A little deep cleaning, a bunch of memories
My weekend retreat plans were cancelled…
…due to snow, ice, wind and cold. Instead I went through some tubs of very old patterns from the 80s and 90s. It was pretty entertaining.
The first things I ever sewed were garments, so I guess it was natural for me to carry that idea forward into my quiltmaking years.
There were a lot of vest patterns. They just wouldn’t stop. Seems I was enamored with anything textural.
And the vests kept coming. Remember pin weaving? I took the class but I never made the vest.
Honestly, how many patchwork vests is a girl going to wear? Even back when they were cool?!
At least this one is a little more artsy. Out of all these vests, I made exactly zero.
But wait, there’s more. Here’s to other garments:
I had a thing for tops and jackets. Or at least for the patterns for tops and jackets.
Notice the name? It’s “can you stand it” spelled Kanustandit. Clever, or stupid? You decide.
I was wildly optimistic about making and wearing patchwork garments.
May it was the “Ninety Minute” promise that lured me in?
I STILL think the Mismatched Medley shirt is really cute. This is one I kept. But how many of these did I actually sew?
Again, ZERO.
Embroidery patterns also took a hit.
I used to do lots of primitive-style embroidery, and I sold a few pillows from the “Bless Us” design and others to friends and neighbors. It was fun to make a few dollars here and there to help support my quilting habit, as I wasn’t working away from home in those years.
Here’s another thing I noticed:
If you needed a handout, you typed the words on a typewriter and you drew the diagrams by hand. You went to a store to make the copies. People didn’t have copiers at home, let alone computers or drawing programs. It was primitive compared to what we have today.
Even Fons & Porter handouts were drawn by hand! I took a class from them around 1987. The copyright says 1986, and they weren’t yet well known.
My guild in Norfolk, Nebraska invited Vivian Ritter to teach for us. She worked for Quilters Newsletter at the time and to me she was a real celebrity.
Her diagrams were hand drawn and extensive. It makes me dizzy to think about the hours people spent creating materials for quilt classes back then. Even now, I spend a lot of time creating handouts, and that’s with computer resources readily available.
How things have changed!
Every time I go through my patterns, handouts, clippings, etc., I cull a few more. But it always feels like I’m getting rid of old friends. They’re so familiar. I’ve looked at the pages of these things dozens of times over 30-plus years.
In the end, I’m comforted by the idea that they did what they were meant to do. They put a few dollars into the pocket of a designer and a shop owner. And they inspired me, entertained me and spurred me on to the next creation.
Maybe that is enough. 😊
Quilt on,
Have you saved patterns, handouts, magazines from the past? How old are your oldest ones? Why do you save them? Please tell me in the comments.
Tags: garment sewing, memories, quilt patterns
Lil Koster
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OMG!! I have that vest pattern! (The first one at the top of your post.) It’s in a drawer with the rest of the patchwork garment patterns I’ll never make. My stash of quilt fabric and patterns goes back to the early 80’s, when I started quilting. I did finally get rid of garment patterns and fabric and all my cross-stitch books a long time ago. Once I found quilting, I’ve never looked back!
Patty Graves
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Planning to make them one day
Martha
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Don’t you dare throw out the artsy vest pattern. Lol
Leslie D. Schmidt
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I started quilting in 1998, and I have rarely gotten rid of any patterns or handouts. I’m with you, thinking of them as old friends. And your explanation of how they have done what they were intended to do, really hit home. Since I’m nearing the end of my productive years, I guess I will have to part with most of them.
Thanks for your support, Diane, of those of us who hate to discard the memories of our happy times.
Jan Turner
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I recognized some of the vest patterns. And I didn’t make very many, a couple for myself, and 5-6 for my daughter. Made a lot of the kid’s clothes when they were small. Even made my husband a suit, dress pants, and ties when he taught school. Hardly make any clothing now. Our interests change! I was going through my notebooks today, trying to eliminate some old quilty things. Like you I have looked at them before, thrown out some, but keeping more than I will ever use!! LOL They may be there for someone else to go through, and maybe it won’t be so hard for them to dispose of.
Nancy Sue Arnoldy
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I have that Ikinmakit vest pattern! And I still plan to make it – I like wearing long vests with pockets at my longarm to park my scissors, seam ripper, and small ruler. I actually did make a pinweaving vest.
I started quilting in 1987, so I do have a couple of “friends” I’ve saved since then. During COVID I managed to finish some 30-year-old projects, too!
Marilyn McGahan
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Patterns, Patterns, Patterns–sweatshirts, jackets, quilts, embroidery, crochet, knit, garments–no room for any new stuff!! But really having a hard time getting rid of all the old that I am never, ever going to use! And then there are all the quilt books and quilt magazines!! UGH!! Sure is fun to look through them though!
Helen reimers
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I still have some of the old patterns and magazines from the early 80’s. Like you, I think of them as old friends. The Quilters who were my friends and mentors back then have passed. These patterns and magizines are reminders of all the great times and quilts me made. Think I will keep them a little longer.
Julie
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OMG – I so want that Kanustandit jacket and pants pattern! Are you willing to part with it? I’d love to make that jacket and embellish with some boro inspired stitching. I’ve been looking for the perfect pattern.
Diane Harris
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I would happily give it to you but I sent them all to the dump before I even wrote the post. ☹️
Marsha
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I made that jumper and proudly wore it!! I think I finally let that pattern go as well as my similar looking vest patterns last year!
But I still have some Butterick seeing patterns for hip-huggers in the 70s:).
Diane Harris
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Oh my gosh, I made tons of hip huggers back in the day! Mostly from polyester double knit. Wish I still had those babies!! Some had elephant legs, remember those?!
Linda Ferguson
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Yes I remember all of this. My mother sewed and quilted some gorgeous clothing that I can’t part with because she made it. I also remember drawing out patterns into a large book to keep. Wow that was inaccurate! I also remember being thrilled at a handout pattern at my first quilt show! My guild is talking about making vests next year and I was wondering if quilted clothing was coming back in style??