Interview with Emily from EmSewCrazy

Welcome back – today we have another interview from vintage seller Emily of EmSewCrazy (adore the name of your store, Emily, Em (I’m) Sew Crazy too). Emily, tell us about your darlings!

What first inspired you about vintage patterns?

Their incredible details. Pockets, gathering, yokes, the whole pattern is a well thought out design and the garments have a lot of visual interest, sometimes subtle, sometimes not.

How long have you been collecting patterns, and do you have a personal stash? 

Since I started sewing thirteen years ago I’ve been collecting patterns. My vintage love/obsession started about two or three years ago and has grown to fill a large boot box full of vintage women’s patterns primarily for me and a large shoe box full of irresistible children’s patterns. Sorting day for business is hard since I have to keep from adding ALL THE LOVELIES to my personal stash.

Mail Order 9328 1960s Day Dress

Tell us about your favourite pattern you’ve found so far

Advance 8524! I love pleats, poofy skirts and a tiny waist. This pattern has it all. It was very easy to sew together and every time I wear it I feel great and get lots of compliments. I only used half the fabric called for in the skirt and the pleats still turned out evenly. And before you ask, no, my copy is not for sale!

What’s your favourite era? Why?

50’s and 60s… The emphasis on the natural waistline flatters my body shape and I fit the Butterick block wonderfully well within that time frame. I’ve made a couple variations of the center pattern and the other two blouse patterns are on my to make list.
Do you sew many garments from the patterns you accumulate?

Except for my trousers and knit patterns all my garment sewing has been with my vintage patterns. Once you’ve used them its hard to stop. My to sew list is, as always, much longer than what I have sewn…

1940’s Simplicity 2617 Button Front Dress

What’s your favourite thing about vintage patterns?

I already talked about the details that are impossible to find in ready to wear and modern patterns but I also love the fit and in a lot of cases a more flattering silhouette for a woman’s body than what is available in shops today. I find the sizing is more accurate as well.

Do you have any tips on looking after vintage patterns?

Go the extra mile and trace those rare vintage patterns especially if you are going to be using a tracing wheel or doing any marking that may cause wear and tear on the tissue. When you realize this is a piece of history that we are allowed to touch and use it helps you gather the patience to make this extra step. Patterns were created to be disposable which is why each one that has made it through the years is a treasure.

Thanks Emily – very true about each pattern being a piece of history, and it’s especially awesome that we get to touch and use it too; much better than the ‘do not touch’ signs in museums, I have to say!

1950’s Butterick 6226 Tailored Dress

Emily has also been super generous as well, adding “I love seeing vintage patterns take on new life which is why my shop, EmSewCrazy, is offering a coupon code:STITCHVINTAGE15 for 15% off any order you make through September. If you buy and sew one of my patterns, I’d love to see it! Send me a photo of your garment and the pattern(emsewcrazyatyahoodotcom) and I’ll send you a coupon code for 25% off your next order!

I blog about all my creations over at TumbleweedsintheWind and help curate useful vintage sewing information over on the PatternPatter blog. Thanks so much for visiting with me and I hope to see you around the blogsphere soon!
Happy Sewing,

Emily