What Kind of Vintage Pattern Should I Buy?

You love Vintage Sewing patterns! The fashions appeal to you, the era is "yours".  You don't like the designs are in the store, or they don't work for your body size.  If you have been shopping for vintage patterns for a while, you will notice there are many different types of patterns out there.   Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Misses pattern and a Half size pattern? Do you choose a Teen pattern or a Junior Miss? You have see there are patterns for: Girls, Teens, Juniors, Misses, Chubby, Half Size and Fuller Figure. What are these different types of patterns?  How do I pick the one that is right for me?

Some Vintage Sewing Patterns Websites tell you to buy the pattern you like/love and offer you some advice on how to alter it. Altering pattern sizes is hard to do if you are a beginner sewer or haven't worked with vintage patterns.  It is much easier to work with the correct style of pattern in the right measurements.    Maybe you won't find a pattern that is exactly what you want when you start working with them, but once you know how to work with vintage patterns, then you can get the one you love, and make it work for you.

Here is a helpful guide to sewing pattern shopping for a 1950's sewing pattern from the Advance Pattern Company.  Please also look at the handy dandy measurement chart below the pattern descriptions!

Mad Men Maternity

Simplicity 3309

In the Spring of 2009 my company was contacted by the costuming department for the TV show Mad Men. Season 3 had several pregnant characters. The designers contacted me for sewing patterns for day and evening maternity wear, and outfits. I know from reading up on the show, that they use a lot of original vintage outfits for their costume department - but who in the world would save their maternity clothing from the 1960's?

Simplicity 2977

I'm sure they mixed and matched elements from various patterns to put together their outfits. I am sure they also looked at image of Jackie Kennedy from when she was pregnant. What you don't see from the sewing patterns is construction details of the maternity patterns. Modern patterns have a stretch panel to help with the changing body shape of a pregnant woman. The maternity sewing patterns that I have from the 1960's use a series of ties and overlapping sections.

Vogue 5228/ Advance 3323

Here are some images of the patterns they purchased from my company. See if you can match them up with the Season 3 costumes!

Are you tired of the same old maternity designs, or lack of sewing patterns for maternity clothes? Check out the vintage ones at Patterns from the Past!

Butterick 2781

Butterick 5394

Simplicity 4641