1940s Vintage Sewing Patterns
Discover Patterned's collection of authentic, original 1940s vintage sewing patterns, carefully sourced for modern makers, collectors and lovers of historic fashion.
Explore original dressmaking patterns from iconic pattern houses including Vogue, Simplicity, Butterick, McCall's, Advance and more. From beautifully tailored wartime dresses and practical separates to elegant suits, coats, blouses and the fuller silhouettes that emerged toward the end of the decade, our collection captures the distinctive style and ingenuity of 1940s fashion.
These are original vintage paper sewing patterns, not modern reproductions. Each pattern is individually checked, with its size, condition and completeness clearly described in the listing.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Patterned brings original patterns from fashion's past into the hands of today's sewists and collectors, with international shipping available.
Shop Original 1940s Vintage Sewing Patterns
Marian Martin 9483
Mail Order Pattern
Junior Miss Dress
Size 13 Bust 31 Waist 26 Hip 34
1948
A charming late-1940s Junior Miss dress with a fitted button-front bodice, neat rounded collar and beautifully full flared skirt. The pattern offers both cap-sleeve and three-quarter-sleeve versions, with the longer sleeves finished with turned-back cuffs. A contrasting bodice may also be used for a smart two-piece effect.
One version is embellished with the included alphabet transfers, allowing the initials or lettering to be arranged decoratively across the bodice for a wonderfully distinctive period detail.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Incomplete. The original Belt pattern piece is missing. Original alphabet transfers are included.
Original Marian Martin pattern wrap and mailing envelope are included and have age-related wear, creasing, discolouration and small tears consistent with age and storage.
The Pattern Shop 11674
Lumber Jacket
Bust 36
ca. 1940s
A wonderfully distinctive 1940s British lumber jacket with a neat fitted waist, button-front fastening and tailored collar. The jacket features a buttoned breast pocket, long sleeves gathered into buttoned cuffs and a close-fitting waistband, creating the characteristic cropped, softly bloused silhouette of the period.
The original illustration shows the jacket worn with high-waisted trousers, giving it a particularly strong wartime 1940s sportswear look. The pattern also provides instructions for making the jacket from an old overcoat, an evocative example of the practical make-do-and-mend approach to clothing during the period.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete. Some pattern pieces have tape repairs and small age-related rips, but the pattern remains usable.
Original The Pattern Shop instruction envelope is included and has considerable age-related wear, including discolouration, spotting, creasing, small tears and tape repairs. The printed instructions remain readable.
Suzanne Lane 1485
Mail Order Pattern
Junior Miss Dress
Size 12 Bust 30
ca. 1940s
“Junior Glamour” — a charming late-1940s dress with a softly gathered bodice, daring off-the-shoulder neckline and short puffed sleeves. A wide pointed girdle draws the waist in dramatically, while the softly gathered skirt creates the fashionable rounded silhouette of the period.
The original sewing guide suggests a wonderful range of period fabrics including rayon crepe, shantung, eyelet cotton, gingham, chambray, piqué, rayon jersey and taffeta.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original Suzanne Lane sewing guide and Evening Bulletin Reader Service pattern sleeve are included, together with the original Evening Bulletin mailing envelope. Paper components have age-related wear, creasing, discolouration and small tears consistent with age and storage.
Fashion Service 2159
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Dress, Blouse & Skirt
Size 14 Bust 32 Hip 35
ca. 1940s
A versatile ensemble comprising a fitted dress, separate blouse and softly pleated skirt. The dress may be made with long sleeves and a neat collar, or with short sleeves and a square neckline. The separate short-sleeved blouse features a shaped waist and collar, while the skirt falls in graceful pleats from the natural waist. Decorative ruffling and button details provide further variation.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Cut & Complete.
Original instruction wrap has some age-related wear and discolouration consistent with age and storage.
Home Journal 9436
Teenage Frock
Bust 34 Waist 28 Hip 38
ca. 1940s
A charming teenage frock with a fitted bodice, neat rounded neckline and contrasting tucked collar. The long sleeves are finished with contrasting cuffs, while the softly flared panelled skirt falls from a fitted waist and is finished with a tie belt at the back.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Incomplete. The original Cuff pattern piece is missing; a replacement copy is included, so the pattern remains usable. Some original pattern pieces have pencil markings and pins remaining from previous use.
Original instruction sheet has considerable age-related wear, including creasing, discolouration, tears and small areas of paper loss consistent with age and storage.
Australian Woman's Mirror 5719
Ladies' Frock
Bust 34 Waist 29 Hips 38
ca. 1940s
A charming 1940s day dress with a softly gathered bodice, rounded yoke neckline and short puff sleeves. The fitted waist opens into a gently flared skirt, creating a classic feminine wartime-era silhouette. The illustrated version is finished with a narrow belt and contrasting yoke detail.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original sewing instructions are included.
Original Australian Woman's Mirror pattern envelope/cutting guide has considerable age-related wear, including creasing, discolouration, tears and small areas of paper loss consistent with age and storage.
Home Journal Pattern 6021
Ladies' House Gown
Bust 34 Waist 29 Hips 38
ca. 1940s
An elegant full-length house gown with a beautifully tailored silhouette. The button-through front features wide notched lapels and a shaped collar, while long sleeves, a fitted waist and strongly defined panel seams create a flattering, elongated line. Finished with a breast pocket and practical side pockets.
The original cutting guide shows nine pattern pieces.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Unused, Factory Folded & Complete. Sewing instructions are missing.
Original Home Journal pattern envelope/cutting guide has age-related wear, creasing and discolouration consistent with age and storage.
