Foxy Lady Creations: Foxy Lady talks... Jerkins

No, I'm not talking about the recent dance rage, or was that twerkin?, I'm talking a cool garment from the 1960s / 1970s, that seems to be forgotten about...tabard to you.
I recently bought the most awesome fabric ever (to me) bold, bright, colourful (psychedelic to be frank) and yet classy from the Ebay. When I received my 'treasure' through the post, and measured it against a dress pattern I was going to use. Alas, it was just slightly to small, so I rummaged through my vintage pattern collection, and found something that might suit the bill, similar to a dress but more of a tabard.
I was excited to find this design, and chose to run it as an experiment, if it looked good, then I would make more.

1969 Simplicity Jerkin and flares sewing pattern

As I was collating the pattern pieces I required, I noticed the garment was referred to as a 'jerkin', me and my child ego found this amusing. Oh what fun I could have with that, that evening I started to do some research into 'Jerkins', and I was toing and froing messengers with my mum about it, having lots of giggles in between. Mum was a 60s chick, and I will often ask her things about the fashion and culture of this era (she made her own clothes too), but she had never heard of a Jerkin, and not many people have.
For many years Jerkins were made from leather, used as protection, they were first recorded in the 16th century. They were used during many wars, and the 'battle jerkin' was created for the 1st world war, by the 1950s and 60s they were worn by workman in lighter fabrics to protect their clothing as opposed to themselves, so when did they reach women? The tunic shape became fashionable in the 1960s, short tunics (jerkins) were worn over slightly longer dresses or trousers, as seen on the Simplicity pattern.

So whether you call it a tabard, or a tunic or a jerkin (teehee), its a versatile garment that can create many different looks which appeals to my sense of resourcefulness.
I made this Jerkin (as it was termed back then) or tabard if you like, from this awesome vintage '70s fabric (tricel). I was so excited when I found it, its my favourite fabric ever! Unfortunately, there wasn't quite enough for a dress, so I decided to make the Jerkin instead. I hope you agree it looks amazing, a real 'statement' piece.

Buy Kiki from Button Boatique