Do you also sew? What is your story?

[Tempabsage]

I don't know if it has been asked, but I was curious if any of you sew? If so, what is your story with sewing? Why do you like to sell or collect sewing patterns?

I started to learn, maybe a year ago now. I've been taking classes, and I've been participating in a sewing club where I work on my projects. Since I've started this journey, the idea that I could make a vintage dress (or anything for that matter) was very tangible.

Then I started the hunt for sewing patterns...I bet I have several hundred. To say I have a thousand seems a bit much but, I am storing them in boxes because the hutch drawers are full.

I love vintage from all decades! The twenties and thirties are so difficult to find and expensive but oh so lovely. The forties are fun! I'm ravenous for the fifties! Love the Jackie Kennedy looks from the sixties... and of course the boho looks of the seventies.

Even if you don't sew, tell me about yourself! Why are you passionate for vintage patterns?

[PatternsFromGrandma]

Great question!

I learned to sew through a class at age 15 - but I'm sorry to say I've never actually sewn very much. I have inherited 2 machines as well as loads of fabric and patterns from my grandmother and two aunts. And I always have lots of ideas of things that would be great to sew, either for myself or my four kids. But - I always get so discouraged when I can't figure something out. I don't have anyone to help me in person. So I never end up getting much done. (I'm currently trying to take another crack at it, though, as I want to sew a rag doll for my daughter.)

My grandmother is 99 and a few years back (2009 when I started my shop) she gave me a couple boxes of patterns which she would never use again, as she was not really sewing much by then. Since I would not use these myself but I thought they were a really cool piece of history, I decided to sell them so that other people might be able to give them new life.

I have since inherited all of my grandmother's patterns (maybe about 500, I'm not sure), as well as all the patterns from two of my aunts. But lots of the stuff in my shop are patterns I picked up at thrift stores, because the more I dealt with these patterns, the more I grew to love them and I really enjoy the hunt for interesting patterns. My favourite is apron patterns, many of which I have held onto as I liked them too much to sell!

I love working with these patterns mostly because so many of them are just fabulous! There have been so many wonderful styles throughout the decades. I myself live on a farm and don't have many opportunities to dress fancy; but in handling these great old patterns I feel like I'm participating in the world of fashion, just a little bit! And participating in the world of sewing even though I don't sew much myself!

[Tempabsage]

Hey Laura! That is a beautiful story! I live in the country as well with a big red barn out back. It's my goal to get the clothes line up, then I have this little fantasy of having made my "laundry day wrap dress" (which seems like a common dress from the 50's to have) and I will just be hanging stuff up to dry. ;)

I'm currently working on vintage circle skirts which I've learned, have to hang for 1-2 days so the fibers adjust and the hem can be sewn on properly. I get so ticked at the idea of "marinating" my skirts on my shower curtain by pinning it with clothes pins.

I think "slow fashion" as my teacher puts it, is making a serious come back. I bet you can find resources in your area to get some help, and online resources are amazing. I still find reading a sewing pattern to be a foreign language still, so I am so thankful for the help I get.

That and all the ladies in the sewing club, we just "Oh and Aw" over each other's projects and fabric selections. Its a great social hour too!

I love the name of your shop, now that I know a little of your history. There is this beautiful legacy the women before us have collected. When you think about how common it was to sew, how common it was to teach your children, and that school taught you "home economics". It was a very serious thing!

I feel so honored and happy to be adopting part of that beautiful legacy, and people like us are keeping it alive!

[LolaSewsVintage]

Oooh yes lets talk sewing!!

I started sewing over a year and a half ago - I bought a sewing machine as my job contract had ended, and I wanted to learn a new skill in the meantime until I was employed again (instead of watching too much netflix lol). At first it turned into only wanting to learn basics so that I could alter my own clothes. I love shopping at thrift stores, and learning how to tweak a ready-made to fit me best was my ultimate goal. I'm not sure where things went beyond that (maybe it was when I started obsessing over vintage sewing patterns that I kept seeing at thrift stores?), but I soon found I had hit a wall in my self-taught sewing journey. I signed up to take dressmaking classes at my local college.

I'm finishing the second 10-week long dressmaking course right now, and I will be signing up for the third. I've learned so much, but the biggest thing is the confidence I now have to make pattern changes. All these beautiful vintage patterns are slowly looking more like a reality to me. One thing I'm also working on is learning how to grade patterns, so I can one day use those vintage patterns that aren't quite my size. I took a class on this on craftsy, and all the blog posts you read about this technique make so much more sense when someone explains it to you!

Even though sewing is still a relatively new hobby for me, I don't think anything has ever taken ahold of me so strongly before. Both of my grandmothers were professional seamstresses, and they both passed away a year ago now - I think its something that keeps me to close to their memory, something that's in my blood.

