I found 500 DEADSTOCK 1940's sewing patterns, let's unbox them (part one)

You read that right. I had the opportunity to buy over 500 deadstock 1940's New York brand vintage sewing patterns, and I TOOK IT! So let's unbox box 1 of 2 from this EPIC haul of vintage sewing patterns.
All of my vintage patterns for sale can be found here:
www.backroomfinds.com
--
Want to get the behind the scenes scoop? Become a member here:
/ @stephaniecanada
---
Other videos you may enjoy:
I found a bag full of missing pattern pieces: • I found a bag FULL of ...
Vintage patterns I wish simplicity would make: • Vintage Patterns I wis...
What is left from the Giant Estate Sale: • What is LEFT from the ...
---
📬:
Stephanie Canada
P.O. Box 3399
Windermere, FL 34786
---
Products I use to trace or repair patterns:
Document Repair Tape - bit.ly/Documen...
Pellon 815 - bit.ly/PellonR...
Frixion Pens - bit.ly/7packFr...
---
My info:
My website: www.backroomfinds.com
IG - / backroomfinds
Facebook - / backroomfinds
Music provided by Epidemic Sound
--
Gear:
Sony ZV-1: amzn.to/3V9uPSJ
Blue Yeti mic: amzn.to/3n3LRkF
Dragon Pop Filter: amzn.to/33WzxLG
--
I am an affiliate to the links provided above and do receive a small commission on some items that helps to support me and my channel.

[@StephanieCanada]

As a reminder: all the patterns go live 30 minutes AFTER the video is published. Thanks for all the support y'all!

[@Cedardale_craft]

So interesting. What is a Jerbo (not sure this is spelt right)? But you mention it on a few patterns.

[@Avotts]

@@Cedardale_craft Jabot an ornamental frill or ruffle on the front of a shirt or blouse, typically made of lace.

[@FishiesRCute]

Does part 2 come out this week or next week?

[@vikimaku5515]

You are so lucky. How to get them? Hier in Greece there are no such treasures. I searched in Athens in a few shops... Nothing unfortunately... You are so lucky in America after all. I wish you happiness and health. God bless you!❤

[@alexzandra75]

It sure if anyone has mentioned or if you already knew but the teen and younger patterns have those horizontal tucks so that as the teen or younger person grew they could have the garment lengthened and they could have ribbon or other decorations added over the creases and or stitching marks if any were left behind. My grandmother made several garments for me when I was pre-teen and I had rickrack added to the lengthened areas. It was really fun for me but it was the 70’s and those colors and prints so use your imagination 😉 but she was unable to continue sewing for me once I became a teen. She did pass on some of her sewing knowledge. I love your channel and you make me so happy watching your energy and imagination and style. You helped bring me back into my sewing. I have stopped buying clothes and am now working from my fabric stash as well as upcycling my clothes that wear out. Much love to you and I am gonna keep on watching ❤

[@lochlanpage4327]

am i a sewist who work almost entirely with modern male/unisex patterns? yes. am i almost an hour into a video all about 1940s vintage patterns mainly for women and girls? also yes.

[@laurasheep]

I wasn't panicked about you stabbing the box...... I was panicked that they weren't the fabric scissors that's all xx

[@StephanieCanada]

HAHAHA😆

[@oliviahinden7544]

The absolute heartbreak of finding this video on Monday and finding most of the patterns sold out.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Oh oh oh! Sorry that happened to you. Maybe there'll be more?

[@rainydaysewing1166]

Years ago I went to the estate sale of a local 4-H sewing leader. I have so many regrets not trying to buy all her patterns. she had patterns from the 40's - 60's in a crazy range of sizes. I love these unboxings.

[@glendastaples9536]

Who needs a Sunday drive, when one can go cruising with Stephanie through a box of patterns! Oh how I wish I was my size back in the good old high school days. 😂 Thanks for today's entertainment!

[@danahashcroft9482]

I find myself envious of the life the pattern art is living.

[@mladeau2105]

If I told people this is what I find relaxing, they would probably guess that I am obsessed with vintage.

[@bonniestevens6932]

I am obsesed with VINTAGE...and some are sold out already!!!!

[@marieanne2680]

Right?? these patterns will never fit me and yet I'm sitting here watching the video and being ridiculously entertained. This the the kind of "unboxing" video I can totally go for.

