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

Patterns from the Past Interviews

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

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

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!

Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest!

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

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!

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.

Simplicity Designer's Patterns

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.

Anyone for Tea?

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!

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.

Mondrian Memories

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

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

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!

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.

or

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

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

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.