4 Tips When Looking For Vintage Patterns To Sew

Many people love working with vintage sewing patterns because they offer an avenue to learn about the styles of a particular era. If you’re included in this group, then you have probably looked for vintage patterns to sew and get started on your next project.

This is a great way to add a unique touch to your wardrobe without jumping from one dress shop to another. Sewing vintage patterns, however, can be a challenging task for both beginners and experienced sewers alike.

The following are some tips to remember when looking for vintage patterns.

Sizes Will Be Different Than Modern Sizes

Working with vintage patterns differs greatly from working with contemporary designs, particularly regarding size. You should always use measurements instead of a particular dress size when looking for vintage patterns.

The size 14 vintage dress differs greatly from a size 14 modern dress. You can always resize the dress, but the closer you are to the right size at the beginning, the less work you need to put into resizing.

Can Be More Complex And Difficult

Vintage patterns are known to be a lot more challenging to sew compared to their modern counterparts. On top of that, these patterns usually do not come with detailed instructions.

The number of videos you can find online about sewing vintage patterns is also relatively few. This means you must be extra careful when finding the pattern to use.

Be sure you do not bite off more than you can chew. If it’s your first attempt at using a pattern to create a sewing project, it’s better to start with a simple pattern and always keep a sewing book by your side so you can readily look for help when needed.

Pattern Markings

Modern patterns are easy to use because they are littered with printed guidelines. Vintage patterns are also printed, but they usually do not have as many guidelines, which means you need to be careful when sewing, or you can easily screw things up.

Perforations and notches are the only guides you will usually have when working with vintage sewing patterns. You have to focus on all the little holes and seam allowances particularly.

Shape and Fit

This is one of the biggest things you must consider when using a vintage pattern. Depending on the era of the pattern you are using, the shape and fit may vary a lot.

The best way to get the right shape and fit is to use a mock-up pattern. This involves making a calico toile. Head over to your local dress shop, and you should be able to buy calico at a low price.

Making a toile can save you a lot of time and money as you would increase your chances of getting things right the first time. Make sure you move around a lot with the mock-up pattern to get an idea of what it would be like once you transfer it to your pattern pieces.

These are some handy tips you should always remember when looking for vintage patterns to sew. Creating vintage designs can be fun and may be all you need to set your dress apart from the rest.