Since I have decided to specialise my Etsy shop more into one thing - vintage sewing patterns - I would also like to know more about what my customers are interested in! I come across so many unusual or interesting things but don't know if they would sell at all, so I have decided to create a little survey to find out more. This shouldn't take you longer than 5 minutes to fill out, so I would really like all of you to participate! Please also forward it to other people if you know that they're interested in vintage patterns!
Thanks!
Showing posts with label sewing accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing accessories. Show all posts
2013-08-30
2013-08-18
Vintage sewing patterns - looking for the more "exotic"?
I'm still trying to catch up after holidays and lots of other things have either kept me away or busy! As you may have noticed though, I have stocked up my Etsy shop on the sewing pattern side a great deal.
I have also created some new pattern categories to make your search a little easier. If you prefer the modern reissue patterns like Vintage Vogue, you'll now find them in a separate category as Retro sewing patterns. They're all uncut, but hurry, there's not a lot of those left, and the category will probably disappear from my shop.
For the vintage sewing patterns, there's not only a separate category, but also lots of "new" stock to check out! There's not only a lot of American patterns like Simplicity or McCall's, but you'll also find some rather "exotic" rare European ones like Burda, Brigitte/Ullstein, Herbillon, Jolymode or Switzerland's own Ringier. Some of them do come with more language option instructions than just German or the pattern pieces themselves have printed-on instructions in further languages. A personal fave of mine are the Jolymode patterns which have a great concept and show an early multi-size option for patterns, like this one:
As far as I know, these patterns were available through the Jolymode magazines - you bought the mag and then could order the patterns. This is, directions, measurement table and all, printed on pattern paper:
It offers three different sizes, and basically you could cut the pattern out right in your size. Very nice! Even Burda at this time still sold their patterns in single sizes only, so I was quite surprised by this one.
What I also learned was that a log of European pattern companies provided with their patterns a sheet of generic sewing tips etc. that would be the same with every pattern, and a separate one specific to the actual pattern, which sometimes even appears to have been originally written by typewriter! The emphasis was clearly on production being inexpensive. An interesting example of this are the Brigitte/Ullstein sewing patterns of the 60s and 70s. Brigitte is an iconic German women's magazine. What I did not know whas that they also sold sewing patterns - I am guessing they must have been advertised in their magazines in some way. It isn't a sewing magazine per se though, but a classic women's magazine that of course also includes fashion. Ullstein is a publishing company, and they must have been responsible for producing the patterns.
This is a really cute little secretary dress that could be worn in so many ways! Looking at the back of the pattern, you can see how it was produced. This pink leaflet it seems was based on something like a template that was filled out with the necessary details of the pattern and then copied.
I have also created some new pattern categories to make your search a little easier. If you prefer the modern reissue patterns like Vintage Vogue, you'll now find them in a separate category as Retro sewing patterns. They're all uncut, but hurry, there's not a lot of those left, and the category will probably disappear from my shop.
For the vintage sewing patterns, there's not only a separate category, but also lots of "new" stock to check out! There's not only a lot of American patterns like Simplicity or McCall's, but you'll also find some rather "exotic" rare European ones like Burda, Brigitte/Ullstein, Herbillon, Jolymode or Switzerland's own Ringier. Some of them do come with more language option instructions than just German or the pattern pieces themselves have printed-on instructions in further languages. A personal fave of mine are the Jolymode patterns which have a great concept and show an early multi-size option for patterns, like this one:
What I also learned was that a log of European pattern companies provided with their patterns a sheet of generic sewing tips etc. that would be the same with every pattern, and a separate one specific to the actual pattern, which sometimes even appears to have been originally written by typewriter! The emphasis was clearly on production being inexpensive. An interesting example of this are the Brigitte/Ullstein sewing patterns of the 60s and 70s. Brigitte is an iconic German women's magazine. What I did not know whas that they also sold sewing patterns - I am guessing they must have been advertised in their magazines in some way. It isn't a sewing magazine per se though, but a classic women's magazine that of course also includes fashion. Ullstein is a publishing company, and they must have been responsible for producing the patterns.
Brigitte/Ullstein sewing pattern
The actual pattern pieces were pre-cut, unprinted, and the numbers and basic instructions were actually stamped on!
