Tuppence Ha'penny

There are two articles of especial interest in this issue of Everywoman from 1949. The first offers couture dressmaking tips from five prominent designers for a polished look in your home dressmaking endeavours. The second is a wonderfully strident critique of the movie industry and its assumption t

It's time for another Cahiers Bleus fashion trend report! Autumn/Winter 1960-61 was all about texture. The variety of tweeds, velvets, tartans, taffetas and lace in this Cahiers Bleus trend report and sourcebook is astonishing - there's even some quilted loungewear outfits - and accompanying fabric

A magazine from the First World War era, featuring delightful articles including "From chorus girl to star", "Should my fiancé give me presents?" and tips for staying "Cool and Fresh" in the summer heat. There's also a fascinating page of career guidance as a "handy girl", and a wonderful piece on t

We continue wedding season with a bridal book from circa mid-1920s, a Weldon's pattern catalogue including a variety of quite lovely gowns for the wedding party. The headline trend in bridal fashion was to take inspiration from the past: Living in the perpetual rush and turmoil of the twentieth cent

The Escapade Dress is inspired by classic 1950s and early 60s summertime chic; the name is a nod (and a wink) to the effortless glamour and mischievous charm of golden-era stars Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren. The fitted midriff flatters your waist, while the wide scoop neckline is framed by gathe

My favourite feature in this issue of Everywoman from 1947 is an article on how to be beautifully dressed! Different ways of wearing flowers is another fun feature, illustrated in colour. There are also some lovely fashion features (including one which employs my fave collage-style illustrations tha

While popular memory often celebrates the land girls and factory workers of World War II - figures who have come to symbolise women’s contribution to modern warfare through posters, films, and national commemorations - the role of women on the home front during World War I is far less widely recogni

Wedding season continues with this issue of Woman magazine from June 1949, which includes features for the bride and newlywed including bridal beauty, wedding planning, bargains for your first home, and recipes for "Fancy dishes for a bride's first party".

The Serenade Dress, based on an original mid-1940s design, features a dart-fitted bodice with a ruched yoke, creating a wide neckline and almost-off-the-shoulder look with tiny cap sleeves. The gathered skirt’s frill echoes the ruched yoke and gives the dress a retro Hawaiiana vibe, while the gored

This fashion sketchbook provides the following trend analysis report for summer 1954: The look for summer is one of youthfulness. Open necklines, low waisted styles, short straight or pleated skirts, full ballerina skirts, details and ornaments full of fancy, cheerful colours all contribute to the c

This issue of Home Notes from 1915 declares itself a "special palmistry number", which provides a tantalising glimpse into fashionable entertainments of the era. Early 20th century society was fascinated with occultism, fortune-telling, and practices such as palmistry, phrenology, and graphology. Th

Another from my treasure trove of Cahiers Bleus publications, this summer 1959 edition features designs from such celebrated names as Dior, Nina Ricci, Jean Patou, Pierre Cardin, Madame Gres, Balmain, and more! Each design is accompanied by a swatch of the actual fabric, so you can experience the te

I'm thrilled to introduce our pattern for June, the Miramar dress. Miramar is a playful, sleeveless sundress with a sweetheart neckline and a classic fit-and-flare silhouette, based on an original design from the late 1940s. The name, meaning “sea view” in Spanish, evokes morning strolls on the prom

30-page "Bride Book" pattern catalogue and magazine dating from 1954. Packed with fashion and features for the bride-to-be including wedding planning advice, wedding etiquette, bridal beauty, the trousseau, fashionable bouquets, even recipes for home-catering the wedding breakfast!

Hello lovely patrons! Just a quick note to let you know that billing will go on pause for May - it's looking like a busy month for me, and having released FIVE(!) patterns in six weeks and finally getting caught up, I don't want to risk falling behind again. If all goes well with the plans I'm curre

Jay's of Regent Street started out as the London General Mourning Store, established in 1841. Mourning was a booming business during the Victorian era, with elaborate social rules and rituals surrounding the process of grief, and the store quickly grew to take up a substantial part of London's Regen

I've teased this pattern with the release of both the Explorer Shorts and the Librarian Skirt - I'm delighted to introduce the Calypso Blouse, a cap-sleeve, tie-front blouse designed for effortless style and carefree comfort. The blouse is cropped to waist length in the back, and designed to sit jus

This pocket-sized magazine from 1945 features "Beauty and Fashion for the Bride" - along with much, much more including: - Spring wardrobe tips - Wedding Etiquette - Crochet and felt accessories - Clothes sense - creating your "personal uniform" - Interior design: wallpaper

I'm incredibly excited to share a rare find - I was lucky enough to score a small collection of fashion trade publication Cahiers Bleus recently. Cahiers Bleus, along with its sister publication L'Officiel de la Couleur, served as trend forecasting publications for the fashion industry in the mid-tw

And finally! Our third pattern release for March brings us all up to date, and I hope you'll agree it's been worth the wait! The Town & Country Blazer is a 1940s-inspired jacket pattern featuring elegant princess seams and classic tailoring. The curved, peaked lapel and flared peplum bring a touch o

Continuing our preppy theme, following on from the Librarian skirt, I'm delighted to present the Collegiate dress - a sleeveless dress or jumper/pinafore style inspired by the smart, youthful co-ed fashions of the 1950s. The bodice is neatly dart-fitted for a flattering shape, with a choice of V-nec

Coincidentally, there's a skirt in the "Fashion looks forward to spring" feature on page 17 that looks remarkably like the Librarian skirt I've just published! Other features include the latest hair styles, recipes, Kitchen News, home dyeing, knitting patterns, and more!

