'How To Make Absolutely Sure Your Kid Gets Their Daily Wedgy From The School Bully':
....and for no added cost, 'How To Make Sure Your Husband Has Absolutely NO Chance of Running Around'.
Would you loves believe that this is an advert for a fashion tips book? Apparently it teaches you about trends. I'm pretty sure this is a trend that even the Brady kids would have shunned...well, maybe not Greg....He DID wear a lot of tacky tees like that in the last couple of seasons.
Here's another '70s crafty project for you, my minions! 'How To Crochet A Bandana Throw'. Not so sure about the bandanas, but this might be kind of snazzy using vintage scarves or handkerchiefs? What do you loves think?
Hey, hey, hey my little pigeons! Are you ready for a little change....for a couple of weeks anyway? I've decided that, in the run up to the Old Oak Festival at Tusculum College in my hometown of Greeneville, Tennessee, I'm going to focus on great mid 1970's (the festival originally began in 1975) artsy-craftsy lovelieness! From patchwork decorating to applique fashion to making apple dolls!! You'll be getting at least a post per day, sometimes more! Now, doesn't that sound fun? And don't worry, the '60s will be back in full force here at DollyBird Vintage soon after!
First, for today, 'Sophisticated Patchwork' from a 1975 Crafting magazine. I don't know if I'd call it 'sophisticated' myself, but it sure is fun! Enjoy and get to work crafting, my little Holly Hobbie wannabes!
Everyone, meet our new friend Wendy....
(ok, so it's a different spelling, but did you like how I injected a little '60s fabulousness in here just so my fellow little mod dolls wouldn't feel too lost?)
....Wendy, is going to show us just how fun mathematics can be when used along with patchwork to make a super '70s table setting....
...A patchwork apron...
...plus some cute quilty placemats...
...plus a couple of patriotic potholders...
...plus a pot of fabulous fabric flowers...
...equals one snazzy seventies dinner party!!!We're told that, "Wendy models her patchwork apron as she serves dinner with her patchwork potholders. Placemats and fabric floral centerpiece are also her creations." Well done, Wendy.
Now, for you crafty critters out there, here's a loverly little 'how to' for that crazy centerpiece:
You will need:
Assorted Fabrics 26 Guage Wire for wrapping 16 Gauge Wire for stems Green Floral Tape Ball Fringe White Glue
1. Cut a piece of fabric large enough for 5 petals per flower. Soak the fabric in a mixture of one part glue to 3 parts water. Hang to dry. Do not iron. Cut petals in desired shape and size.
2. Attach a ball from the fringe to 16 gauge wire with floral tape.
3. Add petals one by one with spool wire--winding wire after each addition. Wind excess wire around stem.
4. Cover exposed wire at base of flowers with floral tape.
I may actually try making some of these! I remember several of my mom's friends having them in their houses when I was really little back in the '80s. I also seem to recall them being sold by a crafter at one of the Old Oak Festivals when I was a kid. Would be super for a little girl's room...maybe I'll make a vase-full for my soon to be born 'niece', Aspen....she'll be here any day now!!
Yesterday Encore Family had a showing of The Wilderness Family trilogy from the mid-late '70s. I hadn't watched it in years! Would you believe I still remembered the names of the characters after all this time??!! It's the story of a family who are tired of the city and the smog and the rat race. They move to an isolated cabin in the Rocky Mountains where their only neighbours are some wild animals and an old hermit named Boomer and his mule. As a child, I always thought the Robinsons got WAY too much credit for being 'mountaineers' and that impression is still with me today. I mean, let's face it kiddles, they wouldn't have lasted more than a week without their poor dog or Samson the bear saving their kandy keisters konstantly!
Anyway, I love the way they 'cashed-in' on the hippie/prairie/country vibe....although they were kind of at the end of it!
As I've mentioned in a previous post, the Old Oak Festival is being revived in my hometown in April and it was quite the hippie fest back when it began in 1975, pushing homespun arts and crafts as well as music!! The Robinsons would have LOVED it!
These guys were always there...even when I was little in the '80s! Wonder if they're still around??
The seventies were all about going back to the land and the pioneer spirit! Patchwork, 'calico' prints, maxi-dresses, and ruffles.....I'm thinking of making this my signature look for this spring!
These were photogged by the late, great Irving Penn in the late '60s:
Here's some mid '70s catalog pages and patterns for some extra inspiration:
Some musical inspiration :
(note...there were LOADS more songs on this playlist, but thanks to SMI some of them wouldn't play...and then each time I loaded it less and less would play. If they don't want free publicity for their artists, I guess they won't get it. I can't count the # of times I've discovered AND BOUGHT new music through people posting playlists...their loss...twats...)
Some vintage designer inspiration:
1970's Angela Gore maxi dress
Gorgeous Klimt dress by Giorgio di Sant' Angelo from his A/W 1969 collection (I'm officially making a copy of this....SOOOOON!)
Catherine Buckley....very Holly Hobbie-esque!
And speaking of Holly Hobbie, what 1970's, patchwork, calico, maxi dress post would be complete without her??
Love the dresses! Not so much the bonnets though! .....One more shameless Tusculum College Old Oak Festival plug: If you're like Holly Hobbie and into quilts and patchwork, there will be an absolutely HUGE quilt show in the Niswonger Commons as part of the festival. Should be smashing!