Following a 1970s Sewing Pattern : Sewing through the Decades

[@SpiritBear12]

As some one who was alive in the late 60s though the 70s, that dress is like a flash back to me. LOL

[@marloflanagan7421]

Same! I can remember some teachers at school wearing dresses like that. And my older cousins

[@seattlegirl2077]

I think I sewed a very similar pattern.

[@wendylou3612]

Me too. Wish I'd kept my sewing patterns now - to pass on.

[@taylorott4185]

You are the only person over 12 I allow to lol

[@brendastevens8325]

Me too..in the 70s I was making most of my own clothes

[@sandihj]

I made that dress back in the day, using a heavy cotton with a coarse weave and a very similar print and colorway. Style was a bargain brand at just about the time that pattern prices started really escalating. It makes me feel ancient, but I really enjoyed watching you make it.

[@tammyellison735]

You making this dress was a blast from my past. I made a similar dress in the 70's out of pink crepe and the collar and cuffs (it was short sleeved) were white. Those instructions were pretty common for the 70's. We used Taylor tacks and chalk to make all the marks. Heaven help you if you get your large and small dots confused.

[@berkleypearl2363]

Every tine you upload a new video I tell myself “I’m going to learn to sew” and every time I get closer and closer to doing it

[@davidhutchison3343]

Berkley Pearl it's never too late to start. I did not start sewing until my 40's, and now can sew shirts, trousers and jackets. Start with something simple like an elastic waisted skirt or pair of shorts.

[@nancyloomis3046]

Great, but don’t start with a dress like this. While very pretty, and and Angela did a fabulous job, this is not a pattern for a fresh beginner. I used to love to do pleats and tucks and all, but this dress is not a “learn to sew pattern.” Find one at your local fabric store or online that says “very easy” or “learn to sew” and they are pretty plentiful in all the big brands. I’m 63 and was fortunate enough to take a couple of semesters of “home ec.” I had a very good teacher who taught us all the basics but made us do every step properly...no shortcuts. Started with how to prep your fabric, learned about the grain of the fabric, cut out /prepare the pattern pieces, lay out the pattern making sure it’s straight on the grain of the fabric. I made a basic skirt with a fitted waist band and zipper and it did turn out nice but only because the teacher was there to assist me along the way. Garment sewing isn’t all that hard, but there are a lot of steps and if you don’t know the basics, you can get really frustrated. If you can find a local sewing center or a Joann’s that offers beginner classes, that would be a great start. The instructor can explain everything to you and you won’t get overwhelmed by all the instructions. Good luck!

[@KaloCheyna]

I've inherited my great-grandmother's pattern stash and more than half of the older patterns that I got were style ones. She passed away about 15 years ago, and was sewing for family and herself up that point. Apparently when she moved from Sydney to Hobart one of her friends gifted her with hundreds of style patterns. I've wanted to try making at least one, and seeing how they're relatively easy to follow makes me a lot more confident on that front.

[@gamineglass]

I strongly recommend you basting the center back stitch before installing the zipper, then remove the basting stitches after inserting the zipper. Also, if you sew darts from the raw edge TO the point, you can then tie the threads together in a square knot at each point for durability and precision. If you're going to do French seams, you may as well do these other techniques, too!

[@AmythefirstA]

It's fun to read these comments because so many people here were young adults in the seventies, unlike previous decades.

[@rowenawragg3903]

I'm from the UK and have used Style patterns before. I am almost sure I've got this pattern. I have kept nearly all the patterns I've bought over the years but I would have to check. I think I made it in a flowered cotton fabric with a Navy background and a white collar. I loved that dress. I got married in 1971 and made all my own clothes by hand. I didn't get my sewing machine till the mid 70s. I hate basting and never do it unless absolutely forced to. I'm 5' so had to adjust the pattern accordingly. I love how your dress turned out. The colour and design of the fabric is very 70s and as you say, it's really cute. Regards Rowena 🇬🇧 Sorry for the long comment, I got carried away as your video brought back so many memories. Now I've made it even longer 🤣

[@flyingdutchwoman]

I remember this pattern as well. It's in my pattern archive. (aka, box of old patterns) lol was 12 when i made the dress as I marked them with the date i last made it.

