My Vintage Sewing Pattern Collection: Authentic 1940's

Welcome back!

Today I would love to take you on a Fashion Illustration Appreciation Journey to the 1940’s!
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​In this article we will be taking a close-up look at my personal "Home-Sewing" pattern collection, specifically the fashion illustrations found on the front of my Vintage Sewing Pattern envelopes! The patterns I have selected to share with you today are straight from the 1940’s!

A 1940's Silhouette Timeline- 1940-1949

​Whenever I pull out these gems, I am in awe! The condition of these paper patterns alone amazes me! And then... the illustrations! 

Just studying the lovely fashion illustrations that grace the covers of these vintage pattern envelopes are sure to inspire! Hence, my desire to scan, and archive these treasures to share with those that may not have access to such historical fashion illustrations! ​

25 Vintage Sewing Patterns from the 1940's. These patterns are part of my personal pattern collection. Photo: Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel

As of yet, I have not used these patterns for sewing, merely for fashion inspiration. However, I do plan on creating a few blouses using my vintage sewing pattern, Simplicity Pattern 4864 soon! I will keep you, Dear Reader, updated on that endeavor! 

Following are the 25 Vintage Sewing Patterns printed in the 1940's, that I hired my two teenagers to scan for me! 

​Enjoy!

Advance Pattern
​Printed in 1940-1949: Pattern Numbers 2348-5370

Advance Pattern Co., Tailored Shirtwaist Dress, # 2320 (1939) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Advance Pattern Co. #3202 (1943) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Advance Pattern Co. #4679 (1947) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Advance Pattern Co. #4743 (1947) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Hollywood Pattern
Printed in 1940: Pattern Numbers 1929-1998
1941-1949: Pattern Numbers 559-2170

The Hollywood Pattern Company, One-Piece Dress, No. 1153 (1943) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

The Hollywood Pattern Company, Two-Piece Suit and Dickey, No. 1314 (1944) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

The Hollywood Pattern Company, Two-Piece Suit, No. 1332 (1944) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

The Hollywood Pattern Company, Baret and Bag, No. 1480 (1944) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Hollywood Pattern Service, Coat and Leggings, #1704 (1945) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Junior Vogue Pattern 
Printed in 1940-1949: Pattern Numbers 3002-3324

Vogue Pattern Service, One-Piece Dress "Easy-To-Make", No. 3203 (1948) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

McCall Printed Pattern
Printed in 1940-1949: Pattern Numbers 3505-7867

McCall Printed Pattern, Misses' Two-Piece Sports Ensemble (Waist, Shorts and Skirt), No. 5597 (1944) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

McCall Printed Pattern, Ladies' & Misses' Dress, No. 7579 (1949) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Printed Pattern 
Printed in 1940-1944: Pattern Numbers 3264-4999
1944-1949: Pattern Numbers 1000-2715

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' and Women's Blouse, #4864 (1943) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Junior Misses' and Misses' Dress, #1166 (1944) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' and Women's One-Piece Dress, #1676 (1946) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' and Women's One-Piece Dress, #1568 (1946) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' and Women's One-Piece Dress, #1663 (1946) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses and Women's Two-Piece Pajama, #1999 (1947) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' and Women's Slip, #2220 (1947) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' Two-Piece Coat, #2182 (1947) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' and Women's Dress or Housecoat in Three Lengths, #2832 (1949) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' Dress and Apron, #3055 (1950) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' Dress or Housecoat, #3125 (1950) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

*Simplicity Pattern Co., Misses' Blouse and Overblouse, #1090 (1954) (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel) *Correction: This pattern was originally listed as 1944 in my collection, but that was a mistake. This pattern is the 1954 version of Simplicity #1090. This image caption has been corrected but left in this article.)

Anne Adams Pattern 

Anne Adams Pattern #4195 (From the "Home Sewing" and Commercial Pattern Archives of Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel)

I hope that you have enjoyed viewing this photo collection of my Vintage Sewing Patterns from the 1940's! 1940's Fashion has always been an inspiration to me, and after studying these illustrations it is no wonder that 1940's Fashion has continued to inspire so many, for decades there after!

​If seeing these lovely vintage fashion illustrations, from the 1940's,  are intriguing to you, I have a few more fashion illustration resources to recommend:

From my fashion and sewing library, I have the lovely book of sewing pattern illustrations: Blueprints of Fashion, Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940's, by Wade Laboissonniere. This book is laid out in a similar fashion as this blog article, it features scanned archived photos of the original sewing pattern envelopes from the 1940's, with a large collection of over 550 images! I also have the 1950's Volume of Blueprints of Fashion, which is just as amazing.

A book from my fashion and sewing library: Blueprints of Fashion, Home Sewing Patters of the 1940's, by Wade Laboissonnier (2009).

A book from my fashion and sewing library: Dress Design: Draping and Flat Pattern Making, By Hillhouse and Mansfield (1948).

The book, Dress Design: Draping and Flat Pattern Making by Hillhouse and Mansfield is a pattern drafting book from 1948! That is a book I could do a whole article on alone! If that is something you would like to see more of, let me know! I am privileged to have several vintage design books within my library!  

Another fantastic fashion resource regarding 1940's Fashion is this video by Vogue, narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker:

Lastly, I'd love to share with you a fun 1940's relic within my Sewing Workroom: this lovely 1944 Singer, with the owner's manual and desk! I hope to fully restore, or at least clean her up, one day! 

My 1944 Singer!

Thank you again for reading my blog! I hope 1940's Fashion has inspired you as much as it has me! 

​I have plans to continue this Blog Series with a photo collection of more of my vintage sewing patterns from other decades, as well as fashion illustrations from patterns that are vintage reproductions! Leave me a comment below on your thoughts, what you like or do not like about 1940's fashion, or what decade inspires you?

​Now, I'm off to start sewing! 

Have an Inspired Day! 

Related Links: 

Organizations Tips for Commercial Sewing Patterns 

High Style at the Legion of Honor 

Re-Creating a 1920's Look... with Make-Up! 

My Sewing Journal: A Vintage Inspired E.T. Skirt!