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 Sewing Contest

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!

Happy Fathers Day!

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?

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?