Show us your vintage patterns!

[kamikat]

I love this one!

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

I got this the other day

Uncut and factory folded...and my size! I thought that it was a reasonable one for a beginner as it has no sleeves.

 

[Snookie]

I know we've discussed the changes in pattern sizes before, but I've recently come to a very interesting conclusion. I think the general "standard shape" has changed, as well. For all modern patterns, unless they are specialty patterns, I have to take a large fold through the torso to raise the waist to my high waist. Over the last, say, 4 projects, with different brands both 40's and 50's, I've realized that I don't need to take that fold. In fact, the last project, I ended up throwing out the bodice and starting over because the waist was so high (a 50s at-the-waist bodice). Has anyone else noticed a difference in the torso length between vintage and modern?

I haven't used a modern pattern in about 4 years, so I can't really speak to that, but I'm also high-waisted, and patterns from the 30's and 40's also hit my waist perfectly. Here's what your comment just made me realize -- these vintage patterns we use must have a the waistline at the high waist (not the natural waist, as I assumed since they fit me so well!). Because if they fit us high-waisted gals so well, obviously they're high-waisted.

So is there an era when the natural waist is fashionable, or does that defeat the purpose of fashion? Do we always twist our proportions?

Out of curiousity, what are the modern specialty patterns you mentioned? Do you mean something like Vintage Vogue, or patterns from a small company? I'm curious just how much the vintage repro patterns are adjusted for modern expectations.

 

[Snookie]

I got this the other day

Uncut and factory folded...and my size! I thought that it was a reasonable one for a beginner as it has no sleeves.

Very cute! To make it even simpler, don't make pockets, use a store-bought belt, and only make the center front buttons functional (just stitch on the buttons at the shoulder for decoration - the neck is big enough to pull over your head unless you have EXTREMELY large hair!).

 

[kamikat]

Out of curiousity, what are the modern specialty patterns you mentioned? Do you mean something like Vintage Vogue, or patterns from a small company? I'm curious just how much the vintage repro patterns are adjusted for modern expectations.

Before I lost weight, I used to make all my clothes from a small company called http://www.petitepluspatterns.com/. Her patterns fit me like a glove without any alterations needed.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Very cute! To make it even simpler, don't make pockets, use a store-bought belt, and only make the center front buttons functional (just stitch on the buttons at the shoulder for decoration - the neck is big enough to pull over your head unless you have EXTREMELY large hair!).

Ooh, good idea. I was going to do the unpocketed version, but it will save much hassle to not make proper buttonholes at the neck. Thanks!

 

[Rockapin-up]

Here's one I just got off ebay. I think it's real cute. Now I just have to learn to sew :eusa_doh:

 

[hotrod_elf]

Pattern Rescue

Has anyone else seen this site? http://www.patternrescue.com/

 

[Nashoba]

I just joined it Hotrod, thanks for posting that link. It's an interesting concept. All of my patterns are complete but I do have some that I might be donating to them.

 

[anabolina]

Here's one I just got off ebay. I think it's real cute. Now I just have to learn to sew :eusa_doh:

Aww, I love the bow detail and silouette. Let me tell you rockapin-up, learning to sew is really worth the effort.

And hotrod-elf, thanks for the link. I was looking through an ebay pattern I bought last summer, but haven't had any time to work on it and there were bodice peices and some faceings from 2 other patterns in the envelope. Cool.

 

[Idledame]

Hi I've never used vintage patterns and sometimes a description will say "this is not a printed pattern". What does that mean? Thanks!

 

[Joie DeVive]

Hi I've never used vintage patterns and sometimes a description will say "this is not a printed pattern". What does that mean? Thanks!

If you've seen a modern sewing pattern, you've seen a printed pattern. Unprinted patterns are common before the late 40s or early 50s. McCall (I think) has the earliest printed patterns. They were the first to use the concept and owned the rights to it, thus the other companies continued to use the unprinted patterns longer.
These unprinted patterns are exactly what they sound like. They are tissue patterns with no writing on them. Instead, they have notches and holes on them to indicate different things. The printed directions should explain what the holes and notches mean. The pattern pieces sometimes have little holes punched in the shapes of letters to distinguish one from another. Needless to say, unless you are an accomplished seamstress, having directions for an unprinted pattern are is must.

I hope that helps.
If I missed anything or got it wrong, ladies, please say so!!

 

[ShrinkingViolet]

Love it! Acorns - the 40's version of the rockabilly cherry? It would be cute to have an extra pair of acorns attached to a pinback, too. Or on a hair ornament, or to trim a hat with. Wonderful!

Great ideas. Thanks, Snookie! I think I'm going to make it in a rusty red wool crepe, for an autumn leaf kind of theme. Or a Japanese squirrel print for total goofiness.
And yes, I think acorns might very well be the ancestor of the rockabilly cherry! lol

On the subject of working with non-printed patterns, here's an article I bookmarked a while back (it's by the lady who runs EvaDress).

 

[Idledame]

Thank you JDV and shrinkingviolet. That's just the info I need. I bought a pattern on Ebay, and I'm going to give it a try. I have a bad habit of getting impatient at the end. Then I end up wearing something with a scotch-taped hem! The acorn dress is wonderful-please post photos of the finished dress.

 

[MegamiOrchard]

Sorry if these have already been mentioned, but my wonderful mother-in-law sent me these links:
http://www.sovintagepatterns.com/page/page/1652672.htm
http://www.oldpatterns.com/master.html
http://www.davenportandco.com/patterns1.htm
http://www.bestvintagepatterns.com/catalog.php/andykathy/pg459

I only wish I could sew!!

 

[anabolina]

Thank you JDV and shrinkingviolet. That's just the info I need. I bought a pattern on Ebay, and I'm going to give it a try. I have a bad habit of getting impatient at the end. Then I end up wearing something with a scotch-taped hem! The acorn dress is wonderful-please post photos of the finished dress.

I hear you. I hate hemming with a passion and avoid it whenever possible. If a fabric doesn't unravel easily, then I'll maybe just where it without bothering to hem until I get around to it, so at least you bother scotch taping the hem

 

[Lady Day]

I was bored so I scanned mine (most anyway) and posted them here.

LD

 

[kamikat]

I was bored so I scanned mine (most anyway) and posted them here.

LD

You've got some real lovelies in the bunch. Do you have any more info on the Chatelaine 766? I've never heard of that brand. Do you know what year it was published?

 

[Lauren]

WOW. I am in love with your 30's patterns, LD.

Kamikat, Chatelaine was a magazine for needlework. I'm assuming that it came from the magazines, and most women's magazines of the period had mail order patterns. You'll see ones for Farmer's Wife, and others. Of course McCall and Vogue came from their respective magazines, and I *think* that Hollywood either came from Glamour of Hollywood magainze (later just Glamour) or Photoplay. Simplicity I believe was from Ladies Home Journal. I may have those a bit backwards but you get the idea . And newspapers had send away patterns in some instances, so you'll see such-and-such-city Herald, etc. I think that's the way you would order Marian Martin. Only the big ones (McCall, Simplicity, Vogue, Hollywood) were available in Department stores.

Sorry if this info has been repeated!

And I forgot to add that last night I started adding some of my patterns to the Vintage Pattern Wiki! They're trying to get as many pages as they can with info and pics of pattern envelopes.
Butterick 6516
Butterick 6875
Dubarry 1264b
Mrs f.h. maize 467
McCall 3179
McCall 3686
McCall 8589
Pictorial Review 7375
Simplicity 3089

And if you don't feel like clicking on the pages, here's just the pics:

 

[Lauren]

Just added some more. The ones linked include pics of them made up in the description