tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post7938220947496791249..comments2024-03-19T00:33:26.453-07:00Comments on Lilacs & Lace: Shades of BlueLaura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-55268048253955644452014-07-17T10:19:57.429-07:002014-07-17T10:19:57.429-07:00I completely understand what you are saying here, ...I completely understand what you are saying here, I feel the same way about sewing books! Especially since starting my job at a haberdashery I've noticed how much of the same is being published. We have tons of books on sewing and new ones come out all the time, but the vast majority of them are about 'starting to sew' and include mostly beginner's projects. It's great to see popular bloggers get the chance to make a book and be published but I rarely buy those because it's just more of the same information... Of course it also depends on what publishers want, but isn't it a bit sad how my favourite books on more advanced techniques like tailoring are 50 years old?Annekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06685471808997698424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-35916067130853516312014-07-10T18:40:34.444-07:002014-07-10T18:40:34.444-07:00Meg, Thank you for the kind words – and you may c...Meg, Thank you for the kind words – and you may certainly share the dress with your followers.<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to read the comments, and I will certainly spread the word about sharing our absolute favorite designs with you as suggestions for future reissues!<br />Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-67476191971169073222014-07-10T13:23:20.016-07:002014-07-10T13:23:20.016-07:00Laura Mae, great job on the dress! It looks fantas...Laura Mae, great job on the dress! It looks fantastic on you. Mind if we share it on our social media?<br /><br />To Laura Mae's readers: We read this post and your comments. We hear you and we would love to have your suggestions on which vintage patterns you think we should reissue. Please take a look at our Pinterest board (http://bit.ly/vintagecatalogs) or your own vintage pattern images and send us an email with your top 1-2 suggestions for pattern reissues to Facebook@mccallpattern.com. Please, no more than 1 to 2 low-res images per person and please do not send any designer patterns, as licensing agreements unfortunately prohibit us from reissuing those.<br /><br />Laura Mae, if you'd like to repost this comment in a new blog post, please feel free! We look forward to hearing from you and your fans. —Meg Carter for the McCall Pattern CompanyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11151291348636296760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-76402770244500408502014-07-09T02:07:16.897-07:002014-07-09T02:07:16.897-07:00Would you be able to post a tutorial on making a c...Would you be able to post a tutorial on making a crinoline? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-1058827459725953532014-07-05T06:46:08.214-07:002014-07-05T06:46:08.214-07:00Wonderful dress -- especially love those pockets! ...Wonderful dress -- especially love those pockets! As expressed above, I'm wondering if the Big 4 are targeting their "vintage styles" to non-vintage-sewing enthusiasts, which is why they offer simplified patterns. I think the Big 4 companies are so large that they focus on patterns for the lowest common denominator -- not the enthusiasts who want exceptional design details, challenging techniques, etc. Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11994553975406806627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-9863768217784601412014-07-04T08:07:57.232-07:002014-07-04T08:07:57.232-07:00What a beautiful dress! I went right off to buy t...What a beautiful dress! I went right off to buy the pattern. With due respect to all the thoughtful opinions expressed above, I do love me an easy-to-sew vintage style dress. I have sewn some dresses from intricate vintage dress patterns, but they tend to hang in the closet and be saved for special occasions because so much work went into them I am afraid of them getting mussed up in every day life.Piper Springshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04719306397124499228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-22011032859129802952014-07-04T06:33:06.942-07:002014-07-04T06:33:06.942-07:00Stellar dress! From the cut to the pattern to the ...Stellar dress! From the cut to the pattern to the tranquil colour palette, I adore it all and really, really think that is looks like a million dollars on you.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-4548415187877018872014-07-04T04:22:41.814-07:002014-07-04T04:22:41.814-07:00I agree the big pattern companies choice of patter...I agree the big pattern companies choice of patterns can be very...stilted. But I suppose they are assuming once you get past beginner level you can start making your own modifications. There are very few patterns I now sew without making major changes....I just look for basic 'shapes' I can use as a base to modify.M'ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02697943030492173302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-10221645332642337922014-07-03T23:42:22.999-07:002014-07-03T23:42:22.999-07:00Oh my gosh, that book looks wonderful!Oh my gosh, that book looks wonderful!Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-55697178495344970042014-07-03T23:35:07.669-07:002014-07-03T23:35:07.669-07:00Thanks, Tasha! I was actually thinking of you whe...Thanks, Tasha! I was actually thinking of you when I was stitching my pockets into place!<br /><br />And you are probably right - they are creating a bit of "vintage-lite" for someone to perhaps wet their feet in the vintage pool with a stereotypical vintage silhouette and therefore want to keep things on the bland side. But how great would it be to have easy access to some of the over-the-top amazing designs that show up on Pinterest?!Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-30634311849575043902014-07-03T23:29:13.106-07:002014-07-03T23:29:13.106-07:00Hopefully someone will hear us, right?! Now that ...Hopefully someone will hear us, right?! Now that I know there are a lot of us that feel the same way, I am more inclined to keep yammering on about it until someone starts to listen!!Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-66756800139235427092014-07-03T23:27:10.660-07:002014-07-03T23:27:10.660-07:00That is a common misconception. The amount of eas...That is a common misconception. The amount of ease varies from pattern to pattern, even when you are talking about vintage ones, but the proportions are not as extreme as you might think from looking at pictures of Dovima or Marilyn Monroe! <br /><br />The only company that I have come across that uses extreme proportions is Spadea. <br /><br />I rarely make fit changes to original vintage patterns and I do not wear a girdle. Sometimes darts extend further towards the bust apex and that look is most suited to a bullet bra, but other than that, they suit a modern figure just fine (in my opinion!). I actually have a post about this that goes into some detail http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2014/01/does-size-really-matter.html<br /><br />But the easy answer is . . . you will probably not need to make any more alterations than you normally would with a standard contemporary Vogue, Simplicity, etc. pattern.Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-84542560061038534872014-07-03T23:19:01.255-07:002014-07-03T23:19:01.255-07:00I did see that interview, which had me super hopef...I did see that interview, which had me super hopeful about the new Archive Collection - and I jumped right over to the McCall website as soon as the email came through about the new patterns. But with a somewhat lackluster start, I am worried it will just be more of the same. Pinterest is full of incredible vintage patterns, but the choices that are made for the repro line are nothing like those . . . I am not sure why there is such a disconnect . . .<br /><br />I do, however, love the idea of voting on a curated selection of designs that would be possible to add to the re-issued lines on Butterick, McCall, and Vogue.Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-36379403403959742432014-07-03T23:12:00.954-07:002014-07-03T23:12:00.954-07:00I have been having this same conversation with so ...I have been having this same conversation with so many people lately! The market is saturated with beginner projects, to the exclusion of the more interesting and advanced designs, and there are a lot of us out there looking for a challenge . . . hopefully all of the pattern companies (indies included) will start to understand that!<br /><br />And in order for a beginner to learn, I think they need to be pushed towards more demanding projects.Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-10196541724135289952014-07-03T23:05:05.041-07:002014-07-03T23:05:05.041-07:00Thanks, Peter!
I just love the Vintage Pattern Le...Thanks, Peter!<br /><br />I just love the Vintage Pattern Lending Library! The only issue with small independent companies reproducing vintage patterns is the limited sizing (mostly because I am really lazy about grading up or down a size). There are a few designs that sometimes get graded into multiple sizes, but I cannot imagine how much work that would be for a one-person business, and many of the patterns do not have that option. <br /><br />The Big4 may need to start from scratch, but they make their designs available in a large range of sizes, and I imagine they have the technology and resources to make that happen with much less effort than the smaller operations. <br /><br />I think you are right about the dollars-and-cents issue. But I am really confused about the dumbing down of patterns in general . . . since home sewing is so popular these days, it only makes sense that after a few years, most people are going to want more involved and interesting designs to work with. So why are things moving in the opposite direction?! Hopefully the pendulum will start to swing in the opposite direction.Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-77467588116475195262014-07-03T22:50:35.717-07:002014-07-03T22:50:35.717-07:00Thank you, Joanna! And I think an updated Vogue G...Thank you, Joanna! And I think an updated Vogue Guide to Better Sewing would be fabulous!! I live to learn more complicated sewing techniques. :)Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-40223020766443399552014-07-03T22:41:19.470-07:002014-07-03T22:41:19.470-07:00Evidently, the Big 4 have a hard time working with...Evidently, the Big 4 have a hard time working with a voting process because they work on such a tight schedule. Simplicity had a one-time voting thing on a choice of a Cynthia Rowley design a couple of years back, but that was never repeated. It's a shame, I think a vote would be a great way to get what we want, and ensure the company that they will have sales. <br /><br />A community run poll to influence the new releases . . . now that is a very interesting idea . . . The McCall Company does not require the actual pattern for the Butterick retro line, and I assume it will be the same for the McCall archive collection. The Vogues would have to be sent in, but perhaps not the Buttericks and McCalls . . . I think you may have something here . . . Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-32654879907627869622014-07-03T22:29:03.382-07:002014-07-03T22:29:03.382-07:00I am completely with you on the sleeves - the 1930...I am completely with you on the sleeves - the 1930s had some amazing sleeves and why they disappeared is beyond me!Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-71078029311475572252014-07-03T22:27:15.535-07:002014-07-03T22:27:15.535-07:00I am still holding out hope that the tide will tur...I am still holding out hope that the tide will turn and these companies will hear our call for intricate and challenging designs!! Until then, I will keep searching for fabulous vintage patterns . . .Laura Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-68590719804343260022014-07-03T21:04:18.933-07:002014-07-03T21:04:18.933-07:00I can't help but think part of it is the numbe...I can't help but think part of it is the number of sheets that these patterns probably took, and that they were produced as single size sets. Add to that changes in instructional style. And probably the number of patterns that have simply been tossed or lost when the companies consolidated.<br /><br />I am looking forward to reading Joy Emery's "A History of the Paper Pattern Industry" when it's my turn for the library copy. SJ Kurtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871599515352715171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-54468672245003932332014-07-03T15:58:15.602-07:002014-07-03T15:58:15.602-07:00What a glorious dress! I think the pockets may be ...What a glorious dress! I think the pockets may be my favourite part.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-8312622779646571112014-07-03T10:52:40.833-07:002014-07-03T10:52:40.833-07:00Such a pretty dress, and I especially like those a...Such a pretty dress, and I especially like those amazing pockets! Despite my love for simple design, I totally agree with your take on vintage reproductions. Why put out patterns over and over that someone could draft/modify from modern styles fairly easily when there are so many amazing details out there??Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15979808408348106338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-7658809556089670572014-07-03T09:11:46.229-07:002014-07-03T09:11:46.229-07:00I love this dress on you! The blue on blue polka d...I love this dress on you! The blue on blue polka dots are great, and those pockets are a lovely touch. I've sewn very few Big 4 reproductions for a lot of the reasons you mention. What it makes me wonder is if we're really just not their target market. I think perhaps I've always assumed that they were likely created not for sewers who do a lot of vintage sewing, but more for sewers who *don't*. Those looking for costumes, or fun one-off type projects. Like they're just cherry picking what they think are good ol' standards that would have more of a mass appeal. It definitely keeps me more inspired by my vintage patterns in general!Tashahttp://www.bygumbygolly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-72123370523571966292014-07-03T08:54:15.520-07:002014-07-03T08:54:15.520-07:00such a great color on you. really like that photo ...such a great color on you. really like that photo collage - a nice touch to your blog post:)<br />I agree about the extreme simplicity of most new patterns, the same dress over and over. I have made some coats and jackets multiple times because there is nothing new and interesting in the pattern choiced. Keep speaking up about it. Happy Fourth!Beth (SunnyGal Studio)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08891740887743925587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-85328864509965342802014-07-03T06:17:26.077-07:002014-07-03T06:17:26.077-07:00BTW, do real vintage pattern fit assume you'll...BTW, do real vintage pattern fit assume you'll be wearing a girdle? Seeing as most women nowadays don't, would real vintage pattern not fit properly?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com