My WW2 Sewing Patterns / Pinafores, Siren Suits & Sailor Dresses 1939-1945

Pinafore dresses, siren suits, nautical sailor suits, tailored dresses with fun details, house dresses and vintage nightwear - all these are included in my vintage sewing patterns of the World War 2 era.
Fashion on the ration gave rise to some fascinating designs!
This is an era close to my heart and I hope you won't mind this rather personal journey through my sewing patterns of this time. I've tried to include my fashion knowledge along with family reminiscences!
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Samantha x

[@cerwelt]

My father was born in 1930 and he was stationed in Germany after WW2. He told stories of the Depression and WW2. He watched all the documentaries about the war. It’s part of my mental story, my memories of my dad. They were hard times, frightening times. The thought of Hitler taking over the world terrified the population. Those were brave people. Today I doubt the young people would stand like everyone did back then. Loved your video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you so much for your truly thought provoking comment. It resonated you saying that your dad watched all the documentaries about the war. It was like that in my household too. Looking back they knew all about it anyway. Perhaps it helped them to process what happened. To be stationed in Germany at the end of the war must have resulted in so many conflicting emotions. You’re right, Hitler must have been terrifying - we only see this era with the benefit of hindsight knowing that Hitler was defeated. There was great courage shown then. Listening to the D day veterans so many years later thanking comrades who died saving them was very emotional. That level of personal self sacrifice for the sake of others, sadly we rarely see that today. Thank you for telling me about your dad too 💐

[@disfiednoise]

Beautiful video. Thank you for reminding people that not everything from that generation was bad. My grandparents stressed the importance of family, hard work and helping those less fortunate than yourself ❤️

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much for watching Sara! Yes, I think as a society we have become more self oriented and even narcissistic now, and expect instant gratification. That generation worked hard for what they had and valued it, and there was more community spirit. In reacting against some prevalent attitudes we owe it to them not to forget the good things (some of which would be nice to have back!) ❤️

[@lesliejacobs3605]

I really love the creations that resulted from conserving fabric. The scallops and shorter skirts made for stylish dresses. I live in the states and remember my grandmother talking about getting ration stamps and people would trade for things they wanted or needed most. Nylon hose were in high demand. Flour came in cotton sacks and the cotton was used to make undergarments. We could learn so much from that era in history. Thanks for sharing, Samantha. I look forward to your future makes from these amazing patterns ❤

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much Leslie! I agree - having little fabric meant that every scrap was valuable and much thought and ingenuity went into making the most of it. We now seem to have the opposite problem of too much poor quality and expendable. It’s definitely time to learn from that era. I love the idea of using the cotton sacks from flour to make undergarments. I think nylon hose were in demand everywhere. No wonder any chap who got hold of them was popular! And I can just imagine people trading ration coupons! ❤️

[@KellyfromMemphis]

That jumpsuit would look FABULOUS in a shocking pink stretch linen blend! Picturing that made me smile. 🤗

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Wouldn’t that be something?! Schiaparelli’s ideas never go out of style! Thank you very much for watching another episode! 🤗

[@jessicastorey1838]

Well done! I just love your commentary. I think I have such a soft spot for the 40s due to being practically raised by my maternal grandparents. I loved to sit for hours listening to my navy grandfather tell wartime stories, though he never talked about actual war, just the fond and funny stories about life in the midst of hardship. I only know a tiny fraction of the actual trauma he faced. I think so many coped by not talking of the horrors ever again. Anyway, I really agree about celebrating the good things about the past and not “throwing the baby out with the bath water.” We can keep the good and throw out the garbage as long as we are actively remembering and learning. Also, I’m itching to make some 40s pajamas! Maybe that could be a first simple collab?!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oh no wonder you also have a feeling for this era with your navy grandfather. My paternal grandmother lived with us when I was a child. We still even had some 40s household appliances. And I heard that, even while my grandfather was at war, he was still obsessed by how she was keeping the raeburn supplied with fuel at home! All his friends were killed but he never talked about it. Not throwing the baby out with the bath water was exactly the phrase that came to my mind while I was putting together this video. This generation, which included family members we loved, deserve to be remembered truthfully and also without prejudice. Definitely up for a 40s pajamas collab!! 😃❤️

[@lenorerhodes8110]

