Is she/ Isn't she?

Keep them guessing with this [approx circa 1963] misses dress pattern!

While the main photo is pretty much typical for the era (bob haircut, makeup heavy on the upper eyeliner and a pose that looks like she's a bit too cool to be caught on a pattern cover) the illustrations above it are a little bit more ambiguous.

Is it just me or does the blonde in the top left hand corner look preggers?

There's no mention anywhere on the envelope- or in the instructions brief introduction-  that this is a maternity pattern and I find it unusual to have what appears to be maternity and regular fashion options in one pattern.

However if you look at the historical timeline in which this was published (end of the Baby Boom era, the lead up to the 1960s/1970s women's liberation movement) it might just begin to make sense. Women's roles in society were changing and no doubt companies were looking to keep up with their customers/cash in on it where they could.  

Maybe Advance were just hedging their bets either way with this one by offering what they thought the young female dressmaker wanted at the time (a modern fashion look that could be worn on a daily basis and even into pregnancy)?

OK think I have pondered enough over this one, who knew one could read so much into one "innocent" illustration?

Time to move on.....
;)
 
Kate x

Vintage Goodies

A visit to some of the local Op-shops up here have turned up a couple of interesting items...

First up is this 1960's sewing booklet. I just loved the cover when I saw it and thought that it (or a colour copy of it) would look great framed in my sewing room.

Inside were a few 'groovy" (for back then) projects aimed the 1960's teen sewer.
No patterns came with the booklet so whoever originally brought it was expected to draft all the patterns themselves using body measurements.


Although not in vogue now I am sure this shift dress was the height of fashion at the time - just look at that hemline!!! I wonder how the maker was expected to sit down in this?

This beach hat is a fairly basic design - not much coverage from the sun though. Also the illustration tends to make it look like a bolster cushion cover.

Ok look at me darling!! Thats right, head over your right shoulder.....

Got to love the very "mod" posing!
Also that hairdo looks like it could take off and fly with those "wings" (flips) sticking out!

Btw the pants in this picture are described as "terrace" pants - was that to make them sound more glamorous/funkier than they actually looked?

I guess that particular name for pajama-style pants didn't catch on.





Finally I picked up this c1980's dress pattern.

I am actually quite taken with the style of the longer version but don't think (with all my lady lumps) that it would suit me.

Luckily I have a sewer girlfriend who has a build more like the model in the photos, so it may end up being passed on to her.



In total these two items cost me about 70 cents in total - not bad for a quick rummage!