It’s no secret that the Selfish Seamstress has a weakness for vintage patterns. She has a huge stash of treasures and goodies under her bed which she occasionally takes out and stares at wistfully, wondering how it came to pass that her waist is not the same circumference as her neck, as would be necessary to do these garments justice:
Today I’m going to show you some of my favorites from the formalwear collection. It’s time to wake up your inner girlie girl! (Click on the images to see them in detail.)
First up, some marvelous masses of tulle to satisfy the fairy princess prom queen in you (top L. to R.: Vogue Special Design S-4606, Simplicity 1770, Simplicity 2231; bottom L. to R.: Simplicity 3503, Advance 8952):
Then some brilliantly jewel-colored cocktail, bridesmaid, and garden party dresses for a little romantic fanciness (top L. to R.: McCall’s 4425, McCall’s 3537, Simplicity 1153, McCall’s 3933; bottom l. to r.: Simplicity 1610, Simplicity 2766, Simplicity 1795):
Some large format extravagance, by which I mean the envelopes for these patterns are gigantic (L. Vogue Young Fashionables E-11, R. Vogue Couturier Design 883):
An absolutely smashing strapless top for the diva in you (Simplicity 4320):
And lastly my absolute favorites- the full on gala gowns that pull out all the stops (top L. to R. McCall’s 3466, Vogue Special Design S-4795, McCall’s 3399; bottom L. to R. McCall’s 3439, Simplicity 4440, Advance 6291):
Jealous yet? The Selfish Seamstress grows ever more powerful as she feeds on your envy. And she’s got a lot more patterns under the bed that you haven’t seen.
In all seriousness though, does anyone know how copyright on these things work? They’re all from the 1950s and early 60s. If I wanted to, could I make them freely available for download on my website? Or would a 97-year old pattern designer from Advance come after me with her cane shrieking, “You take my ball gown pattern off your web computer internet e-site right now or I’ll sue, you sassy digital age strumpet!”? Ha. Sorry, I’m still working on my little old lady impression.
UPDATE: I just got this from McCall’s customer service (in response to my inquiry, that is. They’re not just randomly surfing my blog):
Hi.
Thank you for your email concerning McCall Patterns. Whenever possible we try to provide our home sewers with the information they request. The copyright is still held.Cordially,
Meg Carter,
Consumer Services
Bummer! Oh well, feel free to draft from scratch as you see fit.
The Selfish Seamstress 
47 comments
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November 24, 2009 at 10:01 am
Trudy
I’m a selfish seamstress wannabee and I love your blog! When I was a child in the 1950’s I spent many long hours on the floor of my grandmother’s house ( in Brooklyn on President St.) looking at the patterns in the Advance pattern book (Bigger than the ones they have today). I think my grandmother got them from a neighbor (Zahler? Mrs. Blitz? Schifrin?) who worked for the company. Poor me can’t remember having toys, but I no problem…I had the Advance Pattern book.
November 24, 2009 at 11:28 am
selfishseamstress
Ooh, the Advance Pattern book- if I had had one of those growing up, I doubt I’d ever even have looked at Barbie. I’ve got a couple of McCall pattern books from the late 50s- they’ll probably make an appearance on the blog eventually.
November 24, 2009 at 11:11 am
mollymolly
Holy Cow! you have a lot of beautiful vintage patterns
November 24, 2009 at 11:12 am
Katie
Oooh, I am green with envy!! Those are absolutely fabulous. As is your little old lady impression.
November 24, 2009 at 11:17 am
meli88a
These are great, and I am ENVIOUS! Are you feeling the POWER? I want to see the ones under your bed too! I looked up when sewing patterns move into the public domain. This answer says that after 28 years copyright expires…
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/219759.html
November 24, 2009 at 11:26 am
selfishseamstress
Oooh, I love it when someone saves me the trouble of a Google search. Thanks meli88a! I’ve written to McCall’s to see if the copyrights on their patterns are renewed periodically. If not, maybe I’ll post some when I’m in one of my rare unselfish moods :)
November 24, 2009 at 11:21 am
Angela
Those are fabulous!! I’m seriously envious. I don’t have any vintage patters, but I definitely would love some… I need to do some searching!