Beautiful collection of patterns Samantha. Thank you for sharing your memories. Xxx❤️❤️❤️🌺

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oh thank you very much for watching again Lenore 💕 I know you understand completely how important my family are to me because you’re cut from the same cloth as they say! Part of the reason I do this channel is to play what part I can in keeping alive the eras before me 💗💐💕xxx

[@iansaunders6983]

Glad to hear you talk about war time values. Everything was done with thought, was practical and psychologically designed to keep spirits up. These days we live in a 'throw away' society where everything is 'served on a plate'. Thank you for the video it reminded me of stories told to me by my parents and grandparents. Can't wait for your video of the jump suit designed with the special flap for toilet use.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much for your support. I was so affected by the D-day celebrations this time - it was especially poignant because we are now losing that generation. It seems more important than ever to keep alive those memories. So much is said about the problematic values of that generation but increasingly little of their courage, their lack of self interest to focus on the greater good for all, and those make do and mend principles. I’m glad to know that you were told similar stories to me. I could have told many more. I restrained myself! The siren suit with the slightly nappy like arrangement has to be sewn doesn’t it?! 😆

[@iansaunders6983]

@@Samanthalovestosew Nicely said. Couldn't agree more.

[@jodywarren54]

Very interesting video. You have some wonderful old patterns!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much ❤️ I do love vintage sewing patterns and pattern magazines and I’m so pleased to be able to share them with like minds who appreciate them too!

[@Dizzyknitsandcurls]

Love hearing the collection and you did a great job of sharing so much information

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much for watching and encouraging me! As you could tell it’s a subject close to my heart 💐

[@lisascenic]

Your videos are always wonderful. Thank you for this one.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I’m really pleased you enjoy them! Receiving such kind feedback makes it so worthwhile putting them together. Thank you!! 💐

[@lisascenic]

@@Samanthalovestosew your family’s memories were so interesting. My Hungarian father and Belgian stepmother had harrowing stories of their childhood experiences of WWII. And of course, the subsequent takeover by the Russians is something Hungarians of that generation were absolutely scarred by. My uncle spent 5 years in a Russian prison. My grandfather lived out his life under house arrest and went blind because he was denied access to medical care. All the siblings snuck across the border and fled at the earliest possible opportunity. The stories of these border crossings among the Hungarian diaspora were terrifying.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

⁠​⁠@@lisascenicI was trying to imagine what your relations went through. Sneaking across a border must be absolutely terrifying, one’s life hanging by a thread. As for years in a Russian prison or slowly losing one’s sight under house arrest. It is so important that we keep alive the memories and true histories of the people who lived through this extraordinary and traumatic era. Their lives were diverse and shouldn’t ever be summed up thoughtlessly. So many displayed great courage and fortitude. It sounds like you come from a courageous family who had to endure frightening situations. It’s heartening that you pay tribute to them by remembering them 💐

[@rowanhughes8682]

I loved this episode ❤ Being practical, inventive and making do just appeals to me (not that i have the skills to rework hubby's jimjams into a party frock but i reckon i could make a cute little shopping bag out of his vest 👍🏻 I'd keep parsnips in it, of course) Rationing was the key, i think, a major contributer to get through such a long war. I am thinking of the thousands affected by war now, without thier governments having put such measures in place and the difficulty of charity aid getting to those suffering people. You covered a lot of ground in this one, Samantha! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much Rowan! I completely agree about being drawn to the make do and mend principles. I can’t stand waste. I’m one of those who has to finish everything on their plate even if I have to be practically put on a stretcher to leave the table I’m so full. A vest shopping bag 🤣🤣🤣 Genius… the straps would make great handles. You’d have to dye it though - not sure washing machine grey (just going by the state of some of my undies here 😂) would be the best shade. And you’d carry parsnips in it OF COURSE 🙌 I listen to the news always because I feel we should know what is going on. Every time it makes me realise how very lucky we are to be in the UK. We might grouse about our politicians but it could be so so much worse. As you say not all governments put measures in place to look after their people. The 1940s is an era that comes in for a lot of criticism for prevailing values these days but I wanted to show it wasn’t all bad. I think we could learn a lot from this era particularly in regard to sustainability. I’m going to be doing more make do and mend projects for sure. Thank you very much for watching and all your support! 😁❤️❤️xx

