There are a couple of sites which regularly feature old sewing, crochet and knitting patterns. You can also buy them on Etsy and eBay. They bring back such memories for me. My mom was an epic homemaker. She cooked, baked, sewed and knitted like a dream while her garden was beautiful. She used to make my and her clothes – sometimes (to my horror) she dressed us in matching outfits. Everyone used to think it was cute but by the time I was 12 it was more humiliating than anything.
She also made all my Barbie dolls’ clothes and as I got older, my prom dresses. I still have a wonderful shirt pattern she made loads of shirts from (I loved the style) and a beautiful dress she made me in shimmery watercolor fabric. It was so cool and comfy.
Anyway, some sewing patterns are hilarious when you see them today. The men seem to have most of the horrors. And in those days I guess they didn’t go out and buy their own clothes because the little woman did it for them. Or (if they were really lucky) made their clothes for them. Here are some of my favourites!