November 24, 2009 at 11:35 am
selfishseamstress
There are tons of sites that sell vintage patterns, some of them reasonable and some of them with absolutely ridiculous prices, but the biggest treasure trove and the best bargains are on eBay :) Happy hunting!
November 24, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Venus de Hilo
Oooooooh, I wanna play dress-up so bad!
Uh oh. Reality check. That first pic up top there? Size 11, bust 29?
That’s a bust size smaller than my WAIST! (thanks, middle-aged spread)
Yikes.
November 24, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Catherine
Wow, gorgeous collection! I’m totally jealous. :D
November 24, 2009 at 4:13 pm
britta
these patterns are so beautiful. the dresses in the last picture look like the dress audrey hepburn wore in “sabrina”.
November 25, 2009 at 1:13 am
senaSews
Now you really made me envious. Wow, what stunning dresses. Probably i can’t sleep tonight because i will think about it how i get these great patterns :-)
November 25, 2009 at 7:55 am
lakaribane
Hi! Love your blog too and I am sooo jealous I could spit (though not directly at my screen or on you for that matter!)
Re: Burda wooden spoon, I have the instructions from their sewing book, Fr edition if you are interested. JPEG format.
Aaand, I would like to see the line drawings from Simplicity 1610 and Advance 6291.
Wanna trade?
P.S. I’m having internet trouble, still, so won’t be able to read my email during the day/at work but will asap.
November 25, 2009 at 3:36 pm
selfishseamstress
Hi Lakaribane! How’s the Simple Chic dress coming? Can’t wait to see it!
I actually know how the wooden spoon thing works and have in fact used the spoon for pressing– I plan to write a post about it someday. That being said, it’s pretty ridiculous for that Burda WoF thinks that the spoon diagram will be of any help to anyone who doesn’t already know how to do a lined or faced sleeveless bodice!
But I will happily photograph the line drawings for you– just bug me again if I forget. Good luck with your email and electricity woes!
November 25, 2009 at 11:06 am
Maura
Love your blog, love your haiku, LOVE YOUR VINTAGE PATTERNS!!! The only “vintage” patterns I own are stolen, I mean borrowed, from my mother’s seventies Stretch ‘N Sew stash.
I especially love the large format photo – the colors are so yummy. I might have to take my kids to Baskin Robbins now. :)
November 25, 2009 at 11:26 am
Laura Georgina
Oh my goodness! I need to find myself a job (head of state, wife of head of state, 50’s throwback crazy woman that freaks people out) that would justify making and wearing beauties like those dresses. Unfortunately, I think my future lies more in the “old lady swinging at people with a cane” kind of territory (minus Advance copyrights, le sigh)…
November 25, 2009 at 12:08 pm
amber
You have got some stunning patterns here, m’dear. I’m not gonna lie, while I love how casual and comfy our society has become, there are days when I really wish I had a reason to have a closet full of gowns like the ones above.
November 30, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Anonymous
Bull. Patterns are not copyrightable. The images on the patterns ARE copyrighted.
http://www.tabberone.com/Trademarks/CopyrightLaw/Patterns.shtml
December 3, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Jane
Unless I’m mistake the link about copyright law is talking about the sale of garments produced by the pattern. There is no copyright on the garments produced but there is on reproducing the paper pattern which I think is the issue at hand.
It’s a shame that Vintage Patterns don’t work like out-of-print books. When a book is deemed ‘out-of-print’ you can reproduce and distribute it – although not for sale.
And Selfishseamstress, your vintage pattern collection is HOT. I’m now going to clear my history ;-)
February 19, 2014 at 3:22 pm
kathy
Do you have the Mccall’s 4331? I just found your blog and like you I love collecting old vintage dress patterns from the 50’s. You just have to search. I’ve learned so much about techniques from these patterns, it’s great. I can’t find this Mccall’s anywhere and I am sooo in love with it.
Thanks
December 6, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Sandra
Holy crap, you have Mccalls 4425! I would punch a small child in the face for that pattern!
January 1, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Michelle Lee
Beautiful stash of patterns. The only company that is no longer around from the beautiful designs you have is the Advance pattern company. I personally wouldn’t want to play around with the “big 4” pattern companies.
