Show us your vintage patterns!

[Etienne]

Lizzie, I just adore that pattern! How wonderful! I can just picture it in the fabric you describe. Please post a picture of you in it when it's done!!

 

[JustJen]

Thanks!! I did go to the fabric store to get some cheap material (although I quite like it). They didn't give me much information about what I should use to trace the pattern on. So I went and picked up some tracing paper but I'm thinking I might just use some tissue gift wrap paper instead. Seems to be the same consistency as most patterns today.

What do you use?

Jen

 

[LolitaHaze]

VANESSA!!

Vanessa, I was wondering what fabrics your sailor pattern recommended? I tried on a pair of vintage WWII navy blues I have and they fit perfectly, now I want to make a pair out of something a little less hot. Wool in Arz just isn't cool.. ba dum DUM!

Thanks!

~Lolita

 

[LolitaHaze]

Lizzie, This is the stage my clothes usually end up! Just sitting in their cut out peices waiting for a little needle and thread! Hah!

This is the one I'm working on this weekend -- got it cut out and waiting to be assembled.

Lizzie from Maine

 

[decodoll]

I use a big roll of architects tracing paper to draft my patterns on. I haven't actually traced anything for years, but at the time I used patternmaking paper with the letter and number grid printed on it. Tracing paper should work just fine.

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

What I usually do to make a pattern from an existing garment, is to make rubbings (all you need is a lead pencil and a big roll of "tracing" paper). That way you'll be able to see how it all fits together when you start drafting and add seam allowances, etc. I wouldn't suggest doing anything that might harm the fabric.
The great thing about creating a pattern from a vintage item is that you can add modern improvements like sealing the seams with a serger to avoid fray.

 

[JustJen]

The great thing about creating a pattern from a vintage item is that you can add modern improvements like sealing the seams with a serger to avoid fray.

Funny you should mention a serger......I have my mom's Husqvarna that she says she hasn't touched in 4 years. I just quite haven't gotten around to re-threading it to get it to work. If I can't, I'll just have to take to get serviced......for a nice hefty fee.....lol.

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

If I can't, I'll just have to take to get serviced......for a nice hefty fee.....lol.

Yeah, no kid'n! But what can ya do, when you can't fix it yourself?
What kind of serger do you have?

 

[Kathleen Klein]

muslin patterns

Wash the muslin in hot water and steam iron it.
it will shrink and then you won't have to worry
about it shrinking again. You can make a pattern
that perfectly fits you from the muslin.

 

[JustJen]

It's a Viking HuskyLock model 700. I've rethreaded over and over again and the dang the lower looper thread keeps breaking!! Oh well, I should just pack it up and take it over to them. I guess my sewing will have to wait.

I shouldn't complain though....I didn't pay for it originally....lol.

 

[mysterygal]

I really hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question...a friend of mine says that she'll make a vintage outfit...or two for me...do I need to look around vintage stores for old pattern or can I via internet find some great patterns?

 

[Vanessa]

Unless you're up for treasure hunting at flea markets & resale stores - go pattern shopping the easy way - internet!

There are a ton of pattern sites besides ebay and also several 'lending libraries' where you can get a copy of a pattern.

 

[mysterygal]

Thanks! no, not up for treasure hunting...clothes maybe, but not patterns

 

[jitterbugdoll]

I always drool over the patterns at www.evadress.com

There's always www.thebluegardenia.com, too.

 

[JustJen]

Awesome sites Jitterbugdoll! Thanks!!

 

[LizzieMaine]

I've had good experiences with http://www.lanetzliving.com -- she also sells on ebay, but keeps a pretty good stock on hand on her website. Ships fast too!!

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

JustJen:
I didn't pay for mine either. A friend inherited one of the original sergers, but she doesn't sew. Lucky me! I love the sturdy old machines but good luck replacing parts on those babies.
MysteryGal:
Just get a sloper and make your own patterns from scratch. Then you can design whatever you want to fit you exactly.

 

[mysterygal]

Jitterbugdoll...I LOVE the evadress website...beautiful clothes, there's a few there that won me over
Tin Pan Sally..making designs from scratch sounds a little scary right now...I think especially since I have no idea how to sew and I'm very new to all this

 

[Caledonia]

Coat Patterns

Try this site for some great looks. She doesn't sell patterns but you can download the pattern layouts and scale them up.

http://www.fashion-era.com/1940s/1948_fashion_patterns_2.htm

I got coat patterns from http://www.thebluegardenia.com/ although it's not well organised and takes ages to go through.

And, http://www.woodlandfarmsantiques.com/

http://www.vintagemartini.com/

and http://dewittco.com/

Hope you find something.

 

[Amapola]

I saw a couple 1940's coat patterns on vintage swank.com today. Maybe one would work for you.
www.vintageswank.com