[@rowanhughes8682]

@@Samanthalovestosew I shall dye my shopper a sensible shade of camouflage green using elderberry leaves! 💡 👍🏻 The world would have chance if we all united, had less stuff and stopped all wars, but....😔

[@laurazeman]

Thank you so much for sharing your personal stories. ❤ Nowadays people are too quick to want to erase the past (or rewrite it to fit their own needs.) 😢 I hate the idea of so much history being lost because of that. I personally know and don't mind people were smaller back then. If i had to eat that food, i probably would be smaller too.😂 The patterns are all very lovely. Even with the buttons in the back, i dont think using the restroom would be very easy in that jumpsuit... 🤔 Thank you for sharing!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Hi Laura, thank you for watching another episode ❤️ If cheese were rationed and … especially…. If I couldn’t get hold of chocolate I would not have squashy bits. Would I trade in the cheese and chocolate … no! I was too nervous of a backlash to draw attention to my ‘sizes really were smaller then’ message. But they truly were according to the office of national statistics! And, more than that, people living at the time. History being rewritten to suit an agenda does upset me, particularly as it is a history surrounding my family. The thing with the internet is someone says something persuasively then others copy them without doing any research. Before you know it, it has become ‘true’, the sad thing being as you say that history is lost. As for the siren suit. The thing intrigues me. What would you wear at night to easily step into a siren suit when the air raid attack warning went off? Not a long nightdress. Then how would you get those buttons at the back done up in a rush? I’m suspecting that the siren suit might be more trendy (40s-trendy!) than practical. I will have to sew one to find out! 😄❤️

[@joyofthings]

Very interesting.i love these fashions very glamorous.I love to not waste anything that’s how I live now.xxx🐝🐝🐝

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Yes! I can never bear to waste anything. I guess that’s what comes of being brought up by the war generations! But it seems very apt now. I love that the glamour of the 40s was less a personal thing and more about keeping everyone’s spirits up! Thank you very much for watching and supporting xxx🌸💐

[@MichelleSMV]

The patterns are gorgeous Samantha! I' so happy to get to see them! I have a copy of that sailor pants suit pattern myself. Haven't made it yet but it's just so cute!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I’m so pleased that you watched and enjoyed seeing them! When you decide to make the sailor pants suit let me know - it would be really fun to feature in a video if I made it too (if you wanted it to be featured of course!! 😂) Thank you for watching and supporting Michelle 💐

[@MichelleSMV]

@@Samanthalovestosew thank you so much for making the video and talking about your family as well. Some of the stories were so sad 😞. I will definitely let you know when I make it! It’s such a cute outfit I just need to decide when. Oh it would be swell to be featured as well. I don’t mind at all!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@MichelleSMVIt would be really fun to start featuring some viewer makes actually! Definitely let me know when you sew the nautical outfit or perhaps another vintage outfit if that comes first! 😃💐

[@MichelleSMV]

@@Samanthalovestosew that sounds really exciting! I’ll definitely let you know 💕

[@craftybookworm8280]

Growing up in a London suburb I remember an old house nearby having an air raid shelter in the garden. We used to peer into it as children, wondering what it was until somebody told us.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you for telling me about this! I remember when I was growing up in London there used to be stories of people finding unexploded bombs in their gardens too! Obviously the air raid shelter you knew was made of sterner stuff than my uncle’s that collapsed with the first thwack of the spade!!

[@killerkitschvintagelizzie]

I really, really loved this video! Especially, the personal family story bits. I fully agree about what you were saying in regards to people being smaller back then. It was even more than the war, it was also the Great Depression prior to that. People were doing more physical things, having to cycle or walk, food rationing and all of the stuff that you mentioned. And yes, there were larger people, but those numbers were so much smaller and I'm guessing they were financially okay during these times. (I know in Canada during the Great Depression, there were quite a few very wealthy people who made sure to protect themselves against everything that was going on. Rather than use their money to help others. Sometimes the things I find in my research comment make me quite angry.) A lot of people also seem to forget, that the UK had it way harder than North America, with regards to rationing. We had rationing here in Canada and I know they did in the US, but my understanding is that it wasn't quite as strict as the UK. Plus, here rationing only went on slightly longer than after the war and I believe the UK, correct me if I'm wrong, the rationing was still going on in the early fifties. Once in a while I will see either an article or a video about larger sewing patterns being found, however there aren't that many of them. It is always easier to find the smaller size patterns, because people were actually smaller back then. I am 100% on board with you! Xx

