Friday 16 October 2015

Now & Then Vintage Inspired Patterns

Remember me waxing lyrical in this post about Til the Sun Goes Down? Just to recap, they're a UK-based company producing beautiful dressmaking fabrics in limited edition prints. The fabrics are all inspired by vintage prints from the 1920's to the 1960's and are just exquisite - they really have to be seen to be believed! Having purchased from them before (some beautiful crepe de chine which ended up as my 1930's Made Up blouse) I'm on their mailing list, so was delighted to learn that they've recently branched out into sewing patterns. 

Now & Then Patterns are described as 'vintage inspired, but in today's sizes'. These sizes range from a size 8 (33" bust, 26" waist, 36" hips) to a size 18 (43" bust, 34" waist, 46" hips). There are three patterns to introduce the range.


The 1930's inspired Amelie Tuck Blouse has a gathered yoke to the front and back shoulders and tuck detailing at the waist. There's a choice of sleeves (short with an inverted pleat or sleeveless) and two collar options (double or single pointed styles). 


I like the authentic 1930's design details in this pattern, probably because it's eerily similar to the Simplicity 2844 pattern I used for my Made Up blouse. I don't really care for the double pointed collar though and was alarmed to see that the pattern requires 11 buttonholes. 11? Really? Just for a blouse? That does seem a bit excessive to me, but I suppose that number of buttons would eliminate any problems with gaping! 



Next up is the Clara Bow Blouse (love the name!) which has a distinctly nautical feel, hoorah! The pattern comes with four sleeve options: straight or gathered short sleeves, long sleeves or sleeveless. There's a removable bow at the centre front and it fastens to the side with buttons, which I think is a lovely touch. Double darts to the front and back shape the waist. This pattern ticks a lot of boxes with me!




The third pattern in the range is the Molly Dress. This 1940's inspired dress has a bias cut skirt which gives a draped, fluid shape with lots of swing. 


The waistline is slightly above the natural waist to create the illusion of a smaller waist and longer legs - yes please to both of those! The neckline is bound, with gathers up to a shoulder yoke and there are two sleeve options: a short, straight sleeve or a long sleeve with gathers on the sleeve head. The dress closes to the side with either a zip or placket for press studs. Although I LOVE this style of 1940's dress and have made a couple, I very rarely wear them, so I'll probably give this one a miss.

I haven't seen or worked with the patterns yet, so can't comment on the actual fit, but based on the sizing chart, they do seem to be designed with modern body shapes in mind. As an example, the measurements from the size 16 vintage pattern I used for my Made Up blouse sit between the size 8 and 10 on the Now & Then sizing chart. Quite a difference! I'll be very interested to see what the instructions are like too. 

The patterns are quite pricey (£16 for the blouse patterns and £18 for the dress), so the Clara Bow Blouse will probably be added to my Christmas list as a treat purchase. I have too much going on at the moment to make it before then anyway, so it will be a nice project for the New Year. How about you? Do you like the look of these new patterns? Any favourites amongst them ?

Have a good weekend! x






13 comments:

  1. The Molly looks lovely - I find that dresses of that sort of shape do a good job of making me look slimmer. I think it must be the high-ish waist and the shoulder coverage - bringing them in rather than chopping them off!
    I wonder if you could make it in a stable-ish knit for a sort of smart-casual effect?

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    1. Hhmm possibly, you may need to grade down to account for the stretch though. It looks like a lovely pattern. x

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  2. These are great. I love them all!

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  3. Beautiful patterns! Thanks for sharing! I've been looking for a blouse similar to the Clara blouse!

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    1. My pleasure! I have my eye on the Clara blouse too. x

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  4. The Molly dress is gorgeous. Do you think they are beyond an adventurous beginner sewer? Cassandra

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    1. It's difficult to say for sure as I haven't yet seen the patterns. But based on the techniques described I think an adventurous beginner should be able to tackle them no problem. I'll email the pattern designer anyway and get back to you. x

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  5. The Clara Bow blouse please. I can remember my mum wearing the 'Molly Dress' when I was a little girl. Love the vintage styles but you need to be young to carry them off. At my age you just look like you got stuck somewhere in the past!

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    1. I think some vintage styles do look better if you're more youthful. I've tried vintage dresses on before and immediately felt like mutton dressed as lamb! x

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  6. I love the post and your blog!

    irenethayer.com

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  7. I agree with the earlier comments about age, alas! I love the fabric this company does but not sure I'm go for the patterns, though there was one I loved last year at Harrogate - but that was before they did patterns.

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  8. Some would prefer the old school style of wearing jeans and a normal t-shirt, however some would prefer wearing something unique and trendy and that is where the true sense of fashion comes. While talking about vintage clothing, one thing that strikes is its uniqueness. vintage clothing UK

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