1970’s Sewing Pattern Counter Book Page-Through
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- I buy my old sewing pattern counter books/catalogs from eBay. Some of the asking prices are insane!! I’ve seen vintage Vogue for $499.00. What?? I paid $38 (delivered) for the 1977 Simplicity catalog in today’s video and that’s the highest I’ve gone. Many sellers are willing to strike a deal.
Kwik Sew circa 2007-2010 are super rare. I look all the time for them. If one were to come up for sale, I’d probably pay a lot. Kwik Sew obsession and all that.
My top is Simplicity 8556 sewn with an abstract dot cotton voile.
I saw the pattern for my bridesmaid dress in the evening gown section. It's #7807. My mom sewed my dress for me. I still have the pattern. I saw some others we had, but this is the one that really stands out for me. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing the other catalogs. Really enjoyed it!
What a fun, memorable time down memory lane! ThankYou!! Watching you flip through Simplicity patterns made me giggle! So many of these I had sewn! Of course I own None of the patterns, given and thrown many away! I know, I know what a horrible thing, Right😱🤦🏻♀️? And realizing that there was a difference in teens, misses, and women’s patterns and they did look different! Now from toddlers to woman’s we all look the same! Little girl fashion resembles a big girls, moms and daughters can be matching?! Phew……. Thanks again loved it !🙋🏻♀️♥️♥️♥️
Oh dear Viv, you have brought back so many memories by looking through the old pattern books. I used to like the Simplicity patterns best. The McCalls always seemed to be smaller and as for Vogue, I couldn’t afford them, they were always more expensive. I made my wedding dress from a Simplicity pattern in 1967, I think my bridesmaids was from Mc Calls and the little girls were from Simplicity too. I made all the dresses by setting up my mothers machine every night after I came home from work and after dinner. Those were the days!!!😋 🧵🪡🇦🇺
Hi. It’s so wonderful to see your video’s. I can’t believe how much of the fashions from the 70’s are back. The wide leg pants are in again. I’m not a fan. They aren’t flattering for me at all. I couldn’t believe how many pages of kids clothes. They were really cute too. There was on with a little girl in pants with a ruffle on the bottom. I haven’t met a ruffle I didn’t love. I have a Johnson ruffling machine. It does nothing but ruffling and attaching ruffles. I loved the Gunnie Sax dresses!!!! I was a teen in the 80’s when they were all the rage. I remember the price was close to $100. That was a lot back then. When I started my business, most were wedding gowns. I loved making them. When you saw the look on the bride’s face, it was thrilling. The happiness it brought them was so sweet. I can’t wait to see the other books! Thanks Viv-Mom. Blessings, Liz
My grandmother sewed me a green corderoy suit to wear for work. Then she made a dark blue suit for me. Lined them too. I loved wearing them. I worked for the phone company back in 1968. She made my wedding dress as well as maternity tops. I loved spending time looking at patterns
@@marilynb8136 Oh my gosh, Marilyn, your grandmother was a treasure! Thanks for writing.
Thank you, Viv, for this fun trip down 1977 Memory Lane! Mom was my first sewing teacher in the 1960’s ( doll clothes, pillow cases, stuffed toys) and I’d say by the time I was 12 I was ready to make my own garments from a store bought pattern! In 1977, I was newly married (1975) and working my first teaching job out of college. I made several coordinating double knit outfits from Jiffy #8369 and I LOVED them. I’d put a turtle neck top on underneath the sewn top just like in the drawing on the pattern! The other pattern I recognized was a Butte Knit pattern (#8196). In the 1960s, Jonathan Logan Corp. was the largest manufacturer of women’s clothing in the world and Butte Knit was a was a division of Jonathan Logan. In 1959 they began producing a double knit fabric (Butte Knit) for the garment industry (the first company to produce double knit in the U.S.) and shortly thereafter, the home sewing industry. I remember in the 1970’s, Mom would go into our local department stores, look at all the Butte Knit separates and go home and recreate them on her sewing machine. I thought double knit was the best thing since sliced bread and took to making many of the patterns for myself. They were indestructible! This was so much fun, Viv! Please do same with the other two counter catalogs! ❤
It occurred to me that I have never heard anyone but my mother say blouson. My mother is Chilean and spoke French in her family home. She says it like "blue-sawn". I had to look it up and hear the English pronunciation -- 😳😳. But, yes, it seems like that was the only top to wear in the 70s. Back then, my sister was flat as a board, and EVERYTHING looked fabulous on her. I had an hour-glass figure, and looked awkward all the time. NOW ( now that I know what I'm doing,) I have been amassing a few 70s patterns. By far, my current favorite is Butterick 6086. I had to size it up, but WOW. It has the nicest shape. I've made it a few times, already, and have a couple more fabric pieces waiting to be cut.
