Tag Archives: sewing

“Pants People—All of Us,” 1971

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Lynn

This 1971 booklet from Vogue Patterns was a lucky eBay find.  “The ‘70s see them [pants] as a mainstay of feminine wardrobes,” reads the peppy opening paragraph, “totally fashion-right everywhere, any time, for any occasion.” (4) This bold statement was … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Eat My Words

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Lynn

You might know my love of Mrs. Exeter, Vogue magazine’s effort to reach out to the older woman in the years after World War Two.  She appeared in many places, including the fashion magazine, the Vogue Pattern Book magazine, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Considering the Pinafore

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Lynn

You might have noticed that pinafores are back in style. How many times has this garment been revived in some shape or form?  In 1941, Vogue Patterns brought out not one but two different versions.  The magazine copy for the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

International Women’s Day in Stockton, California

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Lynn

When I searched for International Women’s Day on the Digital Public Library site, I found mainly images from abroad.  Even though the holiday began in the United States, historically it has not received that much coverage here (although Google is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Natalie Chanin’s American-Made Enterprise

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Lynn

If you have ever wondered what it would take—and what it would cost—to bring textile and garment construction back to the United States, designer and ecological visionary Natalie Chanin has some ideas for you. After a career as a garment … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Today’s Fit on My Body—Vogue 1411 Pants

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Lynn

I took my own challenge to see if Sandra Betzina’s “Today’s Fit” line fit offered advantages for my own aging body.  The results were mixed, but I did learn a lot and got a new (if imperfect), comfortable pair of … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Today’s Fit Patterns by Sandra Betzina—A Line for Older Women?

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Lynn

In the Spring of 1999, Vogue Patterns launched a new line by well-known sewing expert, Sandra Betzina.  This wasn’t just a collection of new designs; instead, Betzina introduced a new sizing system that she called “Today’s Fit.”  “Today’s woman doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in 1990, 2000s, 2010s, General | Tagged , | 7 Comments

At the Sewing Machine, 1932

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Lynn

This portrait, a gift from the wonderful Lizzie Bramlett, is apparently a practice photo by a budding new photographer.  On the back the maker has listed the day (June 25, 1932), the time (4:00 pm), the camera setting (F6.3, 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Home on the Range, 1948

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Lynn

What to wear on vacation?  The high summer issue of Vogue Pattern Book in 1948 tackled this very question.  It presented four different holiday scenarios—a weekend at the shore, a week on a ranch, a two weeks’ cruise, and a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Pants (and Other Bifurcations) Go Mainstream, 1971

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Lynn

When did pants become acceptable garb for almost any occasion?  Of course that answer depends on where you look.  However, judging by the International edition of Vogue Pattern Book for August/September 1971, pants had really taken off. I counted nineteen … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments