TABLE of CONTENTS
Brief History of Sewing Patterns..... pg 2
Advance Pattern Company....................pg 8
Butterick Pattern Company..................pg 12
Du Barry Pattern Company...................pg 19
Hollywood Pattern Company.................pg 21
Mail Order and Misc Companies..........pg 24
McCall Pattern Company........................pg 28
Simplicity Pattern Company..................pg 34
Vogue Pattern Company.........................pg 41
This compilation of pattern information comes from many sources. Namely the past
several years of handling vintage sewing patterns, magazines and researching with other
pattern dealers. It is hours and days and years of compiling lists and scans and various
information. My thanks go out to all of the wonderful patternistas who have sent me
bits and pieces of information through the years but most especially to my Dear
Husband for giving me tons of help and encouragement to research all of the data to
compile for your research benefit.
Rita Holcomb/cemetarian
April 27, 2012
Please use for your own research and do not copy or resale.
About Dating Vintage Sewing Patterns
The pattern number is only ONE indicator of the date on vintage sewing patterns. You
can’t use the number alone because the companies would start over again when they got
to a certain level. You must consider the general silhouette of the clothing along with
other factors such as hair, price, sizing and envelope style and logo placement you can
get pretty close to the issue or copyright date. Please be aware that even if a pattern is
dated, it could have been in production for years and could even be a re-release of a
previous number.
Style eras often crossed decade lines. For instance it is very difficult to tell a 1938
pattern from a 1941 pattern. The basic style and design elements were the same. The
same thing applies for 1959-1961 and again in the 60s and 70's. There is more
difference between 1964 and 1967 that there is between 1969 and 1971.
Besides the general look and art work of vintage patterns, the sizing can be a very good
indicator. In the beginning of Home Patterns, the bust measurement is often the only
measurement given. By the 1940s patterns gave bust and hip measurements but often
the waist was not given (due to the fact that the sewist could change that element).
Until 1956 a Size 12 was for a 30 inch bust. In 1956 sizing changed and a Size 12 was
for a 32 inch bust. In mid 1967 the standard changed once again and a Size 12 became a
34 inch bust and remains so today. So if you are trying to date something near the year
of size change, the size can be a great clue.
After several years selling and handling old sewing patterns and catalogs, I have
compiled this list of dates and pattern numbers. Since most patterns are not printed
with the copyright information on them this list is computed using information from
magazines, pattern books and other published sources. The best I can do most of the
time is assume that if a pattern is published in a catalog that is it's date of release.
There are of course crossovers and some patterns are rereleased. So there is definitely
room for error in my calculations.
This guide is meant as just that.......A GUIDE. It is not a definitive copyright date
source.
Victorian 1865-1895
In the mid to late 1860s slopping shoulders, tiny waists and very wide skirts were the
fashion ideal.
Edwardian-La Belle Epoque 1895-1920
From 1895 to 1920 there were several subtle changes in the silhouette. In 1890
narrower skirts with HUGE Leg O Mutton sleeves were the rage. By 1904 the S curve
corset was developed to give women the Pouter Pigeon look and in 1910 the entire shape
softened and narrowed to a flowing straight line with little emphasis on curves.
1920-1929
After the War to End all Wars, (World War I), the world was in a celebratory mood and
fashion changed drastically. Women's clothing became less restrictive and hemlines
climbed higher (not as high as most people think but higher than they had ever been).
Dropped waists and bound bosoms gave a boyish silhouette, along with bobbed hair and
asymmetrical hemlines. But just to say all Twenties were Flappers is wrong. The move to
the carefree youthful Flapper was a gradual movement and not every woman grasped the
concept.
