If you love vintage sewing patterns, then do we have the collection for you! We created lists of retro sewing tutorials and style guides for the most influential decades in twentieth-century fashion. This wide range of easy sewing patterns features popular trends from over the last century for everything from men’s accessories like these classic 1920s-inspired Super Speedy Suspenders to retro baby clothes like this 1950s-inspired Vintage Heirloom Dress, as well as all of the dress patterns, skirt tutorials, and DIY tops in between.
Clockwise from Left: 1940s Pin Up Dress Tutorial, Vera Beatnik Turtleneck Tutorial, Vintage Heirloom Dress
With this wide range of 53 vintage sewing patterns to try, you will be sure to find your new favorite decade for vintage style. If you love the bright swashes of color from the ’80s, try sewing this Cozy Color Block Sweater. If perhaps the carefree spirit of the 1970s is more your speed, then maybe this Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap Dress Pattern is the project for you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re bound to find your new favorite vintage sewing patterns here!
Fashion by the Decade: 53 Vintage Sewing Patterns
Flappers and the Jazz Age: 1920s Sewing Patterns
Clockwise from Top Left: 1920s Cloche Hat Pattern, DIY Bow Tie Pattern, The New Woman’s Flapper Dress, Sassy Secretary Upcycled Skirt
The 1920s were a decade of immense change in fashion as trends in low waistlines, high hemlines, bright colors, and short hair emerged and challenged traditional conservative styles. During this decade, hats like this 1920s Cloche Hat Pattern were immensely popular in women’s fashion, Chanel introduced the classic little black dress, and the iconic flapper style came onto the scene. Try making modern versions of these 1920s styles with projects like this Perfect Little Black Dress Pattern or The New Woman’s Flapper Dress.
- Gatsby Fringe Tank Top Tutorial
- Perfect Little Black Dress Pattern
- 1920s Cloche Hat Pattern
- Super Speedy Suspenders
- DIY Bow Tie Pattern
- The New Woman’s Flapper Dress
- Polka Dot Skirt
- Sassy Secretary Upcycled Skirt
- Flapper Headband/Ear Warmer Tutorial
- Little Gatsby Hat
The Decade of Change: 1940s Sewing Patterns
Clockwise from Left: Red Carpet Evening Gown Tutorial, Chromatic Vintage Ribbon Skirt, 1940s Pin Up Dress Tutorial
The 1940s reigned in a craze for boxy shoulders and high waistlines. Funky necklines were popular as designers experimented with necklines such as square necklines, sweetheart necklines, and keyhole necklines as in this 1940s Pin Up Dress Tutorial. Post World War II, a larger amount and wider variety of colorful fabrics became available as long and sleek evening dresses like this Red Carpet Evening Gown Tutorial became prominent. Check out the following collection for more 1940s sewing patterns that you will love!
- DIY Peplum Shirt
- Chromatic Vintage Ribbon Skirt
- Sassy Spring Girls Dress Pattern
- Red Carpet Evening Gown Tutorial
- Secretariat Inspired Dress
- Swirly Twirly Free Dress Pattern
- Peggy Carter-Inspired Upcycled Skirt
- 1940s Pin Up Dress Tutorial
Post-War Trends: 1950s Sewing Patterns
Clockwise from Top Left: The Notebook-Inspired Vintage Dress, Very Retro Christmas Skirt, Vintage Heirloom Dress, 1950s Birthday Party Dress
The 1950s moved away from the boxy styles of the World War II era, opting for high fitted waist lines, full circle skirts like the iconic poodle skirt, ruffles and bows, fitted sheath dresses, and pencil skirts. If you love the look of circle skirts, try sewing this traditionally-styled Very Retro Christmas Skirt. If you’re looking for a full skirt with a high fitted waist, try The Notebook-Inspired Vintage Dress. For other 1950s sewing patterns, check out the list below!
