The next pattern in my cabinet was this reissued 1960’s style dress. I sent out a few texts and got a response from someone who wanted this one, and that was response was from Dana, my cousin’s wife. She loves vintage style things, and would love this dress.
When I asked Dana what fabric she would like it in, she said she loved the yellow that was featured on the pattern front, view A. I had this yellow dotted fabric already. It was a fabric that I bought on clearance recently. When I see a really discounted fabric, I buy it and save it. I know eventually I’ll get to it, and recently have been sewing a lot with my discount fabric!
The dress was very easy to make, which was nice since I’ve recently been challenged in my sews.
This is the upper bodice and arms of the dress getting pinned.
Going together with no trouble!
I got to thinking about this pattern, and had my think tank help me research it. Although my pattern generically says “1960’s”, we found out that this pattern was issued by Simplicity in 1964.
One thing I’ve discovered is that pattern companies never keep the same pattern number, even if it’s the same pattern! AND they recycle numbers, so two patterns might have the same number but be different. I’ll eventually research how pattern companies assign the numbers to the patterns, but for now, I instead decided to focus on the year 1964.
Here is a picture of the original 1964 pattern.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of 1964 is that it’s the year that The Beatles came to America. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge Beatles fan. So it isn’t a surprise that this is my first thought. But go ahead and get “I Want To Hold Your Hand” in your head for the rest of this post, it will set the 1964 mood!
What else was going on in 1964? Well, Ford came out with this new car, the Mustang. Look at that price, I’ll take two! HA!
The world of home sewing was at it’s height during the 1960’s. Making your own clothes was still a more affordable option than it is now. (Unless you’re always buying clearance fabric like I am, this dress cost me about $8 to make.)
With so many affordable choices like these, who wouldn’t want to have a one of a kind outfit?
The wife from 1964 was very concerned about serving the right coffee to her guests. Look at that yellow dress the woman on the couch is wearing, reminds me of this project!
I can’t imagine what mysteries this cookbook holds, but I thought this picture captures the look and feel of 1964.
I hope my little trip to 1964 has got you in a vintage mood.
This project made me start to wonder how women went from wearing dresses daily, to dresses being considered only for “dressing up”. I asked tons of people at work and via my Facebook about dresses and their thoughts about how they feel in dresses, and how they’re perceived.
The general consensus was that dresses are not formal, but are usually perceived as formal by society. Women are usually asked, “why are you so dressed up?” when they put on a dress. If the woman usually wears dresses, then doesn’t, they are typically asked why they are dressed down. Some are bothered by being questioned, some are not. Some women I talked to won’t wear dresses because they don’t like to attract attention to themselves, good or bad.
How did we get away from wearing dresses, so that they are no longer common place, and draw so much attention when they are worn? I love a house dress, but maybe that’s just me. To each their own, wear what makes you happy!
The dress was complete and delivered to Dana. She asked her mom, Sandra, to help her with her photo shoot.
Dana and Sandra got to work one day, doing hair and make up, and accessorizing Dana’s 1960’s look. Let me just say, they nailed it!
Dana is a natural, content in her 1964 housewife’s heart that she bought the right gourmet coffee!
The accessories that they chose fit this dress and era so perfectly!
Nothing says “1960’s housewife” like putting on your pearls and reading about gardening.
Casual and elegant in the container garden.
Dana is a natural!
Looking classy in her front yard.
I think this simple dress is easily dressed up by the accessories that Dana and Sandra chose. It could easily be dressed down by adding a denim jacket, or different shoe choice. Dresses are so versatile!!
Dana said that she and her mom Sandra had so much fun doing this photo shoot. I’m happy that they enjoyed it. They are doing my personal photo shoots from now on! They did such an amazing job!
FYI March 6th is National Dress Day. It falls on a Sunday this year, and I would like to challenge any of my dress loving blog readers to wear a dress that day. If you chose to celebrate the dress, please take pictures of yourself doing so. I will be doing a post after National Dress Day to show how I and others celebrated the day. I would love to include my loyal blog readers! Contact me if you’d like to be included! Let’s show dresses some love!
As for me, onto the next!
Once again you’ve brightened someone’s day with a fabulous sew. Dana looks stunning.
I think the dress is Dana’s style, and yellow looks great on her! Sandra and Dana are spot on with hair, makeup and accessories! The dress looks fantastic on her! Totally 1960’s! Very pretty❣️❣️
As usual a wonderful post with a lot of interesting content, Nicole! Dana and I had so much fun doing this shoot! Dana is a natural in front of the camera and loves the dress! I’ll be sure to be sporting a dress as well on March 6th! And thank you for the compliments!
Great dress, model and photos!! Dana took me back in time, remembering how women were dressing then. Elegant and classy, like Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn!! I was a freshman in high school in 1964, and so admired these two women!!
That dress is so cute! It looks comfy too and that can’t always be said for 60s style dresses lol. Maybe that’s why they are less common now? Their underwear back then was like iron 🤣