1930-1939
1930's With the Great Depression looming on the horizon many women who had
previously lived a life of luxury with a huge staff to maintain their life styles, were
suddenly thrust into a world where dressing simpler during the day was a simple matter
of practicality. The DAY Dress or House Dress was born and the more complicated and
expensive fabrics were saved for evening wear. Hemlines plunged as did spirits, and the
female figure made a reappearance. Skirts narrowed at the hip with a flare (bias cut or
pleats) at the hemline. By the late Thirties, hemlines were creeping upwards once again
and dresses (or frocks) were becoming more flattering due to an extensive use of Rayon
which hangs softly and lends it's self to drapes and pleats. Shoulders were getting wider
You will sometimes find NRA seals on patterns which can help you date them between
1933-1935. The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), officially known as the Act
of June 16, 1933 was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. It authorized
the President to regulate industry and permit cartels and monopolies in an attempt to
stimulate economic recovery from the Great Depression, and established a national
public works program. The Act was implemented by the National Recovery
Administration and the Public Works Administration. The NIRA was set to expire in
June 1935, but the U.S. Supreme Court held Title I of the Act unconstitutional on May
27, 1935, in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, 295 U.S. 495 (1935) (making the
issue moot).
1940-1949
1940's It's very hard to tell a 1939 from a 1940 unless the pattern is actually dated.
There were no major changes between 1938 and 1941........so if it's extremely important
to you to have a definite date, I'm sorry there isn't an answer. By 1942, when America
entered the 2nd World War, Day Frocks became even more important. Rationing of
fabrics, metals and synthetics as well as the economic impact made protection of
clothing very important. Hemlines climbed higher than ever due to rationing of fabric.
Pullover dresses and tops became necessary due to rationing of metal for buttons.
Aprons and House Dresses to wear at home, Military styled suits for the office worker
and of course trousers for the Rosie the Riveter. Evening clothes were still in vogue, but
were simply styled and often redone older clothing.
By the late 40's hemlines were once more below the knee and stayed there until the mid
50's.........the emphasis was on the female form once again. Draping and pleating and
nipped waistlines were once more fashionable but on a softer and less rigid scale.
1950-1959
Ah! The 50's.........Eisenhower, Rock N Roll, Suburban Life. A car in every garage and a
chicken in every pot. What exactly were the 50's? Many things. In fashion it was the
NEW AGE look, which wasn't really NEW. Tiny waist, wide skirts (just shorter this
time), not much different from the 1850's. But WOW, did the designers know how to
capitalize on the affluence of the 50's. Extreme's is perhaps the thing that most
signifies this era. If one tuck or pleat was good then many were better. High collars,
asymmetrical bodices and big ruffles were all the rage. Most pattern companies took
advantage of this new decade and published Designer series.
Trends seemed to last about one or two seasons and then moved on to something else. In
the early 50's, the styles aren't much different from the very late 40's, except in
fabrics. Heavier brocades and cottons that held their shape. Hemlines were still low, but
petticoats were making a comeback.
By the mid 50's there were two extremes.............very slim and narrow sheaths or very
wide and full skirts. Dropped waists were once more in vogue, but this time it was to
accentuate the waistline not to hide it. Instead of being corset free, these styles
required heavy duty long line foundations.
The later 50's brought on extreme figure manipulation as shown with the Bubble Dress,
and other wild and crazy silhouettes.
1960-1969
The 60's started much like the 50's ended. Shirtwaist dress with full skirts or slim
skirts and lots of petticoats. Then came the Jackie era. Slim skirts with gathers at the
waist line, shell tops and boxy jackets or full length Duster Coats. By the mid 60s
waistlines had once again almost disappeared. A line dresses with either an Empire or
NO waist were the rule.
By the middle of the decade the silhouette was slim with petticoats left in the past.
Pants were becoming more prevalent for casual wear and no longer just for beach wear.
By the end of the decade Pant Suits were acceptable in some work places and schools.
The Hippie movement made Blue Jeans an every day fashion and long dresses were not
just for evening.
And of course we all know of the impact of the Mini skirt and the MOD British Invasion.
Pants seemed the lesser of two evils when compared to the mini skirt.
1970-1979
The 70's gave us Boho with elaborate trims and luscious fabrics in flowing lines. The
bigger the pant hem the better. Low rise on pants started the decade and got lower and
lower. Hot pants and halter tops were softened with overskirts (reminiscent of the 50's
overskirts). The middle of the decade took us into a more Romantic atmosphere. Long
sleeves, high necklines, softly feminine and unrevealing. From the mid 70's style was
pretty much anything goes. Long or short, fitted or loose; It didn't matter.....just Do
your own Thing!
