1950s Vintage Sewing Patterns
Discover Patterned's collection of authentic, original 1950s vintage sewing patterns, carefully sourced for modern makers, collectors and lovers of mid-century fashion.
Explore original dressmaking patterns from iconic pattern houses including Vogue, Simplicity, Butterick, McCall's, Advance and more. From full-skirted New Look silhouettes and elegant evening dresses to fitted sheath dresses, separates, coats, blouses and everyday fashions, our collection captures the remarkable variety of 1950s style.
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 1950s Vintage Sewing Patterns
American Weekly 9144
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Casual Jacket
Size 16 Bust 34
1957
A wonderfully relaxed 1950s jacket with graceful, easy-fitting lines, an open shawl-style front, generous patch pockets and distinctive turn-back cuffs. Designed as an easy-to-sew everyday topper, the jacket has a loose boxy silhouette that could be made in anything from wool and linen to cotton or piqué.
A contemporary advertisement for Pattern 9144 promoted its “graceful flowing lines” and go-anywhere versatility, suggesting wool, linen or piqué. The same advertisement confirms the pattern's full size range and identifies it as a Marian Martin mail-order design.
Printed pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Unused, Factory Folded & Complete.
Original American Weekly mailing envelope is included and has age-related wear, creasing, discolouration and small tears consistent with age and storage. The envelope is postmarked February 1, 1957.
166 K
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Dress
Bust 34 Waist 29 Hip 38
ca. 1950s
The panelled bodice of this dress is cut on Magyar lines with a deep, pointed yoke at back. The four-piece skirt has crossway seams at centre front and back, the front being gathers to match those of bodice panel. A ¾-length sleeve may be substituted for the short version if preferred.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Cut & Complete. Some pattern pieces have pins remaining from previous use.
Original instruction sheet has some age-related wear and creasing consistent with age and storage.
Woman's Weekly 270 K
Special Offer Pattern
Misses' Princess Dress
Bust 36
ca. 1958
A beautifully shaped princess-line dress with short or three-quarter-length Magyar sleeves and a distinctive squared neckline. The centre-front opening is finished with two buttons and buttonholes, while the lower edges of the front panels are split and trimmed in the same manner. A side zip provides the closure, and the seven-panel construction creates the wonderfully fitted waist and full, sweeping skirt characteristic of the late 1950s.
Suggested fabrics originally included cotton satin, poplin, rayon alpaca, spun rayon, fine woollen worsted, wool and angora, or printed wool.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete. Some pattern pieces have pins remaining from previous use.
Original Woman's Weekly instruction sheet is included and has some age-related wear and creasing consistent with age and storage.
Marian Martin 9165
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' & Women's Half Size Dress
Size 18½ Bust 38
ca. 1950s
A beautifully feminine 1950s dress designed especially for the half-size figure. The fitted button-front bodice features a softly gathered bust beneath a shaped yoke, flowing into a graceful panelled skirt with a neatly defined belted waist.
The dress offers two sleeve treatments: a pretty short scalloped sleeve or a contrasting band sleeve. The shaped front yoke may also be worked in contrast, creating a particularly attractive variation of this classic mid-century day dress.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original Marian Martin pattern wrap and mailing envelope are included and have age-related creasing, discolouration, spotting and wear consistent with age and storage.
Marian Martin 9266
Mail Order Pattern
Women's Panel Dress
Bust 36
1954
An elegant 1950s dress with a beautifully shaped bodice, wide curved collar and a graceful panelled skirt. The fitted bodice features flattering diagonal shaping towards the centre front, while the skirt falls from the defined waist into long vertical panels for a particularly streamlined silhouette.
The pattern offers three variations: sleeveless, short sleeved or with three-quarter sleeves. The collar and cuffs may be made in contrast, creating the striking two-tone effect shown in the original illustration.
Printed pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Cut & Incomplete. The Sleeve pattern piece (No. 5) is missing. All other pattern pieces are included.
Original Marian Martin pattern wrap and mailing envelope are included. Both have age-related creasing, discolouration and wear consistent with age and storage.
Marian Martin 9030
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' & Women's Half Size Dress
Size 16½ Bust 37
1954
A smart and feminine 1950s shirtwaist dress designed especially for the half-size figure. The fitted bodice features a softly gathered front beneath a shaped yoke and revere collar, button-front closing and a neatly defined waist, flowing into a graceful panelled skirt.
The dress can be made sleeveless, with short sleeves and optional contrast cuffs, or with three-quarter sleeves. Delicate ruffling and lace edging may be added around the revere for an especially pretty finish.
Printed pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Cut & Complete.
Original Marian Martin pattern wrap and mailing envelope are included and have age-related creasing, discolouration and wear consistent with age and storage.
Home Journal Pattern 10553
Ladies' Nightdress
Bust 36 Waist 31 Hips 40
ca. 1951
A graceful early 1950s nightdress with a softly fitted bodice, gathered bust and long flowing skirt. The bodice features a neat rounded collar and buttoned centre front, with long sleeves gathered into narrow cuffs.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete. Sewing instructions are missing.
Original Home Journal pattern envelope/cutting guide has considerable age-related wear, creasing and discolouration consistent with age and storage.
Home Journal Pattern 10530
Ladies' Nightdress
Bust 34 Waist 29 Hips 38
ca. 1950–1951
An elegant early 1950s nightdress with a deep crossover V-neckline, softly gathered bust and graceful full-length skirt. Decorative ruffles trim the shoulders, while the fitted midriff and bias-cut skirt create a particularly feminine period silhouette.
