Last week, Keana, one of my long-time blog friends, sent me a bunch of very cool vintage patterns (from the 60s and maybe early 70s, based on the look of them.) Then yesterday, I was checking out Patternreview and found that I just missed a vintage pattern-sewing contest that just ended May 1. (I originally thought it was going for the entire month of May for some reason when I looked at it yesterday, but that's OK, now I can work on the patterns on my own schedule.)
Here are the patterns Keana sent me:
This could be (is) in the pattern collections shown now:
LOVE this one - halters are my thing:
This one is really cute - I especially like the version on the right:
The white suit in the background looks very Jackie O to me -especially with the little gloves! Wearing gloves (especially little white gloves) with an outfit is something I think I'll never really relate to, as it's not something I ever saw being worn in my era.
Here's another cute one- I've used a similar fabric to that one on the left (my yellow/gray/black print dress) - and those little white gloves again! They crack me up. (I'm equal opportunity though- they don't make me laugh any more than some of the 80s styles - some of those were some doozies. I think that was hands-down the darkest era in fashion.) Although I like this one, the three piece "EZ" label scares me - it looks like it would look like a sack on me. Very good for the inverted triangle girls though. I might have to make this one for Dawn and get her to model it.
This one is interesting - you're supposed to make this out of two scarves?
A few things to note - check out the prices - less than $1 full price for each of these! And the sizing - pattern sizing is very different from today's RTW - but these are sized even a little smaller than today's patterns. They will be fine as I can either sew them with knits (which are a few of the recommended fabrics) as I usually sew a 10 in knit patterns anyway (and these are mostly a pattern size 12 but all correspond to pattern size 10 in their sizing) or make adjustments to make them fit for wovens. I think I'm going to trace any of these that I make, so that I can preserve that flexibility. Which one of these do you like best?
I also started the Lion Neck Cardigan from Custom Knits yesterday at lunch - I needed some knitting candy and figured I deserved it after the Monday I had. I had the recommended yarn, RYC Soft Tweed, in stash, and had been thinking about making this for awhile. Here it is, after a total of about 2.5 hours of knitting time - sleeves already separated!
I like this yarn as it's pretty light and airy even though it's a chunky gauge. I can see why Wendy B. picked it for the design. I have quite a bit of this in stash, so I'm thinking maybe I'll even make it longer as she suggests as an option - kind of a sweater coat, with the added benefit of the oh-so-now ruffle around the neck.
I love the first and last patterns! I have the halter top pattern...it was my mom's!! I went through a vintage pattern "thing" and bought a HUGE box of vintage vogue patterns from an estate sale. Now I have so many I don't know what to do with them. Want some more? Most of them are size 10 (bust 32 1/2") which is not me, but I think I can easily alter the ones I kept for myself. I'd be glad to send you some if you're interested in more. I put a bunch of them on etsy hoping to make a little money off of them and to find good homes for them, but no bites so far. I think I'll try ebay. I offered them on Pattern Review, but no one wanted them...maybe I'll try again. Give me your address and I'll send you a few. They're Vogue Paris Originals and Vogue American Designer patterns.
Posted by: Arizona | May 13, 2009 at 09:51 AM
I guess scarves used to be really big? Weird! I like that little Jackie O suit!
Posted by: Jenny | May 13, 2009 at 11:34 AM
You are hilarious! I'll have to check photos tonight... I always thought the Lion Neck Cardi was super cute!
Posted by: Annie | May 13, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Great patterns! That was very nice of Keana. I want to make the Lion Neck Cardigan too. I have a sweater knit out of that yarn and I am thinking of frogging it so I can use it for the cardigan. I think it would get more wear than the sweater does.
Posted by: Lara | May 13, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Those are REALLY cute!!!
Posted by: adrienne | May 13, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Those vintage patterns are divine. I really have been thinking about adding some to my stash.
Posted by: Susan - Knitters Delight | May 13, 2009 at 12:31 PM
OH those are all cute! I particutalarly like the 6358 tops.
I've been debating on the Lion Neck myself, I have the RYC for it in my stash too!
Posted by: Michelle | May 13, 2009 at 03:21 PM
That last one looks very Age of Aquarius. I do remember the little white gloves, and I have a few pairs that my mother kept. So should you want a true vintage look, I'll send them your way. Some even have adorable little embroidered flowers on them.
And a lot of the dresses looked like sacks on everyone. There was even a pop song called "No Chemise Please", with the lyrics "you can take back the sack, leave it hanging on the rack, and bring the sweater back". (Wow, did that jiggle a neural circuit that hasn't been used for a long time.)
The patterns may look cheap, but they were about as expensive as modern patterns if you consider inflation. At the time I was buying them, I was only making about $6000 a year. (That was actually a pitiful starting salary by the standards of the day, but "five figures" was a salary to envy.)
Posted by: marjorie | May 13, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Once again, I you are knitting something I WANT to be knitting! Can't wait to see how the Lion Neck Cardi comes out!!!
:O)
Posted by: Heather | May 13, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Luv your knitting candy!! And you got me curious to try that yarn too!
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | May 13, 2009 at 06:05 PM
Neat patterns!! Look forward to seeing which ones you use. I love that Lion Neck Cardi too, it's going to be lovely in that colorway!
Posted by: Zonda | May 13, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Those patterns are SO from when I was younger. When women actually wore gloves. . .
Posted by: Kim | May 14, 2009 at 06:47 AM
Those patterns remind me of some that my mom had when I was small. The early 60s patterns seem timeless as far as style. The 70s patterns, well, let's just say I'm glad she sent those to charity. :) Anyway, can't wait to see what fabrics you choose and patterns you sew!
The Lion Neck Cardi looks so cozy!
Posted by: Debby | May 15, 2009 at 07:43 AM
OOOH! A sweatercoat. I love those!
Posted by: Carol | May 15, 2009 at 01:19 PM