Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950s (Schiffer Book for Collectors) [Paperback]

Wade Laboissonniere (Author)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Book for Collectors | Publication Date: July 2007

Once upon a time, most clothes were sewn at home. Now and ever after, home-sewing patterns will provide the best blueprint to a time when suddenly everyone could dress like the models in magazines. The most popular 1940s styles-from couture to everyday workclothes, ensembles, sportswear, lingerie, and evening dresses, plus toys, needlework and gifts-are presented here in 550 color photographs of pattern envelopes from companies like Advance, Butterick, Hollywood, McCall, Simplicity, Vogue, and others. For the home seamstress, this will be a trip back in time. For artists, costume designers, and collectors it's an invaluable guide. The text outlines the beginnings of the huge pattern industry, its evolution and impact on fashion. A wide array of pattern-related items is presented including publications and advertising, display dolls, tools, and various forms of packaging. The pattern envelope illustrations are wonderful period drawings of '40s fashions. A refreshing approach and an important first book on this growing field of interest.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wade Laboissonniere studies and collects vintage patterns and archive materials that document twentieth century fashion. He is a professional stage designer in New York and former dancer who keeps stepping to the pulse of his industry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (July 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076430304X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764303043
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,831,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable reference for the history of fashion/home-sewing, December 11, 1997

By 

Ruth A. Nelson (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950s (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

I've been researching information about "home front" America and the fashion industry for several months. Information is scarce. That's why I was delighted to find this book. It contains a brief but thorough history of the American home-sewing and pattern industry as well as extremely valuable information on the effect of War Regulations on clothing. The text was easy to read and very well illustrated. Better yet, the author includes a detailed bibliography to guide those who need to know where to look for more information. The book does not contain reproductions of the actual tissue pattern pieces. That's not important since patterns of that time are built off the same basic pieces as patterns of today. The beauty of the book is that it includes copious reproductions of actual home sewing pattern envelopes and counter catalogues. There are hundreds of pictures and they are beautifully photographed so that the reader can get a good idea of the details of the clothing including silhouettes

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautifully Illustrated Collection of 40's Fashion, June 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950s (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

I was amazed to receive this book. I learned about how rationing during WWII affected clothing and fashion. I saw how fashion evolved during a decade that began with war and ended with Paris reviving their Haute Couture.

I think that the one aspect of Blueprints Of Fashion that caught me completely by surprise was the nostalgic feeling that looking at home sewing catalogue illustrations returned to me. I remember spending hours browsing through catalogues with my Mom during the 60's and 70's. I noticed the change of illustration styles, and the use of more photography, throughout those 2 decades of the big 3--Simplicity, Butterick/Vogue, and McCall's. In the 40's there were many more brands and that much more variation in illustration styles.

Mr. Laboissoniere has done a great job of grouping the pattern face cards into a journey through the fashionable 40's. Even though he meant this as a guide for collectors, there are so many facets to his research that he has created something truly extraordinary.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful resource for forties fashion and sewing, June 18, 2000

By 

Susan Bischoff - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950s (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

This book begins with a lot of information about sewing pattern companies, sewing in the beginning half of the century, and fashion changes during the forties that are worth the price of this book. The second half is all reproductions of the fronts of pattern envelopes which provide inspiration for design as well as pointing out how much more advanced the average sewer seemed to be in the forties compared to today.