Pattern covers should fulfill a couple of requirements:
1. Clearly show WHAT the pattern is
2. Be eye-catching
There are of course several key little things like
- Sizes
- Description
- Skill level
- Copyright
- Pattern name/ number
- Pattern Designer/Publisher
I decided to take a look at Historical Pattern Companies and see who they laid out the covers of their patterns.
Before I go any further I want to say I am looking at the COVERS only, and these opinions are mine and have no relation to how well the instructions or pattern pieces actually are. I have used some of these companies patters, and never seen others at all. I did not pull up every Pattern company out there, just thous that I thought were examples of different styles, so not all the costume pattern companies are represented in this discussion.
Let's start with Simplicity as our representative of the "Big Three" which actually contains Burda, Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, and Vogue. these patterns are carried by many chain and independant stores in America and internationally.
What's the first thing we see? The color photo showing both the front and the back view of the garment. (I purposefully picked a corset pattern since I will be doing corset patterns)
We also see SIMPLICITY and the pattern number across the top.
Down at the bottom we see the designer's name Designs by Kay
As well as the barcode and web address for simplicity patterns.
Does it catch our eye? Yes it has a corsets, and corsets catch my eye.
Do we know who made it? Yes Simplicity is hard to miss, but Kay is small, and could be hard to see if the image is a thumbnail in a catalog or on the internet.
Do we have a description? No, that is all on the back, per Simplicity.
Do we know what is included in this pattern? We can assume the corset is, as it is prominently featured, but are the other undergarment? (Turning the pattern over would tell us yes.)
Do we know the size? Actually yes, it would be on the front of this pattern but has been photoshoped out, it is also on the back.
Pattern number is right on top, so it is easy to find it in the pattern drawers.
Skill level? Not really, Simplicity only labels the "Easy" ones.
Copyright is on the back.
Good points about this cover
Large color photo of garment on real human. Pattern number is up top as is sizes. this makes it easy to find the right one in the pattern drawers.
Issues I see with the pattern cover
No Description: the historical costumer would like to know the rough time period of the corset Also it isn't clear from the pattern cover that the undergarments, not just the corset, are included in the pattern.
In a thumbnail the light colored corset blends into the other white undergarments and background.
Next up is Laughing Moon Their corset pattern Silverado/ Dore was the main staple corset pattern for a number of years, many have used it and loved it.Laughing moon uses a logo with their name on their patterns.
The pattern number is on top, just bellow it is the pattern name and description, followed by sizes and skill level.
What is the pattern? Corset and under garments as pictured and described.
Is it eye catching? The red corset sure is.
The size including cup size is on front, with a detailed size chart on the back.
Pattern number is right on top, so it is easy to find it in the pattern drawers.
Copyright is on the back.
Good points about this cover
Large color photo of garment on Dress From. Pattern number is up top as is sizes. this makes it easy to find the right one in the pattern drawers.
Clearly states that the pattern includes the undergarments.
Issues I see with the pattern cover
Description:is a bit wordy, also a bit overreaching that these 2 corset styles would span 1837 to 1899 any serious costumer knows that there are changes that happen in those 60 years! The patterns could be modified to fit those years, but right out of the envelope they will not.
In a thumbnail the light colored corset blends into the other white undergarments and background.
Truly Victorian is a pattern company Specializing in the Victorian are and many costumers have a lot of respect for their patterns.
This pattern features an illustration rather than a photo, this reads clear, and cuts down on printing costs. Since no other garments are included in the illustration, a buyer would not think that they were included in the pattern.
Company, Pattern name (note it is TV110 so that when it is carried by another pattern seller, the identifying number is right there)
The corset is dated 1880's right on the pattern cover.
All sizes are included, but the size chart is on the back.
Last is copyright at the bottom.
Good points about this cover
Large clear reading illustration. Pattern number is up top Corset is dated
Issues I see with the pattern cover
Sizes are not on cover
Reconstructing History is a prolific pattern company covering a very wide time period.
Good points about this cover
Large clear reading illustration. Pattern number is up top Corset is dated
Issues I see with the pattern cover
Sizes are not on cover
Ageless Patterns reprints Victorian and later period patterns that were published in magazines. The reputation as a company is varied. Some love them, some actively do not! Luckily we are only looking at the cover today so none of those arguments will come to play.
Good points about this cover
Large clear reading illustration. Pattern number is up top Corset is dated.Size is listed on cover
Issues I see with the pattern cover
Some of Ageless covers have the original images cropped weirdly since there was another garment in front in the original period image.
Mantua Maker is another historical costume pattern company
In this example we can see there are a few style variations in this pattern by the"flats" shown around the main illustration. The size chart is right there, as is the date.
Good points about this cover
Illustration shows variations. Pattern number is there Corset is dated.Size is listed on cover
Issues I see with the pattern cover
The pattern number is not op top and rather small.
The size chart being on top is a bit distracting.
Atelier Sylphe Drafts Corset patterns for Originals in their Private Collection.
Good points about this cover
Illustration shows seam lines clearly, photo shows the original corset very well.
Issues I see with the pattern cover
This isn't really a pattern cover, so there is no size info on the image, but everything is there in the listing.
King & Company is a newer corset pattern company
Good points about this cover
Illustration shows seam lines clearly, both front and back view is shown.
Issues I see with the pattern cover
There is no size info on the image, but everything is there in the listing. The pattern is Named rather than numbers, which could lead to issues if it was every carried and sold by another company.
Harlots and Angels is a newer pattern comapny
Good points about this cover
Multiple photo angles, both front and back view is shown. Sizes are shown on pattern cover. Link at bottom
Issues I see with the pattern cover
The pattern is Named rather than numbers, which could lead to issues if it was every carried and sold by another company.
some might find the boarder pattern fussy.
So in the end....
These are good observations about the pattern covers. I am definitely annoyed by important information that is missing on the patter cover which makes my decision making more difficult. However, as a mitigating factor, I would think that some of the smaller pattern companies may face extortionate printing costs for relatively small runs. That may still not excuse missing but important information, but it might explain it. (Lord knows how I HATE that some pattern companies have stopped including both back view and front view line drawings in their ctalogs.) And the first example, using a "big three" pattern but then complaining that it's missing historic authenticity is a little unfair. The "big three" must necessarily market to a broad range of sewers, including total amateurs. This forces them to "dumb down" their costume patterns, I think. Any knowledgeable costumer would know that a "big three" pattern can only be a starting point -- at best. Also, I think, now that I've been doing a lot of business travel to a tiny little town in the deep south, some people don't have easy access to anything more sophisticated than whatever is offered by the "big three". (Not that I'm an expert on this topic -- these are only my thoughts and observations.)
ReplyDeleteIt is good that you're scoping out the competition, and seeing what you can do to stand out! And I find it interesting to be able to get a behind the scenes look at the process of pattern-making AND bringing it to market.
Brigitta V
DeleteThank you for your comment, I have enjoyed reading it, and thinking about it.
Printing costs are definitely a concern for smaller pattern companies like me, which is why you see a larger range of B&W covers from smaller companies, to keep printing costs down.
As per your comment on my comment about the Historical authenticity of the "big three" I was not criticizing the pattern but what we see on the pattern cover. There is no mention of it being a certain period or anything. Now Simplicity 9679 on the pattern back says "Civil War Undergarments" so that does give a period, but it still isn't on the cover front.