Ready to see some more vintage lovelies this week? I have been studying these patterns quite a bit lately, concocting ideas for my spring sewing, and I might just be busy making a muslin of one of the patterns I showed last week… hehe! I hope you are as inspired by the silhouettes and details as I am–in some ways there is nothing better than looking through vintage patterns for some great touches to add to your own projects!
Vogue 8476 – I adore this pattern… in theory. The gathered bodice looks like it could be quite frumpy if it isn’t fitted well, so a muslin would be a must! But still, it would be a perfect summer dress (not that I need any… three years of Florida living left me with a lot of summer clothes). I just love the bow at the back neckline!
Vogue 4522 – A straighter, less body-skimming suit than what one would typically associate with the 50s, but is lovely nonetheless! I really like it made up in a snappy plaid with the contrast.
Vogue 9378 – Does this dress not make your heart skip a beat? I think it’s the high, bateau front and dipped neckline in back that appeals to me. You could easily swap a less full skirt out too for a more casual, daytime dress…
McCalls 1836 – This is, I think, one of my favorite out of the bunch! This set of collars and cuffs (and token stole–a 50s DIY staple) has instructions for various decorations to be applied. Rhinestones and felt flowers, beads, sequins. I really want to make the View C collar soon!
Vogue 196 – I have a great weakness for super simple, classic styles. This dress and jacket set is just that. I really love the pleated skirt (perhaps a use finally for this handy gadget I picked up last year?), and this that would make one of those summer dresses I’d want to live in 90% of the summer.
Vogue 1162 – Finally, a grand 1960s ballgown (or cocktail dress) to round out this week’s patterns. I really don’t care for the view with the odd, cut-out sleeves. But those can be left off, and would make a gorgeous gown! (If only one had more reasons to really dress up nowadays!)
This post is part of an ongoing series cataloging a collection of my grandmother’s patterns. To view previous posts, please click here.
Only one thing to say… You’re a lucky girl! Enjoy the patterns…
Oh wow! This series of posts is really inspiring me to want to sew up a few 50′s and 60′s style dresses for summer. I am loving the bow detail on that first pattern and I bet you could easily add a waistband to gather the skirt into, preventing the “frump”. Vogue 9378 would also make a great dress . . .
German Pattern Experiment: Day 3
Love all of these patterns! I’m especially intrigued by the simple pleated skirt version of the dress in Vogue 196. Would love to get my hands on a similar pattern. I really like the look of pleats, they seem much more polished than gathers (though those are lovely for twirly skirts too). Thanks for the lovely pattern inspiration!
You have the best patterns! I think I only hane a handful of Vogues, they are difficult to find in the wild.
Is anyone else thinking the bow on 8476 is the straps meaning the straps could be adjusted? That would be perfect for me because straps are always falling off my shoulders.
Wow, I reallyreallyreally LOVE the first pattern! It’s adorable
Great patterns! I love that coat pattern. I discovered some great vintage patterns on Etsy I’m currently drooling over
Wow, these are all beautiful, but that first Vogue pattern takes the cake! I think if anyone could fit this in an un-frumpy fashion, it’s you!
ACH beautiful. You’re right, Vogue 9378 is just perfect…I tried to MacGuyver a neckline like that out of another bodice pattern a few months ago and things ended more gappily than happily, haha…I love those collar patterns also, gracious.
It’s so fun to see these old patterns, I have a passion for them as I lived through those times.
I had not thought about those collars in ages but in the 50′s I was a teen and we wore those collars made out of black velvet adorned with pearls as I recall, they were quite in style at the time.
Ah, don’t we all wish we had more occasions for dressing up! Ballgowns and cocktail dresses somehow seem so much more fun to make than boring old everyday wear…Anyway, you’ve got yourself quite a collection of patterns, I look forward to seeing the results of whatever you choose to make. Good luck and enjoy!
Fantastic!! I love the first and last especially
Vogue 9378……I’m in looooove
What a gorgeous dress!
The Vogue 196 is gorgeous. I purchased a bunch of 50′s era patterns off of Ebay a few months ago but have yet to actually find time to make any. I’m jealous of all your sewing and crafting time. I can’t wait to see some of those made up!
What a great group of patterns! Love V4522, what a stunning suit. I am passionate about suits in any weather. They look so put together and can be made in many fabrics to suit the weather or the occasion. I am thrilled to say that I found two sewing books from the 1940′s that I thought I had accidentally given away. I am reviewing the sewing techniques now and am amazed how little sewing has changed despite so many modern advances. It is still thread and needle. I will highlight some of this on my blog when I get a chance. Your pattern reviews are always fun. Thanks .
I love those patterns, they’re just gorgeous!
Hello Casey!!
Happy happy new year to you too!! I hope you had a lovely break, and all of these patterns are inspiring no end.
Jen
Hi,
What treasures! 196 reminds me of a dress my late, sewist Mom wore to pieces, which she made in a navy blue fabric. That dress went everywhere, from parks to parties, with different scarves, pins and accessories, and can be identified in numerous photos from my childhood.
Your blog is a tremendous inspiration to me – I have dipped my toes back into sewing by refashioning an 80′s oversized blazer into a fitted jacket – a few mistakes, but will be wearable and cute! I can’t wait hem it up and try my next project!
Thanks!
Lisa
What wonderful patterns you were gifted! My mom and grandma and great aunts thew all their old ones away. =(
Laurie
Your grandmother had the most wonderful taste! Can’t wait to see you whip one/some of these up.
Vogue 9378 reminds me of the dress Eva Marie Saint wears in North by Northwest. It’s the red and black one she is wearing in the auction scene. Always have wanted that dress.
I love these designs. I just started teaching myself to sew and am so inspired by vintage designs. I can’t wait for the day when I can sew up a fabulous dress like the ones here. Happy weekend!
The first one with the bow is definitely one for me!