Things you find in Patterns

When you look through sewing patterns it's common to find pins, swatches of fabrics or maybe a clipping of the outfit from a magazine or the newspaper. But this week I found the best thing ever;

A slice of someones life.

Graceful Instructions

I was struck by the wonderful instruction sheet I read on a 1930's Advance pattern (#1262). Consider these excerpts;

One of the extreme delights of every women is to be well and attractively dressed. Fortunately, with modern dressmaking methods she can with little effort, construct for herself and for her family complete wardrobes at a minimum of expense.


The important factor in securing a garment of smart appearance, pleasing to yourself and admired by your friends, is the proper selection of pattern and fabric in relation to each other, as well as to your own particular type and personality.

You should study yourself and learn by experience which lines look best on you and which colors are most becoming.

Should you be doubtful as to what is best suited to you and what is your proper size, it will pay you well in dress contentment, to secure help from competent people in the stores from which you buy your piece goods.

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They sound as though a wise and kindly teacher is giving you personal advice. Do you have "dress contentment"?

Then and Now - Todays Look, Yesterdays Patterns!

Then and Now!

I just listed a bunch of patterns this week and started noticed how many of the vintage patterns looked so up to date. Any of these little numbers would be fantasic today...and you won't see these at the Mall!

Simplicity Pattern 7671 Vintage 60s Jiffy Playful Mini Dress with Tie Shoulders! Complete Size 12 Bust 34


Simplicity Pattern 8032 Vintage 60s Mod Mini Wrap Dress! Complete Size 12 Bust 34


Simplicity Pattern 6838 Vintage 60s High Society Evening Cocktail Dress! Complete Size 12 Bust 32


These great patterns can be found at What-I-Found -Sewing Patterns!

See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!
William Shakespeare

Here's a wonderful 1944 Vogue Pattern for Gloves.
There is nothing as ladylike and romantic as Gloves. They have always meant the woman was protected and elegant, a true fashion statement. If you want to get the total effect of the proper lady you could use this pattern to accent several of your outfits. Mitts for a wedding, wrist length for a day dress, longer for your evening gown or even mittens for snow...you need never be without proper hand coverings. Making them for yourself might be a new experiance, but you love a challange!

If you don't know what size of glove you wear just lay your hand flat and measure around your knuckles, but do not include your thumb.

Make some fabulous unique gloves and send us the pictures!

Bubble...ish...ous......Skirt That is!

Bubble skirts are back, or so they say. I remember the fall of 1959 when the NEW Bubble, Balloon and Hobble skirts hit the market place. I was 12 years old and entering Junior High School. My friends and I had gone downtown to do our Back to School shopping (with a bit of cash and Mama's Charge Account Information in our pockets ..........they didn't carry plastic in those days)

There on the Courthouse Square (or at least across the street) in the J C Penny window was the funniest looking skirt we had ever seen. It was called a Bubble Skirt and we couldn't see any way you could walk in it, but we all had to have one. The colors were intense. A wine and a deep forest green. I got the green one and my girlfriend got the wine colored one. I think I wore mine, once to school and once to church. You just can't put a 12 year old (no matter how grown up she thinks she is) in a hobble skirt and expect it to survive.

Imagine my surprise when I found this pattern. It was like going back 48 years to the time of yesteryear.

Sweetness doesn't just come from sugar

And Hollywood isn't just for the stars. Despite today's "let it all show" styles, sweetness never goes out of style. I used to favor the Gunne Sax styles in the 70s (but never could afford them), and I still gravitate toward the sweet, pretty styles. I love lace and frills.

My daughter, alas, is all tomboy in her style. She is not a dressup person, and loves trendy-wear -- with no skin showing, if that's possible -- but I think her style comes mainly from the fact that she works with animals on a daily basis. Can't get all dressed up when you're mucking out stalls at the barn. LOL

I grew up working at church and in the library, so this sweet 40s Hollywood pattern is right up my alley. Plus, I love that it's versatile: you can make it as a dress or make a bed jacket. I love the dress, and would wear it to a wedding, in rayon, in a floral print. Add some pearls and pumps and I'd definitely be feeling pretty good.

And the bedjacket? I'd make it in pink satin. It might not go with the book I'm currently reading (
The Afterlife Studies), but I'd feel pretty, nonetheless.

I think that's what is so nice about being able to create one's own garments: you can create your own sense of style, regardless of the trends, AND you can alter the pattern so it fits. More on that tomorrow.

She's a Lady

I spent the day organizing my house and garage, dressed in a grungy pair of shorts
and a T-shirt. It was definitely not a pretty sight, let me tell you, but the
fruits of my labor: a well organized abode. I may even get a sewing project
started, now that I can find things.

And so, in search of a pretty, lady-like frock, I came across this gorgeous
60s Sheath Dress with Matching Popover pattern. Maybe it's not for a pear shaped girl like myself, but isn't it sexy? I'd make it in a floral print like shown, only in blue or green, and use the view on the right.

It's classic Jackie, straight from the early 60s, and va-va-va-voom WOMAN.

Trends in Maternity -- Vintage versus New

As I was strolling down the avenue the other day, doing a bit of window shopping I spied a Motherhood shop that made my eyes pop out. Yes I'm an old lady and a bit of a traditionalist. No I don't believe we shouldn't use the word pregnant or hide in the back room when expecting that little bundle of joy, but the current trend of wearing tight tank tops and bare midriffs does upset my sensibilities just a little bit.

With that thought in mind, I realize that there may be others (I'm sure I'm not alone) who share this thought and either really love vintage styles or just want to be less exposed.

www.cemetarian.com has several vintage maternity patterns from the 40's through the 80's and there are more in their eBay Store Chez Cemetarian.

I'll admit it

I am addicted to sewing patterns. I need a sewing pattern 12 step program, quite frankly, because I just love patterns. It probably goes back to my grandmother, who worked for Pictorial Review in the early 20s, but who knows? I don't do much sewing, but I do love to look at the patterns I have -- and I have thousands.

My favorites are probably the 30s, just because they are so beautiful. I also love the children's patterns of the 20s, because many of the illustrations remind me of Mary Englebreit's illustrations (it's good to be queen). The 60s are fun for me too, because they remind me of sitting by my mom whilst she sewed us new clothes on her Necchi sewing machine.

So all in all, I guess that you can say that I love sewing patterns. I'm hoping that some of you will join me in a common appreciation for the blueprints of fashion, and tag along for a little blog adventure. Meantime, I'll share this lovely 40s tiered dress pattern, newly listed in my store. I can't imagine wearing this out to the movies, but it sure is pretty, and from the days when women dressed like women. Gorgeous, isn't it?