Monday, January 7, 2013

The 1940 McCall Project

Today is my birthday! yippeee!  According to the book 'The Secret Language of Birthdays', the 7th of January is the 'Day of Unusual Interests'.  It goes on to say...
January 7 people often show a decided interest in highly unusual subjects.  Perhaps this is because they are rather unusual characters themselves [no comment].....Those born on January 7 should try to reserve their more imaginative, unique side for those who truly appreciate it, and should actively seek out friends and associates who share their interests and heightened curiosity.
You do realize it is talking about all of you?  I'm so glad to have found a place where I can just delve right into my love of vintage sewing and talk about it all the time with people that enjoy it just as much as I do!!

Which brings me to the unveiling of my largest sewing challenge to date.  I am SO EXCITED about this project.  It's absolutely mammoth but something I have been dreaming about and planning for 3 years!

Ok, let's start at the beginning!  Many of you know of my love for McCall patterns.  Well, this has been growing steadily since I've started sewing.  One year in particular, 1940, is my absolute favourite.  It is so stylish, wearable and unique.  I want a wardrobe full of 1940 fashions.  Enter the 1940 McCall Project in which I will attempt to sew the entire catalogue of McCall patterns published in the year 1940!!  This is not a small undertaking.  I think this will take me well over a decade to find them all and sew them but it's something I want to try and do.  No pressure but lots of fun.  I won't neglect other decades either but this will be my go-to-decade and pattern company for sewing.

I am SO EXCITED!  This month I'll highlight the 1940 McCall patterns I've already sewn and hopefully have a new project or two.  I'll also highlight more of the patterns from this year,  the history of 1940 fashion generally and more details on the McCall pattern company.  I really can't describe how excited I am about this new project!!
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64 comments

  1. Yaaay!!! Happy birthday, Debi :)

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  2. Happy Birthday, congratulations, and yes, you are very much appreciated here!!!
    I sometimes daydream about doing something along the lines of your project, but soon talk myself out of it! 1940 is indeed a great choice, an interesting transitional time when you can't quite tell from looking at the envelope art whether it's a 30's or 40's style. I can't imagine what a huge project this is going to be, but if anyone will accomplish it, YOU will! I am going to dig through my boxes and see if any of my McCalls are dated 1940. I'll email you if I have any.
    Best wishes on your birthday!

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  3. Happy birthday Debi!
    Good luck for your great project :-)

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  4. Happy birthday Debi!! I love this quote from the birthday book, it sounds very appropriate.. This 1940s challenge is a brilliant idea, I'll be following it with high interest!

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  5. Happy Birthday! I am very much looking forward to watching this project unfold! I've recently gotten into 1940s sewing and I think it's my favorite decade as far as styles and silhouette. I can't wait to see more :) 

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  6. Happy Birthday!!!!!  WOW, I'm so impressed by this goal!  Really looking forward to watching you stitch up 1940!  So cool!

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  7. Happy Birthday! What a wonderful challenge! I can't wait to see the pieces come to fruition :)

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  8. joelle.stlaurentJanuary 07, 2013 6:10 PM

    Happy Birthday! This is a truly exciting project! I really like 40s fashion, even though it's not the best silhouette for me, so I look foward to learn more about it!

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  9. Happy Birthday!  Hope you take this day for yourself...maybe get started by fabric shopping!

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  10. A very Happy Birthday, I'm really looking forward to following your progress on this project :)

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  11. Happy Birthday, Debi!  What is the range of numbers of the McCall's patterns for 1940 if we want to check our collections to see if we have any?

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  12. Wow! Happy birthday! I hope you have a great day and Good luck on your 1940s challenge!

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  13. happy birthday debi! 
    you're plan sounds like a lots of fun (and lots of work hehe)
    can't wait to see you're future projects
    ..

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  14. I totally agree that these are special patterns! The cover art is wonderful and I can't wait to see all that you come up with! I will also keep you in mind if I find any 1940 McCall patterns.

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  15. Debi if you get a list together of those patterns you need I can be on the look out for you and also go through all of mine and send you any you need. Nan

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  16. I forgot to say Happy Birthday I got so excited over your new project!!

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  17. WHOA! That's a crazy awesome goal! SERIOUSLY. I'm going to love watching your progress with this!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

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  18. Miss Crayola CreepyJanuary 07, 2013 7:33 PM

    Happy birthday!!!! And you can do it!!

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  19. MadewithhugsandkissesJanuary 07, 2013 7:40 PM

    hope you have a very happy birthday and good luck with your project - very ambitious but I'm looking to see all your awesome projects xxx

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  20. Happy Birthday!  OMG you have NO idea how excited I am for your 1940 project! I feel like the sewing blogosphere has collectively decided that 2013 is a back to basics sort of year. Not that there's anything wrong with basics; there isn't. It's just incredibly inspiring to see a big hairy audacious goal with a real point of view and some fashion risk taking involved! YAY!

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  21. Happy birthday! I'm SO excited to hear more about the McCalls project. :D

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  22. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    Sounds like a very worthy project :)  I love 1939 and 1940 as fashion years... just so pretty and feminine :)

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  23. Oh wow, what a great project! 

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  24. Happy Happy Birthday Debi!
    From all of us :)

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  25. Happy Birthday! Here's to many more vintagey years!

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  26. Happy Birthday Debi! That's an amazing ambition to have and your the sort of person to achieve it! I can't wait to see your wardrobe take shape!

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  27. What an utterly fabulous project!  I love it!!!!

    (And also, happy birthday!!  :-)

    I have McCall 804 if you want to borrow it or if you'd like me to trace it and send it to you let me know.  :-)

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  28. Happy birthday! And enjoy your project, it is a fabulous idea. Can't wait to see it in action :-)

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  29. Happy Birthday Debi!