- Very Retro Christmas Skirt
- Vera Beatnik Turtleneck Tutorial
- 50s Picnic Dress Tutorial
- 1950s Birthday Party Dress
- DIY Men’s Skinny Square Tie
- The Notebook-Inspired Vintage Dress
- 50’s Dress with Knotted Shoulders
- The Perfect Peggy Skirt
- Vintage Heirloom Dress
Hip and Happening Styles: 1960s Sewing Patterns
Clockwise from Top Left: Chalk Lines Mini Skirt, 60s Baby Doll Tunic Tutorial, Dapper Dan Vest
The 1960s began with style icons like Jackie Kennedy leading the trends in kitten heels, suits, and pill box hats. Professional clothing styles, easily seen in the hit TV show Mad Men, featured sleek skirts and fitted tops. By the later part of the decade, styles had become bolder and playful as gingham prints, the pop-art movement, shift dresses, peter pan collars, mini skirts like this Chalk Lines Mini Skirt, and baby doll styles as in this 60s Baby Doll Tunic Tutorial were incorporated in fashion. Try making your own 1960s sewing projects with the vintage sewing patterns below!
- Refashioned 1960s Mod Dress
- Peasant DIY Maxi Dress
- Chalk Lines Mini Skirt
- 10 Minute Sixties-Inspired Bow
- Dapper Dan Vest
- 60s Baby Doll Tunic Tutorial
Far Out Fashion: 1970s-Inspired Patterns
Clockwise from Top Left: Sewn Crochet Shirt Upcycle, Rhiannon Upcycled Maxi Dress Tutorial, 70s Toddler Jumpsuit, 70s Bell Sleeve Top Refashion
If you’re on the hunt for some groovy 1970s sewing patterns, then this collection is for you! Sleek outlines created by maxi dresses and bell bottoms were wildly popular, while jumpsuits, floral patterns, denim, fringe, and earthy color palettes featured in fashion trends. You can even tie-dye your own fabric pieces!
Try sewing your own 1970s-inspired clothing with full-length dresses like this Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap Dress Pattern or fringed accessories like this Fabulous Fringe Bag Pattern. You’ll love this mix of far out retro patterns!
- Rhiannon Upcycled Maxi Dress Tutorial
- Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap Dress Pattern
- Peasant Top
- Fabulous Fringe Bag Pattern
- 70s Bell Sleeve Top Refashion
- 70s Toddler Jumpsuit
- Sewn Crochet Shirt Upcycle
- 30 Minute Fringe Crop Top
- One Hour Funky Fringe Vest
- BONUS! Find these and more in our 30+ Hippie Sewing Patterns collection.
Wicked Fashion Styles: 1980s Sewing Patterns
Clockwise from Top Left: Oversize DIY Shirt, How to Make Your Own Crop Top, 1-Meter Madonna Skirt, Cozy Color Block Sweater
If you love a wild mix of eclectic fashions, the 1980s is your decade! This era ushered in a diverse range of styles that included neon exercise clothing, tennis outfits, asymmetrical color blocking such as what is seen in this sewing project for a Cozy Color Block Sweater, crop tops like this How to Make Your Own Crop Top tutorial, and mini skirts similar to this Micro Mini Simple Skirt Pattern. Bring this range of experimental fashion into your present day wardrobe with these 1980s sewing projects!
- DIY Embellished Sequin Patch Pin
- Micro Mini Simple Skirt Pattern
- Easy Pencil Skirt Refashion
- 1-Meter Madonna Skirt
- How to Make Your Own Crop Top
- Oversize DIY Shirt
- Cozy Color Block Sweater
Sweet Retro Styles: 1990s Sewing Patterns
Clockwise from Left: 90s Daisy Chain DIY Choker, Lovely Lace DIY Slip Dress, Designer-Inspired Distressed Patch Shorts
The style of the 1990s has stuck around, immortalized through the pop culture trends of the ever-popular TV shows like Friends and Sex and the City. Scrunchies like this 1990s DIY Hair Scrunchie, high-waisted jeans, crop tops, chokers like this 90s Daisy Chain DIY Choker, turtlenecks, and baseball caps were just a few of the hot trends in fashion. Channel your inner Rachel Green and Carrie Bradshaw with these retro sewing patterns!
- Designer-Inspired Distressed Patch Shorts
- 1990s DIY Hair Scrunchie
- Lovely Lace DIY Slip Dress
- 90s Daisy Chain DIY Choker
BONUS! Learn how to read those vintage sewing patterns with this brand new tutorial and guide, Sewing 101: How to Read a Sewing Pattern.
Which decade has your favorite vintage sewing patterns? Let us know in the comments below!
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