[@rowenawragg3903]

@@flyingdutchwoman it sounds like your archive is just like mine 😉

[@flyingdutchwoman]

@@rowenawragg3903 most likely..was taught at a very early age how to sew by my mother..by the time I was 16 I had surpassed my moms skills. she worked in a furniture factory in Holland..

[@rowenawragg3903]

@@flyingdutchwoman my mother did the same thing, we started off making things for our dolls, then helping to make our own clothes. I could make a dress by the time I was 12. When I went to high school my needlework teacher found I could do what she wanted without having to teach me so she just let me get on with whatever I was working on. She did insist that I did things correctly like basting, I just pinned if it wasn't strictly necessary. I think we must have had the same sort of experience as each other, it's nice to have a connection albeit a small one 😊

[@galewhiteman2047]

Nice job. Having graduated in 1975, I’m familiar with sewing dresses like this.

[@seattlegirl2077]

@Angry Hippo And me in '75 too. I sewed a very similar pattern.

[@brendabaum6442]

This dress is sooo 70s! The style, pattern, and colors are perfect...I..ahem...may have been in high school in the 1970s and graduated in 1978. As usual, love your videos Angela.

[@ms.chuckfu1088]

IKR. EVERYONE had this dress. I remember it was usually solids (navy or peach) that had the contrasting white collar. I think you could also buy it with a natural waist, and a shirred elastic midriff, just the front panels, which may have been straight across under bust. Women might have worn it with a colourful enamel metal daisy pin, 2-3" across.

[@peggydid]

Yes! The daisies!

[@rose77778888]

1979. And I had that dress

[@bigred9428]

I'd say this was from the VERY early 70s -- actually 69-71.

[@Nellirubina]

I wore these in seventh grade. We called 'em sizzlers, and often patterns had matching panties (some of 'em were hella short). We loved the shortie style, but they were not to be worn lightly - one had to have huge body confidence and be ready for controversy (lol)...

[@d.rabbitwhite]

yes and some had the short shorts called hot pants with a dress like this that buttoned down the fron so part of it could be left to swing open. And as @Angry Hippo mentioned with knee high boots...

[@Nemie125]

I was a child in the 70's and I remember my aunt wearing dresses like this incredibly short!! She was skinny with long, long legs and long blonde hair and looked amazing! :)

[@morrowdimtindomiel]

Although I generally am not a fan of such short skirts, I am glad that you removed the additional length. That made it much truer to the period. I don't ever think of rayon when I think of the 70s, though. I think of polyester, nylon, and cotton. In the end, you produced a dress that really flatters you.

[@angelarasmussen1800]

I admire anyone with the patience to pleat sleeves!!!

[@martaaberg3330]

Double knit polyester was THE big thing in the early 70's. All my dresses like this were made of that. Thank you for the flashback!

[@suemiller9842]

Love your videos. Style is an English brand. Most of our patterns follow a similar layout and terminology and make sewing clothes a breeze. The only thing that might trip you up, is the names of some of the stitches and techniques differ in USA and UK patterns. If you don't recognise a term, do what you would normally do. Chances are it's the right thing. Thanks for sharing your beautiful designs with us.

[@sparrowflew]

I didn't know it was an English band. I have a few that I found in thrift shops.

[@AveCaesar2025]

We're always one of the best brands, even in New Zealand. Better fit and good instructions.

[@teresamorgan4529]

Ah, how this one takes me back. Great job with all those fiddly pleats. The dress suits you very much. You're right, you didn't need the extra inches in the hem. We wore them really, REALLY short back then.

[@AdirondackRuby]

The print is just so perfect! When I was little, my grandparents and great-grandmother lived in a two family house and, before doing some renovations, the laminated wallpaper in my Babcia's kitchen looked SO much like the pattern on this dress, especially the color palette, though I think there might have been bits of blue throughout.

