Buttons and bobbins: January 2013

Sunday, 20 January 2013

Free Pattern Fortnightly: Sirdar Sports Sweater

This is the first in a new regular feature I want to introduce: Free Pattern Fortnightly. This year I want to try and blog more regularly, and have written a proper blogging schedule for the first time in the year and a half since starting up this page! My collection of vintage patterns is not as large as I'd like, but I do have lots and I'd like to share them more often with you all. I will try and post a range of patterns: it might be knitting, crochet or sewing; for men, women, children or home.

This week's pattern is actually one of the first vintage knitting patterns I bought, quite appropriately. Here in Blighty we're in the middle of a cold snap, with a lot of the country under snow (not that we've seen more than a few flakes here on the coast). This early 1950s sports sweater from Sirdar would be pefect for colder weather and knit up quickly in thick wool:

In three sizes for a 34, 36 or 38 inch bust, this sweater uses thicker wool and a tension of 4.5 stitches per inch. It is knit in plain stocking stitch with deep ribbing at the waist and cuffs, with a ribbed shawl collar.

Sunday, 13 January 2013

Votre Mode, 10th May 1956

Today I have pages from another French fashion pattern magazine, Votre Mode, dated 10th May 1956. I bought this one as much for the pattern included, a lovely shirtwaist dress or blouse and skirt outfit. One thing I love about this magazine is the size of the patterns: it is given in continental sizes 44 and 50 (which translate to English sizes 16 and 22), with instructions for resizing that produce a size range from 42 to 52. It is pretty rare to find vintage patterns in a range of larger sizes like this!

The cover illustration is of the shirtwaist option, with a ruffle-trimmed button placket and puff sleeves.