My First Vogue Pattern

Hello.  Since this is my first entry, I suppose I should introduce myself.  My name is Henry and I have an abiding fascination for sewing patterns.

My earliest remembrance, the first memory of holding a pattern was when I was six years old or so... while idly wandering around some little thrift hop with my Mom, and spying this oversize pattern envelope:  Vogue Paris Original #1469 by Jacques Heim, a 1959 design.  I asked my Mom to buy it an she humored me.  So for a mere 10 cents I collected my first pattern.  I loved the diagram on the back with all the pattern pieces laid out.  The extreme curve at the jacket back intrigued me... how you could make the fabric form volume.  I loved the watercolor drawing on the cover and the instruction sheet, maybe the most of all, because it showed you how the construction of everything worked.

Vogue Patterns became imprinted in my early memory reminding me of fun times with Mom and our shared love of clothes.  My Mom passed away, unexpectedly, when I was just 20 years old and over these many years sewing patterns, Vogue Paris Originals in particular, have now obtained a Proustian quality of childhood memory for me when I let myself get all dreamy.

Enough talk...
Here is the very first pattern from my collection, age 6.

Vogue Paris Original #1469:  designed by Jacques Heim.
Beautifully cut stand-away back jacket has the curve follow to the front with no side seams.  The end of the curve on the sides becomes bias for a supple fit.  Shaped collar and long fitted sleeves.