Advance Pattern Company
The house brand of J C Penny Company from 1933 until it and was purchased by Puritan
Fashions in 1966.
Original prices began at 10 cents and climbed to 75 cents by 1964.
Since Advance did not date their patterns, it is difficult to pin down actual dates. The
information below is an approximation based on observation and experience, styling
details and historical research of designers.
1933-1939
Advance started with the number 800 and finished the decade with the 2400 series.
Notice the Eiffel Tower in the logo, implying these were Paris Designs.
1933
896-1060
1938
1935-2606
1939
2121-2425
1940-1949
The decade started in the 2300 sequence and finished around 5300.
1940
2426-2606
1941
2607-2998
1942
2999-3150
1943
3151-3634
1944
3635-3822
1945
3623-4079
1946
4080-4425
1947
4426-4751
Font and placement of the Name changed around 1948. One of the companies most
popular patterns was the Buttons and Bows apron used as a give away promotion in 1948
for the Movie "Pale Face" staring Jane Russell and Bob Hope.
1948
4752-5051
1949
5052-5370
1950-1959
The 1950's were a more prolific time for Advance. They started the decade in the 5300
series and finished around 9200. They also featured many celebrity and designer
patterns, including the I LOVE LUCY pattern.
There was small issue of Import Designer's which have not all been discovered yet. But
they did include #101 Carven, #103 Simonetta, #113 Aurora Battilocchi and #115
Fontana.
American designers were issued in the regular line (without special numbers) that
included Adele Simpson, Suzy Perette and Luis Estevez and there was a line of New York
Times Designer Fashions called Patterns of the Times.
The Block letter font stays prominent and at the top.
1950
5371-5678
1951
5679-5996
1952
5997-6266
1953
6267-6609
1954
6610-6939
1955
6940-7135
1956
7701-8185
1957
8186-8507
1958
8508-8868
1959
8869-9242
1960-1969
Advance sold to Puritan in 1966 and the last known number group is the 3500's. From
1960-1965 they were quite prolific and produced many wonderful and stylish patterns.
As one of the last companies to go to printed patterns the announced the fact by
putting "A Printed Pattern" on each envelope.
The block letter font moved to the side in 1960, moved to the bottom with the Sew Easy
indication around 1962 and then moved back to the side around 1964.
1960
9243-9630
1961
9631-2000
1962
2001-2500
1963
2501-3400
1964
3401-3519
Butterick Pattern Company
Created by Ebenezer Butterick in 1863. The first patterns were for men and boy's
clothing and were cut and folded by members of his family. By 1866 they began supplying
women's dress patterns.
In 1867, Butterick published the "Ladies Quarterly of Broadway Fashions" and in 1868
added the "Metropolitan". In 1873 "The Delineator" began publication. The first
pattern instruction sheet was introduced in the 1920's and was called the "Deltor" and
perhaps helped the Butterick Company survive the Depression when other pattern
companies failed .
In 1948, Butterick started printing markings directly onto the tissue pattern.
Pre 1930
Prior to the 1930's Butterick had no real design or logo plan. You will find many
different types of lettering and information. Basic styles will be your best indicator of
when these patterns were made.
1929
1529-2688
1930-1939
1930's Butterick number series appears to have started around the 3000 number and
continued through 8900. Since none of these patterns are dated, it is impossible to
verify, but you can follow the sequence of styles through the years and get a rough
estimate. Butterick used many different logo placements in this era so the logo is not a
good indicator. Style and length are better indications of the dates.
1932
4190-4605
1933
3976-5506
1934
5006-5585
1935
6162-6205
1936
6670-6718
1939
8187-9135
1940-1949
Butterick was still changing the logos around and trying to settle on a distinct "look"
Some say Companion and some don't.
1940
9136-1260
1941
1261-1767
1942
1768-2351
1943
2353-2823
1944
2824-3183
1945
3184-3598
1946
3599-4017
1947
4018-4377
1948
4378-4738
1949
4739-5117
1950-1959
In 1951 the found their envelope design niche. A colored box in the upper left hand
corner with block letters "Butterick Printed Pattern". They moved the logo again in
1959 and removed the colored background of the box. Butterick pattern #6015 (the
Walk-away Dress) was such a popular phenomenon that the company stopped production
of all other patterns until the demand for #6015 stopped. No other pattern before or
since has been such a best seller.
