Patterns from the Past: October 2007

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Trick or Treat - Vintage Halloween Costumes

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love sewing costumes for my kids and seeing all the creative costumes out there. Let's go in a time machine to Halloween of the past.

Here is Pictorial Review 1935 - for a 6 year old child. Description: Girls' Fariy Costume. Butterfly wings add charm to this delightful costume. The long waisted bodice has an oval neck, and may be work with or with ruffles at armholes. A 3 piece tunic, open in front, is arranged on the 2 piece gathered skirt and both are joined to the bodice. Circa 1925.

Let's skip to the 1940s to look at McCall 792 - A dance costume for tap dancing, Gipsy [sic.] and Italian Costumes for a 16 year old girl.

One of my favorite costume patterns is probably not a costume - but a dress. This one really reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. This pattern was printed in 1951 - which is the same year that Disney produced their animated Alice in Wonderland. I'm guessing this is not a coincidence. This is Simplicity 3701 for a 10 year old girl. Printed 1951. 1 piece dress and pinafore.

More designs from the 1950s: Butterick 6550. Set of Costumes: Uncle Sam, George Washington, Ring Master, Full Dress.

I happen to love these flower fairies. Simplicity 4863 for a 10 year budding ballerina

For those of you who want a truly throw away costume. You could make one out of large pieces of crepe paper. I've seen similar books dating back to the 1920s. This is the 1960s edition of the boo: Easy to Make Colorful Costumes of Dennison Crepe Paper. You have to be really good at cutting to make these. Some of them still require sewing - some costumes you can tape together.

If you want to throw a 1920s Halloween party. I have included an invitation from the book My Book of Parties by Madeline Snyder. This book was printed in 1929.

Here is what my kids where for Halloween. My daughter the demon. Yes, I sewed her dress.

My son as Harry Potter. The Hogwarts robe is my college robe hemmed up. The scarf was knitted by my mom years ago when my daughter was Hermione.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Who was Butterwick?

Every once in a while I get an order for a Butterwick pattern. Who was Butterwick, and when did they produce patterns? The Butterick Pattern Company. Has been around since the 1860s. Are people not seeing the company name right, or are we hearing it wrong? I see listings on ebay for Butterwick patterns with the name of the company clearly spelled Butterick. Everyone can't be typing it incorrectly. Can someone show me a pattern with it spelled this way? Or is it we are just not used to that name and try to pronounce it another way?

Here are some images from the company over time. I don't see any W'd do you?