Opening up my etsy shop really was a natural progression of all this. I bought one of those old school cast iron singers from a thrift store, and I'm so in love with its quality that has withstood the test of time. I think my love of vintage patterns is an extension of this - of a time when we didn't have a "throw-away" society. But I would be lying if I said the illustrations weren't a big part of it :)

[Tempabsage]

Hey Lola!

I LOVED my pattern grading class. We did the shift/pivot method and while I haven't made a dress yet, I do feel very confident that I can modify my hand drawn copies so they will fit me. I'm currently taking a "pattern knock off" class that teaches you how to make a pattern from clothes you already own. Its so simple! I just finished making a pattern from a pair of bell bottoms I have that are my weekend go to's.

I just can't get enough of the classes!

As far as pattern hunting goes, I do not have the best luck at the thrift stores. That and so many patterns are incomplete. I think the real treasures may be at estate sales but so often they are on the weekdays when I work. Thats why places like Etsy make it easier for me to get ahold of some amazing things.

With that said there are always patterns I can't afford or they are so scarce. Its my goal to be able to look at an illustration and know how to construct it without the guide or the pieces. Now there, is some sewing empowerment! ;)

Speaking of illustrations, the pattern "art" is amazing. I love to see how it evolves over the decade. I always get a hoot out of the 70's Mccalls patterns of these girls with giant smiles on their faces. I'm sure you've seen them. I almost wish current sewing patterns would adopt the charm of previous patterns. But I also feel that way about classic cars too. ;)

What kind of dress do you want to make? What decade calls to you?

[LolaSewsVintage]

Oh wow - it sounds like you have access to some pretty amazing classes! I mainly learned how to grade multi-sized patterns beyond their range, and the slash and spread. But this shift and pivot sounds like it could be better suited to vintage - possibly no need to trace the pattern piece AND not destroy it! Hmm I need to look that up lol

Its an unfortunate reality of buying patterns at thrift stores, but in my experience most times they are complete. I found the key to finding some great patterns is consistency - its not uncommon for me to visit the same thrift store 3 or more times a week just to check for new patterns, but I only do this while I can - once I'm working again I won't have the time to find those gems. But I've spent a lot of time looking through them that I totally know which McCalls patterns you're talking about! The ones that get me are the "Marlo's Corner" line where the girls have big, big eyes!

I have yet to make my first dress - but I have a personal goal to sew one for an upcoming wedding this summer, so I'm working on finding the perfect fabric, but it'll be with a modern pattern. I've done a few skirts and shirts now, and its a simple design so I'm not too worried.

I love the 40s and 50s artwork and designs, but I think for my style the 60s and some 70s are more wearable. However, I am currently waiting for this 40s pattern to come in the mail http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/DuBarry_5853. I love the tucks at the shoulders and the shaping at the bodice and waist - I will make this one for sure one day! I was lucky enough to find this pattern in my size for 50 cents at a thrift store, and its my ultimate sewing goal/pride and joy pattern. http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Vogue_2112 I have no idea what event I would wear it to though!

That's an interesting topic actually - what are the patterns everyone is most proud of in their personal collection?

[Tempabsage]

Lola-

With regard to slide and pivot, a nifty thing you can do is get some tag board at office depot (which is kind of like poster board) and you trace your vintage pattern onto that. Then cut out the pieces from the tag board.

This board will hold its shape for years and getting ink on it won't be a big deal either. The biggest setback is that it can be cumbersome to store. One lady punched a hole through hers and hangs them up. Tag board is also great for fragile patterns you don't want to handle often.

Right now I prefer laying tracing paper (architect paper) over the original pattern piece, trace it, then I slide the tracing paper where I need to for the adjustments (tracing again). The architect paper protects the original pattern from any ink as I go.

The actual method I was taught, required that you trace the tag board pattern piece onto the architect paper. Then your newly traced pattern is placed on foam board. You go back to your tag board, and with pins you slide an pivot over the original drawing lines and make your adjustments.

As long as you keep with the straight of grain you are golden! Which is more so apparent when adjusting for the bust, shoulder width, or waist while maintaining the original size of the pattern.

With regard to the things you've already made, do you like to use knits or woven fabrics?

My first project was an apron (a pattern reproduction from the 1940's) which had several pieces... and then I thought it would be cool if I added piping. HA! It took me months to finish.

Your DuBarry dress is beautiful! I love the sleeves and bodice detail from many of those patterns as well.

