This season my favourite styles and DIYs have been a subtle (or often not so subtle) nod to feminine fashion of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. So instead of reaching for magazines for inspiration from the latest shows, why not take am leaf out of another book – a vintage sewing pattern book that is!
If you’ve been following this blog for a while you’ll know that in the past I’ve avoided using patterns in my sewing. Die hard sewing addicts out there will be shaking their heads at this but sadly they bring back all too disturbing memories… Of my high school dances where my mum wouldn’t buy me a Sass & Bide beaded dress but instead took me to the sewing shop and pulled out all the pattern books, at the time filled with not so cute designs… An experience I’m thanking her for now but unfortunately the prickly feeling when I open up a pattern book just won’t go away.
But perhaps now is the time to get over that? As you know we’ve already started experimenting with making patterns from our own clothes, so maybe it’s time to take the next step? Either way, finding vintage sewing patterns from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s on Pinterest has definitely been inspiring my summer style and DIY projects lately – off the shoulders, matching two pieces, high waisted shorts and culottes all in simple patterns and primary colours. I’m totally in!
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Square necklines and hip pockets? Count me in! - Square necklines and hip pockets? Count me in!
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High waisted skirt and crop halter tops, just add a basket bag! - High waisted skirt and crop halter tops, just add a basket bag!
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Nautical style at its best. - Nautical style at its best.
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Culottes made cute. - Culottes made cute.
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Bow front tops and high waisted shorts... Literally me. - Bow front tops and high waisted shorts… Literally me.
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And again! - And again!
Tie front tops are everywhere at the moment, see my easy tutorial here.
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The cross back dress? Been there, loved that. - The cross back dress? Been there, loved that.
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Green gingham for the win. - Green gingham for the win.
So into this cross back design… You can find the one I made here!
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Skorts make summer fun. - Skorts make summer fun.
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Matching sets, always. - Matching sets, always.
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Form fitting dresses and stripes. - Form fitting dresses and stripes.
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Off the shoulder, all day everyday. - Off the shoulder, all day everyday.
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Nightgowns that make perfect daywear (and hello kitty!). - Nightgowns that make perfect daywear (and hello kitty!).
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Swimwear inspiring my rompers DIYs. - Swimwear inspiring my rompers DIYs.
I love that so many of the above styles are actually sleepwear or swimwear… It’s clear how much we’ve changed in terms of how much skin we’re willing to show. Kind of reminds me of when I was 18 and I asked my Dad if he liked my outfit and he said ‘yes that’s a lovely swimsuit’ and I said ‘Dad, it’s a dress!’. Who in the world would want have daughters, seriously. Haha.
Patterns Via: Lady Marlow Patterns, McCall Patterns, Decades of Style Patterns, So Vintage, Fandom, Wondertrading, Avid Vintage, MC Chills Sewing Patterns, Ebay.