March 26, 2010 at 8:34 am
The designer I want to be… today « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] are all special and magnificent!) are probably already aware of my obsession with vintage gowns and vintage gown patterns, namely those from the mid- to late-1950s. Of course, my occasions for wearing frothy 55 year old […]
May 5, 2010 at 9:26 am
Mary
Hi, Please tell me if I am understanding right: anything published before 1923 is automatically in public domain and can be used in any way; such as copying, distributing, and selling. I have a McCall’s pattern book from 1916, which, if I understand right, is in public domain so I can copy, distribute or sell anything (images included) from this 1916 McCall’s pattern book. Is this correct? This seems like a hot topic where nobody agrees, but I think the question of public domain is not in reference to pre-1923. Please tell me what you believe to be true. Thank you very much. I enjoyed the images above. Gorgeous!! Mary
May 10, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Roxann
Hello,
I bought the simplicity 1770 pattern online ( that you have pictured above). They said it was complete, but after my daughter started cutting, we noticed the bodice back was missing. I cannot find another one for sale and I was wondering if I can get a copy of the bodice back from you?
Thank you!!
May 17, 2010 at 9:51 am
Chloe
Ok, this is a big if, since I was about 12 I have been in love with this vintage vogue dress, and YOU HAVE THE PATTERN! I have not been able to find it anywhere, I am going to be getting married in October and I was wondering if you could get me a copy or the specifics of it or SOMETHING so I could get a pattern, I mean it would be my dream come true, I have looked for like 15 YEARS and wehn I saw the picture on your blog I nealry passed out, literally. It’s the pink and white vogue pattern, wit hthe pink top and kinda HUGE pink bow/sash. It is SO chic, I get to splurge on ONE thing at my wedding, and this dress is it. Anything you could do to help would be more than appreciated, I’d even buy it from you if you could bear to part with it.
Chloe
November 17, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Anonymous
dear selfish seamstress,
i’ve been scouring the internet for mccalls 4425 pattern. i’m custom tailoring my wedding gown & you’ve got what i want. what is it worth to you? and can we possibly make a deal? …if you would be so very unselfish!
taadow
February 5, 2011 at 4:35 am
Esz
I know this post is old – but I too am after Mccalls 4425 – Paying $100 for a pattern seems retarded especially since I only paid $5 for the fabric I would like to use with it.
You see I have a wedding to go to in Fiji this year – and all those sarong wrap dress styles are insanely expensive whether you are looking for a pattern or want to buy ready-to-wear. I don’t have $300 to spend on the dress I want…it would be nice to make it.
I wonder how it would be possible to make that pattern available without having to scan the whole thing. Dilemmas! Do you have any thoughts? It’s okay if you dont – I’m on a hunt and am asking everyone!
Your pattern collection is rather supreme. Very very envious!
June 13, 2011 at 4:46 pm
melissa
I too have been trying to get my hands on McCall’s 4425 – It’s about the closest I can find to Rita Hayworth’s famous Gilda dress and I’m trying to make it for a photo shoot with a pal of mine. Any chance you would be willing to make a copy of it???? Obviously not for sale ;)
August 28, 2011 at 2:25 am
Danielle
I know this is an old post, but I saw some others asked and I thought I would see if there’s any way you might make a copy of a pattern? I am in love with simplicity 4320 and simplicity 4440! Please let me know! Thank you!
October 4, 2011 at 11:29 am
Does anyone want my copy of McCall’s 4425? « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] the very enticing and misleading title of this post. McCall’s 4425 is one of the jewels of my hefty, enviable collection of vintage gown patterns. I stalked eBay for a long time to find this one in a small size and I had to bid-bomb many weak, […]
February 2, 2012 at 4:42 am
SewWeak
Yes….it would be nice….wishful thinking…(sad sigh!)….to have a waist circumference the same as the neck! (cringe!) I cannot look at the mirror now while staring at those beautiful hour-glass ball gowns of yours. I too have some vintage dresses and gowns patterns (including McCall’s 9533 and Butterick 9629)….I err (cough!) wanted to make them (cough!)…but the waist needs time to shrink. I usually copy them and then make clothes from the copy to save from over-handling of the already fragile patterns, but not to sell them. Talk about weakness, I certainly have my weakness for dream vintage patterns. Well, looks like I have to make that ‘breathless’ corset first…Thanks for sharing.
