Sewing Through the Cinema ~ Petulia

by Amy~ViennasGrace

        Get your tissues ready, no not that kind of tissue silly-less of a tear jerker, more of a very "uncommon" drama.  I'm searching sewing patterns modern and vintage to find the looks featured in classic films. Although it might not be possible to duplicate the exact look, I'll show you how to easily mimic the feeling of the style. Soon you'll see that a silver screen wardrobe is only a pattern away.

This very "uncommon" American drama from 1968 tells the story of Petulia, using flash forwards and flash backs.  Petulia is a young, trendy, socialite living in San Francisco.  She is married to David Danner, a cruel and abusive man. From the first time Petulia sees Dr. Archie Bollen treating an injured young boy that was traveling with her, she seems mysteriously attracted to him.

 I think this movie is a little Alfred Hitchcock and a little Quentin Tarantino. minus the extreme suspense and the shooting gore.(The Q-man is my secret crush-xoxo)

This has to be one of the best movie posters ever!

Click here to view an original 1968 Petulia Movie poster available on Etsy

Watch the original movie trailer

Arlette of Real was the costume designer for Julie Christie's  wardrobe in Petulia.

(keep an eye out here on the Pattern Patter Blog-later this month, for Sherri's writeup when she shares info about Arlette and other fabulous designers)

Arlette Nastat designed a series of patterns for McCall's based on her designs for Petulia. They were even modeled by Julie Christie in San Francisco. 

I know of 4 from the series

McCalls New York Designers' Collection Plus -

Arlette of Real for Joan Arkin

n/1039-green dress

n/1040-white trench

n/1041-navy skirt jacket

n/1042-white dress and cape

Although a rarity- check out two of these fab styles available on Etsy

"What Julie Christie wears has more real impact on fashion than all the clothes of the ten Best-Dressed women combined," said Time Magazine in 1967.

GreyDogVintage McCall's 1040                        ViennasGrace McCall's 1039

Here is Julie Christie in the White Trench Coat-which has been called by many as one of the silver screen's top movie trench coat of all time-right up there with Mr. Bogart in Casablanca.

Found the image of McCall's Vintage Pattern Catalog-thanks to "unknown" Pinterest user. Wish I could see if there were more than these 4 patterns from this series.

I was unable to find these 2 patterns currently available anywhere, but thanks to http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com I was able to find the images.

Let's see if I can dig up a few patterns that have the same style feeling.

allthepreciousthings Butterick 5516                            MaddieModPatterns Modes Royal 2321

retroactivefuture Simplicity 7544  EleanorMeriwether Simplicity 7391

 ThePatternShopp Butterick 4771

mod

• n.noun

  1. An unconventionally modern style of fashionable dress originating in England in the 1960s.

When viewing many of these mod patterns, I was reminded how too often I over look the beauty of their simple lines and timeless style.  I really want to add more mod looks to my wardrobe.  

  The late 1960s gave us much more than our first moon walk, and Woodstock...they gave us the available to styles that felt expensive, felt like a London socialite-and were so often easy to sew; mod A-line dresses, the pant dress, yoke front smock tops, mandarin collar caftans. (and me! I showed up in '67)

Check out more styles from Petulia

Here she is in her draping neckline evening dress that was under her fabulous feather trimmed coat. 

momandpopcultureshop McCall's 3630   Fancywork Vogue 5727  FoundAlchemyPatterns Vogue 8113

Obsessed would be an understatement with how I feel about this pastel mini pant dress and  matching zip front swing jacket. The whole look is absolute fashion perfection!

         Didn't take much to find the perfect zip front jacket and a fun hat pattern.

patternshop McCall's 8254                                     FriskyScissors Simplicity 7442 

                           

The only way to get this fab look perfect, is to....you know what I'm going to say, GO SEW IT GIRL!  And wow were there options in patterns! With a mild hem adjustment-take it up a bit to a Petulia style micro mini.

Now I'm going to be honest-in the past- I have had mixed feelings about most mod style rompers, but when you see it a few inches shorter and in that gorgeous blue, I'm saying yes to the mini pant dress--100% romper-tastic!

1. Romper Definition

   dictionary.search.yahoo.com

   n. noun

   • 1. One that romps. (oh ya!)
   • 2. A loosely fitted, one-piece garment having short bloomers that is worn especially by small children for play. (or really cool stylish gals like Petulia-step aside babies)
   • 
   • Mrsdepew Butterick 4805  HeyChica Butterick 7528 Denisecraft McCalls 8900 
   • retromonkeys Simplicity 8146  midvalecottage McCall's 2282
   • 
     
   • Al Pacino called Julie Christie "the most poetic of all actresses."
   • 
     
   • It was hard to find a full view of this dress, so here are a few screen shots.  This is my 2nd style obsession from Petulia. Wouldn't this make an amazing go anywhere dress this summer? to the grocery store, evening out with friends...I would want to wear this everywhere!

VogueVixens Simplicity 7994    Fragolina Vogue 6881  SloCrafty Simplicity 8722

                                   mbchills Simplicity 5043                                  WEAREVINTAGESEWING Simplicity 9156

How can you get all this style into your closet? I told you, 

pull out your tissues! Pattern tissue that is, go sew it girl! 

                  Below is a Pattern Patter Team Treasury inspired by the lovely fashions in Petulia.
                                                         CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON ETSY

                     Here's another treasury inspired by Petulia, featuring some fun Etsy finds.
                                                                CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON ETSY