I am so with you on the maternity wear. I need big things. I could NOT handle any tight AT ALL, when I had kids. Un-zipping my pants and wearing my t-shirts was NOT going to cut it.
Yes, please do more of these! What fun!
🙋♀️💝Hi Viv, Love your channel & all you show & teach! I enjoyed seeing the old pattern book! If anyone asks you about your nails, just say, "none ya"! None ya business!!!😂😂😂You do you! Nobody here on earth is perfect no matter how hard we try!😘🤗💞 Hope you have a Great Day!
Your Wisconsin Friend 🐄
🙋♀️💐💝Laurie
Oh wow! When you turned to the dress section the cute jumper dress Simplicity 8118 jumped out! It brought such precious memories! I was a young military wife with small children. My husband was coming home after being deployed many months and we were planning to go to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a belated 7 year anniversary celebration. I wanted something nice to wear so I made this dress. I remember feeling pretty in it! I think I may still have the pattern. Definitely going to look for the pictures from that trip! We’ve been married 52 years and we’re a little older now. But sewing is still my most favorite thing to do! And you are such a joy to watch!
Do you scrapbook? If you do, I hope when you find the photo you create a scrapbook page with it. A sweet memory like that with a photo to go with it deserves to be scrapbooked.
A sewing memory: Had my daughters in 67 and 70, sewed maternity dresses and lucky me...TENT DRESSES came into fashion, so I just kept wearing them !! At age 74, still love the loose, flowing style of the swing dresses. Happy sewing !
I married my husband in 1976 and designed and made my wedding gown in candlelight Qiana. It was beautiful and can stand the retest of time. I was teaching Clothing &Textiles to high school students in 1977. The little jumper at the beginning of the book(esp) was entered into the nation wide competition “Make It Yourself In Wool” by one of my seniors. She obviously made it in wool, and then covered the bib in crewel embroidery by hand. She ended up winning the Eastern Seaboard portion of the competition. Thank you for the video, my Mom and I sewed so very many of those patterns. A happy trip down memory lane. Cannot wait for the next two❣️
I was pregnant with my first child in 1977, so was fun seeing the maternity portiion of the catalog. There really wasn't very much to choose from. I love seeing all the patterns....I think i'm a pattern junkie! My Mom sewed matching shirts for my Dad and my son. I wish I had pictures of those 2! I was an only child and a girl, my Dad wanted a son so bad, so when my son was born he was thrilled!!!
Thanks for the blast from the past🎉🎉! That was my favorite time in fashion. I saw a few things that I made back in the day too! So Fun reminiscing🤗!!
Aloha! My sister Kapua and I watch your videos. Our mom taught us in the 70's how to sew on a treadle sewing machine. In 1975, I was 10 when I made my first patchwork skirt, and it fit my sister Kapua, not me. That jumpsuit pattern 7630 for boys? My poor younger brothers had to wear those, although one became an airline pilot and said he had no problem wearing the jumpsuits in adulthood. Pattern #7407 for toddlers is darling and was a carry over from earlier times. Mom made me one in a LadyBug fabric, and I loved wearing it in the late 60's. And 8068, I made a sundress, although being Mormons, we were required to wear a shirt under "sleeveless" dresses in order to be modest. Thanks for going over the books, hope you do more. PS, as I read through the many comments, sewing is a skill that is important; meditative, functional, a learning experience and personal. It's kind of like being in a group of people, who had a great experience in youth, and the feeling is like opening a new album by a band and listening to it over and over on a record player. Mahalo for the memories.
I married in 1977. My wedding gown was made with ivory Qiana. My two bridesmaids wore ivory Qiana too. Their dresses were made using a McCall's Stephen Burrows pattern. They carried bouquets with fall flowers, pheasant feathers and eucalyptus. But the guys in their cream tuxedos with brown velvet trim stole the show🤣😂😅 Thanks for a wonderful trip down memory lane. I made everything I wore back then!
Very fun. I really enjoyed seeing all those old styles. I was pregnant with my second child in 77, first was a boy in 74 and second a girl in 78. I sewed a lot for her and myself. A few of the photos looked vaguely familiar, so fun!
