Vintage/Retro Sewing Style

As I continue to get my sewing room in order, I am re-discovering all of my books, notions, etc.

Today I was going thru some books and discovered this series of sewing books.  One that I found and have been reading thru is the "Simplified Systems of Sewing and Styling".

The series was authored by Doris Anderson.  The original copyright was 1948.  I was able to get my hands on copy published in 1966 (21st edition) at an estate sale.This is a set of ten lessons:

I love the older sewing books. In a lot of instances I think they better explain the how and why better than some of the new books when it comes to techniques.

I've been reading the first lesson: Selection of Patterns and Fabrics.  I found many blogs that reviews the lessons.  Lesson 1 has been reviewed here (so I won't do my own but refer you to these):

• What I Found Blog: Lesson 1
• Black Fashion World Blog: Lesson 1
• Modern Retro Woman Blog: Lesson 1
• Sunflower Makeup Blog: Lesson 1
• Diary of Blue Girl: Lesson 1

As you can tell this series appear to be pretty popular.

So I figured why not apply the principles of this series.  In the first book it talks about knowing your style and pattern selection.

Just yesterday I attended a estate sale to purchase some 1950/1960 editions of Vogue pattern magazines to get ideas on how to accessories all these vintage style garments I'm making.  Well while there, I found an ample supply of Vogue Designer patterns: 

Each of these patterns is an example of the "general line affects" that is described in Lesson 1 of these books.

• Vogue Paris Original #1219 (1975) - This pattern utilizes the straight line, with its center front tab and center seams.  The lesson states that straight lines, ".... tend to make one look sophisticated."
• Vogue Couturier Design #1051, Valentino (1975)- This patterns implements the straight (The button tab on the left side of the dress) and curved lines (The top stitching around the neckline).
• Vogue Couturier Design #1121, Sybil Connolly - This patterns is an example of diagonal line.  The lesson states that the diagonal line from shoulder to hem gives the illusion of length and slenderizing.

I am definitely going to give the Sybil Connolly dress a try, I love the way it looks and the drape of the skirt.

Did I mention that I only paid 50 cents each!  The patterns have never been cut and come with the Designer Label that Vogue used to include in their designer patterns!

Now off to my sewing room . . . . .

Happy Sewing!!!!!