Patterns from the Past

Patterns from the Past's website got a upgraded!

2012-01-03T13:34:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

The upgrade of my website if finally done. I have enlarged images on the main pages and re-scanned over 1000 sewing patterns. Other patterns had their prices reduced.

Here is a coupon code to celebrate! The code: pftp2012  is good for 20% off your order of over $50.  This offer is valid for only the month of January.

Thank you for your patience!

Regards,

Michelle Lee

owner

Patterns from the Past

Patterns from the Past Interviews

2010-06-01T10:56:00.005-05:00

McCall's 7081

Every once in a while the owner of Patterns from the Past, Michelle Lee, gets her moment of fame. Here are a few blogs who have interviewed me for my thoughts on vintage patterns and how I started my business.

Dress a Day Blog

Threadbanger

Sew Retro Blog

Yes, I really liked the Wizard of Oz books. I spent many hours hunting down old Oz books in NYC (thank goodness for Books of Wonder). I still have a long shelf of them. I would like to thank my parents for bringing me to the Newport Mansions at an early age, and letting me see countless fashion exhibits at the MET.

Mad Men Sewing Contest

2009-08-15T18:23:00.009-05:00

McCall's 5550 Pierre Cardin

The TV show Mad Men starts August 16th. Banana Republic held a casting call contest. When I was in San Francisco - the windows where full of Mad Men inspired clothing. The vintage sewing blog: Sew Retro is hosting a sewing contest based on the characters from the show. The prize will be a gift certificate for $25 worth of patterns from my company (Patterns from the Past) plus free shipping. You must be a member of Sew Retro to participate in the contest.

What you probably don't know is that I sold 7 patterns to the Mad Men Costume dept. in April. I can't tell you what I sold them until I see them on the air. Who where they sewing the patterns for?? The costume department usually purchases vintage clothing for the show - so I was thrilled to hear from them. I am a HUGE fan of the show. Stay tuned for more info!

Another Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest

2009-05-27T15:22:00.009-05:00

Simplicity 7407

Contest Date: June 17- July 17, 2009

Subject: Vintage Sewing Contest for children

Contact: Sewing Mamas

for more details.

Prize: $20 spending money at Patterns from the Past

The contest is over. Please see the link above to find this sewing pattern.

Off to Costume Con 27!

2009-05-01T06:46:00.007-05:00

Back into the past I go! This weekend I'm going to Costume Con 27 in Timonium, Maryland. On Saturday May 2, 2009, I will be lecturing on the history of sewing patterns at 9 AM and hosting a Hairspray party at the consuite at 4 PM.

What did I pack? I made a Simplicity 8329 - a Maleficent Costume from the 1987.

For the the Hairspray party I have clothing from the 1960s and a clown costume for the Historical Masquerade from the 1920s.

You can usually find this pattern for sale on ebay.

Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest!

2009-03-31T07:58:00.004-05:00

Simplicity Designer's Pattern 8283

Patternreview.com is hosting a Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest. First prize is a $100 gift certificate to my store, Patterns from the Past. 2nd prize is a $50 gift certificate to my store. If you were planning to work on a vintage sewing project between between April 1 - 31, you should consider entering it in the contest! You must use a vintage sewing pattern printed between 1920 - 1976, not one of the new reproduction patterns.

I will offer a 15% discount at Patterns the Past during the contest. The discount coupon code is contest.

Good luck with your projects!

Garrison House Days

2009-02-07T10:58:00.012-05:00

Every year the 2nd grade classes from my town go to the local Garrison House. They dress up in "Colonial" style clothing. The girls wear mob caps and dresses. The boys wear loose shirts that are belted and tucked in their pants to pretend they are wearing knickers. The kids love this trip. It is amusing what the kids will wear to it. This is one of the few field trips they remember. It makes for amusing photos when you produce the 4th grade yearbook. My daughter is on the far right in the picture below. I love her toothless grin.

The parents volunteer to give tours of the historical buildings and to work on colonial crafts with the classes. Many of the adults dress up with the kids.

I recently acquired this pattern and it reminded me of the time my kids went on this trip. This pattern is from 1976. The height of the bicentennial craze. I remember being a kid in 1976. There where a lot of people dressing up in colonial style clothing then. "Little House on the Prairie" was on TV. As a historical costumer, I cringe at how they designed this dress. It has a big zipper up the back. This pattern isn't even marked as a costume. Laura Ashley was in fashion. Those where the days!

