Looking for a specific Vintage Pattern

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abbybarker

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I work for a theatre in Michigan and as I was going through a donation of old sewing patterns I came across a bag that contained a set of pattern pieces with no envelope. The pattern seems to create a dress that looks to be from the 1940's. None of the pattern pieces are labeled with a company, though. The only identifying markings on them are the pattern number (6542) and the size (15). The pattern was commercially printed but non-modern descriptions, such as "margin" or "lengthwise of goods" instead of "grain line". I have been trying to research vintage patterns of this era but have been unable to find any that match the dress with the pattern number. Is there a database somewhere with a listing of vintage patterns? I would really like a copy of the pattern envelope to go with the pattern.
 
You could try the Vintage Pattern Wiki. I did a search on "6542" and here were the results:

6542

No dresses from the 1940s sadly. You could also try searching on google images.

It's a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack though - there are thousands of vintage patterns and not many from the '40s have survived. Without even a manufacturer name, it's going to be hard.

Nicole
 
Hey there, a pattern with half sizing (e.g. 15) is definitely mid century or earlier, and by the sounds of the bareness of the pieces it is either earlier last century (20's - early 40's) or it could be a pattern master (AKA sloper) from a company or a private dressmaker/designer, hence drafted and labelled only with numbers rather than any names.

This site might help you?
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4669/working-with-vintage-patterns
You’ll see a very plain pattern piece (ignore the text on it that has been added in later)

good luck

Miss Wendy
 
I'm surprised that the pattern is printed but doesn't have any information about the company on it. I've handled literally thousands of patterns, and I don't recall ever seeing a printed pattern that didn't identify the company name. I agree that it will be extremely difficult to identify it without a company name or an illustration of the garment.

You might be able to find a match through the University of Rhode Island's Commercial Pattern Archive. There database is only available by subscription, but once in a while they offer free searching for a finite amount of time, and you could always try contacting the curator. You can find the archive's site by Googling the name.
 
Hm. I can't remember ever seeing a printed pattern without company info. Pre-cut patterns, yes, but not printed ones. Maybe my memory is just going bad after being away from the business for a few years.
 
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