If you're looking for inspiration for a wedding or evening gown, or any other kind of formal dress, I have also come upon this fabulous Burda bridal magazine from 1994:
If you're looking for inspiration for a wedding or evening gown, or any other kind of formal dress, I have also come upon this fabulous Burda bridal magazine from 1994:
And in a reverse of things, I have actually also stumbled on the sewing pattern in the Burda magazine of November 1966 that one of the dresses in my Etsy shop must have been made from - now how unusual is that! Of course, there's no nicer way of actually dating a home-made vintage dress.
2013-02-02
Cocktail anyone?
What fun! This super cute cocktail apron pattern was amongst the patterns that arrived yesterday - and it's even unused.
Even more fun - when I examined the sleeve, a piece of folded paper fell out:
An ad cut from a newspaper, for cocktail aprons by the Swiss supermarket chain Migros. The funny thing aside is for me that Migros never sold alcoholic beverages (they still don't these days). According to the ad, the aprons were made of cotton in "modern colors" with different designs embroidered on.
Looks like the previous owner of this pattern saw the ad and thought she could make this herself, but never got around to. Well, you now have the chance, because the pattern is available in my Etsy shop :-).
2013-02-01
Coming soon...
After a day of wiggling around in a true 1950s wiggle skirt and high heels (no, not very practical, but looks good & gives me a kick every time I wear it!), I came home to find that new stock for my Etsy shop had arrived - yeah! I have realised I need to re-stock vintage sewing patterns, since they seem to be in good demand, and just happened to come across some nice ones. So, coming to my Etsy shop soon: lots of chic 50s to 70s patterns, most of them in not-too-small sizes!
As you may know, I occasionally also blog in a professional capacity. My latest epistle has just been published and can be read here: http://blog.travelhouse.ch/de/2013/01/28/das-great-barrier-reef-in-australien-mehr-als-nur-ein-riff/ (sorry, German only). Yes, we are turning quite social media-active! I admit, it's fun and it's pretty easy since we have a dedicated team taking care of this stuff, we don't have to wait around long anymore for things to happen. My next entry should be coming up soon as well!
As you may know, I occasionally also blog in a professional capacity. My latest epistle has just been published and can be read here: http://blog.travelhouse.ch/de/2013/01/28/das-great-barrier-reef-in-australien-mehr-als-nur-ein-riff/ (sorry, German only). Yes, we are turning quite social media-active! I admit, it's fun and it's pretty easy since we have a dedicated team taking care of this stuff, we don't have to wait around long anymore for things to happen. My next entry should be coming up soon as well!
2012-10-07
Round-up: great finds, great stuff in the shop, and more vintage fun.
Ok, so I've been lazy of late. Just no time to write... sorry! But - I have a new project. Just wait!
First on - my "crusade". First, after the other replies I'd mentioned, I had only one more, from one of the big-big chains, apologizing and thanking me for bringing this to my attention. The other international (Scandinavian) companies didn't care a tick. So much for that. What did come up though was that the publisher of the magazine had replied to me! His reply was forwarded to me by the very nice lady of the above-mentioned chain. I swear, I never got any of his e-mails. They must have landed in some spam filter. This never having happened to me before, I honestly doubt that the spam filter on my side was the problem... Whatever, they apogized etc. and it seems the magazine was actually pulled out of the shops, because not even the Press Council could get their hands on it anymore after they got my message. The publisher has no promised me that there would be an apology in their next issue, which I think should be out soon, as autumn has started. I do hope they do it!
If you visited my Etsy shop in the mean time, you may have noticed some fabulous sewing accessories and other accessories there. In fact, it has quite been the summer for accessories!
I was able to get my hands on a lot of utterly fabulous 1920s-50s buckles, collars and dickeys, all new old stock, this summer! Well, some buttons too, but more about that later. Some of the collars and jabots have already gone, sold almost immediately to someone who said this was one of their favorite looks. Well, I'm glad they went somewhere where they're appreciated and worn. However, there are still some dickeys and modesty panels that are absolutely fabulous: http://www.etsy.com/shop/willynillyart?section_id=10533906. And if you still need a fab 1930s Art deco belt buckle, check them out now: http://www.etsy.com/shop/willynillyart?section_id=11883326! Aren't they just awesome? There's also a heap of Vintage Vogue sewing patterns, all uncut, if you need to make that chic outfit.
I of course also bought some things for my own collection...
