Sew Vintage Couture

07/02/2026

Vintage Pattern Find: Original-Issue Diane von Furstenberg Vogue 1548

Today’s find is one for the collectors: Very Easy Vogue 1548, an American Designer Original by Diane von Furstenberg.

This is not just a pretty vintage pattern envelope. This appears to be an original 1970s issue of one of the most collectible designer sewing patterns connected to the DVF wrap dress era.

Diane von Furstenberg did not invent the wrap dress. Wrap-style dresses existed long before the 1970s, and collectors can find wrap and surplice-style dress patterns from the 1930s and 1940s. What DVF did was bring the wrap dress roaring back into modern fashion and make it one of the defining garments of the decade.

Her version worked because it fit the moment. The soft jersey knits, bold prints, body-skimming shape and easy movement made the dress practical without looking plain. It could be worn to lunch, work, dinner or a party. Add a swank belt, a good shoe and jewelry and the whole look changed.

That is part of why this pattern is so highly sought after. It represents the meeting point of designer fashion and home sewing. Vogue gave home sewists access to a designer look they could make themselves, and many women did exactly that.

That is also why used patterns still matter. These envelopes were opened. The tissue was unfolded. Women cut them, pinned them, altered them and made real clothes from them. A used vintage pattern is not automatically “lesser.” Sometimes it tells us the pattern was desirable enough to be sewn.

The reissues are wonderful because they allow today’s sewists to make the design again without risking fragile original tissue. But the original issue has its own collector value. The original 1548 number, the Very Easy Vogue branding, the American Designer Original designation, the 1970s envelope art and the Diane von Furstenberg signature all point to its first-era identity. The modern reissue uses a new Vogue number, V2060, which is one way to separate the reproduction from the original.

Even with envelope wear, this is a beautiful piece of sewing and fashion history.

Pattern: Very Easy Vogue 1548
Designer: Diane von Furstenberg
Era: 1970s
Style: Wrap dress
Collector note: Original issue, not the modern reissue

This is the kind of pattern that reminds us why vintage sewing collecting is so fascinating. The envelope is damaged, but the history is intact.

06/13/2026

NO COST TO YOU!

Calling All Fiber Artists, Makers and Enthusiasts!
Do you spin, weave, knit, crochet, felt, dye, quilt, sew or work with fiber in another creative way?

Bancroft Street Market is seeking individuals interested in sharing their fiber arts knowledge, skills and craft with the community. We are exploring opportunities for demonstrations, hands-on activities, educational presentations and potential vending opportunities.

10th & Bancroft~Between Lauritzen Gardens and Henry Doorly Zoo!

Every Saturday, as early as 10am! Close at 4pm!

Whether you are an experienced artisan, hobbyist, shepherd, spinner, dyer, weaver, felter or textile artist, we would love to hear from you.

Help us create a vibrant fiber arts presence at the market while connecting with others who share an appreciation for handmade traditions and contemporary fiber work.

FREE
For more information or to express your interest, please contact:

[email protected]

Please share this post with friends, guild members and fellow fiber enthusiasts.

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08/16/2025

From the Deck to the Sidewalk – The Timeless Pea Coat
Few garments have the staying power of a classic pea coat. Born in the early 1700s from Dutch naval tradition (“pij” for the heavy wool it was made from), the pea coat became a British Royal Navy staple, then a U.S. Navy standard by the late 1800s. The double-breasted front, wide lapels, and thick navy wool were built for life on windy decks — but they found a permanent place in civilian wardrobes after WWII when surplus coats flooded the market.

For me, the pea coat isn’t just history — it’s personal. My husband served in the Coast Guard and still loves wearing them. I have one myself — all wool, warm, and timeless. A few years before COVID, we found a couple more at a vintage military surplus store in Council Bluffs, Iowa, run by a wonderful mother and son. I’m due to check if they’re still open.

This vintage pattern captures that same double-breasted naval style, tailored for everyday wear in the 1970s. Make it in deep navy wool with anchor buttons for an authentic military look, or try a plaid skirt pairing for a chic city vibe. Either way, it’s proof you can sew history right into your wardrobe.

Question for you: If you were making this coat today, would you keep it traditional or give it a modern twist?

08/16/2025

The Overlooked Side of Pattern History

Here’s something most pattern lovers never talk about: the first commercially printed sewing patterns weren’t for women — they were for men.

In the mid-1800s, tailoring ruled the sewing world. Pattern companies produced coats, trousers, waistcoats and uniforms for men long before they catered to women’s dresses. Men’s garments followed standardized cuts, which made them ideal for reusable patterns. Women’s fashion at the time changed rapidly, often requiring custom draping, so mass-market patterns for women didn’t take off until later.

By the early 20th century, women’s and children’s fashions dominated the market. Men’s patterns all but disappeared except for very limited supplies of men's workwear and the occasional coat, if at all.