February 2, 2012 at 5:21 am
SewWeak
Oh, I forgot….my dear, I love your choice of fabric….how do you decide what fabric to go with which vintage pattern?!
November 22, 2012 at 9:21 pm
koleton
I am a 16 year old (soon to be found fashion designer) and as soon as i saw these patterns i almost died! Where in the world were you able to find such stunning patterns like this?! at the moment im currently trying to come up with a library of vintage patterns for myself and so far i have a total of 124 patterns ranging from the 60s to the 80s and lately i have been in love with the 50s! please tell me asap how you found these wonderful patterns and how i might be able to get my hands on some for myself ! wonderful collection you got! im so jealous!!!
December 13, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Calandra
Absolutely beautiful patterns! Found them through pinterest. Thanks for sharing. Despite what the customer service rep said-the patterns aren’t under copyright any longer. Based on these dates the company would have needed to re-register the copyright when the new copyright laws of 1978 came into effect within a certain time frame. Guess what-they didn’t. Further, patterns without an initial copyright notice (prior to 1978) on them automatically fell into public domain. This is why the manufacturers don’t go after reproducers…they can’t. They’ll tell you patterns from the 20s are still under copyright (Ha!). As for patents…they don’t generally last longer than 20 years. So, patent notices on vintage patterns are generally irrelevant.
January 2, 2013 at 8:23 am
Hafssah
I know I’m kinda late here as you posted this in 2009, but I am ABSOLUTELY CRAZY about your patterns that you have shown here! Can you please, please tell me where you bought them from??? THANKS :)
January 11, 2013 at 9:38 am
Butterick 9927 « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] now. I had purchased this pattern more than a year ago off of Etsy and stashed it away with my vintage evening gown pattern hoard. I don’t have a picture of my copy of the pattern so here’s one from the Vintage […]
February 17, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Edward
I would really love to see a picture of the envelope back of the McCall’s 3466 pattern. Lovely Collection :)
February 19, 2013 at 9:49 am
Thimble & Cork
Hi! I just found your blog and I’m already smitten. I am a HUGE vintage pattern junkie, and these are absolutely gorgeous!
September 5, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Cat Robson
Great blog, and yes, I would hate you, but for our common bafflement at the Barbie waists on these patterns. They look like they’ve all had ribs removed.
Thanks for the porn,
Cat
April 11, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Lisa
I covet your McCalls 4425, I saw one for sale on Moms Vintage Pattern website for upwards of $100. Are you allowed to show the backs of the pattern packaging? The line drawings on the back help me work out the pattern pieces.
April 11, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Lisa
Whoops! I see you have already uploaded some great photos of the back of pattern 4425. Thanks!
October 11, 2014 at 12:10 am
Robyn
I absolutely love your pattern collection. I know you posted this 5 years ago but is there any chance you know where these beautiful patterns are available. I have been searching for McCalls 3439 with no luck of finding. Thank you for sharing your collection.
July 18, 2015 at 6:28 pm
Diane
Robyn, in cleaning out my grandmother’s things, I have a McCalls 3439! If you are still interested, reply back. I also have several others from the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s.
May 31, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Petro
These vintage patterns are absolutely stunning! and I love vintage as well. Do you maybe sell some of these?
January 15, 2016 at 7:51 am
Anne Grant
Hello Selfish Seamstress
I too have my own “secret stash”!
My daughter has been searching everywhere for a suitable vintage dress pattern and in our search have found Vogue no . 883 in your photographs . Can we hire the pattern ? Buy it and return it ? I live in Australia and design costumes and sets. Can you see your way to helping us?
Anne and Ruth
January 27, 2016 at 4:17 am
willowharriet
Hi. Very jealous of your patterns. My brother’s getting married this year and I want to make something unusual. When I first saw Advance 6291 I nearly died. I’d kill for one of those dresses. Could you please tell me what the hot pink bustle back overskirt pattern pieces look like? I’d love to make something like it to go over a dress. Thanks, Willow