1950
5118-5554
Color Block Added
1951
5555-5971
1952
5972-6350
1953
6351-6765
1954
6766-7160
1955
7161-7566
1956
7567-7979
1957
7980-8349
1958
8350-8763
Block on the Side
1959
8764-9062
1960-1969
1960's started with the 9000 series and the Side logo of block letters. The numbers
started over again with 1000 in the early 60's and Butterick moved the block letters to
the top of the envelope in 1966.
In the late 60s, there was a Butterick Boutique line.
1960
9063-1499
1961
1500-2139
1962
2140-2271
1963
2300-3000
1964
3005-3158
1965
3159-4158
1966
4159-4235
Block on Top
1967
4166-4416
1968
4698-4951
1969
4952-5751
1970-1980
1970's showed few changes except for the serif font, until 1979 when the company
reverted once again to Block Letters. These are a bit different from the earlier fonts
but the simplicity of the styles as well as the pricing give you a clear difference between
the eras.
Serif on Top
1970
5800
1971
6300
1972
6800
1973
3000
1974
3500
1975
3900
1976
4000
1977
4500
1978
5000
Big Block on Top
1979
5500
Du Barry Patterns
Manufactured by Simplicity Pattern Company, DuBarry patterns began in 1931 for selling
exclusively at Woolworth Company Stores. The latest date found is 1947. Original
prices ranged from 10 cents to 15 cents.
Earliest patterns are du Barry and later changed to Du Barry.
Between 1933 and 1935 Du Barry patterns were marked with the NRA logo to support
the National Recovery Act.
Because of their short production time they are harder to find and are considered
highly collectible.
Du Barry patterns are hard to date by number. They seem to skip around and some have
a B behind the number and some have a D in front of the number and there are even
some with a T. There are a few with copyright dates printed on the envelope but most
are not dated.
1931-1939
1931-1932
1933-1935
1936-1938
1939
100-800
900-1000
1000-2000
2146B-2407B
1940-1947
1940
2408B-2561B
1941
2562B-2666B
5001-5126
1942
2716B-2769
5273-5500
1943
5501-5752
1944
5753-5972
1945
5973-6140
1946
6141-6212
Hollywood Patterns
Created by Conde Nast in 1932, the Hollywood Pattern Company quickly became popular
due to the photos of favorite radio and movie stars that graced the envelopes.
Collectors of Hollywood memorabilia often look for sleeves with their favorite stars.
Original pattern prices ranged from 15 cents to 25 cents. Their manufacture stopped
after World War II and due to their short production span they are harder to find and
considered highly collectible.
Hollywood patterns with the Movie Stars are sometimes easy to date. If the bio
mentions "Starring in...." you can go to the Internet Movie Data Base and search the
Star and the particular movies and get real close to the year.
Dating on the early Hollywood patterns doesn't seem to be as important as the front
cover content and the stars that were featured.
A starlette knew they had arrived when they were featured on a Hollywood Pattern
Cover. Their head shot and a personalized design and artist rendering was there for the
world to see. This type of publicity during the Great Depression entered more homes
than magazines and newspapers.
1932-1939
1932
1000-1099
1933
1100-1199
1934
1200-1299
1935
1300-1399
1936
1400-1499
1937
1500-1599
1938
1600-1705
1939
1706-1928
1940-1947
The patterns with a STAR from the War years are the most prized of all.
1940
1929-1998 400-558
1941
559-788
1942
804-1021
1943
1022-1255
1944
1256-1489
1945
1490-1770
1946
1770-1972
1947
1972-2170
Here is a partial list of some of the Stars and wanna be stars.
Adrienne Ames
Lucille
Fairbanks
Lucille Ball
Glenda Farrell
Geraldine
Fitzgerald
Joan Blondell
Susanna Foster
Katherine Booth Kay Francis
Jane Bryan
Betty Furness
Joan Bennett
Vivian Leigh
Ginger Rogers
Margaret
Lindsay
Ann Rutherford
Carole Lombard Ann Sheriden
Anita Louise
Ida Lupino
Mary Maguire
Anne Shirley
Sylvia Sidney
Ginny Sims
Mary Carlise
Franciska Gaal
Patricia Moran
Claudette
Colbert
Betty Grable
Jean Muir
Martha
O'Driscoll
Olivia De
Katherine
Maureen
Havilland
Hepburn
O'Hara
Maureen
Delores Del Rio Ann Harding
O'Sullivan
Gloria Dickson Rochelle Hudson Merle Oberon
Bette Davis
Bonita Granville
Claire Dodd
Dorothy Jordan Glenda Parnell
Ellen Drew
Ruby Keeler
Ann Dvorack
Lola Lane
Frances Dee
Patricia Ellis
Priscilla Lane
Rosemary Lane
Pat Patterson
Shirley
Patterson
Barbara Read
Gale
Sondergaard
Barbara
Stanwyck
Gloria Stuart
Verree Teasdale
Ruth Warrick
Marie Wilson
Marjorie
Woodworth
Jane Wyman
Charlene Wyatt
Mail Order Companies
Mail order patterns were the answer for rural homemakers for the most of the 20th
century. Each magazine had a section for the homemaker to order patterns, and this
included Progressive Farmer and Grit. The list is enormous and some patterns had the
designer's name and some were generic with a simple number.
There were multiple Mail Order Companies that supplied sewing and crafting patterns to
magazines and newspapers. Even Male oriented magazines such as Country Gentleman and
Progressive Farmer had a Woman's Section dedicated to fashion.
Most Mail Order patterns came in an envelope marked with the name of the publication.
So you might find the very same pattern but in an envelope from Grit or Progressive
Farmer. Unless the pattern is in an envelope with a postmark date, it is very difficult to
pin them down to a specific date. The patterns stayed in circulation until there was no
longer a demand so the same pattern could be in publication for 4-6 years.
One way to help date mail order patterns is the post mark on the original envelope.
Metered Mail should be stamped. Undated meters are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
"SEC 564 PL&R" , 1 or 1 1/2 cent or similar = early 1930's to early 1950's
"SEC 34.66 PL&R" , 1 1/2 cent meter = 1950's
"BULK RATE" the postage helps narrow down the range:
2 1/2 cent = July 1960 to Dec 1962
2 5/8 cent meter = 1963
2 3/4 cent meter = 1964
2 7/8 cent meter = Jan 1965 to Dec 1967
3 6/10 cent meter = Jan 1968 to Jun 1969
3 8/10 cent meter = Jul 1969 to May 1971
If the meter has a serial number the number might give a clue to the date:
• PB with 4 digit
• PB with 5 digit
1940
• PB with 5 digit
• PB with 5 digit
or 1970's
• PB with 5 digit
• PB with 6 digit
numbers are usually 1945 or earlier
numbers 01000 to 01549 or PB 55000 to 56999 are usually 1933numbers 01550 to 01999 are late 1930s to 1950's
numbers 05000 to 05499 or PB 5400 to 54999 are usually 1960s
numbers 57000 to 59999 cane be anywhere from 1930 to 1970
numbers are usually 1980 and later.
Below is a sampling of Mail Order and Misc pattern companies. These are basically
undatable, so the best we can do is a generic era by style.
Fairloom, Superior Patterns (which were circulated through the Sears Roebuck Co),
American Designer
Pictorial Review, Anne Adams, Marian Martin
Modes Royale, Originator, New York
Lady Louise, Woman's Day, Parade, Excella
Prominent Designer, Modern Pattern, Ladies Home Journal, Patt-O-Rama
Spadea, Woman's World, The American Weekly
A few others........ but there are many many more.
Work Basket
Ladies Home Companion
Alice Brooks
Iris Lane
Priscilla
Peerless
Pictorial Review
Star
And a world of Needlecraft Magazines. Nearly every publication had a pattern and
needlecraft section.
