Showing posts with label 1920's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1920's. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Sewing Patterns Through The Decades: 1920s Style



Hey all!!

It's been a while, I know!  You ever have one of those days?  Or one of those weeks?  Or .. one of those months?

Yeah, we all do.  That's neither here nor there though, let's get on with a blog entry!

I thought it might be fun to roll through the decades and see what kind of fun patterns our Pattern Patter Team members have available from every decade.  Won't that be interesting?

I think so.  Let's get going!
In the 1920s the sewing pattern industry was really getting going.  Patterns had been available for decades before, but new trends in fashion plus new innovations in sewing patterns made it easier than ever to sew for yourself.  You really could have the height of Paris fashion for a much cheaper cost. I'm just speculating here but since more ladies were working in offices and such they may have had more money to spend on things like clothes.


Unbranded Pattern #302

The 1920s are usually considered pretty glamorous (not to mention a total and absolute change from almost everything that ever came before!)  However, this sedate little number shows that style could be simple too.  This unbranded pattern is available from Retroactive Future and is on sale!

Butterick 1771 &  Ladies Home Journal 5250

These two patterns from Kinsey Sue are somewhat similar, with a shoulder drape.  However, the Butterick pattern is slightly more complicated with it's bias cut and asymmetrical neckline which mirrors the asymmetrical flounce at the bottom.

Butterick 1227, 1214

A new addition to my personal collection, this 1920s Butterick advertising sign features lively prints and delicate pleating.  The nautical collar on 1214 is an interesting touch.  Though the lines are straight the amount of ruffles and bows adds femininity.

Australian Home Journal 8376

Though the lines of the 20s seem simple at first glance, look at the complicated lines of this pattern from Sew As It Was Patterns.  Again with a somewhat nautical collar, but the lines down the front are incredibly interesting!  You don't usually see patterns this complicated these days.  This one is from Australian Home Journal so as you can see, this up-to-date fashion was a worldwide phenomenon. :)

Butterick 6365

After a long night of dancing, why not slip into this beautiful robe from Vintage Needle Finds?  Even though it's a robe, it still suggests the straight lines of the late 20s by suggesting you tie it slightly below the natural waist.


From Butterick's Spring 1926 catalog and my personal collection comes this selection of dresses, ranging from very simple to quite complicated.  A hat was still a must as you can see!


Costume parties were big business in the 1920s, with costumes made both of fabric and crepe paper. This Ladies Home Journal catalog from my personal collection features masquerade costumes only, for men, women, and children.  All the major pattern companies had their own masquerade catalogs, including Vogue and Weldon's.

McCall 2833

Pierrot-style clowns were always a favorite... an easy to make costume that could be worn by anyone. This one is in stock at Rebecca's Vintage Salon.

Pictorial Review 1927

These complicated gowns from my personal collection feature very interesting layers and colors.

Pictorial Review 1927

Elegant looks for the bride and her attendants from Pictorial Review and my personal collection.

Pictorial Review 1927

Wow!  Look at the complicated lines on this gown!  I wouldn't want to sew it.  Funny enough, despite the straight lines in the illustration, this is listed as for "the mature figure" with "larger hips."  Haha, I'm not sure how large hips would ever look like that illustration.  (From my personal collection.)

Pictorial Review 1927


How lovely it must have been to wear these simple and comfortable underthings after so many years of being corseted and covered up.  Though many women did wear bust minimizers which squeezed them in for that boyish look.  Couldn't have been comfortable! (From my personal collection.)

Advance 1042

Little girls were often clothed in very short little dresses with a smock-like cut.  Seen here in a very early Advance pattern from The Granny Squared.  Advance patterns from this era seem to be extremely scarce.

Butterick 4433

This bed coat, box coat, or vest is perfect for lounging in the morning.  From Clutterina's Shop.

Butterick 6399

If working with a vintage unprinted pattern is too difficult, or an original 1920s pattern is too pricey, why not try this lovely repro gown from Cloe's Closet?

