Today I'm blogging about something I've been doing since I was 10 years old. Sewing is a wonderful way to let your creative genius thrive. It's a way to delve into colorways, styles and things that you just can't find in ready to wear.

In the vintage past women were wonderful seamstresses and created some of the most stunning ensembles known to man. My own mom and my dad's great cousin, Angie (seamstress extraordinaire for Bergdorf Goodman) created a stunning evening gown of American Beauty Rose fuchsia brocade. I vividly remember my mom wearing this with a white spiderweb stole (which I have in my possession never to be parted with) and my Dad in his then IBM standard black suit and white shirt with a conservative tie. I was 6 at the time and even though I'm 51 years old now the memory is still vivid.


Mom and Dad in the 1960s

I spent later years going through home economics class making what was a nautical print red, white and blue maxi dress with a side slit just past the knee on the side and a white pointy collar and white cuffs with round golden eagle buttons. I also made a red pants suit to wear for graduation night from Poway High School in 1977 as if to say "Look out world! Here I come!"

In the years after I've made everything from evening wear for company parties my husband, dresses to wear to family member's weddings and doll size clothing for my oldest daughter who weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces at birth. I've also made christening and communion outfits for both my daughters and matching leopard hats and coats out of polar fleece for them. Then of course there are the Halloween costumes over the years as well (a skunk costume, lady bug costumes and flower costumes come to mind).

So it makes perfect sense for me to have a vintage pattern store selling all types of vintage patterns as well as modern patterns on occasion.

I was fortunate enough to find a treasure trove of patterns from several seamstresses who made many beautiful outfits from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. We have children's patterns, men's and women's patterns.

We have many plus size patterns available. It's always a chore trying to find a vintage plus size dress in a color or print you like that will fit perfectly. So now for the discerning seamstress we have a wonderful choice of patterns from the 1940s on up. All our patterns are priced at $12 or lower regardless of size.

Well, almost all of them. There is one pattern in my store from the 1940s that is priced at $35. It's easily my very favorite pattern even though it's not in my size. For now I'm leaving it priced the way it is because I want the person who buys this pattern to want it and love it as much as I do.


Vintage 1940s Simplicity Bathing
Suit and Beach Coat Pattern 4624
Size 18 B36 W30 H39 FF


So remember when you are hunting for that perfect vintage pattern to set loose your creative energy to check out Born Too Late Vintage Patterns

It was a Saturday night. My uncle and his girlfriend had come to our apartment to babysit me and my siblings. My Dad was dressed in his regulation IBM corporate wear (white shirt and black suit, remember it's the 1960s).

I was sitting in the living room playing with my sister. Then my mom appeared. I'll never forget the way she looked. She wore a white spiderweb crocheted shawl but what was under it was even more stunning! There she stood in a fitted brocade gown that hugged every curve. It was made from American Beauty rose fuchsia brocade and had a beautiful rose pattern woven in the fabric. It was like looking at a movie star. My parents kissed us all goodbye and headed out for the hospital auxiliary ball. I tucked that memory away, not forgotten, but put away to savor at a later date.

Mom and Dad in the 1960s


Years later after my folks passed away I was thinking about the impact they'd had on my life and the memory of that gown came back to me again. It's always been such a vivid memory for me. I finally put 2 and 2 together and realized just why I have always fallen for brocades of any color, weight and shimmer. I suppose you could say that the night of the hospital auxiliary ball was a decisive factor in what appeals to me in vintage clothing now. Other items may bring more financially but my heart will always yearn towards brocades.