The sewing patterns from the ’60s and ’70s that mum made

It is always fun to look back on the good old days, so today we look back to old sewing patterns to remember the most popular fashion trends of the 1960s and 70s – the outfits your mum likely made for you. Do you remember using patterns to make a new skirt or a mod dress?  Or do you remember making your own circle skirts? 

It was a time-consuming process – select your favourite pattern, choose the fabric, follow instructions, lay out the pattern, pin, tack, cut, see if it fit, unpick and redo – but at least you ended up with an original outfit. The iconic pattern companies, including Butterick, McCall’s, Simplicity and Vogue, are still around today but we bet your grandchildren or even your children have never heard of them!

Take a look at our favourite pieces! Have you made any of these patterns? Will you teach your grandkids how to make an outfit from a sewing pattern?

1. Circular skirt

Did you have a circular cutting board? What colour was your favourite circular skirt?

2. Mod shift

3. Flared dress

4. Mod cape

5. Sheath dress

6. Dropped-waist flared skirt

7. Mod vests

8. Headscarves

9. Mod funnel-neck tent

10. Bathing suit pattern & beach coat

11. Pinafore

12. Muumuu

13. Midriff blouse and hip huggers

14. Tunic and flared pants

15. Shortie PJs

16. Wrap skirt

17. Swirl skirt

Do you remember wearing some of these iconic 1960s sewing patterns? What is your favourite piece? Tell us below.