Well, it's true that not every Pattern Patter Team member is from the USA, but it's also true that pattern companies have been making Patriotic-themed patterns for a very long time! I thought today we'd take a look at some of those patterns that celebrated both history and country.
Starting in the early 70s, excitement started building for the bicentennial of the United States. By 1976, a huge number of bicentennial-themed costumes were on the market, produced by pretty much every major pattern manufacturer.
Here's the lady's & girls' version of the Butterick "Make it Real" bicentennial costume set.
You could even make bicentennial costumes for Barbie & Ken with this mail order pattern.
Here's another historical / colonial costume for Barbie-sized dolls.
This mail order pattern features a revolutionary era styled dress for the bicentennial.
Simplicity introduced a whole line of bicentennial costumes for everyone in the family. They are quite nicely done and continue to be very popular.
This one features a photograph instead of an illustration. Pretty cute, if you ask me.
How about these historical-esque sampler-type embroidery patterns, available in the shop of team member
Cloe's Closet ?
This pattern pre-dates the bicentennial, and is a little more "Civil War era", but shows that Advance was in on the historical costume game, too.
Meanwhile Vogue released these revolutionary-look granny gowns that were still suited for the 70s.
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Uncle Sam has been a long time popular costume as you can see from this circa-1940s Butterick pattern. Also included a Revolutionary-style costume. They got a lot of use out of this pattern and seem to have produced variations on it for at least 30 years.
This mid-60s pattern featured a Revolutionary style and Uncle Sam costume for both father and son, very similar to the one above.
I think this is probably a 1950s version of the same pattern shown above. The illustration is very cute!
Does anyone know more about this probably 1930s DuBarry Uncle Sam pattern? It's probably really rare!
This Uncle Sam pattern from Ideal Patterns & Montgomery Ward probably dates from the 1930s and was found in an Ideal Pattern catalog. I've never heard of one of these being available for sale, probably very, very scarce. Is Uncle Sam wearing lipstick? :)
Or how about this truly incredible Uncle Sam costume for 18" Dolls? Circa 1920s!
Team member
Vogue Vixens has this unusual pattern in stock, Simplicity 7540, featuring soft sculpture dolls of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. Circa-1980s and likely a result of the Cabbage Patch Kid doll craze.
Or how about this unusual and cheery Uncle Sam windsock available in team member shop
Pattern Matters?
Here's some more highly interesting and VERY RARE Uncle Sam patterns are featured at
Unsung Sewing Patterns, check them out!
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Uncle Sam wasn't the only character in the patriotic pattern game!
The Lady Liberty in this circa 1950s pattern looks pretty blase about the whole thing.
These "Victory Aprons" are so great! Looks like she's serving sandwiches to various military branches? Argh, it's adorable! I want to frame the envelope.
Even this little Marian Martin dress has a subtle patriotic eagle motif and star-shaped buttons.
Here's a much newer but equally patriotic pattern featuring Lincoln, Lady Liberty, Uncle Sam and George Washington.
Well, which one is your favorite? Do you have a favorite? Did you ever make one? Did you ever wear one? Did I miss one that you like a lot?
Let us know in the comments!
Happy July 4!