[@missusladypants]

I just watched this video start to finish and it soothed my very soul.

[@kernmyrtle5283]

Glad to have you back at it! You’ve been missed!

[@StephanieCanada]

Thank you! It feels good to be back.

[@colleenkelley637]

I love when you focus on the pattern while you are narrating in the circle off to the side

[@BP-ef8mr]

I love it when Stephanie shares patterns with us. The glee is just soul healing! ((Also, I enjoy chaos)

[@Canuckmom128]

First of all - God Bless whoever had these before you, and stored them / preserved them so well. Secondly - I’m so glad she reached out to you, because they will continue to be used and preserved for the future. These aren’t just patterns - they are textile History. GAWD - I love WWII era fashion. Gorgeous. You done good, Gurl. 🧵🪡 That double peplum on 353…Swoon !

[@KMx108]

I recently saw a picture of my family's 1944 family reunion and all the ladies were wearing adorable dresses. Before I knew the date, I guessed it just based on the clothing. My grandmother was a teen in the 40s and she gravitated back to that look in the 80s, when I knew her, so it makes me quite sentimental to see these. She looked like the woman on the left in pattern 881. She often wore her hair like that with a scarf. She was so pretty. I miss her so much. I'm getting pattern 881 in her honor. ❤

[@annbrookens945]

Factory folded vintage patterns? Of course it's a YES!!!!

[@ConcettaMarie]

I’m only a few minutes in…not only am I loving the patterns, I love watching your joy as you go through them!

[@seffssweetsstitches2897]

Me too, her joy is contagious 😀

[@xterrapal]

Ohh Stephanie, you get the best deals on vintage patterns. I sell on Etsy and people always offer to sell me their old moldy, trash bag kept patterns. What a mother load ❤❤!

[@bycarolinakobayashi]

I think I like the fashion illustrations they have on the packaging more than the style themselves, even if i cant see myself wearing any of these 😂

[@katwitanruna]

The dramatic pushing away of box two.

[@StephanieCanada]

yeah... i really thought I would get to it.

[@karentexas]

It is so great to see you so happy. What an amazing haul! Loved, loved loved them! Thank you for showing them to us.

[@janellemiller1195]

It just dawned on me that these patterns are probably older than my parents. My mom born in Feb 45 &my father in December 45.

[@rauschtube]

Dont sew a thing, but my aunt and grandmother were amazing. I am just imagining ing my mom and her sisters wearing these in the 40s. Love your personality

[@emmanash6699]

dear god, the 80s really ripped off the 40s. Watching these pattern and reliving my childhood :o

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

Patterns seem to go in 30-40 year cycles...

[@lisaburwell9259]

I got over 300 hundred factory folded New York patterns like this. Came in the metal cabinets from the store, too. Fun selling those online!

[@katwitanruna]

I love the different sizes being in different colors.

[@terrigelbaum8066]

It came, it came........the fabric. Four yards of the most beautiful pale yellow wool flannel, a navy double knit.........so pretty. thank you so much. More ,I need more.

[@RoxyieRox]

500?? How WONDERFUL!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE patterns...especially vintage, wedding, etc.

[@romeoslover817]

patterns

[@kathecampomanes1154]

I love the colors on these patterns. It reminds me of popsicles when you have them all together.

[@SciFiFemale]

Love watching these. It's like getting a mystery box from a comic con but better. I would like to see you revealing the next pattern at the same time you see it though. I'm far too big for all these patterns though I can get ideas to make my own.

[@carollopez3182]

just found you. VINTAGE screams just my style! At 73 years young, I’ve been sewing 65 years+. my mom started my love for sewing before I started school by teaching me to sew quilt squares! loving this show!

