Pattern Sizes - Vintage vs. Contemporary

A really good suggestion was brought to me during my lecture on vintage patterns last night at Treadle Yard Goods.

Edith Gazzuolo suggested I include a chart on my web site for comparison between vintage pattern and contemporary pattern sizing standards.

I hope it will reduce confusion when choosing vintage patterns for those who are only familiar with contemporary patterns.

A brief example would be to say that a vintage size 18 pattern closest corresponds with a contemporary pattern size 14 to fit a 36" bust, although the remaining dimensions vary between the waist and hip. When comparing vintage and contemporary pattern standards, I recommend purchasing a vintage pattern as close to the bust size as possible since the remaining adjustments will be less difficult.

Until I can post this information on the site, I have included it here:

Women's Vintage Patterns pre-1958
(hip measurement is taken 7" below the natural waistline)

size 12=30" bust, 25-26" waist, 33" hip
size 14=32" bust, 26" waist, 35" hip
size 16=34" bust, 28" waist, 37" hip
size 18=36" bust, 30" waist, 39" hip
size 20=38" bust, 32" waist, 41" hip
size 40=40" bust, 34" waist, 43" hip
size 42=42" bust, 36" waist, 45" hip
size 44=44" bust, 38" waist, 47-1/2" hip
size 46=46" bust, 40" waist, 50" hip
size 48=48" bust, 42" waist, 53" hip


Misses's Contemporary Patterns according to Vogue Patterns
(hip measurement is taken 7-9" or, at fullest part of the body below natural waistline)
NOTE: Size '8' has been ommitted due to the fact that there is no women's vintage size to correspond with a 31-1/2" bust. Such sizes were issued as a junior standard in the vintage pattern realm, not a women's standard.

size 6=30-1/2" bust, 23" waist, 32-1/2" hip
size 8=(see note above)
size 10=32-1/2" bust, 25" waist, 34-1/2" hip
size 12=34" bust, 26-1/2" waist, 36" hip
size 14=36" bust, 28" waist, 38" hip
size 16=38" bust, 30" waist, 40" hip
size 18=40" bust, 32" waist, 42" hip
size 20=42" bust, 34" waist, 44" hip
size 22=44" bust, 37" waist, 46" hip
size 24=46" bust, 39" waist, 48" hip
size 26=48" bust, 41-1/2" waist, 50" hip