Preserving Past Fashion History For The Future
How It All Worked: The History
Once the perfect vintage pattern was found, it took a fair amount of time and energy to give it a second life. Depending on the era, the pattern may have been printed in a magazine and needed to be pieced together like a puzzle, following various symbols and marks. Other patterns came on blank sheets of tissue with perforated dots to indicate necessary markings. Regardless of the format, these pattern pieces were then meticulously re-drafted on a CAD table to ensure period-correct design. Seam allowances were clearly marked, as were darts, notches, pleat lines, etc., so when it arrived in a customer’s hands, it resembled a modern pattern in usability.
Transcribing directions and cleaning artwork came next. No changes were made to the original instructions—when it called for a lapped side closure, that’s what was provided! Of course, customers could use a zipper, but for period accuracy, nothing was altered from the historical method.
Once a pattern was ready, it was tested by the previous owner and/or pattern testers. Sometimes, notes were included in a particular pattern to share construction details found to be easier, but to preserve the authenticity of the original, these were purely suggestions.
Finally, the original pattern was carefully stored with acid-free paper and backing to (hopefully) preserve its integrity for years to come. The entire process of bringing a pattern back to life took between 4-7 weeks—it truly was a labor of love. And, yes, aside from my wonderful pattern testers, this is a one-woman studio—patterns are printed in-house, one at a time, when you place your order.
I love hearing from my customers, and I adore it when they send photos of their finished projects! Let me know if I can be of any assistance in your upcoming historical fashion endeavors.