Simplicity 7776

Can't refuse reuse!

2008-12-23T11:41:00.011-05:00

In the past few years I have had discussions with Girl Scouts in my town about doing her Gold Award around having our town not use plastic bags. Another young Girl Scout asked me to sign a pledge to not use plastic shopping bags. Both girls got me thinking about all the bags I use for shopping. It took a few months, but I finally gave up my new bag addiction. I have a bunch of bags that fit nicely in my purse. I drive the store owners crazy by providing my own bags. The supermarkets are more used to the bags. I am happy to report that I got through black friday without acquiring a single new bag. I have very few plastic bags in the house to re-use, and none to throw out. It really took an effort at first, now it is 2nd nature. I think I've gotten my daughter in the habit too.

Here is group in England (morsbags) supporting the use of reusable cloth bags.

Do you want to make some of your own shopping bags to use up your fabric stash? Try some of these vintage patterns!

Simplicity 6912

This one would look great in vinyl or a durable canvas. You do not have to add the pom-poms unless you want.

McCall's 5630

This pattern shows you a interesting way to make a tote bag that looks like pants. I thought it would tell you how to cut off jeans or a skirt to make it into a purse. No, this pattern has you cut out the pattern and make the purse from scratch. They are nice and don't have you insert the zipper.

Last year, for my son's holiday fair, I created purses made from old jeans. They where based on instructions from Threadbangers. I was told they where not a hit. Not enough bling. I have a great messenger bag made out a chino pants. It holds all my cub scout items, and it looks great with my uniform.

This year I made purses out of Men's ties. I have been told there where a hit. I have not had luck selling them on etsy. I love working with the different colored ties, the problem is due to their shape the inside of the purse is larger then the flap.

7 Things I Would Never Tell My Father Meme

2008-12-15T16:35:00.003-05:00

My Elana cousin (once removed) tagged me in this Meme.

1. I would never tell my Dad to organize himself. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. I'm not as bad as my dad - but my house is definitely chaotic.

2. I would never tell my Dad to cook. I don't think he can do anything other then boil water for tea.

3. I would never ask my Dad to write something. His dyslexia is worse then mine. I think he wrote me a postcard once in camp. I could hardly read it.

4. I would never like to have a major argument with my Dad. He is stubborn!

5. I would never ask my Dad about a novel. He can not read for pleasure. He does enjoy many technical books and retains an incredible amount of information.

6. I would never tell my Dad that he has too many puzzles. He loves them all.

7. I would never ask my Dad to find something quickly. It is somewhere, but where did he put it???

The tag: Do share 7 Things We Don't Know About You or...7 Things You Would Never Tell Your Mother/Father.

I tag: Mickey Coburn, childhood friends: Lucy Lee, Jamie Beaman and my Cousin Devs

Simplicity Designer's Patterns

2008-07-08T07:41:00.009-05:00

Between 1949 and 1950 Simplicity produced a line of patterns. They started the same time as Vogue's Paris Originals Line. The patterns have an oversized envelope (8" X 11"). They where nice styles, but they are not VPO's.

Simplicity 8002 c. 1949

Simplicity 8104 c. 1949

This one is the closer to a Vogue style. Notice the pleating on the front of the skirt.

Vogue Paris Original Model - 1189 c. 1952 Dessès - Suit - pleats on the side of the skirt. Didn't someone try that on the Project Runway Post Office challenge with BAD results?

Simplicity 8293 c. 1950

After 1950, this line of patterns was discontinued. I have not seen these patterns in the vintage re-issues.

A new vintage sewing pattern contest

2008-05-09T09:56:00.005-05:00

Vogue 7400 - dress and bolero

Patternreview.com is having a Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest this month. Get out your favorite original pattern from the 1920s - 75s and get sewing! My company is sponsoring the winning prizes for the contest. Now is the time for some summer vintage sewing! As an incentive to my blog readers - please enter the coupon code "contest" and you will get a 10% discount on the patterns you order.

You do have to register for Pattern Review - but they have a free membership level.

Hope to see your entry!

Anyone for Tea?

2008-03-27T14:51:00.005-05:00

I will be hosting a 1950's tea party at Costume Con 26 in San Jose, CA and giving a talk about the history of sewing patterns.

This brings up the question - what do you wear to tea? I can't wear gloves, because I'm serving. I need an apron of course. You need nifty music and good cookies.