Wow, thank you Viv for jogging my memory. I live
in Western Australia and in 1977 I remember making my first pencil skirt - I was 17 at the time and I made it using a striped cotton. I was sure I would see the skirt when you were flicking through the pages. I think it was a Jiffy pattern. I was so proud of it and wore it everywhere, even wore it taking my drivers test - thought it would help to pass the test. I did pass it. Thank you for your taking the time to make these wonderful videos. 😊
Butte Knits! That brought back a memory of a knitted fabric outfits which in the UK were made in Wales. For church I was allowed to wear a Butte Knit navy Cape with white piping over a white top and the matching navy bell bottom trousers. This was co ordinated with a straw boater type hat and white lace gloves. Wow that was an outfit I'd forgotten all about 🤣🤣 1970s fashion has a lot to answer for! Fiona in Scotland 🏴
Thank you for celebrating the some of the Giants of industry that backed the church and the mothers to raise her children. They will be sadly missed. Bless you!
It is me again. It takes me a while to put my thoughts together. To make a long story short, my brothers and I lived w our aunt, uncle along w their family a majority of our lives. Anyway, our aunt sewed on and off. She made lot of the past styles. I learned a lot by watching her and started sewing by her artistic style. I did not appreciate like I do now. I made a dress that did not turn out but learned from it. I remember making culottes and vest from left over fabric. Thank you again. Later.
I love looking thru the counter books I saw a couple of outfits I made in my homeEc class in 1972 n 73 😲🤣🤭 oh my Time flys by I’m 67 now still love sewing make quilts n love looking at the counter books still . It’s my tranquilly n peace 👍👏🏼👏🏼🥳
In the '60s, my mom let me order one fabric from her Elegance catalog! I chose a rust-colored wide-whale corduroy to make gauchos like Kim Darby wore in "True Grit"--with a zipper! 😲 I have always loved making gauchos since! I'm still looking for a Very Easy Vogue pattern I made in the '90s and wasted a lot of time online looking for it, but now think I can make my own pattern. ha! All the online DIYers have helped! Your channel is especially refreshing!
That was fun to watch. Tammy was born in 1969 and I sewed for myself and for her. I made her pretty maternity dresses for her three pregnancies. I didn't really sew when I was a teen though. The only thing I made when in High School was the ugliest dress you ever saw. I made it in Home Ec. I think it must have been canvas that was on sale at TG&Y. That dress could stand up!
So I remember choosing a red and yellow patterned stiff cotton fabric and making a bathrobe that was the least cozy thing ever😄
Glad I was taught how to use the machine, I taught my granddaughter... at least the fabric she chose was cute!
Oh. My. Goodness!! Viv!! I have 10 of the patterns you flipped through. Each one with a memory!!
My parents gave me a sewing machine for my birthday in 1977 and I had just taken home ec. I asked for a typewriter but they must have known more about me than I knew of myself! 😊
Here are the 10 patterns:
7267-I absolutely LOVED making this top and skirt. It was the one of the first things i ever made. It turned out perfect and so comfy. I recently found a picture of me wearing that outfit.
5247-my mom made the button up blouse for me-i worked as a cashier at a grocery store and they asked us to wear light blue smocks. I happened to be wearing that overshirt when i met my now husband-that was April 1977.
6483-I made a heart-shaped valentines pillow for my boyfriend (now husband) it was white with red satin ruffle -added lace trim and designed and hand-embroidered on it 😬 (still have the pillow in a keepsake box)
7569-fun top. This one turned out nicely and I got a lot of compliments on it.
8064-May 1978 I was involved in our senior luau, dressed as one of the hula girls with a routine. My mom put together the halter top and skirt to wear over my swimsuit before changing into the luau attire for performing.
7967- I remember this pattern did NOT turn out well-it was huge and I never altered it or wore it.
8201-Another outfit that my mother sewed for me. She made the skirt and vest as part of my going away wardrobe when I married October 1978.
7794-I bought this pattern on Etsy about 10 years ago. Made it in a soft red velour and embellished it as a Mrs Claus dress. Turned out really pretty.
I also bought 2 other patterns on Etsy in the past few years but haven’t made either yet: 7807 & 7569.
Thank you for showing the Simplicity pattern book! I hope you have time to share the others.
🥰 I always enjoy watching!! Thanks again!
Wow!! I’ve so enjoyed looking up patterns that folks have mentioned, and I looked up all of yours! What a treat. The comments section of this video is definitely one of my favorites😃 Sewing memories are so interesting and heart warming...even when things didn’t quite turn out, it’s still part of history and the journey of our sewing. Thanks to you, and everyone, for sharing!
Gosh do I miss the seventies. I was in high school in the mid seventies and those pages just took me right back. My husband walked past as I was watching this video and said he was instantly reminded of his mum sitting in the fabric shop going through the pattern books looking for her next project. Fun video Viv!
