Thursday, February 26, 2015

Sewing Patterns: Vintage Mail Order Patterns

I love looking at vintage sewing patterns but so often the patterns are for smaller sizes....so, was everyone a size 5 or less in the 1940's or 50's? Did anyone have a bust larger than 34 inches or a waist larger than 25 inches? I remember a few ladies that were on the fuller side of the pattern scale so where did they buy their sewing patterns? The answer is this.....mail order.  In the 1970's the pattern ads were tucked away in the classified section of the newspaper and, for one dollar, plus 25 cents for shipping and handling, you could buy a pattern (at least it was $1 in the 1970's....it was less in the 40's, 50's, and 60's). Sometimes the patterns were available in women's magazines like the Delineator, Ladies' Home Journal, or, the star of every needleworkers home, Workbasket.
Courtesy of VintagePatternsWikia

Courtesy of Vintage Patterns Wikia
So, in honor of these unsung heroes, those patterns who provided fashion to the not-size-1-anymore set, I offer these patterns for your consideration (Oh dear, I sound so full of myself and then some...hee hee hee).

Marian Martin 9021 includes pattern, instructions, original postmarked envelope, and newspaper clipping.

Printed pattern 4982 in size 16, Skirt and blouse. COMPLETE















Printed Pattern 4982




Marian Martin 9064 Country Aprons in size Large, bust 38-40 inches. Includes ad and original envelope. COMPLETE

Anne Adams 4824 in size 18 1/2, bust 39 inches. COMPLETE

So....Thank goodness for mail order patterns because not everyone is a size 1.
Enjoy.
Post by Eileen





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