I'm planning on doing a post on 1950s maternity patterns soon, and recently stumbled upon McCall's 3516. Take a look at what Blue is holding:
It took me a minute to figure out what that red scrawl was: "McCall"! She's holding a McCall's pattern book or magazine -- because, of course, she sews with McCall's patterns.
I realized I hadn't seen this before -- a pattern illustration that actually suggests that a woman sews. Isn't that interesting? You'd think that since the intended audience for patterns are sewers that you'd see more representations of, well, people sewing. Instead the illustrations show people at parties, at barbecues, at the beach...enjoying the garments they've sewn. I suppose that's why they work so well -- I for one look at the picture and imagine myself in the completed garment, completely forgetting that it will take time and work to get there!
What do you think? Would seeing a pattern illustration of someone in a fabulous dress picking out fabric or draping a mannequin make you excited to sew? Or would it remind you of the work involved and make you less likely to buy the pattern? Have you seen other pattern illustrations that show women sewing? If so, please send them my way!