How to pick a starter vintage sewing pattern

1.  Start with a basic dress pattern wint a round neck.

A basic ( basic pattern, block pattern, sloper or foundation pattern) pattern follows the natural lines and represents basic dimensions of a figure from which all styles are based.  

Purchase a basic dress pattern with a round-neckline from a local fabric store.     

Advantages in using a basic include, 

• You learn how to take better measurements. 
• You develop better alteration and sewing skills. 
• Vintage and contemporary basic patterns are relatively inexpensive and minimum construction supplies (needle, thread, muslin and marking pencil) are required.  

A dress with a rounded neckline is very common.  After mastering the pattern, it’s easier to modify the design and move on to other more intricate patterns with complicated necklines.

A basic includes a set-in sleeve pattern, again once mastered it’s easier to experiment with and learn other sleeve variations.

Note:  Even if your basic pattern has options for other design details such as shoulder pads (common in vintage basic patterns), those items may be eliminated.    Later, you may decide to use shoulder pads in your vintage styles:  shoulder pads. 

2.  Move up to an A-line basic pattern

A-line dresses/skirts silhouettes are narrow at the top and flare gently toward the bottom- resembling the letter A. 

3.  Step up to a simple Shift dress pattern. 

Extemely popular in the 1960s and 1970s, a shift dress is a dress consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice or matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment.  Vintage Simplicity Jiffy 4947 pattern features a shift with a bateau neckline.

4.  Move onto a multi-style dress pattern

A multi-dress patterns were popular because there’s multiple design variations in one dress pattern.  An economical way of purchasing a sewing pattern.  Different style aspects include: varying sleeve length or type, waist lines, varying skirt shapes, styles and lengths, closures and necklines…depending on the multi-style pattern you choose.

Patterns not recommended for the beginner:  

• Patterns containing linings
• Standing collars
• Patterns requiring the matching of stripes
• Patterns requiring the use of special care fabrics for example, wool and silk. 

For more information

How to sew with vintage sewing patterns

How to use vintage sewing pattern art in sewing projects