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.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
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.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Lametta
The text is written in the style of a formal essay, and the sentences are dense with information, reflecting a tremendous amount of research on the home sewing industry, including the sewing machine industry and how it was affected by and responded to the war). What you won't find in this book is a discussion of how women worked with the patterns--how often they purchased patterns, what skills were generally known, the quantity or type of garments seamstresses sewed for themselves vs those made for others or what percentage of clothing was homemade vs store bought; in other words, this is an industry-focused, not consumer-focused examination. There is no discussion of children's patterns, and very little on the subject of men's patterns. When looking through the illustrations, I noted that while the author includes a full date range of patterns in each of several categories, patterns from the mid-to-late-1940s are represented in the greatest numbers. All of the illustrations are reproduced in full color and on heavy, glossy paper. I consider myself fairly well-informed on this topic, but still learned a great deal, as this book is packed with interesting anecdotes, answering such questions as: How did pattern companies borrow designs from one another while still distinguishing their products from those of competitors? How did couture houses collaborate with the home sewing industry? How were movie costumes and movie stars used in the design and promotion of patterns? How did the industry support the war effort and changing standards for acceptable women's dress? What was the role of the USDA in pattern development? An excellent read for someone more interested in facts than generalizations.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
The front chapter gives a history of pattern companies, how the small ones started and eventually merged into Simplicity, McCalls and Butterick. Also includes history on styles that were popular in the early '40s and how WWII affected these styles and the home sewing industry. The majority of the book is pattern covers. This is a valuable source for anyone who has vintage patterns and would like to date them. Or for someone who is trying to sew vintage from new patterns. If you're using new basic patterns, it's possible to recreate sleeves, hemlines, pockets, and other details to make the garment look vintage. Great inspiration!! Highly recommended for anyone interested in the 1940s!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I originally purchased the first edition about 10 years ago and have based MANY of my patterns on the beautiful drawing represented here. If you already own the first edition this second collection book isn't entirely necessary. However, if you are trying to decide between the first and the second...go with the second. It is gorgeously detailed and DOES have a quantity of new items, but I would say most of the book was a repeat of what I already had. P.S. There aren't any ACTUAL patterns supplied with either book. It does list the pattern numbers should you want to try and find a copy the info is there, but the book is strictly the scans of the fronts of sewing patterns of the 1940's.
By M. J. Wadley
Amazon Verified Purchase
Doing research in clothing of the 1940's, I came upon this book on Amazon.com. It has been a wonderful source of accurate information. Entertaining at the very least, it has helped me as I research clothing of the era. As a costume designer, I would recommend purchasing this important book.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Bruanne
Amazon Verified Purchase
Lovers of Vintage fashoin will drool over this wonderful book. Full of gorgeous pictures, a Vintage gils dream. Love It
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
The selection of pattern images is very good. I want to make one of each of them.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
Look for Similar Items by Category
- Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > History
- Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Commercial > Fashion Design
- Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Fashion
- Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Sewing