How about this pristine 1920s dress insert? So chic! 
Or a cheecky jabot? And THE most fabulous 1930s plastic buckles. Not bakelite, they are all very light, but aren't they great?
Also, there were some fabulous glass and metal or plastic buttons:
Some are glass, but most are plastic, and some of them feature quite the same style as some of the buckles! It was just so fascinating to see all these things coming together!
For more vintage fun this summer, I also found some incredibly fab vintage to wear in Vienna. In fact, I think this was my best haul ever! True to the old adage that you never know with Humana, I found all the good stuff bar one piece in those shops that do not usually carry vintage per se - vintage pieces older than the 70s turning up at those is not the rule... But then it's the same as with collectiong dolls - the thrill of the hunt is what makes half the fun, not just the wearing it or having it!
Ca. 1960s blue nylon tricot slip by Gara of Italy. Every Humana shop had a bevy of these in all colors of the pastel rainbow - they must have come out of some old shop stock. All paper tags were still attached.
A super tiny looking 1940s summer dress, that I didn't even dare to try to wiggle into at the shop, where I found it on the last day. But the price was too reasonable (for once) not to take it. The material is probably some rayon/cotton blend, with embroidered-on flowers. The dress speaks of material shortness all over - it's quite short, though it was probably made for someone shorter than me, with very narrow seams, and a blue zipper (which looks original) in the black dress... I paired it with a pair of Chie Mihara platform sandals, that look a bit retro. It's very flattering with a swingy dress, puffy sleeves and a well-accentuated waist. Just what I love about 1940s looks!
This incredible dress hung on a rack full of crazy 1980s evening wear - lots of black poly, stretch, velvet, gold and other color lamé... The side opening with the small snaps was on my side of the rack, and was what actually made me look twice! It didn't look like a lot on the hanger, but when I put it on, I knew I had a winner! It's a very sexy black evening dress, nicely made, ca. 1930s-40s, with a slinky bias-cut skirt. It may have been that this once had long sleeves that were removed at some point. Plus in the back near the hem, there are a few small holes - somebody must have stepped on it! However, I think I can fix this and I am holding on this, as it is the perfect black evening dress! And with my secondhand Ferragamo evening shoes, there will be no danger of me treading on the skirt too ;-).
Ultimately wearable for work is also this blue sheath dress, ca. 1960s. So comfortable and good looking! The material is probably some mix, I had no luck with the burn test... There's a few small holes that needed mending (and yes, it has been to the freezer to make sure nothing happens!), but otherwise it's perfect.
Also, for the first time, I have dared to buy two vintage dresses just for the purpose of re-selling! They were too nice (and too nicely prices) not to take! From the same dubious rack as the black evening dress came this black 1950s crepe dress. It is super-elegant and gracious I think - and an unusual XL size! Probably made by a seamstress, with self-covered buttons decorated with glass beads. Wow! Now available in my shop here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/105555155/1950s-graceful-black-crepe-evening
And here's a late 1960s brocade evening dress, also incredibly beautifully made by a pro. Check it out here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/104943226/1960s-glamorous-gold-and-blue-brocade
First on - my "crusade". First, after the other replies I'd mentioned, I had only one more, from one of the big-big chains, apologizing and thanking me for bringing this to my attention. The other international (Scandinavian) companies didn't care a tick. So much for that. What did come up though was that the publisher of the magazine had replied to me! His reply was forwarded to me by the very nice lady of the above-mentioned chain. I swear, I never got any of his e-mails. They must have landed in some spam filter. This never having happened to me before, I honestly doubt that the spam filter on my side was the problem... Whatever, they apogized etc. and it seems the magazine was actually pulled out of the shops, because not even the Press Council could get their hands on it anymore after they got my message. The publisher has no promised me that there would be an apology in their next issue, which I think should be out soon, as autumn has started. I do hope they do it!
If you visited my Etsy shop in the mean time, you may have noticed some fabulous sewing accessories and other accessories there. In fact, it has quite been the summer for accessories!
