Craft Festival 'How To', 1974

Morning cupcakes! Today's the day! Old Oak Festival breaks out on the campus of Tusculum College for the first time in 20 years! Old Oak originally ran from 1975-1992. And to open the festivities and celebrate the terrific arts and crafts there both then and now, I give you...."How To Sell Your Craft...At Fairs, Festivals, and Flea Markets" from 1974.

Fashion Painting, 1974

Here again, I must apologize for the lack of patterns...apparently my grandmother swiped these too!

Don't forget the reason I'm doing these crafty 1970's posts currently....it's to promote and lead up to the revival this coming weekend (April 19-22) of the Old Oak Festival at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee! The festival started in 1975 and ran for almost twenty years before being cancelled...and this will be the first festival since it was phased out twenty years ago! If you're in the area, stop by!

Sophisicated(?) Seventies Patchwork, 1975

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!!

Toodles!
xx

Cine-speration---The Wilderness Family, 1975

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!

Shopping these looks:

1. Vintage Wooden Owl Necklace--TrinityBejeweled@etsy--$12.00, 2. Brown Wedge Sandal--H&M--$39.95, 3. Light Brown Beaded Sandals--River Island--£28.00, 4. Red Studded Maxi Dress--Dorothy Perkins--$55.00, 5. Vintage 1970's Macrame Necklace Pattern--2ndlookvintage@etsy--$4.00, 6. Vintage 1970's Rust Lambskin A-Line Maxi Skirt--newwavenatives@etsy--$38.00, 7. Vintage 1970's Wood and Metal Belt--RedBarnRetro@etsy--$20.00, 8. Vintage 1970's Wooden Beaded Purse--Simca10@etsy--$25.00, 9. Violet Midi Shirt Dress--Topshop--$110.00

1. Vintage 1970's Patchwork Maxi--bloomingsoul@etsy--$48.00, 2. Vintage granny boots--FoxyBritVintage@etsy--$61.20, 3. Vintage Holly Hobbie-ish brooch/pendant--AntiqueAddictions@etsy--$22.99, 4. Mixed Print Maxi Skirt--Forever 21--$19.80, 5. Floral Purse--New Look--£9.99, 6. Daisy Print Wide Brim Hat--Zara--$19.90, 7. Folk Ditsy Bikini--Cath Kidston--$52.00


1. Grey Strawberry Thief Silk Neckerchief--Liberty London--£95.00, 2. Vintage Floral Woven Straw Bag--heyhoney@etsy--$20.00, 3. Strapless Floral Maxi Dress--Forever 21--$24.80, 4. Vintage Floral Transfer Pendant--OodlesOfBling@etsy--$11.00, 5. Embellished 'Snoop' Wedge--Irregular Choice--$185.00, 6. Vintage Embroidered Locket--WillowAndQuinn@etsy--$54.00, 7. Vintage '70s Leather Clogs--TheOldWell@etsy--$40.00, 8. Kimchi Tooled Floral Checkbook Wallet--Urban Outfitters--$20.00, 9. Contrast Floral Dress--Forever 21--$24.80, 10. Ditsy Floral Chambray--Delia*s--$39.50


.....Think I may stay on this 70's bent for the next few days!....or weeks!!

Ta, Dolls!
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