50's Style Patterns

Jan 21, 2009 13 Replies

Hey there.



Im trying to recreate a simple 50's style strapless tea length dress to wear for and after my wedding reception on 1/31. Generally I don't use patterns, and for the stuff I have made (mainly Renaissance fair garments-i used online generators to build the pattern)



Do you have any suggestions on *free* patterns for the type of dress I am trying to make :) thanks!!!!


No. But you may want to look through the Vogue pattern catalog. Specifically the Vintage Vogue section. You don't really have a lot of time to draft, drape, make a muslin, then make a dress. This is the time to use a pattern. Good luck!

Sharon

I have to agree with Sharon, for the dress for your wedding the amount you spend on a pattern will almost certainly be more than offset by the saving in time (you should learn to value your sewing skills properly) and hassle and probably also in fabric. This has to be right for you, for your special day, don't scrimp on 12 bucks for pattern and postage.

Vogue is having a $6.75 special today:

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whatever you choose goes together well and that you have a great day! Lizzy

Have you seen the pattern taken from a 1950's Horrock's dress on the V&A site? Free, and lovely. No reason to make it using a banded print like the original unless you really want to...

"simple-strapless-tea-length-wedding-reception" and *free* probably don't play together very well.

How about a really cheap Vintage Vogue :

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's not strapless, but I think #2902 (maybe just a smidge longer) on the second page would be gorgeous. You may not have enough time left between now and the 31st to find a free pattern, and at $6.75 it's *almost" free. ;-) Beverly

If you can find it on sale (check JoAnn for $.99 pattern sales), this one could easily pass for a 50s style and it is strapless, and close to tea length:

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?tab=evening_prom_bridal&page=2Beverly

Thanks, I am going to take a look at that. I have a question for you. Would you happen to be KateXXX on renaissancefestival.com?

I just visited the site, and it appears you are from renaissancefestival.com! im Lady Seasan on there:)

Dat me! Same all over, me... ;)

Hi there! Nice to see another familiar face here.

The 1094 Vintage Vogue is the same pattern I used to make one of my DS's prom gown in 1957. Since I've been searching for a pattern to make myself an outfit for DGD's evening wedding in late May, DS jokingly suggested I use the same pattern; she knows I never throw away a pattern. I think not! Emily

I have one drawer full of size 10 patterns from the 50s and

60s. Not a prayer of ever using them, but the kids will have to burn them *after* I die!

The one pattern I wish I had saved (it was probably with my mother's stash) is for the dress I made for the Singer Junior Sewing Contest in 1955. I was 15, and won first place:

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That is beautiful! I was working for Singer in 1955, and bought my 1st Slant-needle machine that year. Mind how time flies.

You can't find it online? If I know what brand, I'll see if I have it, and in that case, I'd be happy to give it to you. DA left me several Advance and DuBarry patterns, as well as 1-2 odd names, I don't remember off hand.

A friend sent me some little girl patterns last year, and I gave some to nieces who have grandchildren, but I scanned the front first. Both said that if I want/need one for the new DGD, who is 6-weeks old today, it will be returned. Emily

Thanks! My mother bought her first zig-zag slant needle that year and it came with lessons. Taking the lessons qualified one for entering the contest. Mom urged me to take the lessons and enter so I did. ;-)

I haven't searched for it, have absolutely no idea what pattern company it was, maybe Simplicity but it could have been anything (except Vogue, I didn't understand their no-print patterns!).

I don't need any additional patterns, I have kept all of mine (since I became an adult), I have some of my DM's, and I inherited all of my DMIL's. Aaack!

Beverly

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