Today's challenge came from Gretchen who asked to see my vintage dress patterns prior to 1960. This is one of those categories I don't collect in, but still have managed to accumulate a stash of them. I will begin the post with dress patterns as Gretchen requested. I have some other fun ones I will share as well.
Going thru these patterns I realize that I could pretty much wear any of these style of dresses...totally love their retro look. I only wish my waist was as small as the models.
I don't know anything about the makers or history of these patterns. Some of them have definitely seen some use.
I would wear the dress with the big green sash in a heartbeat.
This pattern is advertised as a "Hollywood Pattern of Youth". It features a photo of Claire Trevor. She was an American actress who was in her first film in 1933. She appeared in over 60 films. (I had to google her...she was way before my time).
That is about it for my women's dresses. My best estate sale story for vintage patterns is one where there were boxes and boxes of older ones from the 40s and 50s in the driveway. They were all FREE. I still kick myself for not getting a good stash of them.
I do have a few more patterns worth sharing. This is my most favorite set of patterns. These are for vintage doll clothes that my grandmother used when making doll clothes for my sister and I.
I still have all those doll clothes that she made. Ethel was my grandmother's name and is where part of my blog name comes from.
I love well dressed pajama clad boys.
The illustration on this one is great. The boys are entertaining themselves with yo-yos.
The mother that used this pattern must have had great success with it as she had it in three sizes.
Aprons, hats and handbags.
If only I could get Kate to wear some of these charming little girl fashions....but at 17, she is a bit too old. She would do some serious eye-rolling if i even suggested it! I love the mustard yellow swing coat.
A fine shirt pattern for a handsome young man.
I have the basics of sewing down and have passable skills. I got this pattern out to look for a date when it was made and was completely overwhelmed with how complicated it looked. I will not be sewing this.
A handsome cowboy.
And last but not least, teeny tiny rompers for toddlers.
It was fun to go through my stash and take some time to look at the patterns and fashions of yesterday. Thanks for the challenge Gretchen! If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of _____." Always fun to see what i can come up with.
Wow! That was fun.
The thought of boxes of free patterns sitting on a curb will be popping up in my thoughts all day and into my dreams!
Posted by: janet | September 06, 2011 at 07:12 AM
That dress with the green sash would look good on you :-) Love those patterns too. My mom was a seamstress so I always had homemade clothes and my Barbies were well dressed. Nice to have those memories of your grandmother and to still have the patterns and clothes that she made.
Loved your party post too.....great yard for that!
Posted by: Doreen | September 06, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Seeing the pattern envelope illustrations for all of those cute dresses *almost* makes me want to sew clothing but fortunately, your photo of the pattern pieces & instructions brought me back to earth just in time. :-)
Posted by: Into Vintage | September 06, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Oh my that box of patterns. Those cost so much where I buy patterns on Etsy. Hat patterns too are very costly for some reason. I not only buy old patterns but now as you know am into making them as I think the styles are so lovely. I've really got a 'thing' about the clothing the women wear today with their butt cracks showing when they bend over in church no kidding, oh dear did I say that!!
Posted by: Nan | September 06, 2011 at 10:17 AM
You have some great examples and some brands I have never heard of. I pick up old patterns, too, but have not tried sewing with one since I agree they seem very complicated compared to modern ones. I was especailly shocked when i opened an Advanced brand pattern and found that they are not even printed. Just pieces of tissue with no markings at all. yikes!!
Posted by: Kathy | September 06, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I don't sew (I have envy every time Renee shares something on her blog) but I love your collection. The vintage doll clothes are just precious. How special that you still have the patterns that your grandmother used when making doll clothes.
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | September 06, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Thanks so much!!!! I love all those patterns, so much fun.
Posted by: Gretchen Snyder | September 06, 2011 at 01:49 PM
Love how intricate those patterns were and yet so eloquently on the front of the package is states SIMPLICITY. These patterns always get me because of the graphics and often the inside has notes and or wonderful little hints as to who the original owner was. It is like a little story book. What a wonderful collection...smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | September 06, 2011 at 07:03 PM
I would love to see pictures of those doll clothes your grandmother made!
Gmama jane
Posted by: Gmama Jane | June 10, 2012 at 02:26 PM
That men's shirt pattern, Simplicity 1266, is very early. Probably right around 1930. Wow.
Posted by: Kathy | August 30, 2015 at 06:54 PM
Maybe that was me who posted above! Ha! But now you're in my territory. Love these patterns. Always a big fan of DuBarry and Hollywood. New York Gold Seal is a new one on me. Cute collection.
Posted by: Groove Cloth Kathy | February 20, 2017 at 02:49 PM