Leisure suits! I was a teen in the seventies when they were popular. In The Northeast it brought back memories of a Robert Halls where you saw racks and racks of fashion designs. There were special counters at the local Woo,worth stores where you could browse these great pattern books for as long as you like. The patterns were in large drawers beneath the slanted counters. My first outfit was a mini plaid wool leisure suit that was a jumper dress with slacks beneath. The plaid was a challenge to match but it came out perfect for a newbie. Today I quilt but am looking forward in my search for baby doll clothes (sundresses and bloomers LOL) to introduce my grandbabies to the wonderful world of sewing! Thanks Viv!
As the pages flipped, I spotted my wedding dress pattern, a jumpsuit, a man's leisure suit (with that sewn, my husband told me not to sew him anything else! LoL ...nothing else!) ...oh really lots of these patterns were my beginners. This was fun.
I love those vintage sewing patterns. I was young in the 70's. I still love the styles from then. I for one don't concern myself with what is in style and what is not. I am not a slave to fashion. If I like something I wear it. If other people think I look dated...well... at my age, I just don't care. I'm not trying to impress anyone. I want to feel comfortable in my clothes. I would love to make these outfits. If I could sew like you do, oh what a ball I would have. You are amazing. Your sewing skills are awesome., I would have a ball making and wearing these cute styles.
I like the styles to sew. They are timeless. I was in 4H and also my sister was in 4H. The last year she made a tailored coat. I always thought she should have went to the state fair with. But she was a runner up. She also made her own wedding dress. I also still sew and Im 71 years old. There are many good ideas on line that i enjoy making. Many pretty fabrics and patterns
Thank you for this video. I love the old pattern books. I learned to sew in the 70’s so this brings back old memories ❤
What a fun video! So many memories and I saw quite a few patterns that I made while in high school. 7389 and 7807 were two that I used for a prom dress in “76 and ‘77. I made all of my clothes in high school. Home ec was my favorite subject! I had 6672 made out of a beautiful red Quiana. I found the pattern again a number of years ago and remade it, but I don’t have it anymore. I was hoping to see my wedding dress pattern, but I don’t remember what company it was. I got married in ‘78 and I made my dress, my bridesmaids dresses and even the suit that my husband wore. :)
When I was a junior in high school, I got my first job and the reason I got it was because the boss asked me if I had made the suit I had on. I had and he was so impressed that a teen could actually sew and be diligent, he gave me a job in wrapping gifts for the Christmas season. :) I later got put in the fabric department which meant I was totally in “fabric heaven.” I still sew today and made clothes for all of my 9 children over the years and they also all know how to sew. Some love it, some don’t, but they know how to do it, even the boys. :) Thanks for this fun trip down memory lane. :)
Oh my goodness, Vicki! Among all the sewing royalty here in the comments, each with their outstanding memories and makes, I must say that someone (you!) who made their wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses and husband-to-be’s suit is truly remarkable! Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this video! It brought back such sweet sewing memories for me. Simplicity 7284 is the pattern I used to make my college roommate's wedding gown. It was so chic then - and so vintage now. We had graduated and I was starting my first job as a newspaper reporter so I didn't have a lot of time, but we planned ahead and I spent the next six months working on the gown. It has an empire waist, modest scoop neck and long sleeves - beautiful in glistening white satin. Then I made the hooded, full-length cape from chiffon and sewed yards and yards of 1/2-inch baby blue lace in rows around the edge. Sadly, it took longer to make the dress than the marriage lasted ,but your video reminded me of the one and only wedding gown I have ever made and the joy it brought to so many on that sunny wedding day.. After your video I got on eBay and actually found the pattern - it is just like new and even in the same size 8. Remember when patterns had actual sizes! It has a place of honor in my sewing room where I spend most of my time now that I am retired. Again, thank you!
These sewing memories are my favorite to read. Thanks for writing, Deborah! And congrats on making that wedding ensemble - very high fashion!
Oh my! What a walk down memory lane! I didn't see my wedding dress pattern there, but I did sew my own. The maternity dresses/tops, too. Simplicity 7153, 7588, 7551, were familiar. The Sim. blouses 8148, 7896, and set, 6881 I made. Also the jumpers, 8118, and 8015. 8155, 7952, and the top 7430 with the hand embroidery! 7672, 8292...thanks so much, Vivian!
We had a box of scraps we could dig into at any time without asking! Simplicity was our favorite. Seemed to have the styles
we liked, and directions we could follow, as we were learning.
"Leisure suit alert" 😂, so funny! I love the 70's and have so many good memories of sewing patterns then. It's still my favourite era for fashion! And I think there are more men sewing now so more patterns for them. I'm teaching my son to sew, which probably wouldn't have happened with mom's in the 70's sadly.