[@janfranklin2114]

Boy, oh boy does that dress bring back a lot of fond memories for me. Back in the late '60s to mid-'70s home sewing was a real thing, very popular and it was common to have a few dresses in your closet that were made by mom or grandma. It wasn't looked at as being "old-fashioned" or unstylish as a matter of fact it was a great way to get the fashion trends because fast fashion wasn't a thing. This style dress and then what we called a "baby-doll" style top along with a crocheted vest (that was long!) were a must. Then, of course, you needed bell-bottoms and crazy print pants around say 1971-72. I have enjoyed this series and the recent interest in vintage patterns that our sewing community seems to be enjoying.

[@karenharper2266]

I wore a dress in exactly this pattern, when I was in high school! That was a trip down memory lane. Great job, as usual, Angela.

[@chloesmith3877]

I am currently across the country from my sewing machine for 4 months :( so I live vicariously through your sewing adventures until I can get back to my own. Where i currently am there is a thrift store with vintage patterns for 60 cents and I will be buying as many as I can before I go home!

[@lanellehatcher561]

OK... you sent me running to my pattern drawers... I have several STYLE patterns from the 70's through the 90's. Style Patterns Ltd. were based in London. They began in 1937 and dissolved the company in 1997. From what I can see, their pricing was on the higher end for the timeframe.... and the instructions very detailed... as you found out. They had offices in London, Ontario, Johannesburg, Sidney, Auckland, and New York... so it sounds as if at one time they were very successful. It is nearly impossible to find out anything on them. I could not find where they were included in any industry histories (as Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, and Vogue are) which is a shame because based on the patterns I have and others I've seen online, they had a very nice product. Your dress turned out beautifully. Thank you for sharing!

[@wildflowerwind6941]

Boy does that pattern bring back memories. I have an old pattern book that my mom kept and it shows all kinds of dresses from that time and they have the paisley wild colors dresses in it. One of the best parts are the shoes they wore. Beautiful color shoes in low heels, sling backs. And I was a teenager during that time. I'm 58 now.

[@robyn3349]

I was a 70's girl, and I would have proudly worn this dress! You have represented the era very well. Probably my collar would have been a white one, and my hem would have certainly have been shorter. My dresses never extended beyond my fingertips. Well done!

[@pollydolly9723]

Style patterns and my mother were my teachers in the 70s, and I most likely made this one. Full sleeves, a-line, slight empire...full on fab!

[@amethystsamia]

Tula Pink fabric! YESSSSSS! I taught myself to sew in the 70’s, and the dots were very helpful at the time. Probably still would be, an e I don’t see garments anymore. Would love to do so again, so the dots and simple instructions would be soooooo necessary. Haha! Would love to see this adorable dress in some Tula Pink fabric. A bright pink would be amazing!

[@patronusstag]

This video actually gave me the idea of taking basting seriously. I often sew entire outfits by hand and things get wonky sometimes when I move around and the pins can't keep things in place. I'll definitely employ basting stitches next time.

[@mollysmith6055]

I just love this series, Angela. Thank you for bringing us along all these trips into the past. The 70's was my teen era and we all had some kind of Empire waisted dress at some point or other but they were usually made of hot, uncomfortable polyester and they usually had a white or ivory contrasting collar and often cuffs too. Your dress is Far Out, man! :) Edit: Your shoes were perfect for this dress too!

[@anikgypsy]

Love the shoes and the back. The dress looks like it jumped out of the pattern catalog. Very beautiful.

[@ryw6712]

at 5:27 i could hear exactly how pleased you were with that pun! haha, great video as always!

