Gaylyn's Cute Cat Shorts! And a Happy Thanksgiving to All!

If you were a growing girl, wouldn't you love these shorts with a cat face for the bib? Mail order pattern 120 for suspender shorts is certainly a charmer.

This pattern from the 1940s includes three different cat faces, rendered in applique and embroidery to create the bib. Note the string of daisies that accent two of the three faces. Those must be for the girls. ;) So sweet!

Also included with the pattern were Gaylyn's "measuremints" written on the back of half of a card. A good sewist will always measure before sewing!

When you turn the card over, there is a note to Bertha (our sewist?). Ella Mae McPherson from "the chapter"  (of the local DAR or a similar organization?) has written a very kind and thoughtful get well note to Bertha, sent along with a plant. It appears that this was written before "the holidays" - would that be Christmas? 

The translation for those who are not skilled in cursive handwriting:

"Dear Bertha - 

You may not be able to 

place me but I certainly 

do miss you in the

chapter.

I'm so sorry you are 

ill and hope you will

soon be well again.

I hope this plant will

make your holidays a

little merrier. Sincerely

Ella Mae McPherson"

I love these fragments from people's lives in those days long gone. It is such a personal way to connect with the sewists of other eras.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers!

Say Hello to June and Summer with Children's Fashion from 1932

For the wee lads and lassies are these sunny styles:

 328: A trouser suit for a young lad, with trousers, collar, tie, and cuffs contrasting with a shirt with tucks.

2723: A frock for a young girl, with a pretty collar and flowing pleats.

325: With fun details, this charming frock includes shorts.

330: Designed for girls on the grow, these pajamas have sophisticated style.

2720: A jumper with pleats on the sides and a pretty lace-trimmed blouse.

304: For the 'tween, this frock has wonderful style - princess seams zig-zag past the hips and release into inverted pleats.

310: With a high waistline, drop shoulders with puff sleeves, and a graceful flared skirt - this is sophisticated style!

1938 Summer Frocks for Girls - Sunny, Sweet Fashion

Little girls love cute clothes too! These cotton frocks are perfect for play and special occasions for growing girls - and with 1938 style, they are timelessly cute fashion too!

From left: apron is gathered to shaped yoke; frock with bows and a belt; jumper frock with suspenders and blouse; frock with shirred waist & center front princess panel; frock with white collar and trim.

Back to School Vintage Pattern Blitz!

Whether you are thinking of getting the kids ready for school (didn't summer just start?) or not, it's only a month away. Back to school supplies and a new set of clothes?  It's time to get ready!

And to help you get ready, the Pattern Patter team on Etsy is hosting a Back to School Blitz on Thursday, August 1st from Midnight to Midnight wherever you are! As a member of the team, I welcome all shoppers to pop in and browse the listings that will come rolling in, many with special back to school discounts. Just click the button on the right to view the items being posted in this Back to School Blitz event.

If you visit my shop during the Blitz, you'll receive a 20% discount on any child's pattern. Just use the coupon code "BTS2013"! Here's a preview of some of the children's clothing you'll see in my shop now and on the Back to School Blitz day:

Before and After Hit Parade - 1930s Girl's Overalls - Retro Romper

Seamstress: Elizabeth
Pattern: Du Barry 2259B

Almost a year ago, Elizabeth sewed up this cute pair of overalls for her adorable and fashionable daughter. Dating from the late 1930s, it's classic cute sportswear!

The Result:: Created in a somewhat stretchy denim with eye-popping bright colors straight from the late 1960s - early 1970s, this pair of overalls is easy-care fashion that Felicity loved wearing! Didn't it turn out great? Of course, it doesn't hurt that Felicity makes such a superb model, right?

 

Check out Elizabeth's blog Peanut Butter Macrame to read all the details of her struggles with sizing this pattern for her growing daughter, as well as her current sewing accomplishments!

Vintage Newsprint - 1930s Child's Pattern Piece with Humor

Seamstresses often made adjustments to their patterns, making new pattern pieces from butcher paper or even more frequently, newspaper. Patterns cut from newspaper often were from the want ads, the society pages, and sometimes even the comics pages or the front page. Frequently they include advertisements for clothing or grocery store sales. It's always fun to see the latest gossip, food prices, and news of the day in these bits of vintage newspapers.

This pattern from 1939 is a little cutie-pie outfit of frock & bolero and had a hand-made pattern piece (probably a cuff) cut from newspaper.

 

Here is the piece, which included a one-panel comic of "Flapper Fanny", a comic of the 1920s and 1930s:

It is difficult to date this cartoon, although there is a date notation in the lower right hand corner "11-20". Between my research on Wikipedia and the YesterYear Once More blog (note the great fashion paperdoll & dresses from the 1920s and 1930s!), it looks most likely to be from November 20, 1939.