When you start looking more in depth into the older patterns, you are going to find some things that will be amazing to you. Like waist measurements in the in the 20-25 inch range with a hip measurement as high as 40 inches. Remember that their undergarments were bulletproof. Girdles with corset lacing at front, back, and both sides with steel boning and sometimes hip padding that went from armpit to mid thigh. Things that were called waspies...a waist cincher with steel boning and padded hips. No power mesh or lycra, all the lacing and boning was sandwiched between two layers to keep a smooth layer next to the skin and a outer layer to make a smooth line under the clothing.
The embroidery transfers are really useful. An iron was needed to transfer the ink onto the fabric. A better option is to use tracing paper and a Fine (as opposed to HB) pencil to trace them by hand. Then you'll be sure to keep them for future reference. If you make slopers in your size - shoulder to crotch for half back and half front are useful - you'll easily size the pattern pieces to fit you. The Closet Historian has a good video on this. Much easier than doing the maths. They give an easy, quick comparison to all patterns to check your size too.
I would trace out the older patterns, then you can adjust from your traced out pattern and preserve original. I use Bee paper, very translucent and easy to use.
Amazing to see so may vintage patterns all at once. I love vintage 30's and40's especially. During the war years, there were rations on many things, like fabric, so it was possible that ink was being rationed as well as paper, which may be the reason why instructions were printed on inside envelops and patterns had no ink on them but rather had punch marks. Very clever. There is so much to learn from the frugality of the times. We may need to resort to it again.
@ByHilaryJordan the only way to know is to reach out. At least you're on the same continent to find convenient time slots for video calls. Possibility of a joint vlog too.
I love vintage patterns. This box is amazing, your comments are exactly how I feel about vintage patters. If you can put the odd pieces in piles 1 to 9 and put the first number of the pattern numbers in the pile and you'll find pieces start to find each other. it's like a puzzle. Keep inspiring.
It has been so much fun to go through it all! I've slowly been going through the individual pieces and finding the pattern they belong to. It's a good thing I like puzzles. :D
1930'S !🤩😍 I am so jealous. How nice! Yes, the hole punches indicate grain line, darts, pattern piece (A, B, C etc.) I am currently working on an Advance 4904 (1948). The Anne Adams, Marian Martin patterns I believe were mostly mail order type patterns. Great Collection!
What fun! Thanks so much for sharing. Sizes made a lot more sense back then; well, after that 30 inch bust one but there was no extra small, just a number assigned to each size. It still seems silly to me to see something labelled extra small that was considered a perfectly normal size back in the day. What will you do with the ones you won't make? Some of those designs were so cute!
Oh my gosh I know! Sizing has gotten out of hand recently thanks to fast fashion etc. The ones I'm not keeping for myself are slowly getting listed on eBay to rehome them. :)
Is it just me OR did the older patterns that used line drawings almost ( but not quite) mimic Hollywood stars/singers/historic figures/etc.? The 1 ballgown made me think Jean Harlow.
