Pattern Making for Dressmaking & Needlework
Drafting & Sewing 1930s Fashions
by Emily and Marian Wallbank

CONDITION: new, softcover, crisp and glossy covers, 2009, 54 pages, size: 5.5x8.5, unabridged, published by Bramcost Publications

Originally published in 1935, this rare sewing book was written as a guide for teachers and students to learn pattern making using two different methods -- (1) proportionate patterns using the bust measurement as a base for garment making and (2) the direct measurement method using multiple body measurements (bust, hips, etc.). Using the block method of pattern making, the authors begin by showing how to draft a bodice block pattern using both methods. At this point, you can determine which method works best for your body type. 

Because this book was used as a teaching guide for pattern drafting, you can be sure its techniques will be easy to use for both beginning and advanced sewers. Over 60 illustrations outline the pattern making process (each fashion has a pattern diagram and six completed styles are illustrated) with the text providing instructions for making:

• Blouses for adults
• Magyar tunic with dart in underarm sleeve
• Magyar tunic with fullness on front shoulder
• Simple blouses for slim figures
• Waistcoast or sleeveless coat
• Coat overall for slight girlish figure
• Coat overall for average adult figure
• Princess slip or petticoat
• One-piece frock
• Frock with waist seam
• Sleeves (shirt, close fitting and coat)
• Skirts (plain gored, sports skirt with pleats, wrap over)
• Magyar-type nightgown
• Magyar-type overall
• Dressing gown
• Dressing jacket
• Dressing gown of thin material
• Petticoats (princess, petticoat with waist seam and dart, camisole)
• Nightgowns (princess, yoked, nightgown with waist seam)
• Knickers/underwear (directoire, french, knicker lining)
• Cami-knickers
• Pajama coat for women and girls
• Pajama coat for men and boys
• Pajama trousers

Making a simple bodice pattern for children, cutting frocks, making a frock foundation, and cutting armholes for sleeveless frocks are also covered with the bonus of additional instructions for creating patterns based on different body features such as larger figures, large shoulder blades, large hips, small busts, small women and girls sizes.

The 1930s brought us fashions that defined a woman's waist, narrowed her hips and accentuated her shoulders -- all of which provided a beautiful feminine silhouette. This book will teach you how to achieve those same fashion qualities and create a romantic wardrobe of skirts, blouses and lingerie to give your days style and glamour.

Please see images for a sampling of the book's content. Be sure to check our other auction listings for more vintage sewing books. 

Bramcost Publications is your publishing resource for vintage lifestyle books and patterns. Our books/patterns focus on the way our foremothers and forefathers lived, laughed and loved in their everyday lives. Beauty, fashion, millinery, entertaining and handicrafts are the building blocks of our book/pattern offerings with an emphasis on VINTAGE:

• makeup, hairstyling, beauty
• sewing, pattern drafting, fashion design
• knitting and crochet patterns
• millinery, hat construction, hat patterns
• beadwork, jewelry making
• ribbonwork, embroidery, embellishments, quilting
• weddings, bridal interest
• paper dolls, doll books, doll clothes patterns
• Christmas, Easter, Halloween and Valentine?s Day holiday celebrations