[@nicoledeloncrais5940]

Wow, just recently was given some retro patterns from an old dress maker who passed. Just a few days ago I picked out a pattern to play with and it was a STYLE pattern, very similar to yours but without the collar and pleating. Go figure the fabric l had chosen was red and orange 🍊. Though looking at your finished product, the pleats look fabulous. So I am now inspired to cut it out a little differently to allow for some pleats. Well done looks great. Can’t wait and thank you 🙏🏻 for supper inspiration. BTW you look seriously great and beautifully youthful. Go Angela, love the commentary. Learned heaps. 🥰🤗🙏🏻

[@LivWildStyle]

Fabric choice is perfect. I know not everyone embraces the orange brown theme, and there are other period accurate color themes... But that's what research is for ( ladies, lol) Any way I grew to really love the orange-brown palette. It does require a good consideration of complexion as well. Thank you for the video.

[@nataloves]

Ikr, I'd look sooooo green in it as a dark skinned girl, yikes! But looks great on you Angela!

[@krausekreation9179]

Mustard yellow was another really popular color too. That and brown I can pull off. Orange, not so much lol

[@bethduffus4598]

The dress is great and very on trend for today. Rayon is tricky but the drape is lovely.

[@4vrceltic]

This pattern would be even cuter made to fall just below the knees! Good job.

[@blktauna]

I used to use Style patterns all the time. They're great. That dress looks great on you.

[@happybunny070]

I would have really loved to see you make a gunne sax style dress for the 70s portion. I feel like you would really like them as they emulate dresses you already make!

[@northernlassie4958]

gunne sax is beautiful!

[@Teramis]

I grew up in the 60s and 70s, and my mom sewed most of my clothes. You definitely nailed a popular pattern and yes, that print style on the fabric would have been very happening in the era. Great job, so nice to watch someone work through this process with the same deftness I recall from watching my mom at work. Thanks for this vid! Brings back happy memories. :D

[@jacmcw]

I love how you take the time to make a quality garment, with the French seams and crisp corners , pressing your seams real well all along the way. This IS a darling dress, do make another in another fabric. It looks so good on you.

[@nancymcdade3909]

I had this dress in 1974 in high school. It had the short sleeves with a contrasting collar of a dainty light lavender tiny floral print for the collar and cuffs of sleeves and the same material in a light pink floral for the dress portion. I loved that dress so much. It was actually purchased at Nordstrom dept. store. Black platform heels completed my outfit.lol! Those were great days.

[@caracunningham9210]

My mom made me this dress when I was a kid. Funny to see it again.

[@DelilaFarrell]

You have the perfect voice for this! Who else agrees? Love from my channel❤️

[@seattlegirl2077]

And her hands and nails are beautiful!

[@DelilaFarrell]

Seattle Home yes!

[@mlr4524]

Much too high a pitch for me. Hurts to listen to.

[@aribella6913]

I was just thinking the same thing when I popped on here. You sound like a happy smile.

[@roslynholcomb]

I only watched this video because I was shocked to recognize this pattern as one we wore for our church choir in the late 1970s. They were made in powder blue rayon that was covered in butterflies. I’ve tried to find any photos but have not been successful but I remember my mom making this dress!

[@nancymcdade3909]

I had this dress in 1974 in high school. It had the short sleeves with a contrasting collar of a dainty light lavender tiny floral print for the collar and cuffs on the sleeves and the same material in a light pink floral for the dress portion. I loved that dress so much. It was actually purchased at Nordstrom dept. store. Black platform heels completed my outfit.lol! Those were great days.

[@QueenCityHistory]

Omg..flashback!!!!! I have a pic of my mom in a dress almost identical to that one!!! She wore it when my brother was born in 1969!

[@tracywestby2231]

Wow! That dress looks amazing on you! As a novice at sewing, I am glad you explain the instructions after you read them because instructions seem like white noise to me :)

[@joannecarroll5504]

So beautiful & I do love rayon. I was only a tiny little girl in the 70s, so all my sewing was for dolls then. I never got to sew anything for myself until I was in high school but fun outfits like this were considered embarrassing to 80s teens & I really didn't need any more bullying at that age, so I blended in & missed out. Now that I'm considered an old person I can wear embarrassing things whenever I like, people just expect it from us old people.

[@suecox2308]

Beautiful job--as aways. Very cute dress--although I agree with you about rayon. I dislike it too.

[@EmbroideredDoll]

The print on the fabric is so perfect for that dress!

