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Betsey, Oh Betsey! PDF Print E-mail
Written by ornament_gal   
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Today the kids and my husband cleaned house. What does that have to do with vintage sewing patterns? It means the kids are being rewarded with a trip to the pizza/play place.  It has free wi-fi. So while the kids and dad play, I finally get a chance to add some patterns to the website and write a blog post. I used to get lots of time to do this when the kids were smaller and my husband (the night worker) was sleeping during the day. Since I couldn't lug the boxes of pattern along to list, I added images and information to this archive. I haven't taken much time to work on the pattern archive lately.

So tonight I went searching amongst my contributors for Betsey Johnson patterns. I really like her 1970s designs. They are so carefree and creative. Below are a few of the patterns I added tonight.


Butterick 3512  Butterick 4089

Butterick 4086   Butterick 4679

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Sixties Workbasket Mail Order PDF Print E-mail
Written by ornament_gal   
Thursday, 15 March 2012
After a long break, I am adding pattern images to the database again. A huge thanks to Angie for letting me know that I accidentally broke the database. As an ex-Software QA person, I am very good at breaking things. Sometimes it takes me a little while to figure out the fix. But once I worked out the fix, I was hooked on adding images.

I love mail order patterns. I became a bit obsessed with collecting Workbasket magazines a few years ago. There are boxes stashed in various corners of various rooms. This week the box of shipping envelopes ran dry so I cleaned the top of the filing cabinet and found one of those boxes of Workbasket magzines. 

The stack I'm working on is currently in the 1960's. Later, we'll visit the 1970's and then the 1980's. The 1980's mail order patterns tend to sadden me. The designers seem to throw away all thoughts of 'designing' garments and instead gave us sack-like garments to sew. Yet, somehow more pieces and more steps were needed to sew these sack-like garments. There's something to be said about the mind who could design a 1950's dress requiring nine pattern pieces with one sheet of instructions.

Of the early 1960s mail order patterns that I've been scanning tonight, the word that comes to mind is 'tabs'. Tabs were big. Collar tabs that criss cross and button down to the bodice. Tabs that come over from the back and for the 'shoulder seams' as they button the dress together or hold an attached shrug to the dress. The cleverness of the designs captivate me.


Mail Order Sewing Patterns Tabs Tabbed Shrug Mail Order Sewing Pattern Workbasket tabbed dresses

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The Style of Style Patterns PDF Print E-mail
Written by ornament_gal   
Thursday, 06 January 2011
I've always loved the flowing feminity of the Style patterns. If you look on the back of the Style patterns you'll find the Simplicity name. Like most other things these days, the pattern companies have become one big conglomerate so I don't suppose it really matter which name is behind these patterns. I just know that I like the flowing romantic dresses and the strong sculptural dresses.  The Style brand name goes back a ways so you'll see older patterns as well. My favorites are still those from the 80s and 90s.

 

  

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The Belle of the Ball: Butterick 6810 PDF Print E-mail
Written by ornament_gal   
Thursday, 09 December 2010

This 1950s Butterick 6810 pattern would make a lovely ball gown, precious prom dress, or unforgetable wedding dress if only a buyer could find it!

 Ballerina or Full Length Evening Dress: You'll look your prettiest in this bouffant formal. Softly draped surplice bodice (back and front) ends in the molded midriff. Full circular skirt sets you in a gay whirl. (A) Interesting effect - contrast surplice section.

 

Butterick 6810
 
Once again, Patterns of History has tantalized someone with a beautiful pattern image that's not for sale on Patterns of History. I'm sorry to disappoint but happy to show off these gorgeous images. If I can help give these beautiful patterns life by seeing them sewn into stunning garments, then I'm happy to oblige.
 
Do you have this pattern lurking in a box of sewing patterns?  For months, a buyer has searched for this very pattern. But, alas, it remains elusive. If you have this pattern for sale, post a link in the comments section. If you prefer email,  use the contact form to send the link of your listing for this pattern.
 
Comments regarding the patterns are always welcome. Spam posters with "work at home" ads should go elsewhere.
 
~~ Nancy ~~
 

 

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Do You Have This McCall's Pattern? PDF Print E-mail
Written by ornament_gal   
Wednesday, 08 December 2010

I get many questions about whether specific patterns are available for sale or where to buy the patterns. I don't mind these questions and point folks to the links inside each listing. If it is a popular pattern, though, it's sold and no longer available from the contributor. If the pattern has sold, I start emailing my contributors and running a few searches. The questions give me an excuse to go surf the web and look through boxes of patterns.

 But today, I was thinking that there might be a more efficient way. Perhaps we can get sellers to come to the buyers. Starting today, I'll be writing blog articles which will appear on the front page of Patterns of History whenever someone requests a pattern. 

 Lately one of the most sought patterns is this McCall's pattern from 1957: McCall's 4045.

Chic & lovely cocktail evening dress. This simple yet sophisticated dress, designed by James Galanos, features a fitted bodice with deep V front & back necklines, full skirt & waistline belt accented by a bow. Pattern includes a petticoat. What a beautiful dress! A statement on the envelope notes that this pattern is "designed exclusively for McCall's by GALANOS". 

 

McCall's 4045

 

 

When I get requests for patterns, I start emailing the folks that contribute to the Patterns of History database. Sometimes we link up a buyer with a pattern. Sometimes we start looking for alternative patterns. In the case of this pattern, it's very much in demand. Several buyers would like to use it for a wedding dress. It would make a gorgeous wedding dress.

So as unlikely as it may seem, if you've decided to sell your copy of this rare pattern, please post a link to your listing in the comments section or send me an email. There are people who are interested in purchasing this pattern, if you can bear to let it leave your collection.

 And as a reminder, I do not set or suggest prices for patterns. It's a fluctuating market governed by supply, demand, and desirability. At the most, I will point to a listing with a price but I'm only pointing out the listings returned by the search engine and garnering a price from there. The value of a pattern is simply what buyer is willing to pay. Some buyers are willing to pay more than others. Sometimes buyers aren't willing to buy a pattern no matter how low the price.

 

If you are simply a spammer wishing to post your "work at home" link, don't even bother. I'm just going to delete it.

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Fun in the Sun PDF Print E-mail
Written by ornament_gal   
Monday, 19 July 2010
It's hot out there in many areas of the USA. I've been adding cute sundresses and shorts to the site. It could be a bit warmer in my area. For all of ya'll trying to keep cool, here's some breezy dresses and short shorts.


   

     

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