The Vintage Pattern Selector: The Sewer's Guide to Choosing & Using Retro Styles

by Jo Barnfield

Style-conscious women who sew their own dresses, as well as design students, fashion designers, and enthusiasts for vintage clothing styles will welcome this practical new book. It presents advice and instruction on sewing techniques, plus information and ideas on mixing and matching clothing items from different decades of the twentieth century as a way to make a personal fashion statement. Here are--
Style options that draw on decades of experimentation with hemlines, color styles and silhouettes Information on suitable fabrics, colors, and prints for each style Topics categorized by clothing items, making it easy for readers to match styles from different eras to create a personalized wardrobe An enclosed CD-ROM with more than 15 patterns given in four sizes, and representing different vintage styles
Patterns representing fashions from the 1930s, '40s, 50s, and 60s include blouses, skirts, tunic tops, coats, hats, and much more. The book features more than 300 illustrations in color and black and white that capture the looks and the atmosphere of those past decades.

Genres: Sewing, Nonfiction, Fashion, Crafts

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Irene Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The format of the book is somewhat confusing if you read through it, but this is because of the complexity of what it covers. I doubt there is a better way to lay it out than the one chosen. The book is organised by garment type with suggestions of how to adapt the basic garment patterns to replicate or suggest the style of eras from 1920-1970.

There are 15 digital patterns on an included disc, but the size range is not wide (representative measurements given in Ch 9 below).

Sections:
Patterns and keys
Timeline: 1920s-1970s - brief notes on the key silhouettes, bare skin shown and hemlines of each decade.

Chapters - each chapter has a short history about 'then' and 'now' and well chosen photos of garments to show how styles repeat; accessory and sewing tips; patterns and instructions.

1 - Dresses
1920 Flapper, LBD, 1930s bias cut, halterneck, 1950s natural waist

2 - Blouses and detailing
Buttons, Peter Pan collar, rever (sic) collar, dog eared collar, shirt cuffs

3 - Skirts
1950 pencil, 1950 circle, 1950-60 pleated

4 - Pants and shorts
1930 sport and leisurewear, 1930 and 1970 playsuit, 1950+ denim

5 - Suits and coats
1940 utility coat, jacket and skirt, 1950 kimono jacket

6 - Lingerie
1904 slip, 1920 French knickers, 1950 bustier and petticoat

7 - Headwear and gloves (only one pattern provided this chapter)
1920+ gloves, 1920 scarf, 1920 turban, 1960 pillbox hat (pattern provided)

8 - Dressmaking basics
The range of measurements for the included patterns is not inclusive:
Bust - 32 11/16 or 83cm to 38 9/16 or 98cm (the full bust is used, not the high bust)
Waist - 25 9/16 or 65cm to 31 1/2 or 80cm
Hip - 35 1/6 or 89cm to 40 15/18 or 104cm
The patterns included / used are basic, so it would be possible to use other patterns and use this book for the style inspiration only.

9 - Construction
Darts, gathers, sleeves, seams, hems, side openings, pockets, zippers, rouleaux loops, bows, scallops

[raffaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A combination of fashion history from the past century + patterns. The history was interesting and informative; the patterns were okay, but I can find better ones elsewhere.

[Cília Comella Correa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Creo que trata el tema de la inspiración de manera muy superficial, con mucho texto y poca imagen para ejemplificarlo.
De la parte de costura no puedo opinar porque no he usado ningun patrón.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, but not quite enough vintage detail and a very limited size range on the patterns.

[Jenny Preston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grabbed this on a whim at the library and I have to say, I'm disappointed. There's very little content and very little connection. Almost every image is of a "now" interpretation of the vintage trend - only one pattern cover shown of how each was actually used. I was expecting more images of vintage patterns and garments in a book where "vintage" is the first word in the title. The only reason this book gets any stars is the pattern CD - I've been looking for some basic pattern blocks that this happens to include.

[Topaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and worth owning. Lots of pictures and charts to help one moderinze and old pattern.

[Ruth Feathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The patterns are okay, but I think I prefer Gertie's for vintage and Burda for construction.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers decade trends and styles. downloadable patterns. Not sure if i'll be using, but interesting to see the history that has lead to current trends.