What a find, what a cool idea, I wonder how many women went for them? So, I’d assume many vintage sewers will have come across mail order patterns, from Home Journal and other women’s magazines, but, prior to The Auckland Vintage Textile Fair on the weekend, I had never heard of mail order ‘cut out dresses’.
Fashion Pack! “Yes please!” These dresses are pre cut to your size, you have three colour options, the come with all your notions, buttons, zippers, interfacing, ribbons, everything other than spools of thread.
Check out these babies. Love this green number.
This one, comes with emerald green wool fabric, and a co-ordinating ribbon.
Cool, love this line.
I think this other one is also quite lovely. Not sure about the colour, but the style is classic.
Colour co-ordinated packaging. I would have been bursting with joy when it turned up! Though they have been lovingly kept, I wonder why they were never sewn up?
I’d love to know more about these, if any of your wonderful readers has knowledge to share!
I don’t know if I have it in my heart to make them up…. but I’m dying to try them out. Might have to copy the pieces to make my own pattern to experiment with.
Angela Rowe 
How interesting! I guess it becomes a DIY thing isn’t it? LIke lego pieces instead of actually making a dress from scractch? How uncanny!
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Yes, maybe an easy way to get into sewing? Like a sewing project kit… Though, you can make the dress only once, rather than using a dress pattern over and over.
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My mum used to get those packs. There were also children’s ones that she made for us. I also knew The Johnstone family in Matapan Rd – I grew up in Panmure. Small small world.
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Ann…. I was thinking you would be one to ask !
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I totally love the style of the red dress. Looks so comfy, cute and practical. Do you know where I could get a copy of that pattern? Or would you be willing to sell a copy of yours? Ever since I saw this on your blog I have been searching for it!
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Hi Jeanne,
Yes, they are cool huh, I’ll see what I can do, I haven’t taken a copy of it yet, so much to do! I might have a similar sewing pattern in my stash… will have to get back to you. Thanks for your comment!
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