I love my vintage patterns, I do. Among the gems on my vintage book shelf are The Singer Sewing Book and this one, the Simplicity Sewing Book. It's a great reference for all things vintage pattern related including (very usefully) sizing, fitting and period clothing features such as collars and sleeves, as well as reference for hair and make-up and just for its vintageness - a reflection on history. So I'd like to share some of it with you.
Even the front cover is thrilling, the beautiful housewife in her stripy apron bestowing her sewing know-how on to the next generation (who looks far too old to be her daughter!).
Then an encouraging foreword on making us "look our prettiest"
Look at the stapling in the side.
MEASURING & FITTING PATTERNS
Now the real coup for vintage pattern junkies, a measuring and fitting guide from the same era. For more excellent advice on choosing vintage pattern sizes go to Gertie's blog here.
Now, I hope you find that useful! Here's some more tips for you...
I notice two things, firstly the ridiculously tiny waists and secondly that last dress is the same as the too-old-to-be-her-daughter girl is wearing on the front cover. Now for more tips, don't forget your colour, presenting the grandmas of Colour Me Beautiful...
Aren't they a freaky looking bunch?!
PATTERN CUTTING TIPS
I thought novelty fabric was something that snowmen or easter bunnies printed on it. Apparently in 1953, this was novelty fabric:
USEFUL SECTIONS
Collars
Sleeves
ADVERTISEMENTS
N.B. Please don't reproduce this, its copyrighted stuff and my daughter won't give up her rusk money to bail me out of jail!
