Help needed to date item

claireshaeffer said:
I copied your 2nd photo and magnified the section between your fingers.
The lower thread is blindstitching; on the edge above it, you can see the thread wrapping over the edge. This is what I'm looking for.
It has fallen off all the edges which frayed and you might find the thread amongst the fraying.

I went back to your original photos. The third photo --just before the back view--in the center shows a seam with the surjette thread on the edge

I come back to my original thought that this is either a couture blouse or made using couture techniques; it was not homesewn. In couture, very few blouses and skirts have labels so if the blouse was part of an ensemble, it never had a label. It could have had a matching skirt or been a suit blouse with a jacket and skirt in a different fabric.

Now you need to think about your plans for the blouse. If the seams have frayed up to the seams, you shouldn't wear it unless you reenforce the seams with a lightweight selvage or seam tape. Ask a friend who sews to help you.

Thank you for the many photos. I've enjoyed looking at them. It's always a delight to see such beautiful construction.
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Thanks to you Claire for your unvaluable help! Do you still think it is 70s?
I have a good tailor I am sure she can help with all that fraying.
Keep healthy in those times :)
 
I'm not good at dating. My expertise is construction. Please keep us posted after you talk with your tailor.
Thanks for the good wishes; yes, these are trying times. Where are you located?
Be careful and stay well. C
 
I am in southern California in the desert. This is a winter resort so the weather is fabulous; unfortunately, it is a terrible time economically for our businesses. Both Coachella and Stage Coach were cancelled. I don't know how to describe their music except very loud modern. Businesses need to make money now to carry them through the summer. I am a writer and almost retired so I'm used to working at home.

I did a lot of research in London for my couture book at Hardy Amies and several Savile Row tailors for Couture Tailoring. There are no couture houses in London now; when I did my research, there were 5 or 6. As they went out of business, it's quite possible that many of the dressmakers and tailors continued to work privately.

When you go to your tailor, ask her or him about replacing the back zipper. It's not the right zip and it's not sewn in well. Even though the blouse is clean, you might consider having it dry cleaned after it visits the tailor. I think it will give the blouse a new life.
 
What an interesting life it does sound so much more interesting than my banking career! Also I love the USA and I would love to see something else then just New York.
Agree on those festivals it is mainly house.

London has been taken over by chains unfortunately. However there are some suit tailor in the city (I know one at least a very old fashion one). I actually hope my tailor is not going out of the business. I will go there once all of this is finished.

I wish you a good day Claire. Thanks for all
 
London is no different from Florence, Rome, and many other European cities. There used to be lots of small shops that you could visit and now all the big names are everywhere.
Most tailors enjoy what they do and have long careers. Sometimes because they continue to need the income; sometimes because they simply enjoy their work.
All good wishes, stay safe.
 
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