Hi, friends!
First, I want to thank all of you for your comments on my recent post about the terrible wildfire that burned our ranch. It’s still incredibly sad to look out over the burned pastures, destroyed homes and areas resembling moonscapes in my county. So many people were displaced and are rebuilding their lives, but my community and others nearby are doing all we can to help them. It’s just a sad disaster that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
Happily, we were able to recover enough and return to normal life in order to go down south to attend Costume College, which was a trip that we had planned more than 8 or 9 months before. I will elaborate further on my CoCo experience in a later post, but for now I’m sharing this dress that I wore the first night to the Pool Party. The theme for this year’s CoCo was the 1960’s. This was the only 60’s outfit that I wore for the event, and is one I had planned out and sewn over a month before.
For this dress, the fabric came before the pattern. I saw this vintage fabric in my friend Melissa’s Etsy shop and just had to have it. It’s a vintage 60’s linen blend fabric. Melissa has many more vintage fabrics in her shop and it’s always fun to see the treasures that she’s found. This fabric feels like it might have some polyester in it, but after a wash and a burn test, it didn’t appear to have any synthetic fabric in it. It might have some cotton, although I’m not 100% certain. Whatever it is, it’s a lovely fabric and it worked well for this 1969 Jiffy reproduction pattern — Simplicity 1059.
Source: Simplicity Patterns
I envisioned making a simple shift dress with this fabric. The thing is, it’s not really a style that I like very much. I considered buying a new pattern, but I decided that I would use this pattern instead. It’s a loose fitting dress and a bit fuller than a simple shift, with a sash that adds some shape. I made view B, which is a very quick sew. I probably would have sewn up view A with those glorious sleeves if I had had enough fabric to make it.
I used a vintage metal zip for this dress. It actually doesn’t need a zipper and I can easily pull it on over my head. If I make this pattern again, I would cut the back piece on the fold and eliminate that zipper. The sleeves are finished with rayon seam binding.
As I’m not a huge fan of plunging necklines, I wasn’t exactly certain what I was going to do with the deep V-neck on this pattern. I considered re-drafting the neckline and making it less of a V or adding a panel, but I decided to keep the design lines and come up with a way to wear it that I was comfortable with. After I made it, I asked my mom about that neckline, and she said that women would often wear a big necklace with it, so I got out this shell necklace from Tonga. I wear this dress with a camisole and that solves my modesty issue.
The fabric is not a tropical print, but it really looks like it could be one, even though it’s covered with non-tropical flowers. I think it’s the bright colors that evoke that tropical feeling and I was more than happy to go with that and add some tropical accessories.
This dress is extremely comfortable to wear. In fact, so comfortable that I think now that it’s been properly photographed, that I’ll be wearing it quite often around the house and probably only put that sash on when I go out in it.
Laddie snuck in to photobomb some photos.
This lovely vintage straw purse that I’m wearing with this dress used to have two cute little wooden bird pins on it (you can see the two in the photo at the end of this post), but the morning before I took these photos, someone broke one off and chewed it up ….. the culprit is in the photo above with me.
As I mentioned before, the necklace is from Tonga. The earrings are from my grandma’s jewelry box and are little apples with a carved scene inside. And there’s my cute little straw purse. The purse came in my Redbird Vintage Box last month and I thought it would be perfect for this outfit. I’ve been subscribed to the Redbird box for a few months now and always love to see what comes in it. I received that box on the day we returned home after being evacuated, so it was an extra special treat. If you’re interested in getting your own, I have a 10% code that you can use: TANYA10.
This last photo is from Costume College and is taken with my husband. He’s wearing a vintage aloha shirt that’s probably from the 70’s. 🙂
Photo credit: Shotwell Collection
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Simplicity 1059 in vintage linen blend fabric, made by me
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens Peep Toe Super High
- Purse: Vintage from Redbird Vintage Box (my 10% code: TANYA10)
- Necklace: Vintage from Tonga
- Earrings: Vintage from my grandma
- Hair flower: VeeVee Vintage on Etsy
- Sunglasses: ModCloth
I have been a bit away from the computer for the last couple of weeks so had missed you post on the fires. It must have been utterly terrifying for you and for your neighbours. Thank goodness that you and your family are okay out my heart goes out to those who have been touched by this. Without sounding flippant, that is a beautiful dress and the photo of yu and your husband is lovely. Sending very best wishes to you and yours. Xx
Thank you so much, friend. 🙂
You two are super cute! I love the dress! I think it would also be cute in a chambray for summer. I’m glad you’re back to your life, as much as possible anyway. I’m sure it’s still shocking to see the devastation. It’s such a blessing that your house was saved. It’s going to beautiful next spring when the grass starts to grow again. I can’t wait to read about costume college. Did you fabric shop while you were down there?
Yes, it would be great in a chambray! I really can’t wait for it to start raining, but hopefully it can hold off on the torrential rains like we had last winter until further on into the rainy season. I did go fabric shopping, but i only chose to stop at one store as 1) I don’t really need much new fabric and 2) I didn’t have much time.
Amazing, I was studded when I saw the fabric. While in High School I made a tunic and matching pants out of the same print in Cotton. I still have the outfit. When I get my sewing room set up I plan to use it as an accent/inspiration.
Thank you! That’s amazing that you made your outfit out of the same fabric!!!
I’m glad to hear that the fire didn’t turn out to be a complete disaster after all, it’s amazing how easily can be destroyed what nature takes decades to create. We have to deal with fires here in Greece every year because of the heat and the high irresponibility of people so although It was never a personal experiance I can totally relate to what happened.
to the dress, it’s really beautiful, the fabric really makes this dress I think as it is so vibrand and summery!
Thank you! Fires can be so devastating…. We have a Mediterranean like climate here, so I imagine that it’s not so much different than where you live, except with different trees. Most fires are started by humans, so if people paid attention to what they’re doing, we might not have so many…
so true, it’s sad though to know that many of the fires we have are set in purpose….
This is such a gorgeous and fun dress, and it suits you so well. I love the necklace, it’s bringing back lovely memories of my trip to Tonga
Thank you! 🙂 That necklace sits around with a bunch of our stuff from Tonga and I had never worn it before, so I’m glad I relocated it to my neck. 🙂
Your 60’s dress is beautiful and made with the perfect fabric! Sorry to hear about the fire. That must have been scary.
Thank you! I love that fabric so much! It’s a happy and lively print. 🙂
It’s always a treat getting to see Mr. Hughes. You look beautiful. And I love your vintage style. Can’t wait to see your next 1920s number! Glad everything worked out at the ranch.
Thank you, Cynthia! You won’t have to wait long to see my next 20’s ensemble as it’s already made and awaiting photos. 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks!
I like the dress and love the picture of the two you!
Thank you! 🙂
I think it’s the yellow base that allows the fabric to lend itself to a tropical look, but regardless, this dress is beautiful!
Thanks, Abbey! I agree. 🙂