I absolutely adore reproduction vintage patterns. I also love vintage patterns – they both have their pros and cons.
I purchased Simplicity 2491 from an ebay seller.
The envelope on my copy is horribly torn, but there are yardage notes written by a previous owner.
The pattern tissue for the scoop-neck version (the one that I chose) was obviously made up by someone as the edges of the tissue have been cut in places with pinking sheers. I absolutely love the idea that someone used this very pattern tissue to make up their own version of the pattern – I only wish that I could see how it turned out!
So I will be the first to admit that working with vintage patterns is wonderful and always an adventure. However, I do have a few issues with them. For one, you can never be sure that the pattern will be complete until you open it up and examine everything. Also, the tissue may be ripped or smell funky, which is never fun. I have had a couple of unfortunate ebay experiences (thankfully, not with Simplicity 2491) in which the pattern tissue inside the envelope had nothing whatsoever to do with the advertised pattern. When you do find the pattern of your dreams, it is often in a size that will not work without major adjustments. And, of course, when I want a bit of instant sewing gratification I can just cut into, a vintage pattern is not the way to go.
Enter the reproduction pattern.
I am so thankful that there is enough interest in vintage looks that companies big and small are reproducing and saving these wonderful patterns, although they sometimes making fitting alterations that I do not always appreciate.
It is actually a brilliant marketing ploy – everything looks better on an elongated fashion sketch with an impossibly small waistline!
For this particular pattern, I had some serious gaping from the upper bust area to the neck. I thought I had fixed the problem using the muslin (what a good girl I am!), but after putting my dress together, the neckline was still not laying flat. To fix the problem, I added another dart. Unfortunately, the dress was already lined, so it is not the prettiest fix in the world, but it makes the dress wearable. And I should have added a bit of boning at the center back bodice as it has a tendency to pull downward over a day of wear.
Overall, I am very pleased with the end result, and plan on using many more of the reproductions in my stash, and I am sure that I will be seduced by another adorable envelope illustration in the future and add to my extensive collection!
More of my vintage adventures may be found over at my blog, Lilacs & Lace. Feel free to stop by and say hello!