Vintage Pattern Marketplace

Vintage Pattern Marketplace

Monday, September 29, 2014

His and Hers Christmas Shopping Lists - Don't Guess - 1950's Measurement Chart

1957 Measurement Chart from Woman's Day Magazine

To kick off the start of the Holiday shopping season, the pattern sellers on Goodsmiths would like to start you off on the right foot with this retro measurement chart to help make shopping for that special him or her hassle free. Download and enter size, preferences such as perfume and favorite color, and don't forget what style type they are this year. Is he or she exotic? Distinguished? Tweedy or Casual? This 1957 chart from Woman's Day Magazine may be rather retro looking but I bet you will be surprised at just how handy having this information at your fingertips will be.  

Friday, September 26, 2014

Free Pattern Friday - Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF - 1960's Costume Patterns





Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was a fund raising program sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund.

The event was originally founded by a minister and his wife from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA in 1950.  The Allison’s devised the idea that the children of their local parishes would use decorated milk boxes to collect small change from neighborhood homes in lieu of candy while trick-or-treating ( Mrs. Allison originally got the idea a year earlier when she noticed UNICEF collecting donations to send powdered milk to poor children around the world).




By 1953 the U.S. Committee for UNICEF started actively promoting the Alison’s program.  By the 1960’s, the concept had spread throughout the United States; small orange collection boxes, printed with the UNICEF logo, were being distributed to millions of trick-or-treaters to collect donations.  In 1965, UNICEF wins the Nobel Peace Prize.  President Lyndon B. Johnson’s congratulatory letter to UNICEF extolled the virtues of the program that helped change the once often vandalous holiday into a program of basic training in world citizenship.  Lyndon Johnson eventually proclaimed 31 October 1967 “UNICEF DAY”.

 
 



In honor of the original UNICEF Day, the following is excerpted from Ladies’ Home Journal, October 1967:  Tricky New Costumes:  Beware the Halloween animals are on the loose…


Butterick 3193 – child’s costume; small, medium, large - each costume requires one twin-size Stevens sheet in appropriate animal pattern.  This pattern used for both lion and leopard.





 

Butterick 4152 – child’s costume; 6-14 - each costume requires one twin-size Stevens sheet in appropriate animal pattern.  This pattern used for both zebra and giraffe.

Download directions HERE.



Thanks to Karen from Oma's Bric-a-Brac for this contribution.

 


Friday, September 19, 2014

Free Pattern Friday - Vintage Pumpkin Pincushion Pattern



The pincushion is one of the most essential tools a seamstress possesses. Magnetic pin holders may catch pins with ease but for pin retrieval, nothing beats the pin cushion. We all know the red tomato shaped pincushion, stuffed tightly with sawdust or roving, with the attached emery filled strawberry for sharpening pins. This form dates to the Victorian era when it was thought that placing a tomato on the mantel would bring prosperity to the home. Now, in honor of the approaching All Hallows Eve, you can make these pumpkin shaped pin cushions originally published in the October 1964 issue of Workbasket Magazine. If you are really daring you can transform your pumpkin into a jack-o'-lantern with a Sharpie pen and a pair of google eyes. This easy to follow pattern and instructions show you how. Download HERE.
Courtesy of CynicalGirl on Goodsmiths.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Free Pattern Friday - Starched Masks for Halloween



Halloween costumes don't have to be costly or generic when you can make your own. These starched masks are easily made with fabric and the help of a balloon. Decorate to your hearts content and make something that will make you or your kids stand out from the crowd this Halloween. Originally published in the October 1966 issue of Pack-O-Fun magazine. Download instructions HERE.
Courtesy of CynicalGirl on Goodsmiths.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Free Pattern Friday - Quick Costume Ideas

Pack-O-Fun magazine, originally published by Clapper Publishing Company in Des Plaines, Illinois from the 1950s thru the 1970's, was a scrap crafting magazine packed with easy and inexpensive things to make with what you had at hand. At some point the title was purchased by Amos Publishing Company and ceased publishing this zine in 2011. Early issues can be found online and in resale book stores. 

Considering Halloween is approaching more quickly than you'd like to think, I have reproduced these "Quick Costume Ideas" from the October 1966 issue of Pack-O-Fun magazine. Download HERE.
Courtesy of CynicalGirl on Goodsmiths.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Free Pattern Friday - The Four-Point Pocket Square Fold Handkerchief

The Pocket Handkerchief
Comb your hair. Polish your shoes and tuck a handkerchief in your pocket. Seems simple enough. I remember my dad had a card with points glued to it that he slipped into his breast pocket when he had to present a more formal appearance. But the well dressed man has many options for the pocket handkerchief, or pocket square. I had no idea how many variations on the theme there were, complete with names.

Our Four-Point Fold, as pictured, is surely classic, but don't underestimate the Three-Point, the Two-Point, the One-Point or the Shell Fold. The Cagney, Cooper and Astaire, no doubt attributed to those handsome and debonaire screen stars from the 40's and 50's, are variations on the Puff. The Dunaway, Crown, Westco and Presidential are a few other folds with flair. One wonders if there is a secret society that allows certain pocket folds and not others. I think of the brooches Madaleline Albright  wore to reflect her moods while Secretary of State. Perhaps the pocket fold is not so dissimilar? 

The January 1955 issue of Workbasket published the instructions for the simple but elegant Four-Point Fold Pocket Square. Download Here.

Courtesy of CynicalGirl on Goodsmiths.