Vogue 9156 c. 1957

Hat, or no hat?

Anne Adams 4834

Vogue 9260c. 1957

Vogue Special Design 4565 c. 1955

Vogue 4004 c. 1959

Happy Birthday Mr. Rogers!

2008-03-20T10:58:00.012-05:00

In honor of Mr. Roger's 80th birthday - March 20th, 2008 is "sweater day". I grew up watching Mr. Rogers. I loved the shows music and the puppets. I was great "seeing" him on the cartoon Arthur. Wear your sweater proudly today! I will wear my zip up one today. So much for spring in New England :(

Happy Birthday my neighbor!

If you want to find any more information on the men's knitting books shown above, please check them out here.

Tag along

2008-02-05T14:15:00.000-05:00

Nina - Not A Llama tagged me w/ a meme.

Here are the Rules for this game of tag:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry.
5. Let the tagged people know, by leaving a comment on their blogs.

6 unimportant things about me:

1. I am a Girl Scout and Cub Scout assistant leader.
2. My first car was a Red Pinto Wagon - no it didn't blow up. Name: the Ruby Slipper.
3. When the Blizzard of '78 hit - I got 5 days off from Junior High School - no great stories - just lots of high piles of snow.
4. I'm uncoordinated, yet I can sew - hmm.
5. I hate to be late.
6. I sang in choirs all through school - but haven't been in a singing group since then.

I tag: my cuz (a knitter) Devs, my other cuz (writer) Elana, my childhood friend (who is touring with Spamalot) Jamie, another childhood friend Lucy (who owns a knitting store), my buddy Cindi who is a quilter, and oldhalloween.

Mondrian Memories

2007-12-16T14:25:00.014-05:00

One of the most memorable clothing exhibits I saw the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1983. I clearly remember seeing the "Mondrian" day dress of 1965 there.

I am sure that there was a Vogue sewing pattern with a similar design. Here are two "copy cat" versions of that pattern from 1965-66.

McCall's 8131
circa 1965: High waisted dress w/ bateau neckline

Simplicity 6400
circa 1966: - slim dress with jewel neckline

Simplicity 6432

McCall's 8154

There are dresses like that out there today - look at:

Diane von Furstenberg 'Mondrian' Shift Dress - at Nordstroms

Do you want to make the pattern into your own fashion?

If you are looking for these patterns for sale try www.ebay.com or the vintage pattern wiki

Double Breasted Coat Mania

2007-11-24T17:37:00.003-05:00

Not one but two teen idols wore double breasted coats for the Macy's Parade! I really liked Jordin's coat, but Ashley's had WAY too many buttons for me!

Ashley Tisdale

If I was going to sing on a float - here is what I would wear.

McCall's 9490

I think this coat has a great Lauren Bacall look to it. Here she wears a lot of buttons, but I think they are better placed.

If you wanted less buttons - maybe this one would work.

Simplicity 4022

Jordin Sparks looked adorable

Simplicity 5381

I like Simplicity 5381 - it has that Audrey Hepburn look to it - maybe they would let me have a breakfast at Tiffany's?

Still need some other ideas to keep warm? Try these on for size.

Vogue 3488

Butterick 3438

Butterick 5554

Princesss Diana Wedding Gown Pattern

2007-11-01T09:38:00.004-05:00

Prince William and Kate Middleton will be married at the end of April. Let's take a moment to look at Will's mom's famous gown.

There are a few celebrity weddings people remember. Princess Diana's was up there for a Top Ten event for the 1980s. That classic scoop neckline.

That full skirt with a train that went on forever, not to mention those sleeves!

Do you want to make that dress for your wedding? Try McCall's 9452 circa 1985. This pattern comes with or without a train (not as long as Di's). Many dresses from the mid-80's have some of these elements in it, either the scoop neck, the puffy sleeves or the ruffle neckline.

Good luck in creating the dress of your dreams!

Trick or Treat - Vintage Halloween Costumes

2007-10-30T08:43:00.002-05:00

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.

Here is an authentic Peter Pan costume produced by the Advanced pattern company. It is very likely that this pattern was produced the year the movie was release (1953). This is an unprinted tissue pattern. Notice the Disney logo. Pattern information: Advance 709. Just too cute! In the 1980 - 90's Disney worked with the Simplicity pattern company to produce a line of costume patterns.

