Figure 1.--Sirdar was an important British knitting pattern company. Among their fashions were schoolwear--primarily sweaters. Here are some of school sweaters, probably from the early 1980s. |
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We do not yet have very much information on companies offering sewing and knoitting patterns. We are not yet sure just where and when companies began selling sewing patterns. A major American company was Buterick. Another important company was Simplicity. We begin noticing Simplicity patterns in the 1930s, but still know little about the company. It is a major distributor of patterns and sewing books in the 2000s. There were of course also companies in sevral other countries, but we have very little information on these companies. A large number of companies have made patterns, but at this time we only have infomation on a small number of the more important companies. We believe that these larger companies have dominated the market. Knitting pattern catalogs appeared later than the sewing patterns. We also note companies offering knitting patterns.
We note a pattern company called Behive. We think it was an American company offerng knitting patterns. We note pattern books made over a long operiod. The first ones seem to date from the 1940s. We have found quite a number of Behive pattern books, but very little about the company.
Burda is a major German pattern company. We do not know when they were established. They continue to be a major company today. We believe that they did both sewing and knitting patterns. We note that they have a relationship with Simplicity which distributes its patterns. They publish Burda Kids' Fashions twice annually in 2002. It was foremerly called Burda Toddlers. The magazine is also published in English and Russia. Hopefully our German readers will ptovide us more information about the company.
Butterick was founded by Ebeneezer Butterick, a taylor in Stirling, Massachusetts during the Civil War in 1863. He revolutionized the home sewing when he created graded sewing pattern. The inspiration was his wife Ellen who complained that it would be eassier to sew with a pattern. . We do not yet have any of the earliest patterns. We do have a 1900 pattern for a 1900 fancy Fauntleroy blouse. The company continues to be a major force in home and still offers patterns for home sewing. The company in itspromotional literature says that it continues to lead the way in make-it-yourself fashions. I'm not sure just when Butterick began marketing patterns.
We notice quite a number of knitting booklets from Chadwick's Red Heart Wool Yarn. The booklets procided all kinds of patterns for \sweates and other cold weather items like caps, mittens, shawls, and socks. They seemed to have been particularly active during the 1940s when msnt knitting booklets were published. We are not sure at this time if they jus did the booklets are also produced the yarn. There seems to be a connection of some sort with the spool Cotton Compny which also produced yarn. Chadwick's today is a clothing company.
I believe the first magazine to do this was The Delineator. Actually, The Delineator was created by Butterick to sell their patterns. As a result of the The Delineator's success, patterns became areglar feature in most fashion magazines. The magazines were soon full of illustrations for patterns which could be purchased.
We know nothing about the history of Kwiksew at this time. They have a wide range of patterns for the entire family, including all types of stretch and woven fabrics and a variety of craft patterns. There are selections for children, men, lingerie, swimwear, and sportswear. KWIK SERGE patterns are easy, fast and designed to be used with the Serger machine. KWIK START patterns are especially designed for children and adults who wish to learn how to sew. They have simple designs and the instructions are more explicit with more illustrations. KWIK SEW patterns are known for their great styles and fit.
One of the major women's magazines in the United States was the Ladies Home Jouurnal. We note patterns offered in the magazine. They may have even included some actual patterns. A example is an add for boys blouses in 1910.
McCalls was a major American domestic magazine which began to inclue patterns in the 19th century. We note a McCalls tunic suit in 1908. McCalls continues to be a major pattern company. McCalls continues to be a major pattern company. We note that by 1916 that they were publishing a catalog of their patterns which appared to emphasize clothing for women and children. McCalls continues to be a major factor in the pattern and home sewing business. The McCalls webite for Spring 2002 reads, "McCalls introduces the newst designs in glamerous evening and bridal dressing. Browse through the McCalls website and you'll find a great selection of brightly colored children's and infant's wear, cozy sleepwear, fleece-wear, and women's/large sizes. You'll also find fun accesories, hime decorating, crafts and even Renaissance costume patterns!"
We have first learned of Pattons from an Australian reder. We thought at first that it was an Australian company. We have since learned that it was an English company with a subsidiaryin Australia.
We notice Robin publishing a pattern catalog. The catalog we have seen looks like the 1970s or early 80s. It had school uniform items, primarily the jumpers (sweaters). We are not sure when Robin began publishing knitting catalogs. We note patterns as late as 1987. We see vintage Robin patterns being sold on the internet. The company does not appear to be in businessat this tome, but we have no further information on the company.
Simplicity appears to sell its patterns primarily in fabric stores. Some of the most important are: Fabric Depot, Fabric Place, MaryJo's, Villtex/Fields Fabrics, Hancock Fabrics, Jo-Ann, Hobby Lobby, BouClair, Fabricland, Le Moulin Blanc, and Fabric and Home Bonanza. We have little historical information about Simplicity. We note that most of their modern offerings for children are for girls' outfits.
A British reader has mentioned Sirdar to us. We know nothing about the company at this time, except that it offered knitting patterns. The image here shows school fashions offered by Sirdar. Unfortunately it is not dated. Our reader writes, "I'm afraid I have no year for the csatalog here, but at a glance I'd date it to the early 1980s. Girls use to go school like that in grey pleated skirts and white lacy knee socks and black strap shoes." We note that many companies did not date their catalogs, perhaps so users would not think that patterns from older issues were dated and ouit of fashion.
We know little about the Standard Pattern Company at this time. We do note Sandard patterns in the early 20th century. An example is sailor suit. These early Sandard patterns were done in only one size and had limited explanatory text.
Vogue is another fashion magazine which offered patterns. Vogue began offering patterns in 1905. At first, however, they were not size graded. Conde Nast purchased Vogue in 19??, determined to make it the leading American high-society fahion magazine. Vogue patterns became a major feature of the magazine. The patterns were primarily for women's fashions. Butterick purchased the pattern business in 1961, but retained its seperate identity. We note in 2002 that Vogue was owned by McCalls.
Quite a number of companies offer patterns. Here is a list of companies with internet sites. We note very little historical information, but the sites include a descrotion of their current operations and offerings. Most of these companies appear to be relatively new American companies.
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