McCall Pattern Company
McCall Pattern Company started in 1870 in New York City. James McCall, an immigrant
from Scotland was a Tailor with a small shop who kept up with European fashion trends
and worked as a U S Agent for the English pattern company The Royal Chart.
He began to design his own patterns and published a four page magazine, "The Queen" to
promote and advertise his patterns.
When James McCall died in 1884, his company continued to flourish. The magazines name
changed to "The Queen of Fashion" and reached a circulation of more than 75,000.
McCall's started printing directly onto their patterns in 1919 and in the 1920's
introduced full color printing on their envelopes illustrations. It has been stated that
ALL McCall's have a copyright date, but I have found a few undated ones. But it is safe
to say that nearly ALL McCall patterns are dated and they are the only company to
consistently do so.
1920-1929
McCall patterns had no S until 1951
1914
5438-5781
1925
2783-4254
1928
4900-5380
1930-1939
The grey moved to the side and changed again around 1932. They lost the grey and went
with a cleaner look. By 1935 the name was once again at the top but didn't stay long.
1934
7300-7400
1936
8568-9018
1938
9172-9743
1939
3014-3504
1940-1949
Companies re-issued patterns if they were popular and good sellers, especially during the
war years. The number ranges found in Style News magazines reflect that reprinting.
Numbers seem to range from 3500-7850 in the decade of the 40's, with some carried
over from the 30's and into the 50's.
In the early 40's McCall switched to a Script font on the right side.
1940
3505-4001
1941
4002-4518
1942
4519-5027
1943
5028-5439
1944
5440-5852
1945
5853-6276
1946
6277-6688
1947
6689-7061
1948
7062-7453
1949
7454-7867
1950-1959
By 1952 McCalls added an apostrophe S to their logo and lost the script for a block
letter font.
1950
7876-8335
McCall’s (S added in 51)
1951
8372-8764
1952
8814-9252
1953
9267-9640
1954
9661-3125
1955
3126-3504
1956
3505-3920
1957
3995-4413
1958
4430-4866
1959
4871-5307
1960-1969
Logo switched sides in 1963 and changed completely in 1965 and Number series started
over with 1000-2249. The colored stripe continued into the mid 70's.
1960
5308-
1961
5800-
1962
6200-
Name Moved to Left Side
1963
6863-
1964
7250-7515
Color Stripe added
1965
7747-8028
1966
8200-
1967
8674-
1968
8900-
1969
9604-2100
1970-1979
The Pounds Thinner line was started in 1970 with the side color swatch but with the girl
in a bodysuit creating an optical interest. Logos changed and the numbering system kept
going in 1975 with 4300-6500. In 1979 the logo changed once again with the numbering
continuing into the 80's.
1970
2250-
1971
2770-
1972
3100-3300
1973
3500
Start Multi Size
1974
3900-
Stripe Gone Block- Letters left side
1975
4300-4900
Big Block at Top
1979
McCALL NEEDLEWORK
1914
573-586
1925
1467-1472
1928
1532-1665
1938
513-630
1939
651-723
1940
724-821
1941
822-919
1942
920-1015
1943
1016-1082
1944
1083-1155
1945
1156-1220
1946
1221-1294
1947
1295-1343
1948
1360-1437
1949
1438-1498
1950
1521-1585
1951
1610-1647
1952
1684-1749
1953
1781-1827
1954
1849-1939
1955
1947-2031
1956
2075-2123
1957
2130-2184
1958
2185-2333
1959
2334-2368
Simplicity Sewing Patterns
Simplicity Pattern Company, Inc is the baby of the bunch regarding pattern
manufacturers. Started in 1927 by Joseph Shapiro and his son, his goal was to
produce an easy to follow and economical 15 cent pattern. Of the four major
pattern companies in the world today, Simplicity believes it is the worlds largest.
It is the most prolific. Logo items change periodically.
Simplicity patterns are often dated.
Sometime the date is on the Instruction Sheet, sometime it is on the envelope
and sometime it is not there at all. The dates here could be supposition so take
nothing as fact but as merely a guideline.