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.

Who was Butterwick?

2007-10-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

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?

The Delinator November 1895
publication of the Butterick Publishing Co.

Butterick 1313
Turn of the century sewing pattern from the Butterick Publishing Co.

The New Dressmaker
Published 1921 by the Butterick Publishing Company

Butterick 9922 - 19teen's peplums
Butterick Pattern

The Condensed Butterick Sewing and Dressmaking Book
Published 1944 Th Butterick Company Inc.

Butterick 7053
Zipper Front Robe and Brunch coat -
1950s - Butterick Company, Inc.

May 1970 - Young American Creates
Butterick Fashion News

Butterick 6514
Sailor dress
Butterick the Fashion one

This blog was brought to you by a fan of the Butterick Pattern Company - not Butterwick - whoever he or she is.

A Survey From the Past

2007-08-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

I found this survey in a pattern from the 1930s.

Anne Adams 1755

Anne Adams Pattern Company is long gone. This pattern is in mint condition - never used. What would you do? Would you fill it out? Where would you mail it to? They wanted to know how the pattern worked for you!

A Vintage Sewing Pattern Sewing contest!

2007-08-06T20:38:00.000-05:00

Patternreview.com http://sewing.patternreview.com is having a Vintage sewing pattern contest from August 1 – September 30, 2007 http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/contestreport.pl?ContestID=53 You have to register to become a member of Patternreview.com – but registration is free. The 1st and 2nd prize for the contest is a $100 gift certification and a $50 gift certificate to www.oldpatterns.com Please see the discuss board for the rules right now. They want patterns that are from 1920 – 1980s. http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl?t=23967

I can't enter the contest because I'm a sponsor. But I hope to have a moment to sew soon! I can't wait to see what is going to be sewn!

Today was my daughter first day of "fashion design camp" at a local community college. Two weeks of half day classes on sewing and design. I was thrilled to send her off with my old Kenmore. We'll see what she completes by the end of the course. They will have a runway show at the end of the two week. Will she be a future "Project Runway" member? Who knows!

70s easy to wear clothing

2007-06-25T13:10:00.006-05:00

I was checking out Kara Janx's (from Project Runway Season 2) designs. I think her clothing is great, but it looked very familiar. Check out her convertible skirt. She able to convert a 70's fashion into something new. I'm thinking if you took this skirt pattern and widened the belt - you would have something pretty close to what she designed.

Butterick 4843

Here is another fashion from 1976 that is making a comeback- Lydia Silvesty's Infinite dress. I think it is a great concept - but my body is just not built to wear something like this, at least not in a stretch knit, and I can't see it working in anything other then a knit.

McCall's 5360

I recently went to Montreal and poked around at the American Apparel store. I never saw one of these stores before! Much to my surprise, they have them in my own state. They have a Bandeau dress that is the same concept as the Infinite dress. They shortened the hem - but you can you the directions for both of them. The one thing you can do with this dress that you can't do with the Infinite dress is wear it as a halter. The Bandeau dress is a little more flared at the hem.

Here is another 70s fashion that might work like the infinite dress.

Simplicity 8086

If you don't want infinite choices - you could choose only 7 ways with the Seven Way Wonder Dress! This dress completely wraps around - where the other three are tube dresses - or flared tube dresses.

Butterick 5230

In 2000 another version of the 7 Way Wonder - or Infinite dress shows up as a pattern. Debra Moises wrap dress for McCall's.

McCall's 2781

You can probably combine all the instructions from all of them and end up with lots of ways to wrap the patterns. This pattern has more gathers then the original 70s one and the American Apparel Bandeau dress.

I'm going to have to play around with my Bandeau dress to see if I can make it work for me. I may not be built for such garments.

Happy Fathers Day!

2007-06-12T13:31:00.000-05:00

It is that time again, time show our love for our Dad's. Let's look a typical Dad present.

Is he a Father's Knows Best kinda guy from the 1950s?

Or where you one of My Three Sons from the 60s?

Or where you just one of the Brady Bunch in the 70s? Look at the WIDE tie!

To get a better look at the tie patterns and some more information on how to layout your tie fabric - check out my website. http://www.oldpatterns.com/men4.html

My kids know their Daddy is a bow tie kinda guy, but would probably stick with chocolate. :)

Any One for Tennis?

2007-05-18T21:38:00.000-05:00

Have we come a long way in tennis fashion? The rules haven't changed since the 1890's but the outfits have.