[@leewiley1944]

That dress is so cute on you. Adorable fabric, too.

[@cathys949]

I love this series Sewing Through the Decades!!!

[@willinwoods]

Whoa, flashback to my childhood... That pattern is really eerily familiar, my mother might even have had that very same fabric/print! And it looks fabulous on you. Good work, as always!

[@kimfletcher7315]

A contrast collar could be very cute on it too! It's a fun print and dress 🙂

[@jasminey1589]

It’s so pretty and flattering, you should definitely make it again 💜

[@jackiemartin2874]

My mom made that dress for me! I loved it! Wow! Mine, of course, was not low cut at all. My mom added material and lace into the neckline, and also added a tie in the back.

[@broganr6495]

Thank you so much for this video! New to sewing with a machine and working on making 60’s/70’s designs, I have a bunch of ‘easy’ vintage sewing patterns and they’re all so incredibly daunting! I still think I’m going to have to watch this video 100 time’s to fully grasp what I need to be doing but it’s really helpful to see someone follow an old sewing pattern! Love your channel!

[@wonderwomansmith7681]

I love this! Brings back good memories! 👍

[@sonipitts]

Groovy pattern, man...I dig it.

[@ushere5791]

hahahaha--nice!!

[@cynthiahowe8697]

I started sewing in the 70's and still have some of my old patterns.

[@shellymay2505]

Looks like a perfect spring/summer dress

[@mariansmith7694]

Dress is adorable and perfect for Fall. Good job!

[@melindabanning7707]

Lol, I had a dress similar to this one when I was around 10. Mine was blue with white polka dots and I loved that dress. The dress has a 40’s vibe.

[@janholman6192]

I liked the old style patterns where you just purchased a single size (no multi-sized patterns). So much easier and the print on the pattern was more dark so you could really see the "fine print". I majored in Home-Ec and sewing was my favorite part, and because of that, I am still a seamstress today!

[@shirleypulawski8221]

Love this pattern and fabric! Helpful tip: often when any brand of pattern says "baste" it means check the fit (try on) before stitching permanently. It's something unwritten and implied, aside from when the basting is to keep things in place, but the idea is to get it right before putting in a tight stitch. Hope this is helpful.

[@ellenpearce6885]

I remember sewing patterns like this one. I learned garment construction from them. Thank you for the video.

[@lauraklinglesmith4894]

I’m a 70’s baby. I love it! The print is perfect!! Can we get an end of the 70’s outfit? I love the disco dresses. I can remember my aunt’s sitting at the kitchen table making big floaty disco circle skirts. Great for twirling!

[@sew-m-thingclever9806]

I didn’t think I liked 70s fashion but this dress may have changed my mind. It’s so cute! 😍

[@Lasair6833]

This is such a cute dress... it turned out gorgeous. Now I wanna find a similar pattern thank you for the inspiration 😄

[@krausekreation9179]

I want a similar pattern too lol!! Ive never cared for the 70s fashion very much (though I was a very young child at that time and "grew up" in the 80s) however this is so cute!!

[@lisacastano1064]

Check thrift stores I bought a similar pattern yesterday

[@hnybdee]

Thank you! I just bought this pattern at my local thrift shop. So far all I’ve done is tank tops.

[@jeflarremore7170]

As someone who was a small child in the 70's, this is what I remember dresses resembling. The large print was an excellent choice. Yeah, brighter colors would have been great and polyester as well, but this was spot on. I'm looking forward to the 80's. My guess is there will be shoulder pads in whatever you make.

[@sheri3108]

Tula Pink or Kaffe Fasset would be good choices. That dress looks good on you, nice job.

[@NotQuiteDonnaReed-5]

I know you made this dress some time ago, but it is very flattering on you. I hope you made another😊

[@sheilafelix113]

I enjoyed watching this! I made this dress for my 4H project. The fabric was a polyester in Purple with yellow flowers. I wore that dress all the time! Thanks for bringing back memories! You look adorable!

[@WaterNai]

Wow! I really like that dress. It looks great. Well done!

