For today's Sew Expensive post, I have for you a very rare pattern. I know a lot of us were watching this little baby on Ebay and it was pretty clear that something like this was going to go for a whole lot of money.
This beautiful 1920's Pictorial Review 5565 sold on Ebay for an amazing $275.
~ On a side note, I have bought patterns from this seller a few times before and have always been very happy with my purchases. You might want to check out her shop on eBay. ~
So what was so rare about this particular pattern? Sewing patterns from the 1920's are rare just by themselves and don't come up very often. Evening gown patterns from the 1920's are almost impossible to find. Sewing patterns from Pictorial Review and the 1920's are even more rare and sought after but that's not the whole appeal. I think the biggest factor at play in this pattern's value is that it's a designer pattern. Designer patterns from this era are almost unheard of and this one is an original Patou design.
For those of you who aren't familiar with him, Jean Patou was a very popular French designer until his untimely and early death in 1936.
He is well known for eradicating the short boxy 'flapper' look by lengthening skirts and elongating the feminine silhouette.
Patou is also well known for designing sportswear for women. I have a 1931 French Modes et Travaux magazine in my collection (recently added to my etsy shop because I don't have the wall space to frame them all) that features a Jean Patou ski outfit on the cover.
How about you? Do you think that this amazing little piece of sewing pattern history was worth the price tag?
