Women's Wear of the 1930's: With Complete Patterns

by Ruth S. Countryman, Elizabeth Weis Hopper

Genres: Fashion, Sewing, Nonfiction, Fashion History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the same authors' earlier book about the 1920's, this is an excellent book of drawings of original women's garments of the 1930's from museum collections with gridded, measured sewing patterns and instructions. It includes dresses of all kinds, suits and outerwear, work clothes, sportswear and swimsuits, nightwear and underwear. It is for those with intermediate sewing abilities.

This book is an excellent resource for theaters, re-enactors, and anyone with an interest in vintage clothing.

[Duchess of Snark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have some mixed feelings about this book, while it has the beautiful styles of the 30s the patterns were taken directly from garments so they need quite a few mock ups just to insure the pieces fit together, there are also no instructions so i would not recommend someone less experienced with drafting and fitting patterns. The book is also ridiculously overpriced for something with no instructions, does not list garment measurements and has a tiny grid from which to draft. However I do love the designs of the garments, and the dose of pure joy seeing some of these adorable practical overalls and elegant evening gowns was exactly what i was looking for and their is even a little chart at the front of the book for the fashionable silhouette for each year.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent reference for those who wish to make a period recreation. I was impressed with the level of detail in the scaled patterns and with the inclusion of sewing instructions for select garments.