This dress pattern is called "Changeabout"

I became interested in becoming a pattern maker by collecting vintage patterns. I loved looking through them, seeing the fashion images, going through piles at estate sales and thrift store.  I began sorting and organizing them into categories. I bought files and cabinets and pretty soon I had thousands of wonderful patterns! The drafting of home sewing patterns started in 1863 with Ebennezer Butterick who marketed the first mass produced sized tissue patterns. If you have ever run into some of these older packets, the tissue is unmarked and really depends on the already trained seamstress. A good book to check out for information on early patterns as well as patterns of the 1940s is Blueprints of Fashion  by Wade Laboissonniere. I checked the revised second edition out of the library and I have to dig through by pattern cabinets to see if I have any 1940s patterns left!

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Christine Dior was famous for the “New Look” in 1947, that was the first feminized fashion to be launched after WW2. During the war fabric was rationed and his look at first used 10 yards, later some of his gowns would use up to 80 yards!

In this video you can look in depth at the workshop, see the tools the pattern makers are using and enjoy the muslins for the House of Dior’ s fabulous gowns.

I am especially fascinated with this _

Antique needle punch marking lines

The House of Dior has been in flux lately due to a scandal with very talented  designer John Galliano. His sucessor is long-time colleague Bill Gaytten, who seems to be doing a fabulous  collection! I am a huge fan of Galliano , who must return with his own line, as soon as he recovers from the pressure that most assuredly lead to his ill advised comments in a Paris cafe.

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