Sunny Summer in the Seventies

This is a dress of my childhood, a vintage pattern, sewn in fabric possibly older than it is ;)

I can imagine my mum, grandmas & aunts wearing lightweight loose dresses like this during summer in the 1970's. They're not common in family photographs as most pictures were taken during celebrations when everyone was more dressed up, but I'm sure I remember dresses like these as 'house dresses'.

I was given this lightweight yellow cotton from my lovely MILs stash. I think it's from when they were living in the tropics in the early 1970's. It's delightfully smooth and cool to touch, however it's been maturing for a while as I couldn't picture it as anything. Then, I was browsing my shirt dress collection, the sleeves on view 2 of Style1578 circa 1976 jumped out at me and declared, "our time has come again, make us now!" So I did.

I made View 2 sleeveless, size 12, 34" bust

Swimming into 2015 with a Tiki Tankini (Mary & M6623)

My tiki beach huts on my bikini bits

Swimmers, bathers, togs... An essential part of an Australian summer, but how mine have changed in the past 10 years! I've always been more of the 'can I body surf in them' view rather than the 'urgh, tan lines, be gone' view, however the blissful weeks spent bush camping in no more than a bikini, sunscreen & hat have morphed into hats, rash vests & shade, and 'will it fall down/off if a toddler tugs too hard'.
This time last year I used Cake's Cabarita top pattern to sew a beach top in a spongy swimming knit and it's had almost constant beach use since ;)

Culottes - they're back.

I love culottes, in all of their 70's, late 80's and early 90's magnificence. I really didn't think I'd live to see fashion turn around to notice them again, however since the decades I remember were simply reinterpreting the 30's and 40's, it's really of no surprise that they're baaack!
Leading the culottes revival are the gorgeous Debbie at Lily Sage & Co and eternally stylish Kirsty B at Top Notch who have both inspired me with every version that they've made.
I can add Jillian of Sew Unravelled to that list now as well - I adore hers!

Definitely Culottes.

Sew for Victory - 1943 woollen skirt (S4775) and Dahlia

Allow me to introduce Simplicity 4775 (1943) as a navy wool skirt and Wearing History's Dahlia blouse for Sewing for Victory 2.0

Sew for Victory is a 1940's themed sew along that is in it's second year - with many to come! It's hosted by the lovely Rochelle of Lucky Lucille and this year has ran from March until 30th April. It's open to everyone, with the only proviso that we sew a 1940's (original, reproduction or inspired) outfit during these dates.
Next year I think I'll muslin it up before the start date!

Simplicity 4775 (1943) and Wearing History's Dahlia Blouse View A
Daydreaming as usual, I haven't noticed that my hem's down

Replacing RTW - Simplicity 6672 - Black&Grey Maxi

Reflecting on everyone's goals for the year, it seems that some of the main trends for 2014 sewing bloggers who make resolutions, is to stash bust, continue RTW (ready to wear) fasts and develop some TNT (tried & true) patterns with variations.

I spent the later part of 2013 building an enviable stash (of both patterns and fabric) and am sure I'll find some pretty pieces to add to it in 2014 ;)

It's a gorgeous photo (on film no less)
Surely you don't want dress details as well?!

Call me Anna, Social Anna

Why Hello Mac, welcome to your photoshoot

Call me Anna, By Hand London, Anna

Anna really is a social lass isn't she. She's been spotted all around the world, varying her look each time and always looking fabulous. She's really, really good looking and quite generous too - not bad for a lass who only entered the scene in 2013.