I recently made my #20in2020 list, splitting into ten fabrics and ten patterns that I want to get to this year. But that of course left out the many other patterns I am keen to try!
IF I were to add a list of ten more patterns to that challenge, there are at least ten of my thrifted 80s and 90s patterns that I would love to make this year. I am not adding them to an actual challenge, but I did think I'd share some of my favourites from my fairly large retro stash.
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What I am always most excited by are dress patterns. I love dresses. This 1984 McCalls 8960 says Fast Times at Ridgemont High to me -- the checkerboard print is spectacularly 80s. This could be a really fun make. The Simplicity 7668 from 1991 has a nice skirt option in this elasticated waist dress - and an interesting elastic waist jacket.
Vogue 9166 is 90s elegance and has the simple detail of tripled topstitching at neckline and sleeve hems. I think this would look great in a beautiful linen. McCalls 3551 is oh so 80s -- All views are basically the same dress, except for the yellow View B which has a collar added.
Style always has interesting design lines in their patterns. Style 4233 from 1984 is no exception - with a high neckline and dolman sleeves, plus the full skirt that I like better, this one is a bit of a fabric hog. But I think it's really cute. Simplicity 8346 is similar to the other 90s "Damon Dress Inc" pattern above, but also includes a woven cardigan pattern. I really like this one, both the dress and jacket.
And finally, another look in at something besides a dress... I have these two super cute patterns for separates. I've seen side buttoned skirts in both Big Four and Indie patterns this season, and remembered this Butterick 4716 from the late 80s in my stash. This has a nice shaped waistband, and I love the view with coloured tights. The McCalls 4042, also from the 80s, has a variety of top views, I think they are all pretty great. The purple short sleeved one would look good with the Butterick skirt, too!
Do you like to collect old patterns? If so, what's your favourite one right now? Which one would you choose to make up right away?
Those tops in the last pic are everything!! I also really like V9166. Great finds!
ReplyDeleteI have a few older patterns from a pattern swap and an amazing trench coat pattern that I keep meaning to get to. Soon.
Those tops are a definite 2020 goal. The V9166 I got from a pattern swap. I love it when people bring older patterns as well as current ones :)
DeleteLooking forward to seeing you try that trench coat pattern.
Yes I do love collecting old patterns too. I am about to sew up a Style pattern from the early 80s and my next project after that is a Butterick skirt from the early 2000s.
ReplyDeleteMost of my patterns are older so I try to keep it ' fresh ' by buying a new Burdastyle every now and then. I hope you get to some of your older patterns. One of my favourite winter looks is a boucle jumper with various tops underneath. It's over a decade old now but I still wear it regularly.
I love those Style patterns! I'll be interested to see yours when you're done. I love uncovering old patterns at thrift shops or garage sales. They are so interesting for the different lines and instructions and images -- well, everything for me. And I do love buying Burdastyle too!
DeleteLove them all, the 80's patterns seemed to have such stylish envelope illustrations. I recently found a bunch of my original pattern stash from this era in my Mum's sewing rooom when they weremoving after 43 years. Every one had so many memories attached.
ReplyDeleteI agree, they have a certain stylish charm to them! I still have a couple of 80s patterns that I and/or my mother made in the 80s. Both in size 10 but I still keep them for the memories and the lovely illustrations.
Deletewhere do you find your old patterns? Being in Ontario, like you, I find that ordering from ebay has huge mailing costs for just a thin paper pattern! So I end up not buying....
ReplyDeleteI don't usually buy anything online -- I go to thrift stores fairly often, and fortunately there are still a few near me who will sell patterns. I pick them up when I see them :)
DeleteI have very few retro patterns. I guess cause back in the 80's and 90's I made all my own clothes - even undies!
ReplyDeleteI recently though sewed an old skirt pattern (that was my favourite back in the day) Its a New Look but the same as your white Butterick. I can't tell you how often friends said - where did you get that? I would love a skirt like that. Which was very nice.
The Simplicity 9757 Jumper reminds me very much of the Helens Closest York Pinafore, which I love enough to have made six...
I love your choices. Funny how every thing old is new again!
That's right, wait long enough and everything will come back into fashion ;) The jumper does look like the York although less scooped in at the sides, I think.
DeleteI do love how certain design features keep reappearing. I think that's why some of the older patterns still work!