Thursday, January 31, 2013

Summer Frocks


The frocks in the shops just aren't cutting it.

(the ones I can afford anyway!)

I've found me some inspiration...

Australian Home Journal, September 1964.


Ditto

(btw, this style/cut/whatever of frock is called a "skimmer")


Australian Home Journal, February 1965.




Ditto


Australian Home Journal, October 1964.

I'm talking the little number on the right here, NOT the even littler number on the left! Although a long time ago (in another universe!), I unbelievably...

wore midriff tops!

(what's with those shorts?)

(This pic was taken outside our first real home, ie not a share house, in East Brunswick, Melbourne - if you're interested...)


As above


Ditto

I've found me some gorgeous retro fabric




Now all I've got to do is learn to sew!

And in about ten years when I've got the hang of that, I'll learn to crochet, and make me some matching handbags!






Seriously that is sooooo not going to happen so if you'd like the little Myart books, send me a note and they're yours...I'm more interested in those breeze blocks anyway!


x
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36 comments:

  1. Loo xx from Jumbles and PompomsJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:02 PM

    Seriously Kylie, I drooled disgustingly over each and everyone of those pictures. Oh God, that makes me sound like some oddball doesn't it? Look at you in your midriff top. You look lovely, of course. I remember wearing similar tops back in the day but they looked more like big bras and we called them bra tops!

    I love the fabric you found. I know what you mean about sewing. I wish I could get to grips with dress making but I just don't get it. xx

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  2. frecklefaceJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    Aw, look at you in your little midriff top and shorts, what a CUTIE! :)

    I had shorts like that too, I think they were an old pair of men's cricket shorts.

    I love all those patterns, what incredible inspiration, you will look great in them. My faves are the orange one at the top with the little high pocket tabs and the box pleat in the front (gorgeous) and the dress from the 'in the swim' pattern.

    Curtise has suggested a sew off because she wants to start sewing and I have something I want to make. Do you want to join in? xxxx

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  3. FionaJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    Those patterns are fabularse! Please learn to sew so we can see you modelling one of them, I especially like the one with the buttons down the side. I'm just off to my first crochet class, I know the basics but could do with some fine tuning. I might show you all later, what I've done. We had some of those hideous breeze blocks in our garden.

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  4. BronJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Just catching up after being away...There are some great styles there.....I agree ...the shops are so full of nothing....well that I would like to wear anyways....
    Love the photo of your midriff too. xxx

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  5. Jane SJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    You find the good stuff Kylie, I love the orange dress in the first photo, seriously. Breeze blocks...is that what they are called? I always learn something on your blog :)

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  6. ZaraJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:57 PM

    Love these dress designs. and your stash of retro fabric is sweet.
    x

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  7. skiourophileJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    I love the dresses, but the bags in particular are so up my alley. If only I was crafty!

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  8. Jem January 31, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    I think you could master it Kylie, you have an eye for pattern so I think whatever you turned into a dress would look great - with a little help from a friend or relative who knows their way round a sewing machine to guide you! (I think I'd need much more than guidance when it comes to dressmaking!)

    Jem xXx

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  9. WendyJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:26 PM

    Beautiful dresses! The bestest is the 2nd last one..the white with the big colour buttons. Wonderful, amazing and fabulous. Get thee to thy sewing machine - any of them would look good on you.

    My Granny used to crochet bags like that - all through the 70's - I wonder what happened to them..my Aunts cleared out her house when she died (1978) and I think they just chucked out most of her stuff (and believe me she was a shopaholic and a hoarder and had cupboards BURSTING with unopened purchases and all her crafty makes...sacrilege,but they tossed most of it.)

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  10. LyndelJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    oh I used to KNIT some of those Myart Swiss Straw handbags back in the 1960s to match my outfits (which I did sew myself!)... gosh I love all those photos,memories................. I started Secretarial College in 1965 and thought I was 'it an a bit' in my smart outfits with matching bags.
    I'm going to learn to Crochet in 2013..

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  11. Shortbread and GingerJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:06 PM

    My Mum had a dress very like the one in the first picture, I remember it was pale blue!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  12. Tanya MurrayJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:40 PM

    I LOVE the Indian summer frocks and My! What long legs you have! Hope you got my email thanking you for the interesting,surprising and useful pressie you sent last week x

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  13. CurtiseJanuary 31, 2013 at 10:35 PM

    LOVE all the dresses, Kylie, great styles and some wonderful colours and prints too. And your fabrics look beautiful.
    Come on, join in with Tania (freckleface) and me - retro sew-off! I am hoping that by committing in public to making something (anything!) I will actually do it...
    And look at you, all bare midriff and endless legs - gorgeous then, gorgeous now! xxxxx

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  14. Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]February 1, 2013 at 5:34 AM

    Oh what a great bunch of fashion pictures - I can totally see you making some simple 'beach togs' or whatever they called it, look how well you did with your bedspread. Fab picture of you too - yes, I also used to possess and flash a similar stomach!

    xx

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  15. LucyFebruary 1, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    Oooh - Love, love, love the mustard dress on the very first picture! Love the shape, style and colour - very cute. Sadly, I also just haven't got the time to get my sewing machine out :( Fun looking and wishing though!