The original cutting guide identifies five pattern components and specifies that the skirt is cut on the cross.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Incomplete. The original Sleeve pattern piece is missing. The Front Gore and Back Gore were designed to be drafted by the sewer rather than supplied as tissue pattern pieces; however, the original instruction sheet containing the directions and measurements required to draft these pieces is missing.
Original Home Journal 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 10491
Ladies' Slip
Bust 32 Waist 27 Hips 36
ca. 1950–1951
An elegant early 1950s fitted slip with narrow shoulder straps, a gently shaped neckline and a flattering panelled construction. The close-fitting bodice flows into a softly flared knee-length skirt, finished with delicate lace edging at the neckline and hem.
The original pattern consists of five pieces.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Incomplete. The original Strap pattern piece is missing. No sewing instruction sheet is included.
Some pattern pieces have markings from previous use.
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.
Fashion Bureau 2081
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Dress & Bolero
Size 14 Bust 32 Hip 35
ca. 1950s
A charming full-skirted dress with a fitted bodice and choice of two necklines. One version features a square neckline framed by gathered detailing and short puff sleeves, while the lower-necked version has shorter sleeves and a softly shaped bodice. A separate three-quarter sleeve bolero completes the ensemble.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Cut & Complete.
Original instruction wrap has considerable age-related wear and tear, particularly along the upper edge, consistent with age and storage. Original Philadelphia Inquirer Fashion Bureau mailing envelope is included and has significant wear, tears and paper loss consistent with age and original postal use.
Anne Adams 4832
Mail Order Pattern
Teen Age Dress
Size 12 Bust 30 Waist 25½ Hip 33
ca. 1955
A charming teen-age dress with a softly gathered bodice, fitted waistband and full skirt. The dress may be made with cap sleeves, short sleeves or long to three-quarter sleeves, with optional ribbon trim at the neckline and a patch pocket. A youthful and versatile mid-century style with a gently flared silhouette.
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. Original Anne Adams mailing envelope is included and has wear and tear consistent with age and original postal use.
American Weekly 3863
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Dress
Size 18 Bust 36 Waist 30 Hip 39
ca. 1950s
A striking 1950s dress designed to make beautiful use of striped fabric, with dramatic chevron effects created across the bodice and skirt. The fitted bodice features a flattering V-neckline and softly extended shoulders, flowing into a graceful flared skirt with strong diagonal seam lines. The pattern offers both cap-sleeve and three-quarter-sleeve versions, with an optional contrasting belt to define the waist.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original American Weekly instruction wrap has age-related wear, including creasing, discolouration and small tears consistent with age and storage.
Anne Adams 4815
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Dress
Size 14 Bust 32
ca. 1950s
A wonderfully feminine 1950s dress featuring a dramatic scalloped wrap-style bodice treatment that extends across the shoulders to form soft cap sleeves. The fitted bodice is drawn neatly into the waist, while the graceful flared skirt features an asymmetric buttoned front closing. A narrow belt completes the silhouette.
The scalloped neckline and shoulder treatment is the standout feature of this design, giving an otherwise beautifully simple day dress a distinctive sculptural finish.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Complete.
Original Anne Adams instruction sheet is included and has light age-related wear, creasing and discolouration consistent with age and storage.
Original Anne Adams mailing envelope is also included and has considerable age-related wear, including creasing, tears and edge wear.
Home Journal Pattern 5619
Misses' Frock
Bust 32 Waist 25 Hip 35
ca. 1950s
A striking vintage dress pattern offering two distinctly different looks. View A features a sleek, narrow skirt with a fitted double-breasted bodice and dramatic contrast notched collar, creating a beautifully tailored silhouette. View B transforms the design with a wonderfully full gathered skirt and three-quarter sleeves, while retaining the distinctive wide contrast collar and fitted waist.
The surviving pattern includes nine original tissue pieces: Half Front Bodice, Half Back Bodice, Half Front Skirt – View A, Half Back Skirt – View A, Centre Skirt – View B, Side Front Skirt – View B, Sleeve – View B, Half Lower Collar and Half Upper Collar.
Unprinted pattern. Pattern has been checked and is Incomplete. The original envelope states that the pattern consists of 12 pieces; nine original pattern pieces are present. Three pattern pieces are missing, but as the original garment-specific sewing instructions are not included, the identities of the missing pieces cannot be confirmed.
No sewing instruction sheet is included. The original Home Journal pattern envelope has considerable age-related wear, including creasing, discolouration, spotting, tears and paper loss around the edges, but the illustrations and pattern information remain readable.
Explore a hand-picked selection below, or browse our complete collection of original 1950s vintage sewing patterns.
Original Patterns from the 1950s
The 1950s was an extraordinary decade for home dressmaking, from the romantic full skirts and fitted bodices of the post-war New Look to increasingly streamlined silhouettes later in the decade. Original sewing patterns offer a fascinating record of these changing fashions — and the opportunity to recreate them as they were originally designed.
At Patterned, you'll find 1950s patterns for dresses, skirts, blouses, suits, coats, eveningwear, lingerie 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 9085
Mail Order Pattern
Misses' Summer Dress
Size 16 Bust 34
1955
A beautifully feminine 1950s summer dress featuring a shaped V-yoke, softly gathered bust and a wonderfully full skirt gathered into shaped hip panels. The fitted waist is finished with a narrow belt, creating the graceful hourglass silhouette characteristic of the period.
The design can be made sleeveless or with charming short puff sleeves, while the shaped yoke may be worked in a contrasting fabric. Contemporary advertising described the design as “Soft Flattery”, highlighting the soft gathers at the yoke and skirt and suggesting airy summer fabrics such as voile or nylon.
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 and discolouration consistent with age and storage.