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you so much for supporting me on this one Lizzie 💕 The dissemination of false information has been upsetting me because it denies the realities that my family and many many others faced. I think it started from the premise of survival bias in historical costume where it probably does belong. (Obviously not my area.) But it has been pushed onto vintage dressmaking in a way that rewrites history with so many people - including myself - still living who recall the lives of their parents, grandparents and great grandparents. I know you are someone who also greatly values the lives of relatives who came before you. You’re right, North America had rationing but nothing like as hardcore and lengthy as that in the UK. I know France and actually Germany too also had rationing and severe shortages. I’m not clued up about Eastern Europe but I would imagine they had it harder still. The era of WW1 followed by the Great Depression and WW2 was a traumatic time to live through, deeply interesting to me in a way that engages my heart too. If I’d titled this video ‘were people smaller then?’ or something it would get many more views. But I was too scared of the backlash. However it would upset me greatly if history got rewritten and the truth lost. I should have been braver ❤️

[@killerkitschvintagelizzie]

@@Samanthalovestosew I think people will argue no matter what the title is. Because people like to argue and mostly without facts and accurate information. You have facts and information and family and friends experiences to speak about. I absolutely love that you did this video! Your video was incredible and a few times it actually had me a little teary-eyed. I've heard similar stories and I loved hearing them from you. Xx

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@killerkitschvintagelizzie I had to take a break from talking about (my dad’s) school friend killed in front of him as they cycled home. And I gave up trying to say that women used their own ration coupons to knit for men at the front who didn’t have families of their own. It was so touching that those men with no relatives were thought about and included. Some modern attitudes towards people at this time have become so angry and misguided. I will dm you a bbc article published recently about a couple I follow on insta who dress in 1940s style. They received many comments accusing them of racism, wife beating etc. I know there will always be the haters but it makes it all the more important that the truth in all its facets isn’t lost xx

[@killerkitschvintagelizzie]

@@Samanthalovestosew I can't even imagine how emotional this video was for you to make. ❤️❤️❤️

[@talitasmit9337]

❤

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you 🥰❤️

[@missterryvintage]

I think people like to exaggerate too much and can't seem to find a mid, realistic point. And it's on both "fronts", I often hear things like "oh, all people were tiny, no-one was fat and everyone was athletic" and on the other hand "it's all bias, people were the same as we are today", like, come on, for real. What's even more curious to me, we are talking about things that are relatively close to us in time and with plenty of documentation. Like, we know exactly there were bigger people, cause we not only have photographic evidence, but also there are brands that even back then were designed for bigger people. And on the other hand, we well know people were smaller, it's not some conspiracy theory, it's facts, even looking at the statistics in the last 40 years, people got taller by a couple of cm, and most certainly larger in size too. And that lack of mid-point is also visible in talk about values, it's often either "everything was bad then" or "the good old time, so much better than rotten modern times". I think I might get eyestrain from rolling my eyes. LOL So, yeah, it's good that you talked about those things. And I do adore the patterns you showed and all other info you talked about. :)

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much for this … yes exactly we’re talking about recent times with plenty of documentation - including official government statistics on average height, weight and body shape - and most of us (of a certain age 😆) have heard first hand accounts of what life was like with rationing, more strenuous housework etc. Also, we know modern science has changed what we eat in terms of highly processed food. Then no iPads, tvs etc to watch. The list goes on! And yes, all those magazines for ‘outsizes’ and talk of ‘stout’ or ‘matronly’ figures show that not everyone was slim and athletic either. Recently there’s been more of a swing towards ‘everything was bad then’, which I wanted to redress. I was really shocked by a bbc article on a young couple who dress in 40s style receiving hundreds of comments suggesting their values must align with racism and wife beating. I guess this is why so many put ‘vintage style not vintage values’ on their accounts. But not ALL vintage values were terrible. As you say it’s multi-faceted and there’s a middle ground. Many, including myself, channel things through our own emotional filter, but need to at least try to hold to the truth. ❤️