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  16. vintagemovementFebruary 1, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    A former Melbourne girl and a hottie to boot!! Loving everything about this post, still such current shapes - wish I could sew.
    xx Tina

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  17. ClaireFebruary 1, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    love these pics, i just started watching Mad men and ooo the fashion then is so fab! when ladies dressed like...well ladies... x

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  18. A Treasured PastFebruary 1, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    Hi Kylie, nice dresses. If only I could sew and crochet but then how many hours are in a day? The fabric is gorgeous, I'm sure you will be able to whip something up. T x

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  19. two squirrelsFebruary 1, 2013 at 3:40 PM

    Squeal!!!! I so what the pretty blue Indian summer dress!!!!!
    Oh I do love these styles. I am so going to sew something when we settle, I am, I am, I am!!!!! Even it's bad!!!!
    You look fabulous in the shorts sweet!!!!
    Love V

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  20. toveFebruary 1, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    What an amazing post, Kylie!! They definitely don't make them like they used to, these dresses are LOVELY! There's really something about the 60s, the simplicity and the great shapes, wow! I'm amazed how you manage to dig up these things! Wish you a wonderful weekend! X

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  21. UnknownFebruary 1, 2013 at 4:59 PM

    Oh Wow i love all those dresses especially that blue and green swing one with the belt the fabrics they used are gorgeous. And so are the fabrics you have bought, that little red flower one and the yellow one next to it wow those will make beauitful dresses i haven't made a dress for god must be over a year now maybe 2. And all those bags so colourful and lovely. Have a great weekend, dee xx

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  22. BungalowgirlFebruary 1, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    What a fancy selection of frocks. I am horrified to admit I owned a replica pair of those white shorts. My midriff was often exposed above my levi 501's back in the day ( I am getting goosebumps just thinking back to it) mel x

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    Replies
    1. annieFebruary 1, 2013 at 10:56 PM

      Ah to be able to rock a pair of 501's again!

      Delete
    2. PippaFebruary 14, 2013 at 1:15 PM

      501's I love them....surely it's there time for a comeback?

      Delete
  23. simmoneFebruary 1, 2013 at 6:36 PM

    Love the first yellow/orange dress and that's a great haul of fabric (jealous).Not of the mid-drift top though, hmmm long sleeves and bare belly? Mum has a horrendous pic of me in a mid-drift top that was about a mile wide. I looked like a skeleton, never again! Ditto on the sewing/crochet.

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  24. LeaFebruary 1, 2013 at 8:26 PM

    C'mon you can do it. I just learnt to sew from an actual real pattern and I'm queen of the sewing gumbys! Great patterns. They don't make em like they used too. Leax

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  25. annieFebruary 1, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Was the skimmer not a surf board for the wake that parents told you would break your back if you dared try it? I like the skimer frock. I had one just like it in deep blue streaky fabric with a giant daisy on the front. It was of the 60's and from an oppy and came with me to many parties until my body blew up with babies. I believe my thin sister still has it. Dang!
    When I come to Perth for your AGM I will teach you to crochet. You have to love a cane handle.

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  26. A Certain VintageFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    i too, musts learn to sew. I seem to have been procrastinated about just giving it a go forever. Loving the midriff top, I would dread to dig up old pictures of me in an extremely similar outfit. Oh the 90s, still love them though!
    xox

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  27. Candy PopFebruary 3, 2013 at 2:56 AM

    I adore those old images - I tend to snap up vintage sewing patterns for the packaging.

    Thank you for posting the dress - I will let you know when it arrives!

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  28. Yvette AdamsFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    I know what you mean! I did actually love lots of dresses in the shops but they were way too short for my liking - and since I'm stupid tall, even more so! So I bought one pattern a month ago and I've so far made 5 dresses! A few are on my blog. I think a plain shift dress would be pretty easy for a beginner - like the dresses in the first two pics!

    And yes, I helped Lea to read a pattern and she made a lovely skirt from a vintage sheet! You have some really cool fabrics!

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  29. brismodFebruary 5, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    If I could sew and crochet, I'd join you in your quest to make those frocks and bags. Maybe we can just check out breeze blocks together... xx

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  30. karlyn JacksonFebruary 7, 2013 at 7:40 AM

    some of those dresses are stunning, you MUST learn to sew. You wont regret it Kylie.
    And a massive thank you for my goodies, You are just a sweetheart. I can't wait to put them to good use, they are perfect. xx

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  31. karlyn JacksonFebruary 7, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    I mean SUCH a sweetheart. Loving those reeboks too. I had the same pair.

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  32. UnknownFebruary 8, 2013 at 12:36 AM

    Your fabrics look great and those dresses wouldn't be hard to sew at all. I haven't sewn in like oh, 30 years, but I think I could do it!

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  33. PippaFebruary 14, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    Wolf Whistle!
    Love the frocks!
    Time to join a sewing class? xx

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  34. Hello VintageFebruary 16, 2013 at 9:15 PM

    Gosh they made great dresses back then. I also can't believe I used to wear tops that sat just below my boobs. Those were the days hey!

    ReplyDelete

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