Here is how to dress for the court in an 1890's design from Ageless Patterns.

Past Patterns has a men's tennis or yachting shirt from the 1900s. That will turn eyes on the court!

Here we are with a Norfolk Suit again - this time on a man - rather then a Girl Scout leader. The scene is Spring- Summer 1913. I think they are a cute set!

By the 1920s - you see a middy blouse and skirt.
Eva Dress can help you with the blouse.

Patterns from the Past has some sports outfits like this one from the 1940s on up.

Mail Order 3360

Let's look at the sport in the 1957s. This dress by the Vogue pattern company comes with it's own panties. This dress can be sewn in 2 different lengths.

Vogue 9152

I think this 1960's design combines elements from the 1920s (the drop waist) and the 1950s bodice style. You wear a smart pair of shorts under this dress.

Simplicity 7092

Can we forget the 1970s and Chrissie Evert? She had her own line of sewing patterns for Butterick - some included a pattern for a visor. At least the dress is shorter. This pattern also included a panties pattern.

Butterick 4341

Are you read for today's court of fashion?

Tag You're It!

2007-05-06T21:57:00.000-05:00

Retro Romance tagged me.

The Rules:

--List seven random facts/habits about yourself
--Choose another seven bloggers to tag and list their names in your blog
--Leave your seven tagged bloggers comments to notify them of their tagging and to direct them to your blog for tag instructions.

Since this is a sewing pattern blog - I thought I'd show you a Vogue sewing pattern "tag". This one goes with a Jo Mattli 1960s pattern.

1. I went to UMass Amherst. I have a undergraduate degree in Biology and Masters in Education. We lived in the happy valley for 13 years.

2. I have done historical fashion research for Past Patterns. The owner, Saundra Altman, hired me to help her find information on the history of the hoop skirt. That was my beginning of my historical clothing research. That research project took me to the Patent Office in Washington, DC.

3. I have played townball. Here is a picture of me when I played with the Commonwealth Comets. We looked better then we played. I am on the far left.

4. I like to do vintage dancing and contra dancing with my family. Below I'm dancing at the Astor's Beechwood with my friend Stephen K. He likes to wear uniforms. This is one of the reasons I want my OWN uniform for the dance week.

5. I have two kids. A son who is 6 and a daughter who is 10.

6. I taught science in public schools for 4 years.

7. I have a large collection of Oz books. It is very likely that I fell in love with 19teens fashions because of the drawings of John R. Neill.

I tag: Sharon B, Material Mama, Craft Leftovers, Adorn Magazine, Dress a Day, Grandma's Sewing Cabinet and Lazy Girl Designs

The Girl Scouts - the old way

2007-05-02T13:06:00.001-05:00

I have been working on a personal research project to re-create an early 1920s Girl Scout uniform. The town I live in had a troop dating back to 1918. We have an original uniform from a member of this troop, along with images of the wearer. I would like to wear this kind of uniform to honor the Girl Scouts in my town, and hey, I think it's a cool uniform! (O.K. I wouldn't wear it to my troop meetings, or hiking in the woods, but for parades it would be fun!)

This is Elanor Parkhurst, a member of Troop 1 - Chelmsford, MA

This is not a scout from my town - but it is a great image of the uniform

I have a problem, though. This is a rare piece of clothing and there presently isn't a good pattern of it. Since I like to research sewing patterns, I've been working on a solution. I have found a pattern that will help me produce this uniform! The pattern is complete, but it is missing the instructions. This is the "Official Yeowomen's Costume of the US Navy" circa, World War 1. I'd say it is a close match to the Girl Scout uniform pictured above.

Can you help me in my quest? Do you have the instructions to this pattern (Butterick 1101) in your private vintage pattern stash? Where would you wear this uniform?

The pattern shown above is owned by Past Patterns. Please go to their website to inquire when copies of this pattern will be available.

For more information about this uniform, I found the Blue Book of Rules for Girl Scout Captains. Published 1924. This is a scan of Elanors Parkshust's book. That woman saved everything! My council has her two of her uniforms, her membership cards, scrapbook, handbooks, and hats. What a wonderful snapshot of the Girl Scouts in the 1920s!

It contains detailed information on the official Girl Scout Uniform for the year 1924.

To see more pages from that handbook. Please visit my flickr site.

