See it Sewn - Simplicity 3630 from a 1960 Catalog

Today for you, my talented sewists, I'd like to introduce a new feature that I'd like to include in our regularly scheduled blog-casting.

Today for See it Sewn, I'd like to show you how fun it can be to take a peak at a vintage pattern catalog that had a revolutionary idea: Photographs of patterns sewn!
What is this madness? At sometime in the late 1950s (this is a loose estimate, as I do not have a lot of catalogs to reference) someone finally had the brilliant idea of sewing up and photographing sewing patterns to make pattern counter catalogs look more like fashion magazines.

In today's particular instance, the models were styled flawlessly and provide a snap-shot of how these garments were meant to look. The pattern illustrations alone could often make some styles look boring or dated.

That is the case with Simplicity 3630.

Image courtesy of the Vintage Patterns Wikia.

This could look like just another early 60s coat to most pattern sellers and collectors. It's ok, sure, but not cutting edge, not wildly chic.
Or is it?

Simplicity 3630 as featured in my October 1960 Counter Catalog.

This model, sporting the same Simplicity 3630 in "Highland Grape" wool plaid, accessorized with long, leather gloves and a fur hat with her makeup done to the nines, could not be more stylish.
Note the large buttons, and the massive pockets with the plaid matched perfectly.
This is a COAT and seeing it sewn took it from drab to fab in seconds.

A few pages later in the same catalog, we see Simplicity 3642. Here is the original pattern envelope.

Image courtesy of the Vintage Patterns Wikia.

Not bad, a bit more stylish in illustration.
And here it is, sewn in a "Winter Plum" plaid similar to the coat above.

Simplicity 3642 as shown in the October 1960 Counter Catalog.

Note again her stylish hat, the semi-long gloves, her choice of belt and brooch. Notice how the upper seamed panels over her bust have been cut on the bias to give the plaid a different effect? It's sheer brilliance!

It makes me look with fresh eyes at patterns that I would normally pass right by.

How about you? Have you ever seen something sewn that made you look at a pattern in a different light?

Happy sewing!

P.S.
Copies of both of these patterns can usually be found from your favorite pattern sellers on Etsy.
Below are links to searches for each of these that will show you who currently has them for sale.

Simplicity 3630 Coat

Simplicity 3642 Dress

My Very First Giveaway!

My dear lovely readers, for the next week you have the chance to win a lovely prize package very generously offered by an Etsy friend of mine, and a fellow "born in the wrong era" girl,  ErikawithaK.

A Couple of questions I asked Erika showed me that she and I have a lot more in common than I thought!

Me: How did you get started sewing?

Erika: "I started sewing in high school but really got into it in college at Salisbury University in Maryland when I worked as a Costumer's Assistant for our theatre department. That's where I really learned how to construct clothing and anything that I do know about tailoring, fitting, and pattern alterations. Since then I have also taken up with quilting and embroidery."

Me: *Sigh* That's my dream job. How did you get started selling vintage on Etsy?

Erika: I wanted to start an Etsy shop to supplement my low wage income working at a bookstore. I chose vintage because I didn't think I had the stamina to open a handmade shop, at least not yet, and also because I LOVE going to thrift shops, yard sales and auctions and have been doing it all my life. I can remember being a really little kid and how hard it was to resist the urge to throw my hand up and bid! Something, I definitely failed at a few times... Anyway, I have always found way more cool stuff then I had room for or could ever possibly sew up and so I wanted to share the treasures I found with other people.

Me: I too spent most of my childhood trailing behind my mom at thrift shops, garage and estate sales, antique stores and flea markets. Vintage is in my blood. And that's exactly why I started selling on Etsy too. My stash got to big, and I started to feel like a hoarder (only the good stuff, of course!)

Erika is clearly just the sort of kindred sewer and vintage enthusiast we can all relate too. And by all, I mean me.

And she's offering this lovely gift package to one lucky reader:

The giveaway includes a lovely vintage pattern, a vintage edition of Work Basket Magazine from 1960, some great retro fabric, and some cute buttons to top it all off.
The pattern is really cool.  It's called a "Scoop Neck Skimmer" and it's printed by McCall's for mail order.  It's a size 10-12, Bust 31-32 and is uncut and in factory folds. (Don't you just love being the first person to use a pattern?)

To enter the giveaway, simply click on this link to Erika's shop, and tell me which item you like best (she has some of the BEST patterns from many different decades.
For an extra entry, you can become a follower of this blog, if you aren't already. (Just leave another comment to let me know.)
I'll announce the winner (who will be drawn by a random number generator) on Saturday the 23rd.
Good luck!