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Rating: Summary: Indispensable Resource Review: As a dealer in vintage patterns, (...) Wade's book is an indispensable resource in accurate dating of my pattern inventory. This in turn helps me to better serve my customers. Wonderful color examples of all the catagories, styles and companies.
Rating: Summary: A Beautifully Illustrated Collection of 40's Fashion Review: I was amazed to receive this book. I learned about how rationing during WWII affected clothing and fashion. I saw how fashion evolved during a decade that began with war and ended with Paris reviving their Haute Couture.I think that the one aspect of Blueprints Of Fashion that caught me completely by surprise was the nostalgic feeling that looking at home sewing catalogue illustrations returned to me. I remember spending hours browsing through catalogues with my Mom during the 60's and 70's. I noticed the change of illustration styles, and the use of more photography, throughout those 2 decades of the big 3--Simplicity, Butterick/Vogue, and McCall's. In the 40's there were many more brands and that much more variation in illustration styles. Mr. Laboissoniere has done a great job of grouping the pattern face cards into a journey through the fashionable 40's. Even though he meant this as a guide for collectors, there are so many facets to his research that he has created something truly extraordinary.
Rating: Summary: Fashion when style and beauty counted Review: I've been researching information about "home front" America and the fashion industry for several months. Information is scarce. That's why I was delighted to find this book. It contains a brief but thorough history of the American home-sewing and pattern industry as well as extremely valuable information on the effect of War Regulations on clothing. The text was easy to read and very well illustrated. Better yet, the author includes a detailed bibliography to guide those who need to know where to look for more information. The book does not contain reproductions of the actual tissue pattern pieces. That's not important since patterns of that time are built off the same basic pieces as patterns of today. The beauty of the book is that it includes copious reproductions of actual home sewing pattern envelopes and counter catalogues. There are hundreds of pictures and they are beautifully photographed so that the reader can get a good idea of the details of the clothing including silhouettes
Rating: Summary: Valuable reference for the history of fashion/home-sewing Review: I've been researching information about "home front" America and the fashion industry for several months. Information is scarce. That's why I was delighted to find this book. It contains a brief but thorough history of the American home-sewing and pattern industry as well as extremely valuable information on the effect of War Regulations on clothing. The text was easy to read and very well illustrated. Better yet, the author includes a detailed bibliography to guide those who need to know where to look for more information. The book does not contain reproductions of the actual tissue pattern pieces. That's not important since patterns of that time are built off the same basic pieces as patterns of today. The beauty of the book is that it includes copious reproductions of actual home sewing pattern envelopes and counter catalogues. There are hundreds of pictures and they are beautifully photographed so that the reader can get a good idea of the details of the clothing including silhouettes
Rating: Summary: Indispensable Resource Review: This book begins with a lot of information about sewing pattern companies, sewing in the beginning half of the century, and fashion changes during the forties that are worth the price of this book. The second half is all reproductions of the fronts of pattern envelopes which provide inspiration for design as well as pointing out how much more advanced the average sewer seemed to be in the forties compared to today.
Rating: Summary: Beautiful resource for forties fashion and sewing Review: This book begins with a lot of information about sewing pattern companies, sewing in the beginning half of the century, and fashion changes during the forties that are worth the price of this book. The second half is all reproductions of the fronts of pattern envelopes which provide inspiration for design as well as pointing out how much more advanced the average sewer seemed to be in the forties compared to today.
Rating: Summary: Fashion when style and beauty counted Review: This is a wondreful look at a time in fashion when looking your best when in public or private did matter. The fashions are an inspiration to those who love classic design. The only statement being made by these fasions are upbeat ones. Thanks for a great book that any sewer will treasure forever!!
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