To kick this suit into today - I found this jacket by Walter on bluefly.com Maybe I'll wear my suit for more then parades. :)

Well suited?

2007-04-04T21:33:00.000-05:00

Do women wear suits anymore? I have been working on my own for so long, I have no idea what women wear to work. I see school teachers, Girl Scouts and other parents. When you work on the internet, you don't have to dress to impress. I had some suits for job interviews, but even those I've decided are out of date. From a quick search, it seems that women wear suits on Sundays, with amazing hats (If I am to believe the websites.) I remember a great episode of Desperate Housewives where Lynette buys a very expensive suit for work. I love the suits they wear on Boston Legal, but is TV the real world?

Advance 6365

I just acquired these great suit patterns. The styles blew me away. These patterns are just the tip of the iceberg. They came from a women who was a dressmaker from the 1940s until the 1960s. Of the 100 patterns I acquired from her estate, I had very few of these patterns before. I have been selling sewing patterns for over 10 years, and I had thought I'd reached a point where I would be finding a lot of duplicate patterns. I guess I'm wrong. I save all the images of the patterns I have sold, and I didn't have images for these patterns. Maybe patterns where more complex. The average sewer (whose patterns I usually find) didn't want to tackle them, or her customers did not want to wear what everyone else wore. What I do know about this seamstress is that she liked to write all over the covers of her patterns. She probably was a very good sewer, she didn't keep the simple skirt parts of a dress in with the rest of the pattern - so now some of them are incomplete. From looking at the pattern diagrams, they where large squares or rectangles, to a person who knew what they where doing, they could sew those skirts without a pattern. If I am lucky, I will be getting more patterns from this estate. Stay tuned - you don't know what will arrive in the mail!

Take a look at them and judge for yourself. If you want to see more of these patterns - check out my website.

Vogue 7490

McCall 8729

The Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress

2007-03-29T09:11:00.002-05:00

In 1973 Diane Von Furstenberg introduced her wrap dress. She created some patterns of her designs for the Vogue pattern company around the same time.

Vogue 1548

Vogue 1549

Vogue 1610

Vogue 2517

The dresses where a big hit in the 70's died out in the 80s, and seem to be having a come back now. You can find these patterns: Vogue 1548 (the cow print), Vogue 1549 (the small red one), Vogue 1610 (the green one), Vogue 2517 (the 2 color one) on ebay. These patterns end up in a bidding war. I've run into Vogue 1549 few times. I've had it for sale on my companies website several times. My guess is that was the popular pattern in the 70s. It makes sense. If everyone went out and bought the pattern, you would have some of them left over in the sewing pattern collections, later on. I've seen these patterns sell for around $70 on ebay. If you are lucky, you might find it at a thrift store.

I have been looking in the clothing stores and these stretch knit dresses are all over the place. If you want a modern version of this dress, and don't want the original DVF pattern- try Kwik Sews 3408. You can also find similar patterns like these from the 70s. Here is an pattern from 1971. This is Simplicity 9799: a wrap dress for knit or woven fabric. This pattern was produced 2 years BEFORE the DVF wrap dress - you can see that wrap dresses where already in style, before she did her version of it.

The knit dresses we have in the stores today are our own spin on the similar fashion. Either take an original 70s pattern, or work with a new one that is out in the stores. Have fun with them now - make them your own!

Simplicity 9799

Apron dresses - a dress, a jumper, an apron?

2007-03-18T10:35:00.007-05:00

What is an apron dress? Simplicity and McCall's have taken a stab at this. Here is Simplicity's take on this dress. This is Simplicity 8869 from 1994.

Simplicity 8869

I happen to like the McCall's 1970s version of an apron dress. This is a freebie pattern that McCall's gave out in 1975. They use it as an apron, a jumper and a summer dress. It reminds me of the $200 + halter apron dress by Inhabit - though theirs doesn't wrap around, and I'm sure the Inhabit a stretch knit. My problem with all of these dress is, what do you do if you have the figure of a woman? How do any of these support you? Only the DKNY takes into account a cup size.

McCall's Sample B

Or maybe we should just keep the two ideas apart. Use the apron to cover us up and a dress to wear.

Please click on the images or links- they will take you to my website if, I have them for sale!

