Several years ago I received a trunk from my aunt filled with fabrics, patterns and various notions. I just got around to digging through the trunk and found some things that brought back many memories about patterns and learning to sew. I thought some of the younger sewing people would find them interesting and the older sewers could go down memory lane with me.
Did you know
A pattern with two views for a suit only cost fifty cents at one time?
The bust measurement for a size twenty was the same as a size sixteen of today?
Patterns were could be bought in half sizes?
A pattern catalog only cost fifty cents?
Patterns could be ordered through your local newspaper?
You could once buy a skirt pattern according to waist measurement?
Taffeta was a favored lining fabric?
Many pattern instruction sheets gave details on making both worked and bound buttonholes?
The pattern sheet also told you what temperature to use when pressing various fabrics?
Tailor's tacks and tailor's chalk were used in place of tracing wheels and paper?
Seams were finished by overcasting by hand, stitching a straight seamline, bound with seam binding or by pinking?
It was recommended that garments hang for twenty four hours before hemming even if not cut on the bias?
Linings were attached by hand?
Facings were finished with seam binding?
There are many other things I could have listed such as the detachable foam rubber shoulder pads we used but I 'd better stop here. I hope you enjoyed this little trip I certainly did.
For further reading try Blueprints of Fashion:Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940's by Wade Laboissonniere.
CopyrightŠ by The Sewin' Sista June, 1998
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