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