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I actually had a post about knitting that was going to go up today, but something else grabbed my attention instead! The postman brought me a package with a recent Ebay find (I swear: I more often loose than win auctions!): four 1940s pattern books. They’re slim (similar to magazines, not the big counter-type pattern books), but packed with exciting inspiration. I was so tickled with the first one I looked through, I had to stop and scan a few pages to share with you, because I know you all will love them! These scans are actually from a June/July 1944 issue, so the fashions have a bit of a summertime flair. I think Florida has gone to my head, because I seem stuck on warm weather garments more often than not! lol. Still, the styles and designs are so pretty…
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What details are catching your eye? The dresses are lovely, but what is really striking me is the handbags. I have lately had a mild obsession with mid 40s bags: the shapes I find really appealing. I hope you enjoy these!
Oooh, great win! Thankyou for sharing!
Beautiful. I too LOVE 1940′s handbags and am always on the look out. Also, developing a rapidly growing obsession with 1940′s hats! Beautiful pages. I am yet to make my own dress but am learning and hope to create my first soon. Loving your blog – a recent but very welcome discovery.
That scalloped neckline on the cover is delicious, though as a novice I find the idea of sewing round all those tiny curves a little intimidating. I am also enjoying the insouciant pose of the lady in red on the ‘Trim and Neatly tailored’ page!
Wow! What a lucky find. Beautiful clothing.
What a great find! Thanks for sharing. The 40′s seem to be my favorite era. My great aunt loaned me two of her dresses when I was in school. One was a pretty red and the other was a strapless pink gown. They were gorgeous. I had to pass them on to another relative when they came of age. I will never forget those dresses. You would look lovely in any of these styles.
Makes me wanna be in summer !
Thanks for sharing !
I love the details surrounding the necks. Some are open, some closed, collars, ruffles, lace, trim, pleats, scallops, insets. They are so interesting and very attractive. I love seeing these vintage images as they conjure thoughts of how the body was viewed best at that time period. Very inspiring. So jealous of your books. So jealous.
My goodness, what a treasure. I’m loving the 40s silhouettes (nothing new), but the illustrations are really splenid. Blocks of color, line drawings…wonderful!
I totally thought the top lady in the first spread was pointing a gun upwards. I was thinking she might be starting a car race or something, before realizing she’s actually on a bus. Holding on. Heh.
I love the lines on them all, but that scalloped edge really made me do a double take! Very cute!
XO
Mom
For me it’s the nipped waists. I’m ADORING the resurgence of the 40′s in fashion right now. I was so born in the wrong era.
Great find! I love the pink dress, I want one
Thanks Casey for your blog. You really inspire me. I think it was in October I found your blog. I had no idea there are other women like me out there. Most women think I’m archaic, sewing,baking,ironing. Just think it all happened when I was looking for instructions on how to make pincurls. Happy New Year.
these are amazing Casey! the first has to be my favorite!
Oh, how wonderful. The whole red outfit on the bottom left is just delicious. I’m not sure what I covet more: the hat, the gloves or the whole suit!
Hey, I’ve ended up here via Burdastyle and I think vintage style is great too (your alice dress is lovely!). I’ve recently started getting back into sewing after dabbling as a teenager and so many of the outfits in these catalogues are inspirational.
I’m loving the scalloped necklines ^_^
In the second to last image, the dress worn by the woman with the red beret is amazing. I love the pockets.
[Love your blog by the way! I've been reading it for a few months but this is the first time I've left a comment. You are an inspiration!]
Thank you so much for taking the time to scan these! They’re lovely! I love the plaid mustard colored dress with the matching jacket with plaid lining.
Thanks for sharing, I love all of the trim waist and almost pencil skirts!
My favorite detail is the neckline on the first pink dress. Cant get over it! It must be the fabric along with the neckline that just mesmerized me!
that first scalloped dress on the cover is just marvelous!
I like that short coat. It really caught my eye.
I’m a total purse collector. When I moved cross country I donated 90% of them and have slowly started building my collection again. Vintage purses always catch my eye.
Awesome magazine, Im so jealous!
the shaped welt pockets! Holy cow! I’m afraid to do a regular one, haha!
And all the pretty topstitched darts. Yummy. I just lost an auction yesterday on one. Drat it. I never win either!
Thank you for sharing, Casey! Lovely designs.
I recently started to knit, so, please, please, please…
you are so right. I love it all.
40s clothes are so elegant. I love the simple silhouettes!
That very first pink dress…the scalloped neckline and waistband, oh, I just love it! I cross my fingers that people like you and Sarai (Colette) and Gertie will show me how to do things like this someday! Btw, love your blog and your look. I’m inspired to start cruising youtube for tutorials on makeup and hair, though my hair is hella curly so the styles will have to be a li’l different.
One of these days, I’m going to start a blog so I can jump into the sewing and home repair and crafting communities!
Thanks for sharing . . it is so refreshing to find someone that shares my passion for the fashions and styles of the first half of the twentieth century.
This really makes me wish I knew how to sew! All of those dresses look so incredibly pretty.
Oh gorgeous! Now that I am done sewing for that wedding I am so antsy to finish all my undone projects that I have waiting calling my name! Alas I now have a cold and a sore arm from sewing so must wait a day or two. I may just take my machine in to be serviced while I am recuperating. Hmmm… I think I have a late 1930′s pattern that is very similar to the Vogue couturier designs. I may have to add that to my list of things to sew!
I love all of these…you are right! The thing I really love is the seaming details along the streamlined waists. There was no stretchy fabrics to make thse things more ‘forgiving’ so the attention to properly seaming a garment was so much more important. And it was just beautiful. I also love the blue polkadotted suit w/ the sarong skirt. *weeping*