Many women in Australia sewed at home and Madame Weigel's patterns spanned nine decades, closing down in 1969. Simplicity and Butterick patterns are still made today. Simplicity was founded in 1927 in New York, Butterick is the oldest pattern company in the world, founded in 1863. One source states that Ebenezer Butterick is credited with creating the first multi-size sewing patterns in 1892. It is now been purchased by another company.15 Assorted dressmaking patterns: 11 from the 1960's and 70's, 3 vintage - Simplicity, Butterick, Style and Madame Weigel. One is a J & L Stretch Fabric Multi-Sized Family Pattern. The patterns are presented in paper packets with coloured pictures on the front depicting the items which can be made. Inside are tissue paper patterns with paper instructions. Pattern No 9196 has a yellow and white checked piece of material pinned to the front as a possible sample of the material used. The three vintage ones are Madame Weigel patterns, two for women and a child's one. All packets are worn through use and damaged.'Simplicity, Butterick, Style, Madame Weigel and J & l Stretch Fabric' patterns are printed at the top of the relevant patterns with appropriate illustrations of what can be made.sewing, sewing patterns, sewing equipment

Dressmakers used patterns to make clothes. Companies included 'Simplicity, Butterick and Vogue etc. The packet would contain transparent paper shapes with printed lines and instructions. These were pinned onto the material, cut, then sewn together as per the lines and the included instructions.In the 1950s and 1960s women sewed the clothes for the family. In the Kiewa Valley dress shops were not available and a journey to the bigger cities was less frequent than it is today.Coloured pictures showing the finished garment. Patterns were in sizes. eg. size 10 1. Fashion - lady's dress 2. x3 Simplicity - lady's clothes 3. x3 Butterick lady's clothesdressmaker, simplicity butterick, ladies fashion

Two sewing patterns. 1 x Simplicity (4913) - Toddler size 4. 1 x Butterick (2122) - Size 8patterns, sewing