Leaflet from SoFro Fabrics / House of Fabrics

Or how about this cute DIY leaflet to make your own fringe-covered flapper dress from Denisecraft?

I hope you enjoyed this little stroll through patterns of the 1920s.


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Featured Shop: Vintage Needle Finds


Hello, my name is Debora and my shop is VintageNeedleFinds, which I opened June 6, 2012. I have been married for over 3 decades to a very wonderful soul mate. We have a son and I have three wonderful step children (adults actually) who have given me a growing extended family with 7 grandchildren and two wonderful great grandchildren. We live in North West Georgia at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I started sewing as a child in my grandmother’s interior design business, which helped me to develop the discipline and focus needed to sew. However, I did not share the love of interior design and I eventually moved toward fashion.

The area of Georgia where we live is rich in history and has many local historical events. I started creating costumes about 10 years ago for local clients who attend the many historical events in the area. I am semi-retired but still do work with a few clients throughout the year. My personal focus in sewing is the Art Deco era from around 1920 though the 1940's.
I created my shop to find loving homes for my rather large collection of vintage and
antique patterns.  I love having them but knew that I wouldn't be able to take them with me! I was drawn to Etsy because of the vast amounts of beautiful patterns available from sellers from all over the world and I knew this was where I wanted to be. There are times when I love being the teacher and then there are times I rather be the student.  If I had to offer any advice to someone interested in sewing vintage it would be to try it. You can find reference material at your local library, many vintage sewing blogs on the web and there are many wonderful shops here on Etsy that offer everything you could need from fabrics to buttons and patterns and of course have fun!

Visit my shop through November 30th and use Coupon Code -  VNEEDLENOV for 20% OFF any purchase.












Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Art Deco Style



I can imagine my Grandma in this lovely frock, Pattern Style No. 3455. It was produced in 1928, when my Grandma was 28. She was born in 1900 and grew up in New York City, where fashion is King. 


Capper's Weekly 3455 art deco flapper dress pattern by Capper Publications, New York City 1928 is for a Ladies and Misses Dress with a fabulous zig zag diagonal front closing. It features a collarless open neck, and set-in sleeves slashed up from the lower edges and the slashed edges are bound. There is a plaited inset at right side of the three-piece skirt that is attached to waist under a removable belt. Inset pocket at left side. Width at lower edge of skirt, size 36, about 1 5/8 yards. It says that it fits a Misses Size 18 years (Did they go by years back then?), Bust 36 inches, with 39 inch hips.
Here is an archived copy of the pattern and the Fashion article as it appeared in the September 25, 1928, Lowell Sun Newspaper. 



This is the article:

Fashion’s Forecast by Annabel Worthington

Clever zig zag outline at front with one-sided kilted plaits give smart accent to street dress showing simple good taste. It is extremely fashionable made of sheer woolen. Printed crepe satin, jersey, flat silk, crepe, plain crepe satin, georgette crepe, silk pique, wool crepe, printed velvet and plain sheer velvet also appropriate and chic for Style No. 3455. Pattern can be had in sizes 16, 15 years, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 inches bust measure and requires only 3 ⅛ yards of 40 inch material for the 36-inch size. Price 15 cents in stamps or coin (coin preferred). Our patterns are made  by the leading fashion designers of New York City and are guaranteed to fit perfectly. Every reader should send for a copy of our new Fashion magazine because it contains all the most attractive styles for autumn. In addition to six illustrated articles of great value to the woman who sews, showing how any pattern may be altered and also the correct way to fit sleeves, finish slashes and other difficult steps in dressmaking. The edition is limited so send 10 cents for your copy today. For Patterns (15¢) and Fashion books (10¢) address the Fashion Dept.-Lowell Sun.







My name is Anne White, and am a retired Grandma who likes vintage everything (Guess I better since I am vintage too!). I enjoy quilting, going to estate sales, being with my family, especially my 6 year old Grandson, and of course finding Fabulous patterns.

If you like vintage treasures of all kinds, check out my Etsy shops: 
OldPaperShop