The blouse Beverly Johnson is wearing my mother-in-law made for me and she put embroidered pink flowers on the front.. I remember wearing it at the L.A. airport and we spotted Ed McMahon walking past us. Ha! Of course most of the styles that were younger looking I wore but my mom and the other ladies wore older styles. I also wore the wrap skirts for awhile. The skirt lengths had just lowered at this time and into the 80s but in the 60s and early 70s I wore mini skirts. I did a lot more sewing for my daughter and some for my son. My mother-in-law could sew a polyester men's Leisure suit jacket to perfection! I wasn't going to add any more but at the end you showed a similar cheerleading outfit that my mother sewed for me in the 60s and another girl's mother did for her also.. It was just elementary school. Ha! I do remember many of the models. ❤️
I learned to sew in the 70's in my teens. In the 60's each school year and before every holiday Mom would take my sister and I to JC Penny where they had a large fabric department. We picked out our pattern and fabric for our back to school dress, (wore uniforms the rest of the time) Christmas dress and Easter dress before those holidays. Loved it. My first make I had to have when I was 15 was a corduroy blazer with awesome lining. I think I chose a complicated Vogue pattern with so many pieces. She helped me A LOT! With her help it turned out great and I felt pretty cool in it 🙂She is gone now and I love that I embraced her love of sewing, and I passed this on to my girls as well!
I recently had the thought of fabrics that have disappeared from our lives. Corduroy was one of them. I had many wonderful garments mom made from it.
So fascinating to revisit these patterns decades later. This was early in my sewing journey. At age 16, I made 8201, vest and skirt.😊 Thanks so much for the catalogue flick through 🥰
Yes! Please more, more showing of the books!
This was the best. OMG those men’s fashions, Peter Wyngarde would have loved them 😂
What a pleasure. So many memories . . . so many old friends . . . and Jayne Modean! Loved her! xox
This was fun! Oh yes! I saw MANY patterns that I made for maternity and as a new mom back in 1977! A friend handed me a box of patterns, mostly Simplicity, and fabrics to sew for my baby daughter early in 1977!
I would LOVE to see that Vogue Pattern Catalog book again 😍 Now THAT brought back so many memories for me 💖And yes! I did start making wedding gowns in 1981 and continued for the next 40 years. Used many different patterns to "mash up" in order to create the style that the client was looking for! I learned a lot and am forever grateful to the 4 professional mentors who guided me through those decades of design, fabric choices, couture, skills development and all of the business "ins and outs" it takes to successfully produce a custom gown! WHEW! I can't believe I had the energy to do that then! A SPECIAL thank you to my grandma Pauline who patiently taught me to sew when I was 10 years old ❤ I still love sewing and continue to make my own clothing and occasionally "gifts" for special friends.
Thanks again Viv for this sweet walk down memory lane 🥰
This is so fun to look at. I graduated in 1977 from High School. I sewed all the time. I remember the patters so well! Fun!
VivMom: Yes, more counter books, please. AND anything else you want to show us...fashions, patterns, fabric...ANYTHING! Always love it when your videos pop up. Have been watching vintage episodes of That Girl...her wardrobe is so fun to see. Nancy in Mobile.
LOL! I made that ‘77 Men’s leisure suit for my husband out of navy double knit. He loved it!
Oh yeah! That was good! Made at least 7 of those patterns! Can't wait to see the Vogue if you choose to do that too. I had to sew 7 bridesmaid dresses in different ginghams all having puffy sleeves and 2 rows of ruffles on the bottom. It was from one of those patterns in the book. I was paid $20 per dress....believe it?!! Ha ha ha! Memories! Love you and your videos!!
Hi, Viv! Great to see your smile!
Blessings!❤
So many styles which could be worn today. I got married in 1973 and made myself a blue jacket and skirt suit for the occasion. Would love to see more videos. My favourite brand were Style patterns.
I loved the McCalls drawings in the 1970's, they are so appealing! I stopped buying the patterns that didn't have a picture of an actual garment, those beautiful drawings were very deceptive, but I still love them!
