With the wealth of actual vintage sewing patterns available out there, I had been steadfastly ignoring reproduction patterns in my pattern-buying/browsing, but recently I’ve been swayed by two repro patterns out there.
Image Copyright Wearing History
The first, is one by Lauren over at Wearing History (if you haven’t looked at her website, you really must, it is a treasure trove of vintage sewing and costuming) is a pajama pattern but could also be adapted for a beach costume or lounge-wear. Isn’t it gorgeous? Too bad it isn’t the correct size for me (Pssst, Lauren, are you making more?) but if any of you out there would fit into it, please buy it and let me know how glorious it is to swan about your house in such a garment (find the etsy listing by clicking on the image).
The second pattern that has caught my eye is this one by Jennie at Sense and
Image copyright Sense and Sensibility patterns
Sensibility patterns. This is the 1940’s Swing Dress pattern and while I am certain that there are a multitude of actual vintage dress patterns like this, I really do love the details at the shoulder and the waist and am very drawn to buying this one instead of poring over thousands of vintage dress patterns to find those same details in a vintage pattern.
Have any of you made up either of these patterns? Are you a fan of repro patterns or do you prefer to stick to the “real thing” so to speak? Any opinions are welcome!
Knitosaurus rex 
5 comments
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November 18, 2009 at 20:18
Bec
The first pajama is gorgeous! It’s even my size! *sigh* If only I could spare the $20 right now……*sigh*
November 19, 2009 at 03:55
Veronica Darling
Too big for me!
I’ve tried a repro pattern, and I didn’t really like it… I’m all for reusing and recycling stuff, that’s why I use vintage patterns. I taught myself how to sew using my mum’s collection (that she hadn’t touched since the 1970s)
xoxo
November 19, 2009 at 03:55
ZipZapKap
Repro patterns are probably the future, as it becomes harder and harder with time to find excellent condition vintage patterns. But I think there will always be a market for the genuine article – they’re portals to seamstresses past, and you just can’t get that from a reproduction.
December 1, 2009 at 20:12
Lauren
Hey, thanks for mentioning my pattern! Yay!!! 🙂 I’m really flattered!
Right now no plans on resizing them, unfortunately. I did look into getting them graded for me recently and it’s a little pricey, but next year I’m hoping to offer a few in multi-size. I could do it myself, I guess, but I’m rotten at math and it takes me ages!
December 2, 2009 at 13:06
knitosaurusrex
I understand about the grading, it can be such a pain and time consuming. They really are gorgeous patterns–I’m waiting for you to come up with a drop dead backless 30’s evening gown, not that I’d have anywhere to wear it!