    Sounds like a great project, look forward to seeing your new garments!

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  30. Very Happy Birthday Debi, any many more! And you are correct that you will need many more for this project. Amazing! Ambitious! Wild!  Good luck I can't wait.

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  31. Cool!  I'm coming along for the ride. :)

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  32. Congratulations with bday! And good luck in your project! This is very cool one, I think! 

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  33. Happiest of days, my dearest friend, and hooray for the 1940 McCall project!!!  It's going to be EPIC!

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  34. Happy birthday, I hope you had enjoyed your day... Lots of love

    Ps . Today it's my brothers birthday too...

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  35. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 07, 2013 10:07 PM

    ooohhh!!! Yes please!  Do you still have the embroidery sheet for that too?  I could copy it! so exciting as I don't have that one and I've loved watching you make up all your lovely versions of the bolero!

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  36. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 07, 2013 10:08 PM

    Thanks so much! Love you all!  xoxoxo

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  37. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 07, 2013 10:08 PM

    I just love your comment!!!  Thanks so much, Clio :-)

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  38. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 07, 2013 10:09 PM

    Thanks Michelle!  I am SUPER excited :)

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  39. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 07, 2013 10:11 PM

    hahahahha! Thanks Nan!  I'm about to load all the patterns I already have in Pinterest!  It's basically McCall 3552 or 3553 (still haven't determined which number actually starts the year) up until around 4005 for the main patterns and there are the Kaumagraph Transfer patterns which are numbers 742 to 830 or 831.  YAY! so excited!!!

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  40. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 07, 2013 10:12 PM

    Thanks Peter!!  I'm about to load all the patterns I already have in Pinterest!  It's basically McCall 3552 or 3553 (still haven't determined which number actually starts the year) up until around 4005 for the main patterns and there are the Kaumagraph Transfer patterns which are numbers 742 to 830 or 831.  YAY! so excited!!!

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  41. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 07, 2013 10:13 PM

    Thanks so much Katrina!  I am just in love with this year...which is very similar to 1939 but very different from 1941.....it really is a bit of a bridge year between the 30s and 40s.  I am so excited to get started!!

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  42. Happy Birthday Debi! I can't wait to see all the beautiful clothes you will make from this challenge :)

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  43. Happy Birthday Debi :)

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  44. Happy Birthday!  What a unique project!  Looking forward to following along!

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  45. I have that book - I love reading the comments for different birthdates. I always wonder what if you were born late or prematurely - or induced? should you read the other nearby date comments too? . Happy Birthday to an unusual character :-)!

    This sounds like a brilliant project - 1940s styles are so gorgeous and of course we already know you rock them! 

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  46. Ripple DandelionJanuary 08, 2013 1:17 AM

    Your wonderful project is an awesome, audacious birthday announcement. I'm off to Pinterest to view your patterns now. I feel inspired just thinking about it!

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  47. Holy Moley that sounds like a big project, but I have no idea how many patterns McCalls made that year - how do you find out?  I presume you mean womens only?  I too love the 40s but haven't made any patterns from that era yet, although have a small and growing collection. My plan for this year is to start making some instead of just admiring.

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  48. Happy Birthday, Debi!!  That sounds like an awesome project - even I'm excited!  I'll be watching with enthusiasm as the 40s are my favourite era as well. 

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  49. Happy birthday!
    What a huge but fun project! I'm looking forward to seeing the patterns and how they translate into garments.

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  50. Great project and happy birthday! I love the year you choose and I'm curious with what your are going to make

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  51. Many Happy Returns, hope you had a fantastic day. Your 1940 Project sounds faboulous and I wish you the best of luck with it...is there anyway we can help you find patterns ?

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  52. Wow! Debi you never cease to amaze me with the fabulous and awe-inspiring projects you come up with! Do you have all the patterns?

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  53. That sounds daunting and exciting all at once! Good luck and Happy Birthday!

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  54. Firstly, Penblwydd Hapus! A bit belated, but I hope you had a lovely day. Secondly, I am so excited by this sewing project and literally cannot wait to see your finished creations. McCall have some fantastic designs and the 40's are a favourite of mine too. Good luck!

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  55. Happy belated birthday - It was mine too! We could have beens twins separated at birth, if it weren't for the generation gap!
    Good luck with the 40s project - I'll be mega-lurking!

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  56. Oh my. what an awesome project Debi...I simply cannot wait to see it all unfold! How exciting! And happy belated birthday, hope you had a blast!

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  57. Wow! What an awesome idea! This sounds like such an exciting project!!
    -Emily

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  58. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 11, 2013 8:39 PM

    I wonder about that too!  I'll have to go back and read the nearby birthdates!!

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  59. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 11, 2013 8:41 PM

    Hi Liz!  I'll be sewing up all the patterns...the ones for women, men, children...you name it!!!  

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  60. A belated happy birthday, Debi!!!

    This project is AMAZING. I can't wait to see how this goes, I'm kind of stunned and inspired and just awe-struck! :D

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  61. oh wowwie! i am so excited to read as you complete this project!
    happy belated birthday <3

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  62. Wonderful idea! I will follow along with interest.

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  63. Happy belated birthday Debi. What a great idea, sounds very fun and very you. Looking forward to seeing your 1940s wardrobe develop!

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  64. Sorry to be so late commenting.. This is such an interesting and ambitious project. I'm looking forward to following your progress!
    I'm also partial to McCall patterns from this period, but when I checked my collection, I found I have no McCalls from 1940.. Is it a rare year, I wonder?

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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