7 July 2014
Well, over the past few weeks I’ve managed to increase my vintage pattern collection quite considerably!
You can get some real treasures on ebay – I won an auction for a lot of 12 vintage patterns and it was like Xmas when I opened up the parcel!
Here is a selection of my favourite recently acquired pre-loved vintage patterns:
Unfortunately Maudella patterns never seem to have a year printed on the envelope or the sewing instruction sheet, which is a real shame. So I’m guessing this pattern is from the early 60’s, maybe late 50’s. I can’t wait to make this one, I think it’s rather unusual. Talking about unusual Maudella patterns, how about this one?
I’m actually not sure that I like it, but it’s quite unusual and it might look really nice when made up. I was at a vintage fair in Bournemouth when I spotted this pattern in amongst a small selection of old patterns and I didn’t own any Maudella patterns at that time and was just downright curious! I think I’d like a lower neckline however.
I just love this dress and again, because it’s Maudella I have to guess at the era, and I’d say early 60’s. The highlights for me on this pattern are the neckline, the hat and their gloves!
Another very cute Maudella dress pattern, from a similar era to all the others I imagine.
Yes, I do seem to own quite a number of Maudella patterns from the same era now!
So I’m pretty sure this is a 60’s maternity dress pattern, but think it’s quite cute. If it was made up in a very drapey fabric I don’t think it would scream “maternity” at all!
Right, finally moving away from the Maudella patterns, this is a 1962 McCall’s pattern for quite a basic shaped dress with a quirky little detail on the front.
I got this pattern from ebay and I’m calling it “Purple Check Dress” because that is what is written on the front of the envelope it was posted to Mrs J. R. Smith in, in July 1963. I believe the pattern was from “The News”, New York’s Picture Newspaper. I love that there’s a little bit of history accompanying this one. If I ever spot some purple check fabric I might just have to make this pattern in it!
A 1955 top pattern. There is the fitted version and then a looser overblouse which zips up the front. I think it’s quite clever, you use the same pattern pieces for both versions of the top, but for the looser one you just don’t sew up all the darts! Maybe that’s quite common, but I’ve not come across that before, so I think it’s clever.
Well, I’d been lusting after this pattern for awhile and there are not many versions of it for sale that I could find. I finally bought a photocopied and reprinted version on ebay. The seller has included some information on using old, unprinted patterns, so I was overall quite pleased, I’d still prefer a “real” one though!
Why do I love this pattern? Well it’s just the shape of the V neck and the very cute bows up the back. I will be making this one soonish.
And the last pattern for this post isn’t strictly speaking a vintage pattern, but I keep forgetting that as it was quite hard to find an affordable copy of it!
He he! Yes, it’s a funky men’s zoot suit pattern from 1999! I’ve always fancied making a pair of men’s trousers . . .
So, what do you think of my new/old patterns? Do you have a favourite? I do have some more patterns, but these are the ones I like the best and might make, whereas the 1970’s shirt dress, 1960’s nightdress, etc. are not really my thing and are unlikely to ever be made, well, by me at least!