I’m just the opposite, I prefer drawings to photographs. Different strokes!😄
My daughter was 4 in 1977 and as you went through the girls section I think I made 70% of those patterns lol. I also made the stuffed toy one with the crocodile. She loved it… Brings back a lot of fun memories. Thanks. ❤😊 Would love to see the Vogue and McCalls books
This was so much fun!!! I really enjoyed going down memory lane. My mom sewed several of those patterns. I actually made my brides made dress for my uncle’s wedding. I inhabited my moms sewing patterns when she passed away. It was nice to see a couple of patterns in the catalog. Embroidery was such a big deal in the 70’s. My mom had embroidery a jacket and blouse for me. I would love to see the other catalogs.🤗
Taught myself to sew in the 60's in an attempt to recreate the designs of Mary Quant, mini skirts especially. This lead into a life-long love of sewing and remains my favourite hobby. There's nothing better, to me, than having my own pattern book to leaf-through, allowing me to dream of my next inspired project. Thanks for sharing this and look forward to the others.
I had Home Ed class in 1970 and our first sewing project was a corduroy skirt with zipper and darts, I remember wearing it and felt so special that I had made it myself...thanks for the roll back in time. 😍
You're slapping that chopstick pretty hard ...like a the 70s teachers 😆 🤣 😂
I love 70's fashion, and the majority of it is in style right now. My mom made me one of those vest type things that had the tabs on the sides instead of side seams, and I absolutely loved it. It was one of my favourite things that my mom sewed for me. I don't think I knew too many other teens that wore them but I didn't really care. I wore what I liked whether others wore it or not.
I first sewed pajama pants in Jr. High. High School was '77-78 through '80-'81. An elective I took was Bachelor's Living, like a Homemaking class. Our project was a sweat suit with a jacket with a zipper. Since I had some experience,the teacher put me on a Bernina machine. At home I sewed with the black old,simple Singer. You were going through the book and I saw my Choir dress my Mom had to sew. Simplicity #6672. It was white long dress like the pic with long sleeves. I spotted it quick because we wore it for 4 years. I was in a group Pop group in high school. Our dress was like a hot chocolate brown color but it was in the slinky,shiny material you were talking about. The bottom would swing. I'm guessing the director was thinking of disco. We sang and danced with a partner.
What fun!!!!! Love those old patterns.
In 1977 my best friend had her wedding dress made with the pattern you pointed out as being modest/demur - it looked beautiful on her. My maid of honor dress and the bridesmaids dresses were also handsewn - they were a peach floral. Brings back the memories. My mom taught me how to sew in the 60s, she was a fabulous seamstress - even went to the Make it Yourself With Wool national contest in the late 1940s with a long wool coat.
You’ve never made me tear up until today. I was expecting my daughter in 1977 and made every single maternity pattern in this book.
I loved looking through this pattern book with you! Lots of memories . I used to look through the pattern books while my mom shopped for fabric. My mom made me some of these Simplicity sun dresses. So pretty! Thank you for sharing your books with us!🤗💗
Thank you for sharing your wonderful 1970s counter book! Wow! Sure brings back memories.
I was a teen in the mid to late 70's. I took every sewing course that my high school offered. I absolutely love 1970's fashions from about 1974 onward.
Oh my goodness! You were beating on my wedding dress with your pointer. I didn’t make it my good friend did. It was the one you said looked kind of Gunny Sax like. You flew past the pattern I made the junior bridesmaid’s dresses from for my stepdaughters. So many memories in that book. I got married April 1976. I will be looking forward to seeing the other books. ❤
I remember those great big counter books...it was always great when a new one came out. I loved, loved, loved this video! Thank you for taking the time to go through this one. I'm going to turn off the volume and watch it on super slow so I can soak in the pictures longer. Isn't it funny to see so many of those models who were 'nobody' and they went on to show up in 70's tv shows?! Wish I could remember which one but I made a couple of different 'safari suits' out of polyester and also out of twill for a neighbor. Those were popular from the 70's and into the early 80's. Made so many patterns from this book! What fun memories.
I’m loving he retro looks - and yes, they would be sewn today and look on trend. I adore the sailor looks. When I seen the wrap skirt…I had a flash back to my 1st sewing project in 1979 - I was in grade 7. Thank you for sharing your counter books.
I love the vintage patterns. I did more sewing in the 1960's. One coat pattern I remember was Simplicity 7804. I made the 'Evening Coat' out of grey Melton Cloth and lined it with the best lining I could afford. I trimmed it with imitation Persian Lamb down the front and around the mandarin collar. I thought I was the bee's knees in my vinyl black boots and Persian Lamb 'Tam' hat.
I just loved to sew back then and 'back then' the patterns used to fit me without much alteration, except for the length of the sleeves and the pant legs. I really liked the styles.
Love looking through these old books. It's amazing how much of this is still wearable today. My mum is 93 and sewed all of her life and when she moved into a nursing home a couple of years ago we had to get rid of everything. How I wish I had kept her patterns. Love your videos Viv. Have a great week.
