One Pattern, Many Blouses - Inspired 1940s Style!

I recently posted Simplicity 1093 (below) in my shop. While I love detailed blouses with lots of tailored qualities, I also love simpler blouses styles that are designed to let the fabric be the star. And that is just what is provided by this popular pattern from the 1940s. It was so popular, that Simplicity reproduced it for its 85th anniversary, as retro pattern number 1692.

In this post, I feature two fashion bloggers and sewists who made multiple versions of this wonderful pattern. Prepare to be inspired! Note that each link for each blouse version is to the original blog posting by the sewist, so be sure to follow the links to read all about their sewing experience and see more pictures!

Here is a version of each blouse style:

View 1: Jacquard fawn silk version by Tulle and Tweed

View 2: Floral cotton lawn version by Tulle and Tweed

View 3: Glamorous velveteen version by Flashback Summer

View 4: Perfect summer floral print version from Flashback Summer

Tulle and Tweed also sewed a version that combines style 3 and style 4. Check it out here!

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?

Scraps from the Past - 1950s Casual Ensemble in Soft Summer Green

Sometimes a pattern illustration inspires us to sew the pattern just the same (as in my previous Scraps from the Past post). And sometimes we have a favorite fabric and look for a pattern that meets our need.

McCall's 4822 from 1958 is a great mix-n-match pattern for blouse with varying sleeve lengths, shorts in two lengths (short and Bermuda), and tapered ankle-length pants.

The original seamstress tucked this durable, yet soft, cotton fabric inside this pattern. It is a lovely shade of green. It has an almost-like-linen type of weave, but is much more pliable and softer than linen. Based on the pattern pieces that were cut, it looks like she sewed the Bermuda shorts in this fabric.

It makes me think of the pattern differently - in greens and blues and other colors, instead of the earthy browns and reds used on the pattern drawing. Lovely. I'm ready for green!

Refashionista! From Thrift Shop Pillow Sham to 50s Blouse

 Take one really big pillow sham from the Goodwill thrift shop:

 And a late 1950s pullover "overblouse" pattern - I opted for view 2:

I had to remove all seams and spread it out to see how much fabric I really had to work with. The tricky part was lining up the pockets so the dots were aligned and matched:

And the finished blouse! It's great alone as a summer top or with a turtleneck underneath for cooler weather wear. And note how those pockets are in perfect alignment! ;) The pattern is fairly boxy, so I added vertical contour darts in back for a better, less-loose fit.

It's not spectacular, but it IS versatile and a fun addition to my separates wardrobe - good enough for work or play!