Those were the days

 

There was a time when I'd have begged my mom to make me something out of this fabric. Maybe an A-line dress. Or a summery top to wear with white pedal-pushers. But I'm too old for that now. Even if I didn't think I was too old for it, my daughter surely would.

 

There was a time when I'd have thought this dress was the height of sophistication.

 

Particularly if it was made out of this fabric. (Super-silky, 100 percent polyester, as if you couldn't guess.)

 

I'd have spent at least several summer afternoons holed up in my bedroom, longingly looking at every single outfit in the 1968 Butterick and Vogue Home Catalog (which is in my Etsy shop).
 
 

I'd have thought this was the most awesome fabric I'd ever seen. I'm fairly sure I'd have been able to talk my mom into making me a bedspread and curtains out of it, and painting the walls of my room green. (I wouldn't have thought that pink was cool enough, and she'd have never gone with orange.)

 

I'd probably have wondered whether I should pick this fabric for my room instead, but I think I'd have gone with the paisley.

But those days are behind me now. It's time to let go of the 60s. I've listed more stuff on eBay this week than I'd have thought humanly possible, and my fabulous collection of 1960s fabrics and patterns will, I hope, find an appreciative new home. Tomorrow, I'm jumping in my time machine and going back to the late 1800s and listing all of my nice old calicos and homespuns. I'm somewhere in between those vastly different eras now. And if I were to keep a pattern that I think best fits my style now, it would probably ...

 

 be this one. 
 
  
  
 
  
  

Comments

[Tina]

Some of those look very Lilly!

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/Women/Dresses/icat/womensdresses?gclid=CJjciJ2y1aACFQ8EiQodjAx0tw

[Beth Leintz]

I like the groovy mod fabric of the 60's- but my heart belongs to the calicos.

[Sherrie]

That's it. I have to just come and shop at your house. I was getting ready to comment about your last post (love the Hoosier cabinet)and then I saw the fabrics and patterns in this post. I am drooling over everything. I love the 60's fabric. Thanks for starting off my day with something fun.

[Freckled Hen]

Are you tired of my comments telling you how great your post is? I love this post and the previous one. (La la la can you hear me? It's supposed to be 74 here today.)
I love the dress pattern you said was your style.

[Shanna]

I have a sheet with the exact same pattern as the first picture on your post. Have yet to find the perfect project to make the first cut into it though. ;)

[Margaret McCormick]

I don't think you're too old for the pink retro mod flower fabric or the paisley fabric, no matter what Carrie says. Isn't it funny that maxi dresses are in style again? I should buy some of those vintage uncut patterns... I'm afraid that's the only way to find a true Size 12 anymore!

[Kim]

How well I remember those days ~ the 60s, not te 1800s. :-)

[Kim]

Oops, I meant the, not te. :-(

[Jerri]

This fabric reminds me so much of some of the dresses my sister made for herself when she was a senior in high school. I just love old fashioned dresses. When I watch the I Love Lucy shows I always try and guess what color her dresses are. And the 1940 fashions? On my......

Jerri

[CC]

Ooooo,how beautiful can fabrics and patterns be??? These are wonderful and beautiful,but I can't wait ti see the calicos. I love the last pattern you showed..I think my heart still belongs back there..specially with sweet calicos and ginghams..
I simply love,love your site and so enjoy coming here to see everything..thanks for letting me visit.

[Sher Miller]

That Hoosier is a beauty - looks to be in perfect condition! Those old patterns always bring back memories. I put together many of those 7338 dresses and of course, looked HOT! ;)

[D R E W]

ooooo, LOVE those fabrics!!! especially the first one.