Whilst everyone was busy making tote bags from vintage fabric at my last beginners sewing workshop, we chatted about what to make at the next workshop. Dresses were a popular choice, particular with an A-line skirt. I’ve been wearing this style since the 1990’s but the origins of this silhouette come from the 1960’s. I popped into the V&A’s Mary Quant exhibition and I wondered if Quant claimed the iconic mini skirt to be her own invention. ‘Mary wore short skirts long before anybody else, because she has fabulous legs, and she was constantly running around.’ Says Heather Tilbury in the V&A Members Magazine. ‘It was her customers saying “shorter, shorter shorter”. Tilbury was Mary Quant’s PR and Marketing Manager and advisor for the current V&A’s exhibition. Inspired by the exhibition, I’ve selected an edit of 1960’s vintage fabrics from my fabric shop that would look fantastic made into a Mary Quant styled vintage dress, mini skirt or peter-pan collared blouse.
