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News — 1930's

Pattern Tour, 1935 Vogue Evening or Wedding Gown, Br30-6633

Alexandra Reynolds 1930s bias EvaDress Patterns evening evening gown formal How To My Personal Dressmaking Pattern Tour Vintage Patterns

Pattern Tour, 1935 Vogue Evening or Wedding Gown, Br30-6633

This is a pattern by Vogue for the evening or wedding ‘Frock with or without train features circular frills outlining the raglan armholes.  Long sleeves pointed over wrists and darted at shoulder, are optional.  Deep V-opening at back or higher back with inset.  Gathers at front below neck band which is buttoned at back.  Knotted whisker at throat is optional.’ Vogue offered a generous seam allowance of 5/8" at a time when pattern companies widely produced patterns with a 3/8" or 1/2" seam allowance.  For their exceptional designs, Vogue also set themselves apart in the commercial pattern industry by selling...

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Pattern Tour, 1933 Simplicity Ladies' Tuxedo, SE30-1210

Alexandra Reynolds 1930s Capsule wardrobe EvaDress Patterns Pattern Tour Vintage Patterns

Pattern Tour, 1933 Simplicity Ladies' Tuxedo, SE30-1210

Simplicity marketed this pattern (1210) design in Summer of 1933 headlining it, 'Daytime and Evening Fashions of Cool Charm and Smart Line'.  It is one of the earliest street trouser patterns I have found for women: As one from the Simplicity Three-Style pattern series (a 1930's take on the 'Capsule Wardrobe' concept, if you will), this ensemble includes the epaulette-shoulder blouse, wide leg trousers, vest and jacket with French cuffs. A piece for the Ascot-style scarf is not given, but dimensions and instructions for creating it are included. Curiously, this ladies' Tuxedo was issued at a time when Simplicity released their...

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Pattern Tour, 1937 Pictorial Review Frocks D30-9079

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Pattern Tour, 1937 Pictorial Review Frocks D30-9079

I found this Pictorial Review 9079 with a motherlode 1920's & 30's patterns (which included the ultra rare and desirable Katharine Hepburn Ensemble) in 2004! When I look at this Pictorial Review, I think of it as a 'retro retrospective'. That is, the 1930's stylized perspective on a previous year in history. We usually think of the 1930's recalling Colonial or Federal times, so this is a prized example from 1937 referring to the 'Directoire' Federal sensibility in fashion for it's almost-Empire waist line. When looking at it against adaptations from the early 1900's, a close-fitting, almost-corset line is read in...

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Pattern Tour, 1933 Garden Ensemble of Pajamas and Apron, NL30-1241

Alexandra Reynolds 1930s apron blouse EvaDress Patterns hats pajamas Pattern Tour Vintage Patterns

Pattern Tour, 1933 Garden Ensemble of Pajamas and Apron, NL30-1241

This is a very unusual 13-piece pattern originally by Simplicity (1241), the 1933 Garden Ensemble of Pajamas and Apron.  I offer it in sizes: Set A fitting 12-20 (30" to 38" bust, 25" to 32" waist, 33" to 41" hip) or, Set B fitting 40-46 (40" to 46" bust, 34" to 40" waist, 43" to 49" hip). It is part of the Simplicity Three-Style pattern series of the early 1930's; a series which afforded the home sewist of the Great Depression better economy by availing 'three entirely different and charming styles' from one pattern (a 1930's take on the 'Capsule Wardrobe'...

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Dress Test

Alexandra Reynolds 1930's bias coat dress EvaDress Patterns frock jacket My Personal Dressmaking ribbon

Dress Test

I've been away from blogging for some time now, yet the pattern planning and implementation has been going full-steam! For a little background,the year's first multi-size pattern issued was the 1934 Evening Gown with optional Sash Train for sizes 30" to 46" bust.  This was one of the first original 1930's patterns I ever bought back in fall of 2001! For Spring, I finished the 1948 Originator Peplum Dress for sizes 32" to 46" bust.  The ruffles may be finished with lace, or left plain-edged.  This pattern was generously made available by a customer in St. Louis!   I have...

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