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Modern Pattern Design
This book teaches you the professional secrets of cutting smart, shapely wearing apparel as employed by our nation's leading designers. It teaches you how to reproduce those exclusive, glamorous gowns you've always wanted -- by learning how to cut your own design. It allows you freedom from the limitations of commercial patterns, and teaches you how to add instead your own original ideas.
Out of print, available through some used book dealers. Reprinted on the Vintage Sewing site.
Out of print, available through some used book dealers. Reprinted on the Vintage Sewing site.
- GenresSewingFashionNonfiction
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1942
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 4 reviews
July 20, 2013
Large format, hardback book measuring 11" tall x 8" wide x 1" thick. Green boards (1945 reprint of 1942 original), 253 pages.
I have an increasingly extensive library of vintage sewing and needlework books and confess that this has to be just about the best I have seen.
Not only is it beautifully presented but unlike Mme Trois Fontaines' Dress Design and Margaret Ralston's Dress Cutting (who both cover a similar era and similar subject matter) Pepin goes one step further and gives a proper discussion to the matters of proportion and good design and encourages experiment and the development of a well-trained eye.
Pepin is also extremely comprehensive - more so than Fontaines and Ralston. She is similar in content to Natalie Bray except that she gives more consideration to the process of good design and the illustrations are, to my eye at least, more pleasing and easy to interpret. Unlike Bray, Pepin is also contained in a single volume.
The front bodice draft is a very simple, single-dart pattern which is easily adapted and lends itself very well to experimentation.
The chapter headings are:
1) Pattern Designing
2) Slopers
3) Hip Length Patterns
4) Sleeve Patterns
5) Adapting Patterns
6) Capes, Ties, Neckwear and Scarves
7) Collars
8) Skirts
9) Slacks, Shorts, Culottes and Bathing Suits
10) Lingerie
11) Coats
12) Children's Clothing
I had to wait a long time to find a hard copy for a reasonable price but would certainly recommend this book to anyone wanting to study not just pattern cutting but clothes design as a whole.
I have an increasingly extensive library of vintage sewing and needlework books and confess that this has to be just about the best I have seen.
Not only is it beautifully presented but unlike Mme Trois Fontaines' Dress Design and Margaret Ralston's Dress Cutting (who both cover a similar era and similar subject matter) Pepin goes one step further and gives a proper discussion to the matters of proportion and good design and encourages experiment and the development of a well-trained eye.
Pepin is also extremely comprehensive - more so than Fontaines and Ralston. She is similar in content to Natalie Bray except that she gives more consideration to the process of good design and the illustrations are, to my eye at least, more pleasing and easy to interpret. Unlike Bray, Pepin is also contained in a single volume.
The front bodice draft is a very simple, single-dart pattern which is easily adapted and lends itself very well to experimentation.
The chapter headings are:
1) Pattern Designing
2) Slopers
3) Hip Length Patterns
4) Sleeve Patterns
5) Adapting Patterns
6) Capes, Ties, Neckwear and Scarves
7) Collars
8) Skirts
9) Slacks, Shorts, Culottes and Bathing Suits
10) Lingerie
11) Coats
12) Children's Clothing
I had to wait a long time to find a hard copy for a reasonable price but would certainly recommend this book to anyone wanting to study not just pattern cutting but clothes design as a whole.
February 4, 2012
Modern Pattern Design teaches you how to draft your own sewing patterns for women's clothing. It's a fabulous resource, especially for vintage clothing. First printed in 1942, it's loaded with precise instructions on how to get all kinds of wonderful effects in sleeves, bodices, skirts, etc. fashionable in the late 'thirties and early 'forties.
Ms. Pepin includes instructions for blouses, sleeves, capes and collars (very nineteen-thirties), skirts, trousers and shorts, swimsuits, underwear, coats, and a bit of children's clothing.
If you can get your hands on a copy, it's wonderful for late Depression and World War II styles.
Ms. Pepin includes instructions for blouses, sleeves, capes and collars (very nineteen-thirties), skirts, trousers and shorts, swimsuits, underwear, coats, and a bit of children's clothing.
If you can get your hands on a copy, it's wonderful for late Depression and World War II styles.
December 26, 2023
Definitely for an experienced pattern drafter, and definitely scarce, but this book is wonderful for anyone with sewing experience who can track it down, it offers some creative freedom while keeping with the vintage style
Displaying 1 - 3 of 4 reviews