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I shall just forewarn you, my dear readers, this is going to be a slightly picture heavy post. My wonderful sister managed to capture some fantastic photographs with my parents’ camera, and it is amazing how much of a difference a real camera vs. an iPhone camera makes! Before I get into the pattern review, let me show you the dress: Cheesecloth is a wonderfully lightweight crinkled muslin type fabric made in a good old breathable cotton, which layers up beautifully and forms pretty gathers to produce that full-skirted bohemian effect, and it even washes without the need for ironing! Cheesecloth is super bardot and gypsy style tops and blouses too! Gaucho pants and matching waistcoats were a fab ‘70s look. Re-create and bring this look more in keeping with modern day styles with simple culotte/palazzo style pants cropped to mid-calf length. The Palazzo Pants in the GBSB book we often reference ‘From Stitch to Style’ is an ideal pattern. All you need then is a simple waistcoat pattern such as New Look 6914 (ladies) and New Look 6036 (ladies & gents), McCalls M6228 (ladies & gents). This has the option to create a patchwork style waistcoat and other creative variations which are very ‘70s. Having watched episode 3 of the Great British Sewing Bee highlighting seventies fashion, incorporating current fabrics with vintage styles, we thought that a friendly nudge in the right direction with pattern suggestions and fabric suitability (crossovers from then and now) you can create your own twenty first century '70s inspired clothing. Have you noticed any '70s styles on the high street in the last couple of years? We definitely have! Modern day practicality and classic styles.
The patterns that we'd suggest for this look are Vogue V9319 ~ a super '70s style for tie front tops and flared trousers. Try a pre-pleated fabric for a '70s disco look. A real vintage look! As well as the classic cheesecloth, in the fashion world of today and with access to more technologies and better quality fabrics, woven dress crepe fabrics are an alternative but not a replacement for cheesecloth. These alternatives don't necessarily do the same job, but are just as practical and produce differing styles such as the drape, feel, handle of the garment. As well as traditional dress crepes, fabrics such as lightweight floaty fabrics like Georgette, lightweight suitings, voiles, silks, woven jacquards and many 'occasion wear' fabrics. For a more sophisticated ‘70s style, choosing crepe type fabrics and drapey faux silks will give you endless possibilities. Other ideal pattern and fabrics matches for this style are Boho Paisley Stripe, Fire Flower Paisley, Burda 6562 with Celia's Autumn Bouquet. All these will serve for great '70s styles with a genuine retro look. I am extremely happy with this dress. There are a couple of issues with it, but I love wearing it! It makes me feel truly elegant. What more could a lady ask for in a dress? Shirt dresses with semi fitted seam details such as Tilly & The Buttons’ Rosa Shirt Dress have a ‘70s style when made in classic denims and drills and twills.I have rather a large collection of true vintage and retro patterns from the ‘30s through to the ‘80s and my interest in the ‘70s patterns has peaked by the amount of ‘70s inspired fashions filtering through onto the high street today. What a brilliant opportunity to be able to make and wear all those fab clothes my aunt used to wear, and embrace my bohemian spirit! Knitted ponte (double jersey) fabrics are a great replacement for Crimpeline Fabric: Misty Morning Windowpanes Other excellent patterns are Vogue - Easy Options Custom Fit 70s Dresses V9328, Vogue V9076 (this will look excellent if lengthened to give an authentic ‘70s style.) Simplicity 8013 is a fabulously glam ‘70s style pattern too!
Cheesecloth is still an option if you want a true '70s feel, but whether you choose cool, floaty, breathable cheese cloth or a sophisticated crepe de chine, the pattern choices for utilising these fabrics at their best, turning them into maxi and midi dresses with a seventies style, are endless! Vogue Pattern V9311 is an excellent ‘70s style dress with two options for a midi or maxi length, and with or without fabulous bell sleeves. Having made this dress in a viscose crepe fabric I can assure you dress crepes and drapey fabrics such as cheesecloth are perfect for this 70s style. To see my version, take a look at my blog post that covers the Pumpkin Dress Crepe here. Unfortunately Fabworks have now sold out of this fabric, but here are other similar fabrics that will create the same look: Working in textiles from the young age of 16, I have always had a keen eye for what’s going on in the fashion world and of course the fabrics that make them. So dressmaking for myself was a natural progression that soon became an obsession. My love for all things vintage is another passion and of course that includes clothing and sewing patterns as well as antiques and collectables.
Knitted fabrics are so versatile and (can be) super stretchy, drapey and textured all at the same time, these multi-tasking fabrics also come in differing colours, metallic - Disco Diva styles and superb printed designs. Hats: Bigger isn’t always better: I opted to make a small fascinator I believed went with the look and feel of my dress. It gave my dress a more whimsical look
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