I was able to get my hands on a lot of utterly fabulous 1920s-50s buckles, collars and dickeys, all new old stock, this summer! Well, some buttons too, but more about that later. Some of the collars and jabots have already gone, sold almost immediately to someone who said this was one of their favorite looks. Well, I'm glad they went somewhere where they're appreciated and worn. However, there are still some dickeys and modesty panels that are absolutely fabulous: http://www.etsy.com/shop/willynillyart?section_id=10533906. And if you still need a fab 1930s Art deco belt buckle, check them out now: http://www.etsy.com/shop/willynillyart?section_id=11883326! Aren't they just awesome? There's also a heap of Vintage Vogue sewing patterns, all uncut, if you need to make that chic outfit.
I of course also bought some things for my own collection...
How about this pristine 1920s dress insert? So chic! Or a cheecky jabot? And THE most fabulous 1930s plastic buckles. Not bakelite, they are all very light, but aren't they great? Also, there were some fabulous glass and metal or plastic buttons:
I also went to Vienna again for a week, and there my friend got her hand on a big bag full of buttons, from the estate of a lady who was a seamstress. We spent some two hours sitting on the floor and sorting them out... I took these home in the end:
For more vintage fun this summer, I also found some incredibly fab vintage to wear in Vienna. In fact, I think this was my best haul ever! True to the old adage that you never know with Humana, I found all the good stuff bar one piece in those shops that do not usually carry vintage per se - vintage pieces older than the 70s turning up at those is not the rule... But then it's the same as with collectiong dolls - the thrill of the hunt is what makes half the fun, not just the wearing it or having it!
Ca. 1960s blue nylon tricot slip by Gara of Italy. Every Humana shop had a bevy of these in all colors of the pastel rainbow - they must have come out of some old shop stock. All paper tags were still attached. A super tiny looking 1940s summer dress, that I didn't even dare to try to wiggle into at the shop, where I found it on the last day. But the price was too reasonable (for once) not to take it. The material is probably some rayon/cotton blend, with embroidered-on flowers. The dress speaks of material shortness all over - it's quite short, though it was probably made for someone shorter than me, with very narrow seams, and a blue zipper (which looks original) in the black dress... I paired it with a pair of Chie Mihara platform sandals, that look a bit retro. It's very flattering with a swingy dress, puffy sleeves and a well-accentuated waist. Just what I love about 1940s looks! 
This incredible dress hung on a rack full of crazy 1980s evening wear - lots of black poly, stretch, velvet, gold and other color lamé... The side opening with the small snaps was on my side of the rack, and was what actually made me look twice! It didn't look like a lot on the hanger, but when I put it on, I knew I had a winner! It's a very sexy black evening dress, nicely made, ca. 1930s-40s, with a slinky bias-cut skirt. It may have been that this once had long sleeves that were removed at some point. Plus in the back near the hem, there are a few small holes - somebody must have stepped on it! However, I think I can fix this and I am holding on this, as it is the perfect black evening dress! And with my secondhand Ferragamo evening shoes, there will be no danger of me treading on the skirt too ;-).
Ultimately wearable for work is also this blue sheath dress, ca. 1960s. So comfortable and good looking! The material is probably some mix, I had no luck with the burn test... There's a few small holes that needed mending (and yes, it has been to the freezer to make sure nothing happens!), but otherwise it's perfect.
Also, for the first time, I have dared to buy two vintage dresses just for the purpose of re-selling! They were too nice (and too nicely prices) not to take! From the same dubious rack as the black evening dress came this black 1950s crepe dress. It is super-elegant and gracious I think - and an unusual XL size! Probably made by a seamstress, with self-covered buttons decorated with glass beads. Wow! Now available in my shop here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/105555155/1950s-graceful-black-crepe-evening
And here's a late 1960s brocade evening dress, also incredibly beautifully made by a pro. Check it out here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/104943226/1960s-glamorous-gold-and-blue-brocade
To top it all off, it was of course also Indianapolis in Oerlikon again! Of course I was wearing vintage! You already know this dress of course. There's nothing like a vintage cotton frock for a hot summer's day...
And for more vintage transport geekery... it was also the big celebration (Pistenfest) at the regional airstrip at Birrfeld. And there my dad and I got the chance to go on a scenic fligh on a Junkers JU-52! How great is that? She's a bit of a metal can, good old "Auntie Ju", but considering the recent exploit of another of Ju-Air's Jus, in flying all the way to L.A. and back without a bit of trouble (see http://www.rimowa-in-the-air.com/northamerica/logbuch/), this just goes to show how well solid old engineering can go! And it was great fun, wow!
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