I ran across this little gem recently and just have to share it with you! This hokey yet fabulous little film,
Pattern for Smartness, is basically a 1940s Simplicity Pattern Company advertisement for some of the wonderful patterns of the time. I search You Tube and the Internet Archive now and again to find old
Coronet and other instructional films of the 40s and 50s about beauty, home economics, etiquette, and fashion for teens. A lot of these short films were shown in public schools as part of the curriculum, and they fascinate me from a social history, gender roles, and fashion perspective.
This was probably an instructional film shown in home economic classes, as it is aimed at the teenaged sewist and is quite a bit longer (about 18 1/2 minutes) than the usual advertisement or news reel shown in movie theaters at the time. (I guess product placement in schools may not be such a new idea!). The acting and dialogue are awful, so ignore Johnny's whining about how Betty is "always thinking about clothes," and wait just four minutes for the interesting look at how Simplicity patterns were designed. Next is a sewing lesson using Simplicity patterns, and finally there is a cute fashion show near the end. Lesson learned: with the right pattern, we all can have Betty's "know how" look!
This is fantastic. I use vintage patterns quite often, so this greatly interests me. Great find! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteooo, your resourcefulness is awesome, French Picnic applauds your find!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you liked the post Gabriele and French Picnic! I love sharing stuff like this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have this on a DVD of educational films. Isn't it wonderful? I watched it right when I started sewing, and actually found it helpful!
ReplyDeleteVintage patterns remind me of my paternal grandmother who sewed all the grandkids (and there were a lot of them) a new coat every winter. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteStopping in with PEAR comment love... ~Lanie
I loved that little blast from the past. How funny! :) Visiting from PEAR. Have an awesome week!
ReplyDeleteOh I love watching these old instructional videos! I wish I could sew from a pattern.. still haven't figured it out.
ReplyDeleteI think that the film is really helpful for the new sewist as well. For some reason I have a hard time making tailors' tacks, and I think that the film did a great job of showing how to make them!
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