My apologies for being a bit of a quiet, absent blogger this week… Things have been busy in these parts: first a weekend trip to see my family (including traipsing around one of my favorite old towns in Northern Virginia with my sister in law–despite it having just snowed!), falling down the steps at my parents house (twisting my ankle in the process–ouch!), and then a busy week of various things including getting ready for my sister to visit this weekend. So somehow, it got to be Friday long before I was expecting it–how does that happen? Next Monday I’ll show off the little sewn item I meant to post today (yes, I haven’t gotten the photos yet!). Today I’ll show you some more of those vintage patterns; there are only enough for a couple more posts, but I think each is worth taking a look at for the inspiration!
Vogue 9037 – As hard as I try to like fitted coats, I somehow always end up gravitating towards looser, unfitted styles. THis one really appeals to me–not only does it have that loose fit I love, but the dramatic sleeves are gorgeous! I see this in a Kelly green coat wool…
Vogue 7762 – May I just say I cannot wait until the weather warms up sufficiently so I can make and wear this top?! I love that it’s the best of both worlds: it looks like a halter style from the front, but has a full back (meaning one could easily wear a racerback bra underneath). I think in a pretty, medium weight linen this would be the perfect top to wear with any summer skirt–and maybe jazz up with a few vintage brooches!
Vogue Couturier Design (number unknown) – This suit is so gorgeous, isn’t it? Simple, but stylish in the way that the late 1950s excelled at. You can see the unfitted, more boxy jacket style that would become de rigueur in the early to mid 1960s. The pleat back is such a lovely design feature!
Vogue 9429 – You can’t get any more classic than this dress! As a teenager I used to sketch similar frocks and daydream about having a closet full in pretty colors. I still love the style: it’s an easy, flattering-to-most design! Maybe one will join my closet this summer…
Simplicity 4195 – Is this not a sweet accessory pattern? I really want to make the little hat and clutch (in a red stripe–I’m so susceptible to suggestion!) for the spring. Not that I need any other hats. *ahem* The collars and dickey/vestee are very nice too–I keep thinking I need one of those (dickies, that is) to wear with some of my sweaters to add a different look without the bulk of layering.
Vogue 1310 – *swoon* Is this not a show-stopper dress? Not only does it have an unfitted evening clutch coat (see top pattern comments), but the dress is simply gorgeous. I adore the asymmetrical, dropped waistline. Though I wonder how it would look in reality, since the hips are not the usual point of emphasis for most women (including me).
What details jumped out at you?
This post is part of an ongoing series cataloging a collection of my grandmother’s patterns. To view previous posts, please click here.
Guh. I love this post! I particularly loved your commentary with each pattern – very inspiring! <3
What lovely patterns. I’m curious abou the Vogue 7762 pattern (for the top), with such a high neck, what closure does it have? I can’t see a zip on the back so perhaps its on the side? But how do you get your head through the neck?!
P.S. Hope your ankle recovers quickly.
The Vogue faux halter neck top definitely jumped out at me, it’s so classy, I love it. I really like the accessories pattern too, especially the red striped clutch (I’m also susceptible to suggestion!) x
9429!!!!! I love that. Is there a possibility of “sharing” this pattern? I have been mulling over a simple dress style done in lots of different types of fabrics. This is great!
Mom
nice to meet you….I really love the blue suit and dresses on vogue 9429 and what about the top!!! thank you for sharing these gorgeous pattern.
ilaria
I can’t believe how many patterns your were able to find at your grandmother’s while still leaving some for a cousin! There are so many lovely patterns in this bunch. I do love the halter in second photo – and that you can easily wear a racerback bra underneath. Vogue 1310 is gorgeous and I wish I had a reason to wear something like that. I like the idea of the dropped waist because the full 1950′s style skirts and dresses tend to have some bulk just below the waist, so I wonder if this would even it out having the fulness at the hips.
German Pattern Experiment: Day 4
I just love the idea of that little dickie/vest! I would be so much more likely to wear little cardigans/woolens if I didn’t have to fight with numerous bulky layers! I’m off to see if I can find something similar on etsy!
I’m very intrigued to see what your little item is, and hope that your ankle gets better soon!
9429 is ah-mazing. That’s my all-time favorite style and silhouette. So flattering and much easier to wear than something that’s a little flouncier (though flouncy things are still good in their own way).
I just love the idea of dickies – genius! It would be great to see a tutorial on how to go about making a simple one of those.
that last vogue knocked me off my chair.
i hope your ankle is okay!
Oh, the coat and 9429! I love the simplicity of that dress. Something similar may be possible from the Colette Peony by redrafting the skirt into a long pencil skirt? I had a powder blue shorter dress with a very similar silhouette in the mid 90s (when I was 15ish) and I wore it to death. I just felt amazing in it. 9429 is just a grown up version of it and has so much potential…
This is s fabulous collection. Style, that is the operative word, style. Missing in many patterns now, these design lines emphasize the female figure and are elegant. Even day-wear is flattering. Thanks for sharing. By the way, did your Grandmother make many of these?
So lovely! and yes, that coat is absolutely wonderful!
I know you are so happy being closer to family. Love the patterns. That last dress is so pretty. Love the little purse and hat pattern.
Hope your foot is better.
I definitely like the faux halter blouse.
Hope your ankle is OK!
I like the purse and hat pattern. How fun would it be the make the sleeveless dress with a matching handbag and hat? oh, maybe to matchy, matchy, but I like the idea of it. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
The sleeveless top has your name all over it, looks like there are quite a few gems in this pattern lot, Lucky you!
So sorry to hear about your ankle. Hope it’s feeling well. Those patterns are lovely. I really liked the halter-ish top. I think it has such flattering lines and interesting darts.
You are so lucky to have inherited these pattersn. I love Vogue 196 from a previous post and while searching for information on it came acrosse this which may interest you.
http://coutureallure.blogspot.com/2008/10/vintage-vogue-pattern-196.html#uds-search-results
I like the dropped waist dress, although I’m sure it would look terrible on me in reality. More importantly, though, what’s your favorite old town in Northern Virginia?!? I’m a NoVA girl myself, so I’m super curious!
*swoon* is right! Yowza!
hope your ankle is feeling better.
All gorgeous, as usual! I love the clutch coat that goes with the dress in the final pattern you posted. I find those dress-topping coats so useful for all the in-between weather we have in Melbourne. I’d make them in a whole bunch of colours to swing over every dress I have!
I’m swooning right along with you. Gorgeous patterns.
Love the patterns….so pretty
Sorry to hear about your ankle , you poor thing! Ouchie!
Hope you get better soon. Hugs xxoo
i am in LOVE with the last pattern(1310). i love the whole dropped waist idea and the fact that its asymmetrical is a huge plus. i would love a dress like this.