My forever obsession with vintage patterns
I haven’t done a pattern haul in a long time but truth is I’m trying to use more European patterns and trying to stay away from the Big Four Patterns these days. Not because I don’t love them, I do and still use them often. But their last few releases just don’t speak to me or perhaps I know they will not look well for my body type.
I’m talking about barrel pants, blouses that look like you are going to be struggling with them all day or the same pattern repackaged with a new cover. I know it’s the style but many of them have a lot of ease. Not a little BUT A LOT and if you tend to skew on the larger size range it’s just not a flattering look. So enter my love with vintage patterns from the 1960 and 70’s. Readily available on Etsy, Ebay and a few other third party websites who I find are reputable (The Blue Gardenia) and have some amazing patterns at reasonable prices. Although I will admit there are some patterns that are NOT cheap and there is a good reason for that price. I’m looking at you Claude Montana Coat pattern or Vogue Designer Patterns aka anything by Patou that was really designed by Karl Largerfeld. But I have been able to find some gems and others that I have waited for quite some time.
Not everything fits BUT that is the beauty of knowing how to sew AND there is such a thing as a using a block and adjusting a pattern so it does. Anyhow, here are some of my latest acquisitions.
Butterick 3555 - Vintage from 1970’s its a bias cut long skirt
Vogue 1850 - Wrap A line dress with some beautiful finishing details
Vogue 9799 - A Button down sundress with a rather fun neckline
Vogue 9481 - Another sun dress, super easy to redraft with a sewing block that has a really fun pocket
Butterick 4789 - Tie front dress, that design doesn’t look so designed by Gianni after all does it. No, it’s been around for quite some time and there are plenty of patterns old AND new with this style. The only difference the older patterns are fitted vs. loose.
Vogue 1259 - Donna Karan Fitted Ruched sewing pattern. This is one of those interesting patterns with knit that I want to try and test out.
Vogue 2590 - Claude Montana Coat Pattern. It’s a beauty. Again a pattern from the 80’s but look at the design and how it is a timeless piece.
Vogue 2113 Calvin Klein Pattern from 1998. Super simple design Perhaps why I love it so much.
and Lastly another knit dress.
Simplicity 9370 - A knit dress, those Hiffy Dress with an asymmetrical neck line.
So a little bit of everything! Some wovens, some knits, some designer patterns and the best part all patterns that I can wear and not feel dated.
And of course not everything has to be vintage to acquire some unique patterns or a few that perhaps may become tried and true such as:
Closet Core Patterns Cornelius Western Shirt
Atelier Jupes - Sophie Top and Ellis Shorts
Chalk and Notch - Rivi Top
