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Oct. 17 - Oct. 21 The Week in Patterning - 44, The Perforations mean...

Alexandra Reynolds 1940's EvaDress Patterns pattern perforations SE40-1519 The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns

Oct. 17 - Oct. 21 The Week in Patterning - 44, The Perforations mean...

I respond to 'Unsuccessful search terms' I observe in my web site admin page by filling in what I can throughout the site.   This week, 'perforation meaning' was one such term, so this is a post to address just what those little punched markings in your vintage pattern can mean. The first individually packaged sewing patterns marketed for the home sewer came in the form of un-printed, pre-cut tissue pieces.  Each piece was factory punched with perforations indicating the pattern piece letter or number (a few pattern makers, such as Vogue punched the entire name of the piece into...

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Oct. 10 - Oct. 14 The Week in Patterning - 43, Pattern Tour

Alexandra Reynolds 1940's EvaDress Patterns Negligée The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns

Oct. 10 - Oct. 14 The Week in Patterning - 43, Pattern Tour

In constant effort to keep pattern prices down, I eliminated two of the 16 pieces this original McCall pattern had.  Since the long and short sleeve pieces were identically shaped, I  superimposed the two sleeve styles so my version has 14 pieces (thus, reducing paper and ink cost). For as much wearing ease in this style, McCall did some clever moves to shape and fit the design in an overall flattering manner.  Using a curved shoulder yoke piece at the front allows soft gathering of the bodice front over the bust.  The omission of darts keeps the kimono style very...

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Oct. 3 - Oct. 7 The Week in Patterning - 42, 'Changing Sight Lines' revisited

Alexandra Reynolds 1950's 1950's Vogue E50-9180 EvaDress Patterns evening halter The Week in Patterning Storyboard Vintage Patterns

Oct. 3 - Oct. 7 The Week in Patterning - 42, 'Changing Sight Lines' revisited

I recently filled an order which included this 1957 Vogue halter gown: Made me think this is a good time to re-visit a post I did summer of 2015 where I began addressing the differences in Vogue re-issued vintage patterns and their original counterparts.   Per the text I originally published in the Blogspot piece, '13 years ago, I documented my original Vogue Halter Gown pattern #9180 and being that it is a vintage pattern in public domain, I made reproductions of it available for purchase.  Not long after, Vogue came out with the 'same' design in their Vintage Vogue series (now out...

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Sept. 26 - Sept. 30 The Week in Patterning - 41, Most Pin Impressions for September

Alexandra Reynolds 1920's 1930's 1950's dress EvaDress Patterns hats Pinterest playsuit swimsuit The Week in Patterning Storyboard

Sept. 26 - Sept. 30 The Week in Patterning - 41, Most Pin Impressions for September

Based on 'Most Pinned' for August, the 1956 Swim or Play Suit & Skirt held a steady first among those re-pinning my patterns:   Out of nowhere, the 1934 Dinner or Street Dress followed! While the 1936 set of Hats still holds a top spot: ...and this time, the 1920's makes an appearance in the 1929 Schiaparelli-esque ensemble!

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Sept. 19 - Sept. 23 The Week in Patterning - 40, Pattern Tour #B40-1867

Alexandra Reynolds 1940s B40-1867 EvaDress Patterns How To Pattern Tour The Week in Patterning Storyboard

Sept. 19 - Sept. 23 The Week in Patterning - 40, Pattern Tour #B40-1867

A customer in Texas sent this original in so I could create a size for her, so this style is now also offered from my collection in multiple sizes (with two sizes per sheet). Because I sized it up for her from the original size 20 (with 38" bust), it is now available from size 20/40 (38" to 40" bust) through 46/48 (for 46" &48" bust).  I anticipate taking it down to sizes 12/14 (30" to 32" bust) to include the sizes in between as well as to 52" bust.  I do not yet have a date scheduled for these...

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