[@giaalvarado2063]

I love the 70s. And this is adorable.

[@kathleenfleming7519]

LOVE THIS DECADE! I WAS BORN IN THIS DECADE! WONDERFUL JOB ON THE DRESS- ANGELA!!

[@dawnwright6638]

I’m pretty sure my sister made that exact same pattern when we were teens; a modesty panel added for the deep vee, of course. However, cotton and double knit were the commonly used materials of the time, as I recall . The double knit making for thick seams and horrible collars which were less than attractive, but, hey, you wore it anyway. Great job!

[@vickinoeske1711]

I had several dresses in the early 1970's very similar to this dress. Fabulous fabric choice!

[@madokakaname830]

I adore this dress and can't believe we're almost to the end of the series! I'm excited to see what you're gonna pick for the 80's and 90's. And i still think that you should round out the series with another vintage cooking video. I think the 70's onwards has easier recipies, so maybe you would have an easier time of it~

[@evelyn_r]

“I like your style!” 😂👏 “Superior method” 👍👍👍 in agreement

[@candlerunner]

The first line of the description is 100 times funnier if you imagine someone from the 70s saying it 😂

[@JudithLou]

I made used this pattern when I was a junior in high school. I was branching out from Simplicity. Now Angela, you need to sew a Vogue Designer Diana Von Ferstinberg wrap dress next, circa 1976.

[@janfranklin2114]

Oh my gosh, this takes me so back! You would have been so "sharp" about 1974 and a defendant envy at the junior high homecoming dance.

[@nancyvolker3342]

It came out adorable and the fabric pink is perfect for this project. (and you only used just 4 nail colors)

[@mlr9795]

It turned out so cute!!

[@vintagerose2]

Very nice video. Love how the dress looks on you and the flowy fabric. As a sewist from the 60's, I understand all those crazy instructions! Appreciated your French seams.

[@rosamariasalcedo1018]

Thank you for sharing this video! The Dress is so Beautiful! I hope you plan in the future to make more 1970's and 1960's dresses!

[@mimiawtf94]

This dress turned out great! As an intermediate sewer I actually found the instructions for this dress relatively easy. And the style suits you so much! ❤️

[@emmaclancy9342]

This is super adorable omg!

[@pedinurse1]

I sewed all these great 70's dresses in my time, they always fit so great, modest and fashioanble

[@ellenwood719]

Love the fabric!

[@elp.1742]

The color worked really well for you!

[@traciademello4460]

lol I am old enough to remember these styles.

[@lauramelvin4046]

Tula Pink!! Yes! Do it! That is a fantastic idea and I'm stealing it. Thanks.

[@wildflowerwind6941]

When I do a french seam I just sew the wrong sides together 2/8's and then right sides together 3/8's. No additional seam allowance needed. And have you ever used waxed tracing paper and a tracing wheel? Works great to mark darts, pleats, etc.

[@northernlassie4958]

I do the same. Makes for neater seams and markings.

[@AveCaesar2025]

Remember all these instructions from sewing classes at school in the 70s. Had similar style dresses but not this particular one. Great video. Any chance of a 70s maxi dress, used to love them. Thanks for the memories.

[@rosequartz4102]

SO on love with this dress!! Excellent job! This was a really fun video.

[@akosua8779]

You inspire me to keep self learning!thank you for the videos

[@chelsiemalfoy]

Ah the beauty and magic of french seams, especially when you don't own an overlocker. Also I've done that before. Made a full blouse, put in button holes and everything, then found out that I could just pull it over my head and I didn't need the button holes at all.

[@ushere5791]

beautiful dress--very flattering on you!

[@francesbritton]

Honestly, you are one of the most talented people I've ever seen! Keep making amazing videos!

[@GioAugust]

the era I'm most looking forward is the 80's, I love the shoulder structure! And I was certain that the 70 wouldn't look quite good. But, BOY, WAS I WRONG!? so far this was the best silhouette for you. I'm speechless! It turned out to be such A CUTE DRESS!