Simplicity also had pattern lines with a unique numbering series:
Costumes in the 1930’s 7000 number sequence
Needlework in the mid 1940’s 7000 number sequence
Lingerie in the late 1930’s S600 Number sequence
1927-1929
1930-1939
Like so many of the other companies, Simplicity tried several "looks" before they
settled on one.
Simplicity used the NRA seal from 1933-1935
1933
1287-1337
1935
1700-1935
1939
2955-3240
1940-1949
By the 40's the font had changed to a script which had a more feminine appeal.
Placement was on the side and stayed there.
1940
3264-3625
1941
3625-4046
1942
4043-4479
1943
4480-4845
1944
4865-4999 1000-1177
1945
1178-1195
1946
1490-1882
1947
1823-2274
1948
2275-2688
1949
2689-3043
SIMPLICITY DESIGNERS
In 1949 Simplicity started a Designers Pattern Series with a designated 8000 number.
This only lasted a few years until 1952. Some of these were reissued in the regular
numbering sequence.
1949
8000-8220
1950
8221-8332
1951
8333-8461
1952
8447-8496
1950-1959
The 50's brought little change, but by late in the decade they had added little red
boxes.
1950
3057-3379
1951
3380-3758
1952
3759-4136
1953
4137-4520
1954
4521-4956 1000-1026
1955
4957-4999 1027-1408
1956
1409-1865
1957
1866-2330
1958
2331-2791
1959
2792-3296
1960-1969
The side placement of the logo changed around 1965. Colored script naming across the
top was the New Look. And in 1967 when the New Sizing went into effect they changed
once again to a colored slash with Block lettering across the top.
1960
3299-3734
1961
3735-4100
1962
4200-4699
1963
4700-5399
1964
5400-5899
Name on Top in Color
1965
5900-6399
1966
6400-6999
1967
7000-7499
1968
7500-8099
Color Line
1969
8100-8699
1970-1990s
The colored slash stayed with them until the late 70's when they went to what I call the
White Corner look. Which was changed to the File Folder Look around 1982. In the
90's a more contemporary look with large block letters was used.
1970
8700-9200
1971
9300-9799
1972
9800-9999 5000-5399
1973
5400-6299
1974
6300-6799
1975
6800-7299
1976
7300-7899
File Folder Look
1977
7900-
1978
8800
White Corner
1982
5700
Vogue Sewing Patterns
In 1899 VOGUE Magazine published a weekly pattern feature, which showed the
consumer a pattern that could be purchased by sending in 50 cents with the coupon.
Only one size was available.............a 36 inch bust. By 1905 the once-weekly pattern
service had evolved into an entire Pattern Department, thanks to Rosa Payne who
convinced the editors to print one of her patterns.
In 1909 Vogue was purchased by Conde Nast and the demand for "Vogue" designs
became so large that Mr Nast increased the availability and widened the style range.
The Vogue Pattern Company was formed in 1914 and department stores started selling
the patterns in 1916.
In the early 30's, Ladies Home Journal discontinued their HOME patterns and featured
Vogue Patterns in their Fashion Section instead of the traditional Home Patterns.
There were several different numbering sequences. Their Regular line, Childrens,
Special Design and their Couturier line.
Vogue Patterns made news in the fashion industry by announcing the availability of Paris
Original Models in 1949, featuring leading French Couturiers.
Conde Nast signed a licensing agreement in 1961, with Butterick to use and trademark
the Vogue Pattern name.
This list is compiled from various Vogue Magazines and counter books. There are gaps
and as stated before, a pattern might be published for several years so once again, this
is a guide line and not a definitive list.
