Rose’s Buttons

Most Simplicity patterns are dated on the envelope or on the instruction sheet.  However, lacking a date and setting asside the general look and artwork, the sizing can be a good indicator. 

• Early patterns give only the bust measurement. 
• By the 1940s, patterns gave bust and hip measurements  (but often the waist was not given as most home seamstresses altered that anyway). 
• Until 1956 a size 12 was a 30 inch bust.
• In 1956, sizes were changed to a size 12 being a 32 inch bust. 
• In mid 1967, as size 12 bust became 34 inches and remains so today.

Simplicity used plain brown or off white envelopes with one color printing  prior to the 1930s.  In the 30s, a variety of fonts and envelope layouts were used. Simplicity used the NRA seal from 1933-1935.

By the 40’s the font had changed to a script which seems more feminine.  Placement  was along the side.

40s,50s Simplicity Pattern Layout

The 50s brought few changes.  Late in the decade they added little red boxes.

Simplicity Pattern Layout-50s 60s

The side placement of the logo changed around 1965.  Colored script name across the top was the look. 

Simplicity Pattern Layout-1965

In 1967, when new sizing went into effect, the logo changed to a colored slash with block lettering across the top.

Simplicity Pattern Layout-1967

In the late 70’s Simplicity used a “White Corner” look.

Simplicity Pattern Layout-White Corner

In 1982 Simplicity used a “File Folder” look.

Simplicity Pattern Layout

In the 1990s a more contemporary look with large block letters was used.

Contemporary Simplicity Pattern Layout

Sources:

Cementarian