Sewing patterns had their origins in 1860 when William and Ellen Demores began holding fashion shows in customer's homes, where they sold patterns to these consumers. This was the beginning of Madame Demorests' Emporium of Fashion. At this time, patterns came only in a single size, as opposed to the modern pattern that typically contains graded (multiple) sizes in a single pattern. Demorest's Emporium of Fashions Demorests' Emporium of Fashions had their unique patterns published in the middle 19th century fashion magazine, the Mirror of Fashion, which showcased a variety patterns of which the Demorests' had hundreds, which like all patterns of the day, came in just a single size. These patterns were illustrated on unprinted paper, …show more content…
The Buttericks founded E. Butterick & Company, which is now, the "Butterick Publishing Company", in 1867 New York. The Butterick's offered a novel innovation, each of their patterns in different standard, graded sizes. This invention began its commerical production in 1863, which as based on grading systems that were once exclusively employed by tailors. Originally these patterns only came in styles for boys and men, but in 1866, the Buttericks began to include patterns for women's clothing, which was the smartest decision they ever …show more content…
Magazines became available to the masses at this time, as they became less expensive to produce when publishers began to sell bulk advertising, which in turn lowered the cost of a magazine subscription. Vogue began producing patterns in 1899 and in 1909, Condé Nast acquired Vogue, resulting in Vogue Pattern Company in 1914, which began being sold to consumers in department stores in 1916. In 1870, the Scottish tailor, James McCall, began the McCall Pattern Company in New York. During the successful economy of the 20's, the fashion industry began to produce the first incarnations of full designer patterns. At this time other patterns companies, too, flourished, such as Condé Nast (Vogue), Hollywood Patterns, Simplicity Pattern Co. Inc., DuBarry patterns, manufactured by Simplicity from 1931–1940 were crafted exclusively for F. W. Woolworth Company. Hollywood Pattern Company was started by Condé Nast in 1932. They continued production through the end of World War II. The New York Pattern Company began in 1932 and continued until the early 50's. Advance began crafting patterns in 1933 and sold them exclusively to J. C. Penney Company until 1966 to be sold in their department stores. The company was sold to Puritan Fashions in