Jumpsuits and Rompers

2007-03-12T13:03:00.001-05:00

I have been getting a bunch of requests for jumpsuit patterns. I talked to some of my customers to find out why they wanted these patterns. They are performers, people traveling, some who see it as an upcoming fashion. I looked at the big 4 sewing pattern companies online - sure enough, they have a few jumpsuit sewing patterns - but mostly for kids.

Butterick 6231, Butterick 6618

What are people seeing out there? With a quick search I found a few jumpsuits for sale at Nordstroms and Spiegel.

So.. if you want to sew a jumpsuit for spring or summer - you will probably have to use a vintage patterns, unless the big 4 can produce a few more options soon. I know that Butterick, Vogue, Simplicity and McCall's all have produced a variety of jumpsuit and romper patterns for adults. If they get enough requests for them, maybe they will start producing patterns for them again...

Boleros - cool or ugly?

2007-02-28T15:34:00.001-05:00

We have all seen Jennifer Hudson on the red carpet.

Here is my nomination for a Better Bolero.

McCall 7970

Or maybe something simple like this:

McCall's 8068

Both of these jackets have a nice line to them. With the top one having a cool collar. Both straight out of the 1950s. They would go great with a Marilyn Monroe like halter dress like the one below.

Butterick 7280

Are these really that far off from something you might wear today?

To find these patterns and many more - check out Patterns from the Past.

Women in Ties

2007-02-01T22:19:00.001-05:00

I have been following the TV show Ugly Betty from episode 1. Fashion, drama, humor - what wouldn't I like? There is one character that catches my eye - Amanda, played by Becki Newton.

I love the way she marches around the office. I also love that she wears ties. Should we start wearing ties again? What about jumpers?

Butterick 6440

or is this how we should be wearing ties?

Here is how to make one of those.

I KNEW I had a tie skirt pattern - or a skirt that looked like it was made out of ties! No ties would be destroyed to make this skirt. I'm not sure if that is a blessing or a curse...

Prominent Patterns 955

What is Three Armhole Dress?

2007-01-19T10:17:00.018-05:00

I have found several of these pattern from the 1960s. They are jiffy dresses all dating from 1966-69. They look like they could be good beach dresses to me. I've have found several designs of them for women and girls. I found references to people making them as their first Home Ec. project. They are sometimes called a three armhole dress or a wrap-arounder dress. If you want to find one on ebay - you will have to search for a wrap arounder.

You see above: McCall's 9181, McCall's 9109, Simplicity 8080, Simplicity 7484 B or Simplicity 7484 A, Butterick 4699, Simplicity 7572

If you want your daughter to match you try Simplicity 7617, Simplicity 7518 and Butterick 4698.

I have a few for sale on my website Patterns from the Past Simplicity 60's dresses or Patterns from the Past McCall's 60's dresses. Maybe you can alter one into quick high fashion, or as a new beach dress!

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Additional information: according to the McCall's 9181 pattern. The term "wrap-arounder" is a trademark of the McCall corporation. I keep searching and finding more variations on this pattern, all from the late 1960s.

How to find out of print or discontinued sewing patterns

2006-12-31T14:18:00.000-05:00

The sewing pattern companies reuse their pattern numbers. So, when you are searching for an older pattern you need to know not only the pattern number you are searching for - but when it was printed, or a description of the item so that you can find it. Simplicity 1234 could be a dress one year and a few years later it could be a shirt pattern.

Using Google

One of the places I start my search is Google. I would type in Butterick 1234 skirt and see what it finds for me. Don't forget to try Froogle too! Froogle is a shopping search engine

For more information on how to do a Google search read:

Ten Tips for Smarter Google Searches

Another reader also suggests trying to do a Google image search.

Using Ebay

If that doesn't work, I try an advanced Ebay search. Google does search Ebay - but is sometimes misses a listing. There is a trick to search for sewing patterns on ebay. You have to enter the pattern company and number and then check the box labeled Search title and description. If the item is on ebay, you should be able to find it that way.

Ebay has a feature for buyers called I Want It Now. You can put your wish list there. I would suggest you not only tell the sellers what pattern company, and number you want. Also include what it is a pattern of and what size you are looking for.

Still can't find what you are looking for?

You might trying reading the following articles:

Locating Discontinued Patterns it contains information on how to contact the major sewing pattern companies. The "Big 4" (Butterick, Simplicity, McCall's, and Vogue) are selling their discontinued patterns on their websites.

You can also look at my related links page - I have tried to list all the vintage sewing pattern sources that I know about!