8.30.2012

Vintage Finds: Patterns, Patterns, and Tea Dye?

Last Thursday, I received a call from an unfamiliar phone number.  Thinking it must be our Realtor, I answered.  Imagine what a pleasant surprise it was when it turned out not to be our agent but, rather the owner of the little antique shop I haunt for vintage patterns.

You see, I stopped by her shop so regularly for a time, looking for 'new' vintage goodies, she took down my name and phone number, promising to call the next time she got some in.  She called Thursday, for the first time, to let me know a friend of hers was clearing out her closets and had brought in a few bags of vintage patterns, which were so old, they were starting to disintegrate.  Would I care to come in and look?  Of course!!!  Mind, I didn't get my hopes up too much since the condition was said to be so poor but, it couldn't hurt to look, right?

At the shop, I first found a few well-preserved '60s patterns for $4.95 firm, all too big. Boo.  Browsing through the basket of notions beside them, I found two rather unusual dyes.  They're Dylon Tea Dyes and claim to be better than real tea.  For less than $1, I figured why not!?  Now, if one uses tea dye to age fabric, what happens when one uses aged tea dye? haha  



Then, I noticed somewhat hidden behind the basket, two ziploc bags filled with more patterns.  They were both marked with a tag that read, "Please take to check out to open. $4.95"  So, I brought them to the owner asking to take a look.  As she started to open, I inquired, "That is $4.95 per pattern, right?"  "Actually," she said, "I think she means the whole bag!  These are the patterns I called you about. They're so old, she just wants to be rid of them."  Sold!  The top pattern of each bag was both cute and my size so, I didn't even bother checking the rest.  Even if they're the only ones that work, it would be worth it.  To put the icing on the cake, she also said if I had cash, which I did just for this purpose, the patterns would be an additional 20% off!  Eeeep!

So, for my $10, what did I actually come home with?

14 patterns from the 1940s through the 1960s and two boxes of "tea dye"
Ooo  La  La
Aren't they lovely?

Here's a closer look at a few (though, it's impossible to choose a favorite!):

My first mail-order pattern.  Unknown vintage.  Any ideas?
I've been a bit hooked to the idea of shirt-dresses lately so, I was so pleased to find unique ones in the bags :-)  Isn't the bodice on this one too cute?  I love the curve at the button and the shape of the yoke seam.  Is there a name for said shape?

Another mail order pattern.  1960s presumably.
I tried on a Calvin Klein dress like this last year!  Funny how fashions cycle around and around!  I've been itching to make a cape too.  This one is certainly interesting but, how can I resist scallops?  I'll be leaving off the fringe though ;-)

Simplicity 2362, 1940s.
A 1940s (I'm officially in love with 1940s fashion at the moment!) shirt-dress pattern that encourages chevrons!?  Count me in!!  Now, where can I find her fabric?

Simplicity 4415, 1940s.
More 1940s shirt-dress goodness!!  I was thrilled to pull this one out.  The poor thing is the worst (condition-wise) of the bunch but, luckily its damage is contained to the envelope.  Also unfortunately, it's not my size so, I'll either be grading it or incorporating some of its charming detail into modern Simplicity 1880.  (p.s. have you noticed how adorably 40s 1880's details actually are? Gathers at the yoke, pleats at the waist... so flattering!)

Vogue 4124, 1960 and McCall's 3235, 1955. 
I can't forget my very first true-vintage Vogue and McCall's!  How charming is that Vogue suit?  So polished!  And, oh look!  Another shirt-dress!!  With a darling notched neckline.  Clearly, the lady who dropped these patterns off has great style.

Thankfully, as far as I can tell the "disintegration" is only on the envelopes.  The pieces themselves seem aged but in-tact and ready for tracing!  Dear Sweden, I'm going to need a LOT more tracing paper over here!

What vintage patterns have you found recently?  Do you have a favorite of the above?  (I just maaay be planning to share the luck... you know, once I have a new home haha!)

Happy sewing! x

21 comments:

  1. Great finds! Lucky you!! :) Lovin that Vogue suit, but all are great! It'll be cool to see what you do with the tea dye :)

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    1. That suit is great, isn't it? I'll have to think of something to use the dye for soon... I'm quite curious to see how it compares to actual tea.

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  2. Oh fun!! What a great deal! I'm liking the ones with the full skirt, like the two in the bottom left corner and the one in the top right corner of your main photo. Can't wait to see what you make! I have a bunch of old patterns, but i'm not sure if they date back as far as those! I'm going to try to participate in the pattern swap over at http://theperfectnose.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/patterns-and-postcards-a-swap/ if I can get my act together and take some photos. Maybe we can do some trading ;)

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    1. I know! I was amazed when she said I could take them all! Ooo, I love the one in the top corner. The bolero-style neckline and angled pleats on the skirt are so elegant and unique.

      Hmm, thanks for sharing! I'll have to see how quickly I can trace some off so I can trade too. I've never done a swap but want to!

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  3. You've got some fabulous patterns there! Lucky you :) I was also going to suggest the pattern swap TJ from the Perfect Nose has got going on... but I've been trumped :D

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  4. What a great find! I'd say you got your money's worth plus some. Part of the fun is just ooohing and aaahing over the patterns before actually sewing one!

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    1. Definitely! I can't think of the last time I was so excited to give away my money! Hehe. Yes, I'm all about oogling pretty patterns :-)

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  5. How exciting! I love the blue dress with matching bag in the last pic. The illustrations are stunning. I was given some amazing vintage patterns recently (pictured on my blog, and am having a monthly giveaway).

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    1. I love vintage pattern illustrations :-) A monthly giveaway - what a great idea! Hmm... thoughts for new year.

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  6. Replies
    1. I'm jealous that you have *two* vintage-style swimsuits! :-) I really must tackle that hurdle next year...

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  7. Girl, those are some great finds!!

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    1. Thanks :-) I can't wait to start whipping a few of them up!

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  8. Oh wow! These are all so cute! I'm beyond jealous! :)

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  9. LOVE IT - they are all so pretty! I've made 9388 and it is my absolute favorite dress that I have - let me know if you make it, I would love to see what fabric you choose!

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    1. I thought the pattern looked familiar! I loved your blue dress!! Hmm, now I definitely think it belongs on my queue. :)

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