I love watching Bianca (the closet historian) do these walkthroughs too. Me and my grandma made my first wedding dress back in 1988 which was an ivory very princess Diana esque meringue, I looked like little bo peep on speed 😂
We then altered a gold column bridesmaid dress for my second wedding in 2002 which took FAR less fabric and time, I now have my grandma’s industrial sewing machine which I named after her that both dresses were sewn on ☺️
Thanks Viv for the trip down memory lane!
I was born in the 60's and this reminded me so much of going with my Mom and Grandmother to the fabric store and looking to see what we wanted to make. We would sit and look for hours. It was my job to go find the patterns in the drawer. They made a lot of my clothes. I really miss the quality time I had with them while they were sewing. Thank you for that walk down memory lane.
So much fun! I would love to see more books
Blast from the past and my beginning to sew years! Sweet memories! I wish I still had all the patterns my mom & I sewed in the 70’s 💕
Yay!! I love the 70’s! I saw 4 patterns out of the simplicity book that I made…..wow!! One guy shirt, my homecoming jumpsuit with sheer wrap top, a hat, and a dress!! So much fun to remember those days’. I saw Marlo Thomas as you flipped though the McCall’s…I just loved her….wanted to have her career! And, yes, do the Vogue! My senior prom dress was in there i’n]m sure!! Was a big fan of the Qiana fabric. In many ways superior to today’s poly fast fashion yucky fabrics.. it had body and shapely drape….didn’t cling… Made something in all the colors…proms, dances etc. it felt so sexy as a 17 yr old!! HAHA! Thanks for the memories Vivmom ❤
I remember very well, sitting at the counter looking at those big catalogs. Dreaming of all the things I wanted to make but didn’t have the funds, lol. I was in high school at the time. Brings back so many memories.
Me again! I married in the 70’s…. 50 years now, made my whole “ wedding trousseau”! Seeing some of the patterns in Simplicity! My mom made my wedding dress and I made some of the bridesmaids dresses! Ohh gosh so fun…. Thanks!
Lovely to see you ,wow what a blast from the blast I was a young mum 1977 and have worn a lot those patterns as my mum used to do all our sewing so looked through that pattern book many times for ideas …… some of the ideas are so valid for 2023 😅….look forward to seeing you again as you gave me so much inspiration to sew again and I just love it 😍
When I was a kid, I loved going to the fabric store and paging through those counter books as well. I remember that my mom helped me make a wrap skirt in brushed black denim, and my nephew, who was 2 years old at the time, picked up a pair of scissors and cut into one of the patch pockets, so I only had one pocket, not two. (My mom would never have bought *extra* fabric!) I remember also sewing a pair of gauchos to wear to school. And I also recall my sister, on her way back to college, made a small wardrobe of items in a two-week binge of sewing -- a wrap dress and a couple blouses. All were sewn on my mom's Kenmore machine in a wooden sewing cabinet.
Hi Viv, I would love to see the other pattern books thank you. I just love visiting with you and going down memory lane I was a teenager in the 70's and sewed a lot of my clothes.
Loved this! I cracked up when you got to the leisure suits! Yikes! Thanks SEW much for taking us through memory lane!
I really enjoyed this video! Yes, please show us the other catalogs. I work at a thrift store and one of the departments I take care of is the sewing pattern drawers. I get literally boxes and bags full of patterns. I recognized so many that I have put out to sell in the past, and some that I'm sure are sitting in the drawers right now. I know Etsy and Ebay are good sources, but please do check the thrift stores. Often times they have old patterns as well as donated fabric. The bonus is that frequently a large percentage of your purchase goes to help local charities.
What a trip down memory lane….thanks! I made numerous items as I became “single” and needed a creative outlet besides teaching 😊 I used to finish an outfit before purchasing the next fabric! What happened to those smart days🙄
yes there was alot of sewing in the 70's, my friend in high school named Margaret embroidered a blouse and it was nice
Love your commentary and yes, please do more of these. Your video brought me joy as I waited for a car repair seam ripping a waistband. 🙂
I totally loved this. I was just starting to sew in the 70s as a teenager and remember these 'fashions'. Nothing here looked like what I saw in the retail shops - very hard for a teen! I laughed so much when I saw those menswear pages, especially the denim suit, that I began to wheeze and needed my puffer!! Terrific.
Well that was just fun! I had several of those patterns. I made a jumpsuit but didn’t care for them (especially when you had to go to the bathroom) but I loved my overalls. Gathers and ruffles were big but there are so many other styles that translate well into today’s fashion. The kid’s clothes have changed slightly. As for designer patterns, Simplicity may have tried but it was a big fail. You had to go Vogue if you wanted designer. Mom got one that was Yves St. Laurent and it even came with a label you could sew into the dress! She made the dress with white crepe and a sequined bodice and cuffs. It was absolutely beautiful.
