Jumpsuits - The New Hot Thing?

I was reading in the "Style & Travel" section of the October 16, 2014 edition of The Wall Street Journal that jumpsuits are becoming a "must buy" fashion, from casual to tailored! I know, I know - The Wall Street Journal as a source for fashion news? Well, they always cover fashion on Thursdays, and it is newspaper that is available at work, so I try to pay attention to it, at least on Thursdays. ;)

So, jumpsuits? Well, if you want to find really cute jumpsuits, you can't do better than vintage! For best fit and preferred fabric, sewing your own seems like a no-brainer.

Jumpsuits become regular wardrobe items in the 1940s, especially (though not exclusively) as work apparel for women working in manufacturing plants that supported the war effort.

1950s

In the 1950s, the jumpsuit emerged as a trending sportswear (and so cute!), but not common. 

1960s & 1970s

The most popular decades for the jumpsuit were the 1960s and the 1970s.  Hip and groovy, they expanded to include a wide range of styles, suitable for both casual and formal wear: from the uber-slim "cat suit" to the delicious fullness of palazzo pants. 

   1980s

Jumpsuits lingered in the 1980s, but definitely not as popular an item as in the 1970s. 

 So what do you think? Do jumpsuits in general have appeal? Would you sew one for yourself? Do any of the patterns above appeal to you?

It's Shorts Weather!

I know that summer is already upon most of the country, but here in the Pacific NW, we are getting a few days of 80-degree weather. We are delighted!

A brief review of shorts fashions through the decades seems in order. No matter what decade, they all look cute to me!

1940s - Most commonly fitted around the waist and hips then loose around the legs. Simplicity 2017 has a rare elasticized waistline version as well. Note the high waist on Simplicity 3673.

 
1950s - Still fitted, and definitely slimmer around the legs.

1960s - Very slim and fitted! Proportioned for height was an important new feature.

1970s - Both fitted with the zipper moving to the front (a major shocking fashion move - a fly front zipper, just like menswear!) and loose with elasticized waistline (but still looking relatively fitted).

1980s - Elasticized waistlines are most common, and generally loose in the legs.

Resort Fashion Month!

It's January! Yippee, that means it is time for resort fashion - vintage, of course! What could be more fun during the heart of winter than to peruse summer styles for the beach and resort?

Do you need sexy swimwear from the 1980s?

Maillot or bikini ... or both with McCall's 8089!

Or perhaps you'd prefer this very cute beach ensemble from 1954?

 

Love the sunny bra top with shorts and a great cover-up with or without hood!

Halloween Costumes And My 5,000th Pattern Sold!

Today was a milestone for my vintage pattern shop, Midvale Cottage, on Etsy - my 5,000th pattern sold! A lucky customer, Carey, in Canada was the purchaser - as a result, the pattern she picked was free. :D Boy, did she really save today (because that included shipping)! :)

Here is the pattern she purchased - whimsical adult costumes for Halloween:

 I wonder which costume will be sewn up - the monkey, the penguin, or the frog?

Be sure to visit my shop and view the inspiring Halloween costumes for all ages-from the 1930s through the present - and I am adding more each day. Just look in the "Crafts and Costumes" category of my shop. Halloween will be here before you know it!

The Drop Waist Flapper Revisited

A year ago (really?), I posted about drop waist flapper dress patterns. I thought it would be fun to revisit this topic with additional versions that are currently or about to be listed in my shop. These patterns demonstrate the enduring popularity of this style through the decades.

Note that some waists dropped lower in some patterns than in others. And the 1980s pattern is a maternity drop waist dress. No need to be slim for this style! :D:) Enjoy!

1960s

 

 

 

1970s

 

1980s

Scraps from the Past: 1980s full flirty shorts in nylon

This "scraps from the past" features the pattern Simplicity 6249 from 1983 - for pants, culottes, and short shorts. You may not care for the "Hammer" pants, but the culottes and shorts have a fun, very skirt-like fullness. The pattern has a very nifty design for the waistband, which is really two waistbands, with the front yoke-style band overlapping and fastening to the waistband beneath it.

The fabric our mystery seamstress tucked in the pattern is soft and sheer - plenty of movement for those full gathered skirt-like shorts. Swish, twirl! Can you visualize it? Or do you think she tucked in blouse material to go with the shorts?

Cyber Monday Sale Blitz!

Wheeeee, it's time for a shopping spree! Who doesn't love a sale? My shop,  Midvale Cottage, as a member of the Etsy Pattern Patter Team, is participating in the team's Cyber Monday sale starting midnight tonight! I'm offering a discount of 20% off your entire order! Just use the coupon code: CMBLITZ. My sale will be running to the end of Friday, November 30th.

Be sure to visit the team's many wonderful shops for discounts in vintage sewing patterns, as well as fabric, sewing notions and fabulous fashions. Check out the team's blog for a list of participating Etsy shops. Note that different shops may have different coupon codes and discounts.

You can find Pattern Patter sellers here: Pattern Patter Team Members 

Here is a sneak preview of some new items coming to my shop this week:

In Search of Style: Looking for 80s Fashion in 40s Pattern

This is a first for me - an elegant 1940s Vogue Couturier Design pattern with a clipping from what looks like a 1980s dress advertisement!

The clipping shows draping at the shoulders, short French sleeves, a high V-neckline, and a gathered flared skirt.

Here is Vogue Couturier Design 791, the envelope this clipping was tucked into. The dress has draping across the bust, short French sleeves, stiletto neckline, flared skirt with soft pleats at front waistline. Hmm. What do you think? Is this a match or a mistake?