1970

Bella Freud ...in Bella Freud (Source)

I would love a Bella Freud 1970 jumper. Why? Because that's my birth year emblazoned across the front so I feel like I ought to have one of these ... and they are a teensy bit cool ;o) But ... but ... they are £280 a pop so I know it's not going to be making it's way in to my wardrobe any time soon. Sob. However, if I should so happen to win that ever elusive lottery, then I'll take one in every colour and let's throw in a smelly candle whilst we're at it. But I've tried not to take it too much to heart and I have taken matters in to my own hands and I have taken the inspiration and set about creating something a little fun. 

I decided I wanted to make a 1970 sweatshirt. I knew I didn't want it to be a copy of the Bella Freud jumper as I thought it would feel a little bit too "poor relation" so I needed to change the fundamental feel of the garment - hence the changing of it to a sweatshirt and besides they are much easier to work with than jumpers #slightcopout. I googled for 1970 style fonts and found something I liked and then I contacted an Etsy seller and commissioned them to create me my "velvet 1970 transfer" in navy. 

So let's take one grey Uniqlo sweatshirt like this. The perfect blank canvas.

Let's take a look at the transfer - this is what it looks like when it arrives complete with instructions. 

Go to your mirror and see where you want to place it.

Helpful hint - I placed a pin marking where the top of the sheet needed to sit as a guideline.

Make sure the transfer is centralised and then lay the "baking parchment" over the top.

And press with a dry iron for around 20 seconds (basically following the instructions provided).

Peel off the backing paper.

And there we have it! One 1970 sweatshirt.

Looks alright doesn't it?

Well I'm pretty chuffed anyway. And it took all of 5 minutes to do!

A Sue Original

Anyway, I've always wondered about the background behind this iconic jumper but only because 1970 has meaning for me. I thought it might have something to do with the fact that it might have also been Bella Freud's birth year but she was actually born in 1961 but on her website, it does say ....

"While messing around on my photocopier I spied the date 1970 printed in the corner of a page of the book I was leafing through. Inspired, I kept blowing it up, then cut it out and pinned it onto my black jumper. It had a rough charm that made me think of the early New York punk scene in the 70's, and Patti Smith"  (source).

A little inspiration goes a long way - yes? Well it inspired me :)

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Last Note : 

• The link for the Etsy seller Kaera-Groda who made the transfer is here. And highlighted above too.