I’m on Etsy & Pinterest a lot for my blog and during my searches for content, I consistently come across vintage patterns from ‘HOLLYWOOD PATTERNS’. Now what made these patterns stand out for me? Well besides the stunning fashions, they also feature a movie star on the top left corner of the pattern. FUN!

So this got me to thinking, why? Were the stars wearing these outfits in a movie? Or was this a collaboration of some sort with the studios to get their movie stars names out into the public? Well let’s find out and then lets see the fashions!

1940s Skating Outfit Sewing Pattern. Source: eBay

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The 1930s / 1940s Movie Stars & Fashions of Hollywood Patterns

History of Hollywood Patterns

Hollywood Pattern Company was started by Condé Nast in 1932. They were known for printing photos of Hollywood stars on some of their patterns, quickly making them very popular. They continued production through the end of World War II (1946) (Source).

Many of the patterns from this now defunct company, featuring stars and starlets on their envelopes, are highly collectable. Those featuring Lucille Ball are particularly desirable. This company did beautiful dresses and suits throughout the 1940s into the 1950s (Source).

Note: I found another website that stated that the patterns were created by a clothing company in the 1930s. From So Vintage Patterns:

“In the 1930s a clothing pattern company launched its Hollywood Patterns, cashing in the public hunger to have that Hollywood movie star look.”

“The fashions were taken from the famous and popular movies of the day, everything from day dresses, evening gowns to beach wear, tennis outfits to the Katharine Hepburn wide trousers to aprons. A gem for the collector is finding the Vivienne Leigh ‘Scarlett’ pattern with an evening gown from Gone With The Wind, any with Lucille Ball for the I Love Lucy collectors and Joan Bennett for the Dark Shadows fans.”

Lucille Ball Hollywood Pattern. Source: Pinterest

If anyone has any more info on what is correct on the history of these patterns, please let me know in the comments section below. THANKS!

Let’s take a look at the vintage sewing patterns & the stars that graced their covers:

1940s vintage sewing pattern for a women’s waistcoat, skirt, and blouse. This is Hollywood 1199 and the pattern is date stamped 1943. Hollywood patterns often featured pictures of popular movie stars; this one features Bonita Granville (who BTW was the producer for Lassie from 1959-1973.WOW COOL!).

Purchase the Pattern HERE.

Source: Etsy

1940 vintage sewing pattern for blouses and slacks with a young Betty Grable of 20th Century-Fox. LOVE THIS!!

Purchase Pattern Here

Source: Etsy

Olympe Bradna of Paramount is on this vintage sewing pattern for 3 different styles of late 1930s dresses. Long, short & dirndl style. So pretty!

Purchase the Pattern HERE.

Source: eBay

1940 Vintage Sewing Pattern for a 40s one piece dress. The pattern features Linda Hayes of RKO-Radio.

Purchase the Pattern HERE.

Source: Etsy

1930 Vintage Sewing Pattern for 1930s dresses and 1930s blouse and skirt, featuring Jean Parker of Columbia.

Purchase Pattern HERE.

Source: eBay

Brenda Marshall, Star of “South of Suez” a Warner Brothers Picture. The 1940s sewing pattern features fantastic Shirtwaist Dresses.

Purchase Pattern Here

Source: eBay

1930s vintage Hollywood Pattern for women’s 1930s jackets featuring Lola Lane Warner Bros.

Purchase Pattern Here.

Source: eBay

1940s Hollywood Pattern for a fitted jacket and skirt . . .Starlet endorsed . . . Marguerite Chapman of Columbia Pictures.

Purchase Pattern Here

Source: Etsy

Dreamy 1930s Dresses are featured on this sewing pattern with the lovely Betty Furness as the featured star.

Purchase Pattern Here

Source: Etsy

1942 Vintage Sewing Pattern for a dress & blouse featuring Dorothy Lovett of RKO-Radio.

Purchase Pattern Here.

Source: Etsy

I need more vintage blouses in my life and these 1940s beauties are just perfect! Also can we take a moment to admire the 40s hairstyles on both the fashion illustrations AND the lovely Ruth Warrick fo RKO-Radio (who’s big break was in Citizen Kane)? Beautiful!

Source: Pinterest

Hope you enjoyed the 1930s and 1940s fashions as seen on these fantastic Hollywood Patterns. Who was your favourite movie star and pattern? Share in the comments section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (Archive of Blog Posts)

Liz