Hello all!
If you’ve been following along on my Instagram, you may know I’ve been working with a bit of a challenging pattern. This cape is from 1921-1922, and a few of you said you’d like to try it out, so I have finished up the pattern and just put it on my website as both an e-pattern and a printed pattern.
I DO NOT have an Etsy listing for this one, as Etsy is an especially notorious platform for folks not reading descriptions, and then leaving reviews. Since this is a tricky one, please be sure you read all the description, and/or watch the video that explains why it’s tricky before you get it. Pretty please.
***If you’re outside the area of my website (since all VAT sales are done through Etsy, I don’t do EU or UK sales on my site), you can send me a message and I will set up a reserved Etsy listing especially for you for the e-pattern version, which is $7.99 plus VAT, which Etsy estimates for you. The text description from my website is below, so you can read about it wherever you are in the world.***
So for those who are adventurous fashion archeologists who like to reverse-engineer complicated bits of construction, this one’s for you ;) Perhaps with the video added, and the text added to the pattern sheet, it will be a bit less of a head-scratcher on the receiving end than looking at the raw original! That’s what I’m aiming for with these oldies, anyways!
You can find this tricky little pattern on my site:
PRINTED PATTERN: https://wearinghistorypatterns.com/products/printed-pattern-circa-1921-1922-wrap-size-small-bust-to-36
E-Pattern: https://wearinghistorypatterns.com/products/e-pattern-circa-1921-1922-wrap-size-small-bust-to-36
Here’s the video companion to this pattern, done while I was making a half scale mock up to test the pattern construction:
Pattern Description from My Website:
Here is the website listing text for the PDF pattern, for those who can’t access the website because of location in the EU or UK. Be sure to message me on Etsy if you want me to set up a listing for you. The current price as of the time of writing this is $7.99 USD plus any applicable tax for your country.
Wearing History #E-AC133
**ADVANCED/EXPERT Difficulty**. This one is VERY CHALLENGING, despite the simplistic appearance!
Circa 1921-1922 Wrap
One size only, the original pattern size of size Small- Bust sizes up to 36″ (no larger)
This listing is for an E-PATTERN to PRINT AT HOME yourself on 8.5 x 11″ or A4 size paper.
Also included are COPY SHOP sizes A0 and 36″ wide.
~~ DESCRIPTION ~~
A Wearing History Archive Couture PDF pattern of beautiful and RARE tucked dress pattern. This is documented in newspapers to the summer and autumn of 1921.
From a very rare period original pattern from 1921-22, this pattern is for a “wrap”, with a cape-like back.
Original Period Description:
LADIES’ WRAP, Gathered at neck in Front and Back, and finished with a Large, Convertible Collar which is Closed to the Neck or Rolled with the Fronts of Wrap forming Revers. The Extentions on Back of Wrap are Turned underneath and stitched to form Sleeves. Length of Wrap at Center-back, from Neck to Lower Edges, 36 5/8 inches.
Please be aware that this cape has very complicated construction, which requires easing two very differently-shaped seams in to each other. The notches are from the original period and have not been trued. No button placement is given, and very little instruction. Read more below…
I highly suggest seeing the video I made while mocking up this pattern, which helps clarify some construction and gives tips for making: https://youtu.be/lGYamEXcvD4?si=sFTwswFlkhk_zOOw
– ADVANCED/EXPERT Difficulty –
Because…
This pattern is extremely challenging even for experienced sewists. Period sewing knowledge is a plus.
- The instructions are mostly text-only and very minimal. There are also a few images that were originally included as a supplementary instruction sheet. No modern instruction or supplemented construction clarification is included. There is one page where I list “watch points” for putting together the pattern, and a video on YouTube where I mock this up. Link is above.
- No button placement is given, or any instructions for finishing or hemming.
- This pattern did have minor corrections made to help true up some of the pattern lines and notches by Wearing History, but other edges have original notch placement. A note is given on the pattern for this edge.
- There are also notes at various points on the pattern itself that help clarify markings. Patterns of this era did not have printed pattern markings at all, and this original period pattern was in a single size and made of unprinted tissue paper with holes for markings.
Archive Couture patterns are an exercise for one’s skills, and an adventure into experimental sewing from antique patterns. Please read more details about this pattern below.
~~ SIZING ~~
This pattern is from a period original and only includes size SMALL which fits up to size 36″ bust. The waist size is not given.
This pattern was original for LADIES SIZING. Juniors, Misses, and Plus Sizes may require alteration for fit
– – WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THIS PATTERN – –
-A clean, computer drawn pattern of the basic pattern shapes needed to create the garment illustrated.
-Very basic original TEXT ONLY instructions, and one sheet of illustrations from the period.
-Seam Allowances are included.
-A brief page of basic tips and watch points for working with this pattern.
-A few pages of basic clarification of the original text instructions
– – What Is NOT Included With This Pattern – –
As per the “About Archive Couture Patterns” paragraph below, what is not included is standard of patterns of this age.
-NO in-depth sewing instructions
-NO finishing techniques
-NO trim placement. You must get creative with your lace and trims.
-NO closure placement.
-ONE SIZE ONLY, Size Small, up to 36″ bust.
– – About Archive Couture Patterns – –
Archive Couture patterns are of Advanced Difficulty and recommended for those who are familiar with putting patterns together with little to no instruction, and who are familiar with pattern alterations for fit. These patterns are have been taken from original historical source materials. These sources may include diagrams, overlapping patterns in magazine issues, early tissue paper patterns, or other period source material. The source material was used by experienced home sewists, dressmakers, or tailors of the period from which they are derived. These patterns were only available only in single sizes, with details such as grain lines or buttonholes most often unmarked. Wearing History has clarified markings (where given) and supplied tips for working with these historical patterns. You may choose to have a modern or period sewing book on hand to help with construction and fitting. Archive Couture patterns follow the period shapes of the original period source material, maintaining the historical accuracy and fit of the completed garment. Fitting a muslin mockup is strongly recommended, as all garments were meant to be worn over period foundation garments or corsetry. Fit and proportion of these patterns are different than modern costume patterns and may require alteration to fit your modern body, even when wearing period style foundations. Several mock ups may be required to achieve ideal fit. We believe these patterns should not be lost to time or languish in historical archives, but be made available for historical sewing enthusiasts of today.
–HOW TO PRINT AND USE THIS E-PATTERN-
YOU WILL NEED ADOBE READER, A FREE PDF READER PROGRAM, IN ORDER TO OPEN AND PRINT THIS PATTERN.
This pattern is formatted for USA Letter Size and A4 sized paper. You will need to print this pattern to 100% scale. Open the “READ-ME-FIRST” File for instructions on printing and piecing your pattern.
If sending to a copy shop, we print PDF patterns at http://patternprintingco.com for USA customers! This is our family business also.
For printing at home: This pattern is tiled into letter sized paper. This pattern file is formatted to fit on both sizes of paper, and there will be varying thicknesses of white border, which will be cut off, according to pattern instructions.
You will print these documents on your home printer, cut, and tape them together, to form a larger pattern layout. Then you cut and use your pattern just as you would a normal home sewing pattern.