[@stillhuntre55]

I LIVE for these videos! And that letter was a terrific find! I spent many years in the bookstore biz, and after pocket novels spent a certain number of months on the shelf they would be ""stripped", meaning we ripped the covers off and mailed them back for credit. That way the publisher had proof we didn't sell them without having to pay for the postage of sending the entire book back. That's why you often see amongst the front few pages of a pocket novel "If you have purchased this book without a cover, it was sold illegally and reported destroyed". We were supposed to destroy the books, but always took them home, donated to shelters, or gave to friends and family. I would imagine people who worked in fabric stores did the same. Come to think of it, we had to destroy and discard shoes when I worked at Kinney's as well. Once they were old stock, and didn't sell on sale, they were SUPPOSED to have the insoles pulled out and the sides slashed with a box cutter before going into the dumpster so they couldn't be worn. I could never do it. I would tie or lash them together as a pair and put them in the dumpster intact. Kinney's said if people learned they could get free shoes from the dumpster they wouldn't shop in the store! I think f you believe dumpster diving is a threat to your sales, you need to re-examine your sales model, y'know? The free enterprise system just leads to so much waste! I'm so happy those envelope-less patterns are still around!

[@jessicaneal8553]

Ooh! I just had the thought 2:40 that would be fun to see, if Bianca from the Closet Historian made one of these patterns from a basic body block and you compared to the original, to see what you can get close to in look while not necessarily having the pattern to go off ❤

[@conniewojahn6445]

Just to got through them and look is an absolute pleasure, a trip through time back to my childhood and Mother's chest-of-drawers filled with patterns from the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. She ran out of drawers and started putting the "newer" patterns in another place.

[@malloryp8341]

I inherited my great grandmother’s sewing box, and she meticulously stored thread and zippers dating back to the 1960s! I didn’t find any sewing patterns though so those may have gone to another relative.

[@lazygardens]

The colors were not hand applied, The printing process for the envelopes was to do the black and white first with the text and basic drawing, then do the color as "spot color" with its own plate and roller. There can be misalignments because there are two plates and two rollers and the paper can shift as it goes through the press. It's an easy way to add interest without complex engravings.

[@atorres8760]

Note to self: watch these videos the minute they come out or learn to pattern draft. There was one I really wanted. Still a romp through 40s patterns!

[@Nerdygoddess]

I have a list of to-drafts... The Closet historian is helpful.

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

Check out Closet Historian to see if she's drafted one like you had your eye on! Bianca is absolutely astounding.

[@tiayarns93]

Literally nothing available in my size on the webbie but I'm happy this haul was fruitful! Geez stuff goes fast in these vintage parts.

[@Mommamacnz]

Tina is amazing. What a fabulous job she did arranging all of those patterns. A totally amazing haul.

[@kellybryson7754]

Wow! That letter is the best part. I hope there is a museum you can leave that to one day.

[@starlling]

So many cute patterns!! All these shirtwaist patterns are perfect for anyone who wants to take part in Sewrena & Ashley Main Makes' Shirtwaist September too 💜

[@CatDeMeow]

Omg! The title just made me excited!

[@roxiepoe9586]

I heart - quite literally- skipped a beat and I started maniac giggles!

[@StephanieCanada]

Sorry. I had to do it. Gotta get a good jump scare in to keep folks watching occasionally.

[@CandiceLemonSharks]

I'm loving the quilt clip as lavaliere clip 😂 Question: do you know of anyone who has a special collections library or archive/museum of vintage to antique sewing patterns? That's a thing I dearly want to exist and which I suspect does not exist.

[@StephanieCanada]

There are a few that collect them but I believe they are all locked behind a pay wall. But you can always look thru the Vintage pattern wiki, which is an open source vintage pattern online image collection. This also has links to buyers who offer the patterns. But looking at the images are free.

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

I just moved to Toronto, Canada and there are a surprising number of textile museums here! Maybe check the Fashion History Museum?

[@marljusweety]

Im a minute and a half into this video and already grinning with joy and loving it. 😅❤ A few moments later: Man, I wish I knew how to sew! 🤪

[@annebeck2208]

The hysterical dress with bows all over the skirt...that you swore you would make. Looks basically like a quilt block skirt where every "white" black has a bow added on it... Would be totally easy to recreate. Lines of squares alternating. Sew the lines together...gather on to the waist piece...add bows. ... this could be your best skirt ever!!!!

[@rockinrileys5678]

I love watching these. If I had to pick one that I would watch you make, it's 945 with the ruffle. xxx

[@bittersweet3-]

I loved seing all the 40's patterns. Couldn't wear a one of them! Tina's an amazing woman, assistant. Ciao.

[@dressdeveloper]

Yay! I love to hang out with you digging through a box of treasure!