By the 1950s, things started to shift. Catalogs began offering more casual shirts, jackets, trousers for men— and yes, undergarments, including sleepwear— for men. The postwar boom, growing leisure culture and a “sew for the whole family” mindset made patterns like this one possible.

These patterns are perfect examples. Pure mid-century style: clean lines, practical design and that wonderful illustrated artwork you just don’t see anymore. For collectors, men’s patterns are still an underappreciated niche — but they tell a story that’s as old as sewing patterns themselves.

Collector’s note: Men’s patterns may never outnumber women’s in your stash, but when you find them, they’re worth holding onto.

Question for you: Do you sew men’s vintage patterns to wear, or do you collect them for the artwork and history?

08/16/2025

McCall’s 2378 – From Civil War Trains to 70s Festivals
Once upon a time, a carpet bag wasn’t just a style—it was the travel essential. In the 1800s, travelers stitched these sturdy carryalls from leftover carpet or tapestry, creating luggage that was lighter and easier to carry than heavy trunks. They were practical, affordable and tough enough to survive dusty roads and crowded train cars.

Fast forward to the 1960s and 70s, what I call 'carpet bags' made a bohemian comeback.

Hippies, folk musicians and festival-goers embraced their handmade, eclectic look. Tapestry florals, patchwork and bold appliqués turned these bags into fashion statements.

They carried more than just belongings—they carried a vibe.

McCall’s 2378 captures that spirit perfectly. With its roomy design and optional alphabet appliqué, it’s the kind of project that could take you from a vintage fabric stash to a one-of-a-kind statement piece. Whether you dream of the open road or just want a bag that tells a story, this pattern is a nod to both the travelers of the 1800s and the free spirits of the 70s.

If you made this bag today, would you go full tapestry, patchwork, denim… or something unexpected?

08/16/2025

Set of Dolls in Two Sizes with Blue Transfer
Era: Likely 1970s–1980s

Features: Rag-style dolls in two skin tones, sold as a matching set

This reflects a period when commercial doll patterns were starting to expand representation, not here to say if they got it right or wrong, though in a simplified, folk-art style.

Great discussion starter about how homemade toys let you customize clothing, skin tone and personality.

Rag doll patterns from this era have renewed interest with the revival of handmade toys and slow craft movements.

08/16/2025

One of the oldest patterns I have. Yes — this Butterick Design 3727 is a gem.

It’s got so much going for it:

Era Appeal: Likely 1920s–1930s, judging by the illustration style and pricing (30¢).

Versatility: Multiple bonnet and hat styles for children, misses, and ladies.

Detailing: Embroidery option for View A-1, plus ribbon and fabric contrast possibilities.

Early Butterick patterns with the word “Deltor” (their illustrated instruction sheet) are especially collectible because they marked a key innovation in pattern making.

Butterick 3727 — Bonnet Days of the 1920s

Back when hats were an essential part of daily dress, a bonnet wasn’t just for the garden — it was for Sunday strolls, summer outings and keeping the sun off delicate complexions.

This 1920s Butterick “Deltor” pattern offered multiple styles, from sweetly tied brims for children to wide-brimmed hats for fashionable ladies.

Original price? Just 30¢ — and it came with Butterick’s groundbreaking illustrated instruction sheet. Today, it’s a slice of fashion history that’s hard to find in such complete condition.

08/16/2025

“Sewing the Glamour Back Into Everyday Life”

✨ From Powder Puff to Petticoat: When Everyday Lingerie Was a Little Bit Luxurious ✨

Before fast fashion and mass-produced undergarments, women often sewed their own lingerie — slips, camisoles and half-slips like these — not only for fit, but for beauty. These patterns from the 1940s and 50s (Simplicity, Advance and Du Barry) show that even what you wore underneath was meant to make you feel beautiful.

Details you won’t often find, if at all, in today’s big-box stores:

Bias-cut panels for a perfect drape
Lace edging and hand-sewn trims
Figure-flattering princess seams

Designs that worked with the era’s dresses and skirts.

Even then, lingerie patterns were treated as keepsakes and carefully stored away.

Now that Joann’s has closed and the major pattern companies (the Big Four) are gone or re-organizing-we don't know the future of sewing patterns. And originals like these are becoming rarer — and for collectors and sewists alike, that makes them treasures.

Which one would you sew — the lilac full slip, the pink lace-trimmed, or the white floral-accented version? And would you wear it as lingerie… or a summer dress? Ideas. Ideas.

Keep an eye out — once they’re gone, they’re gone.

01/13/2025

http://www.joannasyrokomla.com/press.html

When one wintry day, Adam Quang of Styl Lounge interviewed me about Murdoch at the Ian Drummond Collection. March 2024

01/06/2025

This exquisite piece showcases masterful hand-sewing, crafted from silk dupioni. It was a generous gift from a friend, originally belonging to and partially sewn by her mother. Alongside this beautiful item, I was also fortunate to receive a collection of vintage silks.