A couple of years ago I came home to find that a large box had been left on my doorstep. The box was stuffed full of vintage paper dress patterns.
I think they are beautiful; I love the illustrations, the style of the garments and the layout of the packaging. The style of the illustrations from the 1960s and 1970s really appeals to me . The patterns are predominantly all female adult patterns with designs ranging from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. I’ve decided to use these patterns as a starting point for my work, perhaps using  the patterns inside and somehow incorporating the images on the packaging.
Maudella dress pattern
Woman easy-makes pattern
I chose two patterns to work with initially, a Maudella image from and easy-makes pattern, both dresses. I have a few Maudella patterns in the collection that were left on my doorstep and I find these patterns and illustrations some of the more exciting out of the collection.
In order to seize the moment and transfer the images on alternative materials, I used what I already had around the studio, namely tracing paper, a scrap piece of calico and Dylon image maker. I’ve found image to maker to be a bit and miss with results, through experience I now know to use a good quality print (photocopy or magazine page) and good quality fabric, 100% cotton is usually excellent.
Easy makes pattern transferred on to tracing paper using Dylon image maker
Maudella dress pattern image transferred on to calico using Dylon image maker
Starting over with my clutter A couple of years ago I came home to find that a large box had been left on my doorstep.
