In Search of Style: A Natty "Mad Men" Blazer

A rare event: this "In Search of Style" is for a man's pattern!

The clipping: In a 1961 men's jacket pattern was tucked this clipping of a sharp blazer from a Sears catalog. Straight from the Mad Men era, this crisp jacket has slim lapels and a fine fit. So manly! And I love that little reference to "Neatniks" at the bottom of the page - haha!

The pattern: And here it is, Advance 9954, with the men looking very Don Draper-esque in pose and in fashion. :) This handsome sport jacket has the same lapels as the clipping, and the same cut-away hemline in front, though the pattern goes with patch pockets while the clipping features inset pockets. This pattern has very tailored details, including two-piece long sleeves for a perfect fit, and interfacing with both muslin and hair canvas. Shaping in the shoulders is well-detailed, and the back has contoured seams at the sides of the center. First rate!

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Voices from the Past: 1940s Seamstress Documents Her Work

How well do you document how you sewed a garment? Or do you document your changes at all?

The seamstress who sewed this very fine man's 1940s sports jacket in the mid-1950s wrote copious notes that detail her steps to construct this garment and then tucked them in the pattern envelope.

Not only are there a plethora of measurements, she describes numerous details about how many of what were used and exact placements of buttons, buttonholes, pockets, and more.  Read these notes and be impressed with the level of detail - I am!

Here are two hand-made pocket pieces that were included with the notes.