[@CeeCeeCrafts]

I purchased a few favorites half way through. ❤

[@barbaramiller349]

So fun to see you so happy. I’m So glad these came to you, a person who truly appreciates them. ❤💝

[@missvioletnightchild2515]

That was absolutely incredible! Lovely to have you back, Stephanie :) (and great job Tina!) So many cute styles and details. I've realised one of the reasons I keep wanting to buy vintage patterns is because I love the artwork so much. Some of these dresses look straight out of the 80s which is so weird. I didn't realise quite how strong the 40s influence was!

[@lucie4185]

Just when I have 4 metres of white patterned poplin (£30 in the charity shop) that I need ideas for.

[@nataliecavanagh7432]

Wow, what a marathon! Gorgeous 😍

[@guillermofranco3635]

Amazing! I’m glad to know that seamstress treasures such as these still exist!

[@tessTN]

I wonder if the horizontal pleats in those teen patterns were a way to allow for growth? They don't seem to show up that much in the adult patterns here, so far, at least.

[@RKO2284]

I love to see you make the night gowns around 20.15! ❤

[@a.m.4607]

I like to imagine that it was the same employee overinking all the covers over the years and just thinking they were doing the best job ever while completely blowing out the lines.

[@hollygoldsworthy6515]

Thanks!

[@lovepuppy2242]

I didn't realise that's why junior sizes always fit me so well!! i didn't realise they have shorter waists, that's great to know thank you. Also, love watching these so much.

[@charlottecoolidge4848]

Your pattern unboxing videos are actually a time machine! Very enjoyable to watch.

[@honeybee4102]

Thank you, Stephanie, for making the patterns affordable so that I can purchase. I didn't get all the patterns I wanted (some were sold out) but I did get one that I've been looking for. Can't wait for the next unboxing!!!!

[@sheHerTheyThem]

Girlfriend,not me screaming got damn 3 patterns in! And going "to meeeee" every after! 😂 🤗.. stunning 😂. Hope you are doing well 🫶

[@Inlelendri]

I love these things, even if being from Europe, I'm not quite daring to buy something. The energy and love for it all is the perfect comfort watch. But something that I've just twigged, these are also the ultimate reference for clothes reference when drawing. They might be aspirational in some ways at the time, but they are what people actually wanted and wore at the time rather than what future people imagine or think it is. So perfect for it, thank you even more for sharing it!

[@blaaaaaaarrrrr]

2:05 I love this green dress! Even though I would never sew it. I just love the design, the painting, just everything about it.

[@theMermaidRhonda]

That was fun! What a great find! I love the dress with the leaf applique..so cute!

[@Nill2323-l8s]

This is as close to Pokémon card openings as sewists get. Hell yeah.

[@tumorfarmer]

The Outlaw, a 1943 Jane Russell movie, featured the peasant blouse / dress styles, very sensual, so possibly inspiration for those peasant blouse patterns!

[@mildredflemyng-middleton4795]

So now that I’ve watched this for the nth time, are you planning to do a New York Pattern book/catalog tour? You showed us those two wackadoodle patterns in a crazy patterns through the decades video, but what else is in that book?? Pretty please?

[@knittingnana2939]

That double peplum is EVERYTHING.

[@beverlystauffer2489]

Stephanie, I'm currently sitting in the hospital bed recovering from spinal surgery. I started this video last night while I was trying to get sleepy so I could go to bed and be ready for today. This was a poor choice because I was very excited to see these! And now in my current pain med addled state I am smiling watching you have so much fun.

[@billswifejo]

Your story reminds me of my mother in hospital after a hysterectomy. My brother, who had a great sense of humour, sent her a very funny letter which the nurse took away from her as she was in danger of splitting her stitches. Good luck with your recovery.

[@TheVadsten]

Your excitement is contagious. Love it.

[@joantrotter3005]

When you did the wapwaampwaaa, my little dog became excited and I laughed so hard that I cried a little. Big dog was concerned and he really doesn't fit in my lap anymore! Smocks and aprons, you totally forgot barbers and cosmetologists! I worked with a woman that made custom smocks with vented sides; I have seen the fabric on athletic wear but the rest was normal windbreaker teflon nylon. I think it became her business after she became a Mom?

[@suek7086]

Oh how I wish these were my sizes again. I love these patterns.