As far as a favorite pattern from my collection goes... they are usually the ones I thought I would never have. There is a 1960's vogue pattern I saw at auction one day and it slipped through my fingers. I was furious! So I waited and waited and waited and a few months later another one was up for sale. I won that one. ;)

I used to be an emotional bidder. Thought I'd have a heart attack around the last 10 seconds. ;)

[PatternsFromGrandma]

Tempabsage, how cool that you have a big red barn! Do you raise animals? We have sheep and a bunch of chickens...and I have a totally awesome laundry line, there are three parallel lines about 20 feet long. Hanging laundry outside, and then watching it flutter in the breeze, is one of my favourite parts of summer! The best is hanging vintage table cloths - I love to buy the embroidered ones as I find they're quite cheap at thrift shops, and they look so darn pretty on the line (not that that's why I buy them, of course. )

I am just old enough that I took "Home Economics" in school, but we only sewed a square lunch bag. In my mother's generation they sewed real things like button up blouses in school - I know this because many of the patterns were in with my grandmother's, with the girls' names written on every pattern piece and on the envelope. It's a shame that this wonderful skill has almost been lost! Of course some of us still sew, but it's such a small percentage of the population, compared to the past where probably 90% of women knew how to use a pattern and sew...

Laura, I'm jealous of your cast iron machine! I have seen those at thrift shops before but been afraid to buy them in case it cost a small fortune to get them in working order. Did yours work as soon as you brought it home? Is it the kind with a treadle? I like things good and simple. My grandmother has actually offered to give me her fancy computerized embroidery machine but it looks frighteningly complicated to me. I would much rather have a really good, super old machine that will never die.

And I agree with both of you that the art on the pattern envelopes is wonderful and sometimes really funny. I do have a few of those scary 70s ones with the giant grins! I also love much of the art from the 50s - the models look so darn excited to be wearing those clothes! (Although I probably would be too!)

[Tempabsage]

Laura- We've had animals off and on. My father currently farms (soy beans, corn, winter wheat, etc.) Both sides of the family have either had pigs, chicken, or cattle. I've thought about getting some chickens but that also means chasing off opossums, skunks, or anything else you don't like in the early morning hours. ;)

Occasionally in the thrift stores I will see piles of embroidered table clothes, napkins, handkerchiefs, pillow cases. They are so beautiful! Sometimes I just go to a thrift store or antique mall to "relax". As odd as that sounds. I feel its the closest thing we can get to touching history. I am also a sucker for ironstone or transferware.

When I was in "Home Ec" we learned to microwave chicken. Isn't that hilarious?! I was very disappointed. I think we also learned to sew on a button.

Is there any way we can post images to this forum? It might be fun to showcase pictures of some of the things we have sewn up.

[LolaSewsVintage]

ladies, I'm so jealous of your farm life - you sound like you're living the dream :)

Laura - buying that machine was a leap of faith. It's a singer 15-90, which is motorized but interestingly enough was the last machine singer made that could be converted to a treadle, so if I ever wanted to do that I could. I had been looking at some for a while, and happened to find one in a cabinet for $50 that looked very pristine (decals were in good condition, no grime or rust, the cabinet wood was mostly in good shape, etc). I tested it by turning the handwheel, and tried the presser foot lever and both worked with little resistance, so I knew the mechanical components were in good shape. I didn't dare try to plug it in, because I could see exposed wires and duct tape around the foot pedal. So before deciding to buy it, I called a sewing machine repairman for an estimate and described it to him. It ended up needing a regular tune-up ($100), new wiring (which was only $20 or $30), and I bought a new needle plate that had seam width markings on it ($10). So all in all, repairs were significantly more expensive, but in the end it cost only as much as a very low end brand new sewing machine, but the quality is SOOOO much better than what you could buy for that price today. It sews through 10+ layers of denim, leather - whatever you want to throw at it! The only downfall is that it is a straight stitch only, but I hardly sew with knits so this isn't a big issue for me. I have a cheap machine for whenever I need a zigzag.

I'm not sure how to post pictures here - maybe we could start a 3-way convo? I know you can post pictures there!

[OpenVintagePreserve]

Wow, this is a great thread! Everything from chickens to sewing to clothes lines!

My sewing story goes way back, since I was born in the Forties, and my mom taught me to sew when I was about eight. By the time I got to junior high, I could already cook and sew, so I managed to weasel out of taking home ec. It was required of all girls in 8th grade, and shop was required of all boys.

But when I really got into sewing all my clothes was my senior year of college. About ten years later, when my kids were small, I started making clothes without using a pattern, the way my grandma could do (although she bought some patterns over the years). For some years, I made martial arts performance uniforms, using only measurements, with no pattern.

The sad thing is that when I stopped using patterns, I stopped buying them and even gave away some of my old hippie patterns. :(
But during the last 20 years, I've grown to love the old patterns. Fortunately, I've inherited a lot, from my grandma, aunts, mom, sister, and have been given others by friends.

Now that my health keeps me from sewing and I've gone from living in a house with attic to living in a small apartment, I'm trying to downsize a lot of the patterns. Still, there are some oldies that I can't let go of. In the Sixties, I had a pattern for the greatest bellbottoms ever. The bell shape was just perfect, and I don't even know how many pairs of pants I made from that. But it's one of those I gave away at some point. I keep hoping to run across it in somebody's shop some day.

I need to go accomplish some things, but I haven't even addressed pattern art (which I love love love), or chickens (which I used to raise). Maybe next time. :)