I'm playing pattern catch-up! This is officially the release for October last year, before I put my page on pause. Two further patterns - one for November and one to bring us up to date for current month - will be released in the next couple of weeks. The Librarian Skirt is a midi-length skirt cut i

It's with great sadness that I share the news that my beloved Daddy passed away last week at the age of 91. He was at home, as he wanted, with family at his side, which I like to think brought him some comfort. We're all devastated, but thankful for the incredible care he received. He had a huge imp

I love how the designs in this Vogue pattern book is organised by fabric type - from plaids and tweed to stiff silks and nylons to crepes and satins. A treasure trove of late 40s fashion!

Illustrated fiction and last-minute gift ideas feature in this issue of Woman's Illustrated from 1945

60+ -page "Home Chat" magazine dating from December 1925 - Winter Wedding number packed with features including: - Wedding fashions - Beauty hints - Nellie Melba - Modern kitchen appliances - Manufacturing Christmas crackers - The Tragic Trousseau (how to put together a trousseau with practicality)

Lovely patrons, Unfortunately I've had some difficult health news in the family, so I'm placing billing on pause. Two new patterns are in the works (one is with my grader, the other just needs the instructions completed) and will be released early in the new year. I appreciate your understanding. Ch

Fascinating women's magazine from the First World War era! 38 pages of social history and women's interest features including: - Hair styling - The Making of a Soldier - Our War-Year Christmas - Dressmaking hints and tips - How to Make Your Own Toys - Fashion: Some Really Smart Shirts - What the Car

Some fun DIY projects in this issue - accessories made of unrationed silk cord, and three draft-at-home hat patterns - two in felt, and one in straw - look out for the full size patterns, coming soon as a bonus pattern for patrons at Aficionado tier!

Full 50-page "Everywoman" magazine dating from November 1945, packed with social history and women's interest features reflecting the immediate postwar period: - Patriotic themed advertising and government PSAs - Feature article: What's it like to marry an American? - Feature article: When He Comes

I'm thrilled to introduce the Explorer Shorts – your new go-to pattern for adventure-ready style. Designed with both function and comfort in mind, the Explorer Shorts were created to be your ideal companion for travel, hiking, and everyday wear. They’re already a staple in my travel wardrobe! The de

I can't get enough of 1930s/40s cusp fashions, and this issue of Woman's sphere has a full illustrated fashion feature, including a double-page colour spread! There's also social interest ("are you a successful wife?"), war-time cookery ("potatoes are news!") and knitting patterns, as well as all th

Full 76-page "Home Chat" magazine dating from October 1938, packed with social history and women's interest features including: - Feature article: "How Fashions are Born" by Norman Hartnell - Man - the modern silkworm (article on rayon) - Recipes: Halloween party food - Eyeroll-worthy features on ho

This pattern has been in development for months, and I'm thrilled to finally unveil the Art Gallery Dress! The Art Gallery is a striking and elegant piece which draws together inspiration from several true vintage 1940s patterns. This quirky, asymmetric colourblock dress features a gathered contrast

I promised two patterns in September and October. All four have been delivered to my grader, Josefa, for grading to the full size range. Sadly, Josefa suffered a personal tragedy in September, and hasn’t been able to work for a few weeks while she processes the bereavement. Like me, she’s a one-woma

There's so much to love in this issue! 1948 was a fascinating time for fashion, Dior's New Look having recently revolutionised the scene. This edition of Everywoman magazine shares runway looks, beauty hints, and styling tips for a little black dress. There's also a fabulous interiors feature on how

Halloween is coming - and if you haven't got your costume planned, there's a whole host of creative ideas in this fancy dress book from c1938. I always love the costumes representing abstract concepts like "electric light", "cocktail" and "shampoo" (what?) Trigger Warning Note: Please be advised tha

46 pages packed with postwar women's interest features including: - Knitting patterns - Superstitions - Beauty: Is Your Figure in Proportion? - Fashion: Suited for September; A New Way with Pearls; Hats are More Simple - and all the usual ration-book recipes, illustrated fiction, readers' letters, a

I'm delighted to introduce our first official pattern for September! A faithful reproduction of a true vintage gem, this French Knicker pattern is based on an original design from the early 1950s. Unlike today’s form-fitting underwear, French knickers (also known as tap pants) are designed with a lo

Our next magazine for September is a copy of of Woman magazine from 1963 - 52 pages of early 60s fashion, beauty tips and lifestyle!

Aaaand we're back! Pattern news to follow, but in the meantime we're kicking off September with a fashion-packed 34-page sewing pattern catalogue from the mid-1940s. My personal favourites include the bolero and capelet suits on page 6, and the make-do-and-mend feature on pages 20-21!

Okay it's not exactly a seasonal cover image, but it's my only completed version of this pattern :) I'm delighted to introduce the Calyx Dress, an elegant princess seamed day or cocktail dress, based on McCall 3745 from 1940. The bodice meets the flared, twelve-gore skirt in a striking zig-zag seam

Lovely Patrons, I wanted to write a short note to a) thank you for your ongoing support and b) let you know my upcoming plans for this page. As you've noticed, I've put my page on pause on a few occasions over recent months - my father became unwell late last year, and the challenges of balancing a