[@paulapridy6804]

And to think we were all sewing our clothes! We looked good!

[@corruptedpeppermint]

Tina is amazing. Look at all the stacks!

[@shammydammy2610]

41:50 Holy jaundice inking Batman.

[@roxannconley1655]

And the reason I'm reading the comments section. No one else caught this?! I would say Big Bird, but that's 30+ years too early.

[@DeathByFashion1]

I just donated hundreds of true vintage patterns I had collected in my youth. I gave them to a young girl that found me on fb marketplace. I hope she took care of them 😅

[@amilan409]

That bow dess is adorable !

[@KP-ob4vv]

Love all these so far!! Finally getting time to view these patterns with you. Ugh. Trying not to be jelly. lol

[@__reneemaof2]

Lots of shirtwaists just in time for shirtwaist September

[@ameliab7753]

Cue me panic buying 😂

[@CeeCeeCrafts]

😂😂😂 I did the same thing. lol

[@1to4Byron]

This video making me smile. You and Tina had so much fun.... 🎉 dress with bows so perfect lol

[@peglamphier4745]

Stephanie you are an editing genius. Its all good but your editing really makes it all a step above.

[@StephanieCanada]

Aww thanks! I am actually starting to have and editor and we both got this edit to look this good.

[@kendramanuel1276]

Ohhh my gosh!! You lucky girl! I’m so jealous lol. I wish I lived near you so I could have you make me some of those wonderful dresses 🥰❤️. I had breast cancer and had both removed. Finding dresses is definitely more difficult. I’ve been going to antique shops for dresses, because they seem to sit better on my chest and even then they seem like ladies back then were tiny!! Anywho,I’m going to have fun watching you make them and show them off 👍😁

[@mildredflemyng-middleton4795]

EEEEE! Much excite! Hi Tina👋

[@StephanieCanada]

I am so glad you are as excited! I am over the moon to get this up after a month of work.

[@mildredflemyng-middleton4795]

​@@StephanieCanada !!!! That card! That letter! OMG SO COOL

[@katiee6270]

Never have I gotten SO jealous from a video title alone, lol! It's one of those things I think about sometimes while looking for knitting/crochet patterns, wondering about all the old printed patterns in magazines and books and such, what might be lost over time, what treasures could be found

[@miriamjames4140]

It’s good to see you back. ❤ Loved the longer video to watch over a couple days and while knitting. So excited for part two.

[@donnabishop3233]

My mom would just love these.She's gone now but these were her styles.

[@fannydangler]

I love these pattern unboxing videos so much that I almost missed when they dropped! I'm so excited I was able to snag what will probably become my everyday dress pattern.

[@carlacolbert806]

Omg I just went on your site and looked on latest finds and the heart apron my grandma had was there. I got hers when she passed and the fabric is falling apart. I have tried to copy it without taking it apart. That would have been the best find to have been able to buy that. The best unboxing yet is this 1940’s bunch. I can’t imagine where they were stored in that good a condition for so long.

[@brendasorenson6186]

The letter was The Icing On The Cake! So cool; real documentation! 😎

[@jillb1420]

Wonder if 816 was inspired by Jane Russell in The Outlaw from1943. Yes, bit of a film geek here😂

[@marathorne6821]

Thank you for a blissful Bank Holiday Monday morning ooh-ing and aah-ing over gorgeous 1940s styles 👌🙏 What better way to start a day? I can't wait to see the contents of the second box! 😀

[@liav4102]

381 is so dang elegant! Love it. 10/10

[@pdpierce44]

You could put the letter into a "museum" page on your website - museum of historic patterns! (like the Underpinnings Museum?)

[@ritasantiago1917]

I am obsessed with all of these!!!!!!!!!!!! I just can't go on the website for a few days and hopefully they will all be sold to save me from myself because I have no room for more patterns!

[@jannr1111]

I enjoyed looking at all of these vintage patterns.

[@Lantanana]

I love the colors they used in the example clothes... beautiful!

[@snart20]

You’re wearing your up cycled dress! Love it!❤

[@quazylade90]

I am loving all the New York patterns!!!

[@GoodGodManWTH]

Oh dear Lawd!! I’m so envious!!! 😭😭😭

[@StephanieCanada]

It was truly a stunning box!