Vintage Pattern Review: Job Lot 4 (items 131 - 140)

I should try and space out my posts and give myself an easier life.

However, I've been really excited about the next set of patterns from the fourth job lot I purchased off of eBay. As ever, I had no idea what I would be getting, the seller's pictures were low resolution and quite small. All I knew was that these patterns were from the 1940s through to 1960s. Normally when advertised like this, I tend to find that the lob lot is made of 1 or 2 forties patterns, 5 to 10 fifties patterns and the rest are from the sixties and seventies. I've found patterns from the forties to be extremely rare, so imagine my excitement when this lot arrived; full of patterns from this era and even earlier.

I've no idea with this lot who the original owner was, although I suspect there was one original owner as all of them are roughly the same size. Whoever it was, she had lovely taste and I am grateful that she was a hoarder and kept these beauties. When I come to make them up I will be tracing all of the pieces because I really want to preserve them. I won't even think of touching these anytime soon. These are reserved for when I am experienced seamstress and have mastered the art of alteration and fitting.

I have 39 in this lot, so have split the reviews into three posts.

#131

Style: Bestway Pattern E.1638

Era:1930s?

Size: Bust 40, Waist 33, Hips 44

Would I have bought it? Yes

First thoughts: This was quite a doozy to assign a date to (Google yielded little information this time) and I've rationalised that it must be a 1930s pattern. Why? Bestway Patterns is a British pattern company - I'm relatively confident about this from the instructions and the inter web. I think it is from the 1930s, because it doesn't look to me like it has been designed in light of rationing, which would have been in full force by the 1940s. To my mind the collar is rather big, and there are pockets and buttons - not very rationing compliant. 

It is an absolute beauty of a dress pattern, I am very enamoured of the shape and cut of the dress. I'm less certain about the sleeveless jacket.

Difficulty: Hard - unprinted, very old!

#132

Style: Weldons Pattern 686

Era:1950s

Size: Bust 38, Hips 42

Would I have bought it? Hell yeah!

First thoughts: So beautiful, I've already reserved some John Kaldor fabric for this and am very excited about the prospect of making it. This is my first pattern from Weldons, and I'll definitely keep an eye out for more of these. Quite hard to determine a date - but given it's a British company and clearly not rationing compliant I've gone for the 1950s

Difficulty: Hard, unprinted.

#133

Style: Reveille Pattern No. 45

Era: 1950s

Size: Bust 40

Would I have bought it? YES

First thoughts: Another pattern company I've not encountered before - and again Google hasn't been able to give me much background information. Aside from being a gorgeous sundress, my particular favourite is the strapless version, I love the upbeat title 'Summer Delights'. It speaks to the joyfulness of the 1950s.

Difficulty: Hard, unprinted

#134

Style: Butterick 3443

Era: early 1960s

Size: Bust 42

Would I have bought it? No - but only because I have lots of these.

First thoughts: Nice 60s suit. Can't go wrong really.

Difficulty: Medium

#135

Style: Vogue 7499

Era: 1952 - from stamp on back, but other sources suggest 1950

Size: Large

Would I have bought it? Yes

First thoughts: I normally prefer a fitted coat and would be hesitant of such a big shapeless coat. This is gorgeous, so I'm putting aside my reservations. I want to make it in navy blue with the trim in heavy (fake) fur in black. I love the watercolour illustrations.

Difficulty: Hard - unprinted, old and a coat.

#136

Style: Style 1037

Era: 1954?

Size: Bust 38

Would I have bought it? Yes

First thoughts: I got quite a few coat patterns out of this lot! Again, although fairly shapeless I do like this. I think the drape could be really beautiful with the right fabric choice, and a contrast lining will make it really attractive and unusual.

Difficulty: Hard - unprinted, old and a coat.

#137

Style: Style 587

Era:  1940s

Size: Bust 40

Would I have bought it? Yes

First thoughts: I love the fact that the pattern envelope emphasises that this is 'an entirely British production'. Another one that has been difficult to date - I've based my estimate on similar styles and numbering for later issues of Style patterns. Aside from that, this is a very smart suit pattern. The jacket in particular is very nice.

Difficulty: Hard - unprinted and old

#138

Style: McCall's 6196

Era: 1961

Size: Bust 40

Would I have bought it? Maybe

First thoughts: I am not certain about the boxy shapes of these coats. All very Jackie Kennedy, but I think these could be quite unflattering.

Difficulty: Medium

#139

Style: Le Roy 543

Era: 1950s

Size: Bust 42

Would I have bought it? Yes

First thoughts: I don't love this as much as the other 1950s coat patterns, but I think it has potential. I do however LOVE the hats.

Difficulty: Hard - unprinted, old and a coat.

#140

Style: Butterick 9009

Era: 1959

Size: 18

Would I have bought it? YES

First thoughts: Beautiful - especially the sweetheart neckline on option A. But all of them are gorgeous.

Difficulty: Medium