC!

Oh! Any my latest obsessions are Patti Smith:

And Desmond Dekker:

I finished reading Patti's amazing book Just Kids last week. I've always been in awe of Patti Smith, and this memoir about her days as a young, struggling artist in NYC with partner Robert Mapplethorpe is amazing! I've been on a reggae kick lately, so the music of Desmond Dekker has been in heavy rotation around here.

New Arrival

My darling baby boy Brydon was born on Tuesday, October 6th at 9:06 p.m. He was a whopping 9 lbs 5 ounces and 21 3/4 inches long. It was truly love at first sight. I can't wait to sew a vintage toddler wardrobe for him as he grows up...but I hope he doesn't grow up too fast!

Maternity Leave

Hi Guys! I'm taking a break from this blog to prepare for the impending birth of my son (he's due September 30th, but could arrive any day now!). Plus, my mom is flying in from North Carolina in a few days, so I have lots to do to prepare for that! I'll be back soon, hopefully posting more sewing projects and less vintage sewing ephemera, since this is technically supposed to be a sewing blog. :)

Vintage Sewing Patterns of the Week!

This week's patterns are all new additions to my own collection. All of them are very easy-going, bohemian 1970s styles - the type of clothing that I seem to always be attracted to!

A really rare design by Kenzo that I'd never seen before tripping across it on Etsy. The pants design is so rad! All of the separates require leather/suede binding, which I'm excited to work with!

A John Kloss babydoll dress/top pattern that I've been lusting after for a very long time. I'm SO happy to finally be able to work with this one!

Gil Aimbez designed a lot of patterns for Butterick in the late 1970s. This one is for a fab batch of separates. I love the huge cowl neck top, skirt and vest!

Tunic blouse and wide-leg pants pattern by Kenzo. Kenzo has ultimately become my favorite of the 1970s Butterick Young Designers.

This pattern falls perfectly in line with my Rhoda obsession! Great layering pieces for the fall, plus a headscarf!

1970s Fashion Icon: Valerie Harper as Rhoda

I have been obsessed with the 1970s television show Rhoda lately. I've been watching episodes from the first season on Hulu. They are all so funny and smartly written. In fact, I can't think of a single television sitcom today that even comes close to the amazing array of characters that populated most 1970s sitcoms in general!



Valerie Harper as Rhoda was a true 1970s fashion icon. She totally rocked high waist, wide-leg pants, butterfly collar blouses, puff sleeve blazers, floaty hostess dresses, scarves and turbans! She even earned her living as a window dresser / fashion merchandiser!

Here are a few vintage 1970s sewing patterns that remind me of Rhoda's amazing style. All were found on Etsy!