Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Lovely German Patterns...

I have been watching German pattern magazines go like crazy on Ebay lately. I even ponied up the money to buy a few of them. This got me looking on a few other web sites to find more and pretty soon I did. I recently bought one sight unseen from a German book dealer. I knew it was from the 1930's, and I confirmed that it had the pattern sheet included, but didn't ask any more questions. The price was reasonable so I figured it would be a fun surprise to find out what was inside.

My Illustrierte Wache- und Handarbeits-Zeitung arrived in the mail today and I was really eager to find out what I had bought.


It turns out that this particular issue was ENTIRELY dedicated to Lingerie. Perfect, isn't it, how some things just work out?


If you're not too familiar with German pattern magazines, all you need to know is that the lingerie issue is the hardest to find, and really pricey when you do.


I love how I've had nothing but corsets, bras and garter belts on the brain for the last 2 months, and here's a wealth of them!


Just look at those garter belts!


The simple sets of teddies/ Cami-knickers are really lovely on their own. Check out that delicate scalloped hemline!



 Above are some serious support garments, wouldn't you say?





Yes, there are even knitting patterns for underthings, how great is that?! They thought of everything for this issue. I only wish that the most recent Burda Style issue with lingerie had been half as creative or comprehensive.


The best part is that the pattern sheet is crisp and strong. I don't even think it was ever even unfolded.
I recently had a horrible experience with my local copy shop's scanner eating one of my poor pattern sheets and spitting it out in pieces so there will be no paper copies in the meantime, but PDFs are sure to follow soon!

Next up for me after the sew-along is the much asked for French bathing suit pattern that will be loosely based off of the below, and then... more lingerie, of course!


Which of the above lovely patterns would you like to see multi-sized and available for download?

17 comments:

  1. i have a few copies of that magazine, too, it's so interesting to look at and read. in everyissue they have a section on recycling / upcycling old garments, which is exactly what people are turning to, today.
    let me know how sewing anything works out for you, i'm still a little hesitant... :)
    x from switzerland, barbara

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  2. How exciting! This is the same as my German pattern magazines (a different issue of course). Though I have a lot of similar patterns, the slip to the right of 14747 (4th set of images) looks simple and pretty - and I wouldn't mind seeing that as a PDF.

    I had no idea a french bathing suit was in the works. I really want to make this one up! (You should really do a sew along for this as well). Do you have images of the rest of that pattern magazine?

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    1. Hey Ann, The pictures above are the only patterns in the whole issue. There's not a single non-lingerie pattern, so cool! A Sew-along for the bathing suit will be a must, good idea!

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  3. What luck! It looks fantastic. I'm in for the bathing suit sew along

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  4. I'm in for the bathing suit sew along if I can (college is preventing me from sewing)are you going to make a pattern for the really cute shorts and top that's in that same image??

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    1. Chastity,
      Colelge got int he way of sewing for me too... I've been wanting to do a play-suit pattern for a while, maybe I will do this one, or something very close. I'll have to think on that; it's a good idea.

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  5. Gorgeous issue and really perfect for you with all of the lingery^^
    If you need any help with translation let me know - I'm from Germany.

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    1. Thanks, that's so sweet of you to offer! I may just have to take you up on that, I could always thank you with patterns :)

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  6. Gorgeous underthings :-) I have been buying from German book dealers too, much cheaper than ebay usually. I also have a lingerie issue, from the 40s/50s, but it only has the one pattern sheet instead of the original two, unfortunately.

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  7. How can you ask me to pick when I love them all!

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  8. I have been wanting to make those kind of shorts for a very long time! They look so fun and perfect for summer.

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  9. OOOH! I'm SO excited about the bathing suit! Much needed and just in time for warm weather :)

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  10. Oh, i´m so envious, especially since I am german and could even read the instructions... maybe I could find something like that araund...? I would love the garter belt 14...3, the pretty, more elaborate one, or the bra 14...0. And maybe you could share something of the embelishing techniques in the magazine, since it´s called wäsche und handarbeiten?

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  11. Great finds. I've been lurking other sites for secret stash as well. I find ebay nuts. Happy hunting!

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  12. The slip on the right page of the second and third picture.
    I have a hard time finding wellfitting slips in charity shops, so I would love to sew one. Wishing you a lovely weekend. :)

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  13. Of the German patterns, i like that longline number (slip, bra/girdle combo,??) on page 3 and the robe with the contrasting collar/ pocket cuff on page 8. Whatever you do, it will be a welcome addition to your pattern collection.

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  14. Gorgeous! The lingerie patterns are amazing! The playsuit number is absolutely adorable, too!

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