Whimsical Appliqué Patterns

Treasure hunting at my favorite thrift store a few days ago resulted in this find, a 1960s copy of Children's Cross-Stitch & Applique Designs book by Butterick.  Although the cross-stitch patterns are delightful and would be cute on your current creations, the illustrations are pretty monochromatic and didn't scan well.  So today's focus is on the appliqué patterns printed in the book as well as some shopping links for the vintage patterns.

No doubt these patterns can be found elsewhere but today I looked primarily at Etsy since I just love this marketplace!  The three shops who are currently carrying these patterns are not affiliated with me in any way, they just happen to be carrying these particular patterns currently.

The sewing and appliqué patterns:

Butterick 9917

I found this adorable pattern here at Old Soul Vintage on Etsy.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 9917

Butterick 9352

I found several of this pattern available on Etsy, including this one found at Laughing Duck Vintage.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 9352

Butterick 2336

Nothing available on Etsy today but I've seen it there before so keep a lookout, it does become available from time to time.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 2336

Butterick 2195

This pattern is currently available at Vintage Needle Finds on Etsy.  You can find it here in size 3.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 2195

In the back of the booklet were some appliqué instructions and embroidery stitches the looked helpful so I've included them here:

And also this chart on how to correctly measure children when selecting a sewing pattern:

"The size designated in children's patterns is provided to give you an idea of the approximate age of the child for which the pattern was designed.  However, all children of the same age are not necessarily the same size.  Very often they differ in weight and contour as well as height.  Consequently, it is important to select the correct size pattern for the children by measurements, and not by age.  For girls, the breast measurement will determine the correct pattern size; for boys, the chest measurement is the guide for the correct pattern size."

Of course you can apply these appliqués to any garment you have, whether it's one that you've made or ready made.  And there's no reason to not use a modern pattern if you prefer or if you can't find these vintage patterns.

This charming little vintage Butterick pattern book is a treasure trove of whimsical appliqué patterns, I can't wait to get started!

Smocking Tutorial

Mining my vintage craft and sewing pattern book collection resulted in this neat smocking tutorial find.  This wonderful tutorial explains how to prepare your fabric for smocking without the need of a smocking pleater or iron on transfers. In addition, there is an explanation of how to modify your pattern for smocking and a diagram of several smocking stitches.  Loads of information in just a few short pages!

Nice information on how to modify your pattern to allow for smocked gathers:

How to create the gathers using your sewing machine:

Information and diagram of a few smocking stitches:

I love the can do attitude of this author.  She shows you how to tackle a project that looks complicated by breaking it down into manageable steps using tools you already have on hand.  The result?  An adorable little girl's dress.  And these techniques could be used on any article of clothing -- a special accent on a blouse  or on a lovely nightgown for yourself.  Enjoy this bit of wisdom from the past!

Doll Dress, Slip & Panties Patterns

These patterns for a doll dress, slip and panties are from the same vintage World War II pattern books that I was perusing yesterday.  The beauty of these patterns is that they're adaptable to any size doll.  

Like yesterday's apron patterns, having previous sewing experience will be helpful and necessary in drafting and sewing these doll garments.

A Dress to Fit Any Doll

The instructions for the doll dress:
"To make a yoke pattern for a doll's dress, cut two squares of paper as deep and as wide as one quarter of the doll's chest measure plus 1/2 inch.  Divide these pieces into squares as in Diagram 1 and 2 [see below].  Now, draw the yoke outline to cross the squares as shown.  The center front at A, and the center back at B, should be placed on a fold.

"For the sleeve pattern, cut paper as deep as the yoke and twice as wide as the measurement around the top of the doll's arm.  Draw the triangle guide in Diagram 3 [see below], centering the top point and making the base one quarter the depth of the paper from the bottom.  Shape the front of the sleeve top to curve as at the left of the triangle and the back as at the right.  Shape the bottom as shown,  The skirt of the dress is straight and, before gathering, should measure three times around the bottom of the yoke."

Doll Slip and Panties

The instructions for the doll slip and panties:

"The dress yoke pattern may be used as a foundation for shaping the front and back of a slip pattern, as shown by the dotted lines at the left.  The neck and armhole are cut a little deeper than the yoke, and flare is added to the skirt.  The center line, shown here at A [see below], is placed on a fold of the goods in cutting.

"For the front of the panty pattern, cut a piece of paper a little wider than one half the doll's hip measurement and as deep as the length of the panties plus allowance for finishes.  Crease or map the paper in squares, as at B [see below], and use these as guide lines in shaping the crotch and the bottom of the legs, also, the waistline, as shown, The back of the panties is cut like the front except that the waistline is straight."

Once you create the paper patterns for your doll you'll be able to create as many little dresses for her as you want, maybe even a whole new wardrobe!  

These patterns may have come from vintage World War II pattern books but the design is timeless and would certainly make lovely garments today for your special doll.  Enjoy!