1970

Saturday 14 March 2015


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.



43 comments

  1. Seriously Sue, you are so talented. I know it's not rocket science to iron on a transfer but it's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Ha ha - thanks. I think the hubs thought I was off my rocker when I told him what I was going to do but I think he quite likes it. Put it this way, he said it was alright!

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  2. Weird - I have just been lusting over that jumper in InStyle magazine! This is amazing - totally going to steal this idea and do a 1973 one!

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    1. It's such an iconic jumper and they've brought out a few new colours for 2015 - makes it difficult to choose but I think I would still go for classic black. One day, one day!

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  3. OMG GENIUS!!!! Absolutely love this. Yours looks amazing. Can guarantee mine would not look that good. Doh

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    1. Kat, you've painted a shedload of chairs in Annie Sloan chalk paint. You can wield an iron for 30 secs and do this!

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  4. Seems like you have a good eye for transfers. Time to start thinking about getting an etsy shop started perhaps? The world needs more cool t-shirts/sweatshirts! Just saying...

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    1. Ha - it's an idea isn't it? But everyone knows how to do this now and they can design their own! More satisfying too!

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  5. How clever are you. It looks brilliant x

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  6. You should be a stylist/designer, you just have that eye and such clever ideas! xx

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    1. I just pick up ideas from everyone and everywhere else and go with the ones I like the best - don't we all? I wasn't ever encouraged on the arty front so I must be getting all my crafty frustrations out now.

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  7. Could you please put up a link to the etsy seller you used?

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    1. Elizabeth, I picked up your comment earlier and highlighted it out and also put an extra link at the bottom. I put the links on usually but they are not always apparent unless you happen to be hovering over the wording or anything. Hope that helps. Are you having a go?

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  8. Amazing!!! Absolutely love your version!

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    1. Thank you - I'm quite chuffed with it too. Little things, little things.

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  9. What a great idea Sue - I just love this!
    Jane xx
    My Midlife Fashion

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  10. Clever clogs!! What a simple but brilliant idea & it looks great (not to mention the £'s it saved you!!) x

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    1. It's saved me pounds for now ... I'd still love the real McCoy!

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  11. I absolutely love it. You have great style and fantastic ideas so well executed. By the way I want a Ginsbourg is God jumper so bad it hurts. I have to go for that version on account of being born before 1970

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    1. I love the Ginsbourg is God one as well. Do it, do it!

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  12. Haha! It is my birth year too. Have you seen the rainbow ones? I think they were in Style magazine.

    I love a bit of customising.

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    1. I've seen them all over - and I'm rather liking the pastel blue they have it in as well this season. Like I said, if I win the lottery, I'll take them all!

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  13. Oh this is way too cool Sue! What an amazing idea.....a new line for the Susie Ho shop perhaps?! xx

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    1. Nooo - too much faff co-ordinating the transfers for different years Michelle. I've done mine. I'm done :)

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  14. I am sooo doing this! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  15. Brilliant. Of course I will commission one for 1980. Could I get away with that? What do you mean, NO? ;0) x

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    1. Oh gosh - I made a mistake - mine should have said 1980 too!

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  16. That's brilliant. One of a kind.

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  17. Just inspired - absolutely love this - definitely a new online business opportunity here!

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    1. If I could make the transfers myself, yes. As it is, it's best left to the lovely Etsy seller I bought mine from - they did a fab job!

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  18. How much are you selling them for, Sue?!

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    1. Now I'm pretty sure you can knock up a fab design of your own Alex!

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  19. I love this! Can you make one for me please? :)

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    1. Jenny - you can do this! I can do this so I'm pretty sure you can. You know how to iron don't you ;o)

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  20. Oh I love this Sue! I'd love a 1973 one & I think the Etsy seller is going to do well out of you! Great idea for pressies too! Inspired much! Ax

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  21. This is a stupid question, but do you have to have the design to exact specifications or does the patch maker do that for you?

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  22. Hi I know this is an old post but just love your jeans n sneakers what make are they? X

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    1. The jeans are old New Look ones - they didn't even have rips in them when I originally bought them and the trainers are Adidas Stan Smith's. Just the classic ones with navy trim. x

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Susie So So