You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!

There are  a variety of things you can do with vintage sewing patterns.  One of the many uses of the sewing patterns is as a costumes for theatre.  Often the ones that make it onto the stage are not designed as costumes, but are clothing patterns.

I recently came across some dresses that reminded me of the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, a musical  based on the cartoons of Charles M. Schulz.  The show premiered in 1967.  Which would account for the drop waist dresses in the show.    It looks more realistic to me when you use period sewing patterns rather then a costume sewing pattern.  Even if the period is the 1960s.

Lucy is the height of 1960's fashion in a drop waist dress

So is Sally Brown

These are the dresses that reminded me of the cartoons and the musical.

Vogue 2235

Simplicity 6783

Simplicity 7848

Simplicity 8523

This is a costume pattern inspired by the comic. 

Simplicity 7506

Simplicity 7516

As Seen on TV!

Over the summer I was contacted by the costume department from the TV show: American Horror Story.

Simplicity 3316

I waited with baited breath to see if the pattern would show up in the first show.  Sure enough it did.  It was for Sarah Paulson's character Lana Winters.  The only thing they changed on the pattern was the back of the collar on the coat!  

The dress is very simple (only 4 pieces). The coat is only 2 main pieces, using a kimono sleeves. A kimono sleeve pattern doesn't use a set in sleeve and jacket and the sleeve are one large pattern piece.  I love square neckline with the cut out on the front of the dress.  It is wonderful that they kept the bow detail.

It is wonderful when the costume department uses vintage sewing patterns to get the correct era clothing.

Please check out my website (Patterns from the Past) for some more fun fashions from the 1960's and other eras!

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

Can't refuse reuse!

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.