DIY: 1960's Blouse + Tips to Buying Vintage Patterns

Pattern - 1960's Simplicity 7870

The main thing that annoys me about sewing is that the vast majority of modern patterns are hardly on trend or something a person into fashion would want to wear. I think I only ever use vintage patterns simply because you can always fined something a bit cool or easily adapt them. This one is a 60's pattern and I love the neck detail, so many patterns from this time had them.

Etsy is kind of the holy grail for buying vintage patterns; there are thousands of them. There are a few specialist pattern websites and shops around but they usually charge so much more than just Etsy and eBay. So here are a few tips from me if your new to it:

• It's best to stick to Etsy or eBay but check postage costs and condition of pattern.

• You will usually be 2 sizes bigger than usual in vintage sizing (so a 10 is usually a 14 up until the 1970s). Having said this, they can still come up small- people are bigger than they used to be generally.

• The instruction are written very differently and usually more basic than modern patterns so be prepared.

• Be flexible and ready to change things- sometimes zip lengths don't exist anymore and some methods are extremely out of date.

• If the pattern is fragile, it could be worth tracing it out as pins can rip right through some old tissue papers.

Anna