Vintage Pattern Inspiration – Hats and Belts

There's nothing quite as delightful as a vintage pattern. They have the ability to take you back to another era – when women wore elegant hats and gloves and matching handbags. McCall's 6515 features four gorgeous smocked hats. Couldn't you see Audrey Hepburn in one of these?

I somehow ended up with a lot of these in my stash – some from my grandma and some from mom. See lots more after the jump. If you need even more vintage pattern inspiration be sure to check out the Vintage Patterns wiki.

Simplicity 4178 was one of my mom's patterns. It has patterns for 2 hats, a scarf, a clutch and a flower brooch. Doesn't the girl on the top right look like a tres chic flight attendant?

McCalls 8254 is so mod and not unlike a uniform from Hot Dog on a Stick. However, I would definitely wear view B or C.

Simplicity 3323 (circa 1940) has patterns for a hat, turban, purse and gloves. I used the pattern to make the purse when I was in high school and in the process learned the importance of interfacing. Every project can be a learning experience, no?

Simplicity 3651 is another one from 1940. These look like they are straight out of movie featuring the other Hepburn (Katharine that is).

This belt pattern Butterick 8893 was one of my Grandma's maybe from the 1930s (?). It features patterns for 9 different belts and as you can see from the illustration they are all pretty distinct. Wouldn't it be kind of fun to try out View E with the pockets? It's kind of a vintage style fanny pack!

Last but not least, Simplicity 6250 (circa 1974) shows you how to make a sunhat for yourself and a matching one for your man.

Back in the old days, it was much more common for women to make belts to match their dresses. I have a few vintage belt making kits. They usually have a stiff band for the belt that you cover with your fabric and then eyelets to punch the holes and a buckle. Sometimes, the buckle can be covered with fabric too. Interfacing or some other kind of stiffening is so important for getting the right result. Have you ever made your own hat or belt?