Home Journal Pattern 13117
Ladies' Dressing Gown
Bust 34 Waist 29 Hips 38
ca. 1940s
An elegant 1940s full-length dressing gown with a button-through front, neat rounded collar and long sleeves. The fitted waist is defined by a wide self-fabric tie belt, while large curved patch pockets and a gently flared floor-length skirt complete the design.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete. Sewing instructions are missing.
Original Home Journal pattern envelope/cutting guide has age-related wear, creasing and discolouration consistent with age and storage.
Home Journal Pattern 11390
Ladies' Blouse
Bust 36
ca. 1940s
A smart tailored blouse with softly gathered shoulders, a neat rounded collar and button-through front. Long sleeves are gathered into buttoned cuffs, while two small buttoned patch pockets decorate the front. The gently fitted waist creates a classic, versatile 1940s silhouette designed to be worn tucked into a skirt or trousers.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Unused & Complete. Pattern pieces have been unfolded from their original factory folds but show no evidence of having been used. No sewing instruction sheet is included.
Original Home Journal pattern envelope/cutting guide has considerable age-related wear, including creasing, discolouration, tears and areas of paper loss consistent with age and storage.
Anne Adams 4861
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Suit
Size 12 Bust 30 Waist 25½ Hip 33
ca. 1940s
A beautifully tailored two-piece suit featuring a fitted, button-front jacket with a softly shaped collar, nipped waist and gently flared peplum. The jacket may be made with short, three-quarter or long sleeves, while the coordinating skirt falls in graceful flared panels from the natural waist. Optional contrasting ric-rac trim provides a decorative finish to the jacket.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original instruction wrap has some age-related wear, discolouration and small tears consistent with age and storage.
2704 Mail Order
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Peplum Blouse
Size 18 Bust 36 Hip 39
ca. 1940s
A charming fitted blouse featuring a softly shaped V-neckline, button-front bodice and distinctive scalloped edging around the short sleeves and peplum. The fitted waist opens into a gently flared peplum, while a narrow belt completes the feminine silhouette.
The original pattern consists of six pieces: Blouse Front, Blouse Back, Front Facing, Peplum Front, Peplum Back and Belt.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete. Some original pattern pieces have pencil markings from previous use. Additional homemade pattern pieces for facings are also included.
Original instruction wrap has some age-related wear, creasing and small tears consistent with age and storage.
Mail Order 8481
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Wrap Dress
Size 12 Bust 30 Hip 33
ca. 1940s
A charming wrap-style day dress featuring an overlapping buttoned front, softly shaped neckline and a fitted waist finished with a tie belt. The skirt falls in a graceful flare from the waist, while the pattern offers a choice of short or three-quarter sleeves for a versatile everyday style.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original instruction wrap has age-related wear, creasing, discolouration and tears, particularly around the upper edge, consistent with age and storage.
Marian Martin 9222
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Dress
Size 12 Bust 30
1949
A striking late-1940s dress featuring a smart mandarin collar, fitted bodice and graceful flared skirt. The design is distinguished by an oversized patch pocket, optional decorative transfer and a sash-style tie belt that beautifully defines the waist. Short-sleeve and three-quarter-sleeve variations are included.
A contemporary August 1949 advertisement highlighted the design's mandarin collar, large patch pocket and sash belt, and confirms that the decorative transfer was originally supplied with the pattern.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete. Original decorative transfer T-47 is included.
Original Marian Martin Sew-Chart and mailing envelope are included and have age-related wear, creasing and discolouration consistent with age and storage.
Marian Martin 9339
Mail Order Pattern
Women's Dress
Size 36 Bust 36
ca. 1940s
A smart button-front dress with a fitted bodice, softly flared skirt and a neat notched collar. The pattern offers long or three-quarter sleeves, or a short-sleeved version, with the option of a contrasting collar. A removable dickey creates an alternative layered neckline, while a slim belt defines the waist.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Cut & Complete; however, the original Front Facing, Back Neck Facing and Collar pieces are missing and have been replaced with correctly cut newspaper pieces.
Original instruction wrap has some age-related wear and discolouration consistent with age and storage. Original Marian Martin mailing envelope is included and has wear and tear consistent with age and original postal use.
Explore a hand-picked selection below, or browse our complete collection of original 1940s vintage sewing patterns.
Original Patterns from the 1940s
The 1940s was a remarkable decade for home dressmaking, shaped by both wartime practicality and the return of glamour in the post-war years. Early and mid-decade fashions favoured strong shoulders, defined waists, neat tailoring and economical silhouettes, while the later 1940s introduced softer lines, longer skirts and the fuller proportions that would come to define the New Look.
At Patterned, you'll find original 1940s patterns for dresses, skirts, blouses, suits, coats, eveningwear and more, including designs from some of the era's most recognisable pattern houses.
Because our patterns are genuine vintage originals, each one has its own history and condition. Every pattern is individually checked and clearly described as Factory Folded, Cut & Complete, Cut & Incomplete or otherwise noted, so you can purchase with confidence knowing exactly what you're receiving.
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Marian Martin 9469
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Sundress & Jacket
Size 12 Bust 30
1949
A charming late-1940s summer ensemble comprising a fitted sundress and coordinating jacket. The sundress features a low rounded neckline, wide shoulder straps, a beautifully fitted waist and a full flared skirt. The accompanying short-sleeved jacket is shaped closely through the waist and finished with a flattering peplum, creating an elegant two-piece effect when worn over the dress.
The original pattern also provides an optional ric-rac braid trim. A contemporary 1950 advertisement promoted Pattern 9469 as a versatile “sunsemble,” designed to be worn as a sunfrock on its own or with the jacket for going into town.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original Marian Martin pattern wrap and mailing envelope are included and have age-related wear, creasing, discolouration and small tears consistent with age and storage. The original mailing label is dated June 8, 1949.