Fashion Sourcebooks the 1940s
Fashion Sourcebooks is a series of beautifully illustrated paperbacks presenting the costume drawings of John Peacock. The series charts the development of women’s and men’s clothing from 1900 onwards, with a volume devoted to the fashions of each decade. Fashion of the 1940s divides into two parts: pre-New Look and post-New Look. The first period was dominated by the Second World War, when rationing and shortages affected the design of clothes. Women’s garments had a somewhat military, function
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(out of 6 reviews)
List Price: $ 10.95
Price: $ 23.89
Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s
- ISBN13: 9780764332272
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Once upon a time, most clothes were sewn at home. Now and ever after, home-sewing patterns will provide the best blueprint to a time when suddenly everyone could dress like the models in magazines. The most popular 1940s styles-from couture to everyday workclothes, ensembles, sportswear, lingerie, and evening dresses, plus toys, needlework and gifts-are presented here in 550 color photographs of pattern envelopes from companies like Advance, Butterick, Hollywood, McCall, Simplicity, Vogue, and o
Rating: 
(out of 11 reviews)
List Price: $ 29.99
Price: $ 18.87
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Review by Faith Shinaver for Fashion Sourcebooks the 1940s
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This sourcebook is an affordable, valuable resource for anyone interested in vintage fashion. Whether as a costumer or historical reenactor, this sourcebook has everything you need. The book is broken down into individual years and then seperated into illustrations of Day Wear, Evening Wear, Sports and Leisure Wear and Accessories. At the back is listed complete descriptions of each outfit.
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I found this book to be a great starter book. The drawings are done well enough so that you get a general idea of what clothing looked like back then, but not detailed enough to help you find those sorts of fashions in thrift stores or online.(They never show the backs of the clothes). I did like the drawings of the shoes and hats. I found those to be done well enough as to help in finding those actual items. If you are looking for 1940’s fashions this book will help somewhat, but I wish there was more detail.
Review by for Fashion Sourcebooks the 1940s
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I really like the two fashion sourcebooks I have. I bought them for inspiration in designing some clothing that will have a retro flair to it. While certainly not all the illustrations are of things that I like, overall I think the book is a good value and very interesting. Certainly the sketches are not very detailed, and if you’re looking for a book of patterns, this isn’t it, at all. Also be aware that the sketches are black and white.
Review by Barbara Hansen for Fashion Sourcebooks the 1940s
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Great women’s clothing, but if you’re looking for men’s styles — don’t blink. Looks like 1 men’s for every 8 women’s drawings.
Review by for Fashion Sourcebooks the 1940s
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Look closely at the cover of this book. It is filled only with such rough sketches of the day, evening, and sports wear from the decade. This is not a detailed, pattern-oriented fashion book. Rather, it would serve better as a reference guide for a designer looking for inspiration from classic styles.
Review by Ruth A. Nelson for Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s
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I’ve been researching information about “home front” America and the fashion industry for several months. Information is scarce. That’s why I was delighted to find this book. It contains a brief but thorough history of the American home-sewing and pattern industry as well as extremely valuable information on the effect of War Regulations on clothing. The text was easy to read and very well illustrated. Better yet, the author includes a detailed bibliography to guide those who need to know where to look for more information. The book does not contain reproductions of the actual tissue pattern pieces. That’s not important since patterns of that time are built off the same basic pieces as patterns of today. The beauty of the book is that it includes copious reproductions of actual home sewing pattern envelopes and counter catalogues. There are hundreds of pictures and they are beautifully photographed so that the reader can get a good idea of the details of the clothing including silhouettes
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I was amazed to receive this book. I learned about how rationing during WWII affected clothing and fashion. I saw how fashion evolved during a decade that began with war and ended with Paris reviving their Haute Couture.I think that the one aspect of Blueprints Of Fashion that caught me completely by surprise was the nostalgic feeling that looking at home sewing catalogue illustrations returned to me. I remember spending hours browsing through catalogues with my Mom during the 60’s and 70’s. I noticed the change of illustration styles, and the use of more photography, throughout those 2 decades of the big 3–Simplicity, Butterick/Vogue, and McCall’s. In the 40’s there were many more brands and that much more variation in illustration styles.Mr. Laboissoniere has done a great job of grouping the pattern face cards into a journey through the fashionable 40’s. Even though he meant this as a guide for collectors, there are so many facets to his research that he has created something truly extraordinary.
Review by Susan Bischoff for Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s
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This book begins with a lot of information about sewing pattern companies, sewing in the beginning half of the century, and fashion changes during the forties that are worth the price of this book. The second half is all reproductions of the fronts of pattern envelopes which provide inspiration for design as well as pointing out how much more advanced the average sewer seemed to be in the forties compared to today.
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This is a wondreful look at a time in fashion when looking your best when in public or private did matter. The fashions are an inspiration to those who love classic design. The only statement being made by these fasions are upbeat ones. Thanks for a great book that any sewer will treasure forever!!
Review by for Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s
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As a dealer in vintage patterns, (…) Wade’s book is an indispensable resource in accurate dating of my pattern inventory. This in turn helps me to better serve my customers. Wonderful color examples of all the catagories, styles and companies.