Depew #3168 being graded into multiple sizes. As an admin of the Vintage Sewing Pattern Nerds on Facebook, I see a lot of posts asking about how to grade sewing patterns. So I have decided to put together a small blog post about my favorite sewing pattern grading resources. First things first though: If you wish to grade a vintage sewing pattern, PLEASE trace a copy and work with the tracing to grade. This will help protect the original pattern you are using, and provide a back-up should you make any mistakes in grading your copy. I highly recommend buying a roll of tracing pape ..read more

  This blog post has been reposted from our new blog at MrsDepew.com. Behind every great seamstress is often a handful of really excellent sewing books. Men and women have long shared their hard-won knowledge of dressmaking and tailoring in beautiful, illustrated volumes like the one below. If you collect or sew with vintage patterns, then you'll love seeing a few pretty pages of this 1940s book The Home Economics Omnibus by Harris and Huston. Enjoy ..read more

  This article has been reposted from our New Blog at MrsDepew.com.  I have been collecting sewing patterns and drafting systems for almost 20 years and in that time, I have learned quite a few interesting things. I have noticed that many countries seem to have their own pattern drafting system, school of thought, or pet company that seems to dominate the market in that region during a specific decade. In the US, before the big four companies came to dominate pattern markets, there were a few hundred tailoring systems saturating the pattern-making market. These cardboard adjustable ..read more

Today I thought we could continue our study of antique tailor systems with The New Perfection Tailor System - by far the prettiest and most artistically appealing system I have yet had the privilege of studying. This bodice & Skirt tailoring system is from 1901 and was manufactured by W.R. Williams of Lawrence, KS. Instructions are printed on the pieces for drafting and there is also an instruction booklet. The system is complete when it contains a printed envelope, booklet, Bodice Front Rule, Side Form Rule, Bodice Back Rule, Dart Rule, Sleeve (designed to draft a two-piece sleeve ..read more

Recently I was working on a new pattern release and, as per usual, fell happily down a pattern research rabbit hole as I collected every Western wear pattern I could find from my collection of several thousand vintage patterns. Edit Image These three stood out as the very best ones and it made me so happy to have them all together like a little Western-pattern family. Edit Image From left to right, McCall 1297 is a Misses' Western Shirt that (when complete) comes with the embroidery transfer you see in the photo backgrounds. Notice the darling curved welt shirt pockets! Edit Image McCall 608 ..read more

 --This article is reposted from our new blog at MrsDepew.com.-- One of the many benefits one gained from being a student/ member of the Woman's Institute was a subscription to their charming Fashion Service Publication. It was penned mostly by Mary Brooks Picken, and some members of staff; namely Alwilda Fellows, with illustrations by Alice Seipp. Later editions would include millinery fashions and lessons from Mary Mahon.  The Fashion Service books were provided first as a quarterly review and later as a monthly magazine that often gave enough information for an experienced home ..read more

  Happy weekend, my dears. Today I thought I would post just a short bit on sewing pattern history. As some of you know, I'm one of the founding Admins of The Vintage Sewing Pattern Nerds group on Facebook. My goal has always been to educate others on sewing pattern history and preservation. To continue that thread, I'm going to attempt to post more of the educational content I post to the group, but for your benefit here. Not all of you are on Facebook, after all (Which you should be proud of!). Today, our topic is the Royal Pattern Company. Magazine: Le Costume Royal, Septemb ..read more

 Hello all, I just thought I'd pop in to let you know that I'm having a big sale at Mrs. Depew Vintage this month. From November 23 to December 2nd, nearly everything at Mrs. Depew Vintage will be 25% off! The discount will be automatic on Etsy or you can use the coupon code below at MrsDepew.com. Happy sewing ..read more

Let's have a contest, shall we? For the next month, Mrs. Depew Vintage will host a sew-and-tell contest. Post a picture of something you've made using any one of our reproduction patterns and get a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to MrsDepew.com! All entries will need to be posted to the Mrs. Depew Vintage Sew and Tell Facebook Group by June 19. If you do not use Facebook, you can send your submissions to me via email and I will post for you. 10 Finalists will be chosen from all entries and posted to both the Mrs. Depew Vintage Facebook page, as well as here on the blog where your f ..read more

The Home Pattern company was founded by Conde Nast in 1905. It formed a relationship with the popular Ladies' Home Journal Magazine which began advertising their patterns.  Patterns were sold via the magazine, as well as in stores from counter catalogs. In 1913, The Peerless Pattern Company Merged with Home Company as Conde Nast bought up and absorbed several smaller sewing pattern companies. Following a trend of sewing pattern companies improving the quality of instructions included, Home Pattern Company released patterns with the "Minerva Guide and Complete Dressmaking Lesson" i ..read more