Patterns For Midge Maisels Bolero Jackets
We Love the Marvellous Mrs Maisel!
It goes without saying you can´t love the costumes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel without Loving the talented and meticulous Designer Donna Zakowska. Her attention to detail and wonderful colour palette Makes Midge´s clothes just leap out of the screen as sharply as her wit.
During the lockdowns of 2020 I set about cataloguing the huge vintage pattern collection that just keeps growing. There are whole boxes of original French vintage sewing patterns from the 30´s to the 1970´s. Fashion revues, Paris catalogues and weekly womens revues were unpacked and seen for the first time in 50 years.
This post is one of a series Of original French Vintage Sewing patterns that are the doppelgangers of Midge´s Costumes, skirts tops, dresses and coats. Available in variety of inclusive modern sizes.
This was far the toughest pattern to get close to. The collar is slightly more rounded, and the buttons are on thee wrong side, (maybe an editing printing reverse?) but minor issues of a great find. The French Pattern company is “La Mode Artistique” and this was from 1958.
The original pattern is for a 36″ (92cm) bust. the instructions were very limited so I passed this to a pattern tester to try out. The notes and a few diagrams have been added to the original pattern info. It has also been graded larger to fit more inclusive modern sizing.
This original Vintage sewing pattern was eventually found after weeks of hunting from a French weekly ladies fashion and sewing magazine in 1959. The patterns were bought by post and have full written instructions. The instructions were written in 1959 so can be quirky and charming.
The trace is done digitally, cleaned and graded to have a more modern inclusive sizing range. The original vintage size is the French T44 with is a 38″ (98cm) bust. All other sizes have been graded.
The pattern has a cute curved hem and princess seams to be true to the original.
A simple shrug style Boléro with short kimono sleeves and decorative braided edging. Unlined in cotton or silk. These are seen very commonly made to match sun dresses throughout the 1950´s.
This original pattern is found from Patron Modèle , its undated but mid catalogued to late 1950´s.
The picture below from the pattern gives more detail.
This is the sketch of the above pattern – Its simple to sew and perfect for over summer dresses. It has simple short kimono sleeve and front edge and sleeve hems edged in contrasting decorative bias fabric or braid.
This original pattern is found from Patron Modèle , its undated but mid catalogued to late 1950´s.
This is a cute shape and perfect for over any summer strappy dress.
The original pattern is from an order by mail French Ladies fashion and sewing magazine. Femmes d´aujourd ´hui from 1959.
The magazine page has the picture and the pattern has written instructions in both original French and translated English.
Ok this one is not an exact match, but as its a pretty basic pattern design , and it is the fabric choice with the attention to detail on the contrasting cuffs and accessories that really makes it stand out. This is from French Ladies magazine Femme d´aujourd´hui dated 1958.
Easy to reshape the neckline and change button positions.