1920-1929
Vogue Regular
1929
9204-9646
Vogue Special Design
1929
S3281-S3292
Vogue Children
1929
2976-1888
1930-1939
Vogue Regular
1932
5949-6062
1936
7016-7366
1939
8255-8574
Vogue Special Design
1932
S3583-S3584
1939
S4109-S4189
Vogue Couture/Couturier
1939
233-298
Vogue Children
1932
3285-3088
1939
3534-2189 229
1940-1949
Vogue Regular
1940
8559-8911
1941
8915-9234
1942
9235-9591
1943
9600-9900 5000-5031
1944
5032-5334
1945
5321-5626
1946
5666-5954
1947
5983-6284
1948
6270-6655
1949
6674-6953
Vogue Special Design
1940
S4183-S4269
1941
S4270-S4345
1942
S4346-S4430
1943
S4431-S4517
1944
S4518-S4600
1945
S4602-S4682
1946
S4688-S4758
1947
S4761-S4839
1948
S4840-S4944
1949
S4947-S4998
Vogue Couture/Couturier
1940
300-363
1941
365-399 200-211
1942
224-295
1943
296-361
1944
362-399 200-223
1945
224-281
1946
288-343
1947
346-404
1948
408-468
1949
475-533
Vogue Paris Original
1949
1050-1081
Vogue Junior
1945
3002-3048
1946
3052-3121
1947
3122-3182
1948
3190-3251
1949
3261-3324
Vogue Children
1941
2230-2266
1942
2267-2316
1943
2319-2336
1944
2342-2373
1945
2375-2382
1946
2385-2430
1947
2435-2453
1948
3190-3251
1949
2541-2571
1950-1959
Vogue Regular
1950
6973-7241
1951
7248-7555
1952
7556-7874
1953
7928-8171
1954
8176-8481
1955
8492-8736
1956
8786-9019
1957
9025-9347
1958
9352-9640
1959
9641-9872
Vogue Special Design
1950
S4000-S4160
1951
S4176-S4273
1952
S4274-S4360
1953
S4361-S4464
1954
S4481-S4560
1955
S4581-S4656
1956
S4667-S4742
1957
S4749-S4849
1958
S4850-S4933 S4935-S4940
1959
S4957-S4999
Vogue Couture/Couturier
1950
544-596
1951
606-656
1952
660-719
1953
729-778
1954
786-833
1955
841-885
1956
889-938
1957
953-998
1958
999-142
1959
144-196
Vogue Paris Original
1950
1082-1121
1951
1122-1161
1952
1162-1201
1953
1202-1241
1954
1258-1281
1955
1287-1314
1956
1319-1352
1957
1354-1391
1958
1398-1431
1959
1434-1472
Vogue Junior
1950
3333-3392
1951
3398-3445
1952
3452-3498
1953
3504-3547
1954
3553-3591 1500-1571
1955
3601-3625 1515-1547
1956
3636-3641 1551-1566
1957
1571-1592
1958
1606-1629
1959
1633-1643
Vogue Children
1950
2580-2602
1955
1546
1956
2740-2748
1960-1969
In the 60's Vogue started using the same number sequence for both Couturier and the
Paris Original series. So I have combined them together under Designer patterns. All
numbers have been found in various publications and I have taken the liberty of grouping
the numbers under the year of the earliest publication. Some were promoted for 2 or 3
years in later publications. So it's not uncommon to find a 1961 number in a 1963
publication.
Vogue Regular
1960
9900-5100
1961
5126-
1962
5300-5732
1963
5800-6093
1964
6153-6352
1965
6353-6639
1966
6950
1967
7249
1968
7250-7528
1969
7713
Vogue Couture/Couturier
1960
198-211
Vogue Paris Original
1960
1473-1494 1000-1023
1961
1039-1058
1962
1072-1188
1963
1192-1277
1964
1320-1405
1965
1431-1551
1966
1553-1639
1967
1666-1745
1968
1866-2062
1969
2006-2262
Vogue Children
1960
2814-2912 5041-5086
Vogue Designer
1960
1000-1496
1961
1039-1058
1962
1072-1188
1963
1192-1277
1964
1320-1405
1965
1431-1551
1966
1553-1685
1967
1666-1864
1968
1866-2062
1969
2063-2262
1970-1980
Vogue Regular
1970
7714-7950
1971
7382-8155
1972
7637-8464
1973
8166-8700
1974
8432-9094
1975
8257-9376
1976
8749-9620
1977
1978
9816-7216
1979
1980
7052-7702
Vogue Designer
1970
2238-2454
1971
2412-2596
1972
2644-2802
1973
2551-2930
1974
2975-1010
1975
1043-1349
1976
1129-1550
1977
1978
1559-2002
1979
1980
2307-2521