25 Iconic Gen X Sewing Patterns from the 80s that Deserve A Reboot
Your stash of Gen X sewing patterns from the 80s might be old, but they are ready for a comeback! Fashion cycles as the decades progress and with each new season there are fusions that include some of our nostalgic favorites.
So many of these vintage sewing patterns are totally current with today’s fashion, while the remaining ones might give us a glimpse into upcoming fashion trends. High-waist pants and crop tops are back. The real question is, will shoulder pads come around again?
Very Easy Very Vogue 9330
Where have I seen this look before? Oh that’s right, the mall! I would love to wear the shirt-dress look, personally, just without the shorts. And the pockets; be still my heart!
Style Couture 2942
Drama is always in! This suit would totally work today, but what about the color yellow? Yes, in fact. According to The Style Academy International, ‘Sunshine Yellow takes center stage this Spring/Summer 2024.’
Classy Vogue 9715 Dress Pattern
Vogue 9715 featured a sassy attached peplum top. The black and white dress on the cover reminds me of the fancy polka dot dress that Bette Midler wears in the movie Big Business (1988).
Butterick 6221 by Espirit Sport
As much as I personally dislike the way this style of pants make my waist look, my young adult daughter loves them. She would probably wear this exact outfit. So bring the pattern back, chunky socks included!
Vogue Patterns for Living 1711
Dress your furniture to match your style with these gorgeous slipcovers from the 1980s!
Hahahaha, just kidding! I just had to throw in a bit of PTSD from my childhood. This would be one thing I would hope never sees a reboot, but these days you just never know.
Vogue Paris Original 2523 by Pierre Balmain
Will you take a look at the attached cape on this pattern? Talk about drama! It’s also a kind of business in the front and party in the back if you know what I mean. Mullets. Am I right?
Vogue American Designer 1189 by Kasper
The sweet black and white version brings to mind Katherine Hepburn, but the sophisticated black and brown gown is too sultry to be called cute. I could definitely see this working hard right now.
Vogue Career 2069 by Anne Klein
All of these blouses tempt me to buy the pattern, especially the draped black one that, according to the back of the envelope, has a peplum! Can you still buy shoulder pads?
Very Easy Vogue 7604 Misses Romper Pattern
Short, short rompers in knit fabric with three different choices for the top. Here is your chance to look like Olivia Newton-John’s sister muses in the 1980 musical Xanadu!
New Look 6010 for Knits
Ahhh, the 80’s, when it was first discovered that you could wear a sweatshirt with a skirt and look chic. It was also when we learned that beige is the ultimate color of luxury.
Butterick 5901 Very Easy
Okay, well, this sweatshirt and skirt combo are not for me. The lace and embroidery are just too much. I wonder what my 15 year old daughter would think, though. I know animal prints are allowed!
Vogue 1853 Designer Original
This black strapless gown with a flared floor-length overskirt in the back is stunning. Wouldn’t it make a fabulous wedding dress as well? Even in black. Designed by Bellville Sassoon.
Vogue 1701 Strapless Evening Gown
This formal gown designed by Bellville Sassoon features a flounced skirt with vertical ruffles. Could the woman in the red dress be Princess Diana in her rebellious days?
McCalls 8925 Blouse and Skirt Pattern Designed by Laura Ashley
McCalls 8925 includes a separate blouse and skirt, with perhaps the underskirt too. Is it just me, or does this scream Little House on the Prairie? Or almost a sailor?
Vogue Paris Original 2212 by Designer Nina Ricci
The silhouette of this black gown is eerily beautiful. Perfect for a black widow to wear at her husband’s funeral.
Vogue American Designer 2559 by Kasper
This ‘American Designer’ dress from Vogue features an overcoat and coat dress fitting for a British spy working undercover in the Soviet Union. I once dreamed of being her. And I’m not even British.
Vogue 1412 Separates by Jenny Sharp
Vogue Individualism Pattern 1412 features Michael Jackson on the cover wearing a full-length vest and matching skirt. Once more, 1980 already knew that beige has always been the color of sophistication. Points for the Individualist!
Butterick Quick! 6537 Bathing Suits and Cover-Up
Besides $2.50 price tag (and the unfortunate pen marks on the cover), is there anything about this pattern that indicates it’s from 40 years ago? I think not! How about that arm cuff? Reboot!
Vogue Patterns 1914 by Perry Ellis
I have nothing to say except the 1980s got this ensemble right. I would wear it all except the top because there are buttons on the back, which would never work for me. A reboot could include magnet buttons so I could actually dress myself! The pattern includes the top, skirt, and jacket, providing many options.
Vogue 1436 Dress by Jean Muir
Just to prove that fashionable styles come around again and again, we all saw this dress on Downton Abbey!
Butterick 5349 Business-Style Evening Gown
Here is a dress for the woman who means business, especially at night. She is getting the job done in style. I wonder when we are going to see side ties as big as this one again.
McCalls 3328 Prom Dress
The bubble skirt! I’ve been waiting to see this again. My first formal dress had a bubble skirt, and I sewed it myself. Prom 2025 baby!
Vogue American Designer 2121 by Scott Barrie
Simplicity 2121 gives us the chance to look like Farrah Fawcett of Charlie’s Angels. Unfortunately, I don’t think the yellow dress in the photograph looks very much like the drawing, and I like that one better!
Vogue American Designer 1508 by Calvin Klein
Yes, Vogue 1508 did come from the 1980s. It was released in 1985, to be exact. Calvin Klein’s loose-fit pants, blouse, button-down top, and crop top would fit right in today.
PollyAnna: The Quilt Sweater by Paula Drach
Delightful! I predict that the current quilt coat trend will evolve into a quilt sweater craze. This sewing pattern also included knitting instructions for the sleeves, waistbands, and cuffs.
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