Sharkbite is slightly different than handkerchief. Sharkbite is shaped with a curved front/back, as though a bite was removed. Handkerchief is very pointed as opposed to curved. I made a dress from Quiana (nylon) and was so excited! It was a pain to sew but I powered thru...then I wore it. The static between my hosiery and the dress was so bad! There were no real products to spray or otherwise available so we finally made a mix of liquid fabric softener and water to spray on my pantyhosed legs, I smelled like fresh laundry all night, lol. Never used Quiana again. I agree with your take on maternity. There are very chic ways to wear maternity...imagine using lush silks to make loose fitting tops or rayon from bamboo knits. I don't like the body con choices, I can't imagine being comfortable. My favorites were always the Vogue books. My Mom didn't buy Vogues much, especially when they were priced $1.25. After I turned 18, I only bought Vogue and especially the designers. The Indivualists were my main purchase, especially Issey Miyake when they were available. I was drawn to Avent garde, not traditional. I did buy a lot of craft patterns as I sold things at craft shows. I've never bought a costume pattern unless it was an oldie at an estate sale/thrift shop that I could sell for $$$.
Amazing how so many of them are in the pattern books of 2023. Everything comes back around
I learned to sew in the 60’s as a teenager and I remember some of these. Fun to regress.😊
Me too...memory lane... 🤗
I made 7950 jumpsuit in a light blue kettle cloth type material in 9th grade! Love it! I always wondered what pattern number it was! Thanks for showing the book!! The memories!!
I made several of those patterns. I used to make my maternity pants and those stretchy panels you had to put in I only bought white, and I would dye them the color of the pants they were going in. I love the t-shirt look the girls wear now. I also made the raggedy Ann doll for my niece.
I remember that McCall’s book with the Raggedy Ann dolls. I have the Raggedy Ann and Andy doll pattern and have made several including an Andy for my son who is now 52 years old. Loved looking through the old pattern books!
Walked down memory lane tonight looking at your book! I was a young working girl who sewed all of my garments. The Go Everywhere patterns were my favs. This was so fun!
Oh my gosh, I started college in 1977, and this takes me right back to those hot knit dresses. They were hotter than going through menopause. I've always sewn with Vogue Patterns because my 7th grade teacher loved them, but I do remember Simplicity's style. Oh, these looks are EVERYTHING. Thanks for the blast from the past!!
Love those books. I learned to sew in high school which was during the 70's. So many of those patterns and drawings brought back memories of my high school textiles shop class.
Viv, The Butte Knit patterns are to mimic the Butte Knit outfits that were available ready made in stores. They were beautiful heavy knit and were EXPEMSIVE! Most of the good quality heavy knits at that time were available to ready wear.
Really enjoyed this video. Loved the 70s. Thanks so much for sharing your catalogue finds with us.
"Teen Scene. Pizzazz??? If you say so." LOLOLOL!!!! 🤣😆😂 Absolutely LOVED this video and your commentaries! PLEASE DO MORE! You really made my day! (I graduated HS in 1977, so yes, these photos of patterns bring back all kinds of memories - good and bad.)
Oh, yeah. That was a kick. I'd love to see the other 2. I made my son and husband matching western shirts in an unbleached calico with ditsy floral yokes and pearlized snaps. The height of fashion. I was primarily making clothes for my 3 children in the late '70's. I mostly sewed through the '60's for myself. I have 4 small Simplicity catalog/magazines with adds that I found once in an antique store which I love. Thanks for the memories.
I made myself the same shirt! With burgundy piping! Hahaha. It was a few years before this catalog. Loved that shirt.
Thank you for this video. At the beginning of it you showed a picture of a tan color hooded jacket with dark brown binding. I made that jacket and I used tan colored fabric that was the same on both sides and used brown binding also. Thanks for the fond memory of a time when life seemed much simpler. 🌝🌝🌝
OMG ! Those high waisted full legged pants ! I had a lot of those when I was tiny ! So much fun, definetly do another!!
Gosh...shades of the 70's! I was sewing my own clothes then...and when I went to college, I worked at a Singer store. I remember buying double knits for my mom and grandma for "pant suits" when they went on sale for $1.00 a yard!
Yes! Do a video on the other two books! I really enjoyed this! Talk about memory lane! I was a young wife and mom to two young girls - the older turned three in October of ‘77, and the younger was a baby having been born in January! Oh my!
Thanks so much for this video! Looking forward to the other two! 😊