Marian Martin Vintage Sewing Patterns

Marian Martin Vintage Sewing Patterns

The Marian Martin Sew-Chart is generally one-page (front information only) of compact instructions outlining:   General Instructions, Sewing Details, Sewing Instructions and Cutting Instructions.  See:  Marian Martin pattern 9201, a vintage halter dress sewing pattern review here. 

ENVELOPE
Generic:  There’s an illustration of the garment to be constructed on the front page of the Sew-Chart sheet with smaller back views.  The instructor doesn’t provide a written description of the garment itself. Sizing information is located in bold print below the standard measurement information located on the Sew-Chart instruction sheet along with the pattern number.

Note:  While the envelope is generic, often times the mail order pattern company indicated the pattern number and size for the recipient in the handwritten addressee information.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Seam allowance:  On unprinted patterns the seam allowance (often 1/2”) is indicated in the General Instructions section

Marks used for cutting and marking. 

V                     Notch-to match seams
Oo                  Large and small perforations.  Mark perforations of wrong side of fabric with tailor’s tacks or chalk.
OOO               Indicates place of fold
oo                  Straight grain of fabric-see cutting guide for further instructions

Shorten or lengthen by making tuck or slash at triangle perforations.

SEWING DETAILS

Provide very basic information and a few diagrams on working buttonholes, bias facing and seam finishing.

SEWING INSTRUCTIONS

While the instruction sheet isn’t as detailed as an Anne Adam’s sewing pattern as far as added information related to sewing techniques, the sewing instructions are detailed and complete enough making construction of the garment easy and without difficulty.

Instructions along with some detailed numbered illustrative depictions are laid out in broad step categories: 1, 2, and 3 ect, with more step by step detailing within each category.

Also included are sizing and fabric requirement charts, a numbered and name parts identification guide and a detail cutting information section that clearly provided information on how to lay out pattern pieces.

PATTERN PIECES

I’ve only seen unmarked perforated patterns.  They are numbered and contain generally easy to read perforations.  Be careful not to confused imperfections in the tissue paper for actual perforations.  For example, some Marian Martin tissues have small imperfections shaped like circles-bigger than a pin hole, but smaller and less defined as an actual pattern perforation.

Marian Martin