>Hi All!
I just wanted to do a quick update on direction and whatnot with the Wearing History patterns.
First up, I’ve got two I’m working on that are really cute- one mid 30s and one later 30s. I think you’ll love them!
But really, the purpose of this post is to let you know a change. It’s been quite an interesting journey into pattern making this last year (or two?) and I really appreciate you all being so supportive of my little endeavor. It just started in fun to share some of my pattern stash, and I’m really thankful to everyone’s encouragement and support as I’ve stretched my wings a bit and challenged myself to get a better product out there- from originally hand tracing single size patterns, to now doing multi-size with photos and a new site. It’s fun to see how it’s progressed!
In the course of striving for more, I think I’ve been a little too ambitious at times and have recently had to step back and had to look realistically at what works for for me best time-wise to make sure I am doing the best I can with what I can and in a way that is worth the time and effort, but not running myself ragged in the process 😉
In looking objectively in what I’ve been doing, and with the help of my husband, I have made a very hard decision to not re-work future patterns but to only do reproductions on future releases- which means not changing the fit or reworking the original instructions (though you may still see tips in there from me). Although I’ve very thrilled at the response from the Smooth Sailing trousers especially, which I worked quite hard at to make sure they had the vintage look but with an updated fit that still have the look and feel of vintage trousers, the amount of time that I spend behind the scenes making the updated patterns and new instructions is quite significant and unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that I will in the future only be doing straight reproductions, but still in multi-size and with photographs of a finished product.
I do still have my pet dreams (which are non-pattern related), and if I can make them happen down the line I want to put the energy previously spent in reworking patterns into future endeavors.
Finally, I have a non-repro but still pattern related question. Would you like to see actual vintage patterns listed on the website with the reproduction patterns or would you rather all future vintage pattern listings stay on Etsy?
Thanks again for your time reading and your support!
Love,
Lauren
wearinghistory.wordpress.com 
>I think that is probably a very wise decision, the amount of work you must do to modernise the patterns must be tremendous, You could always include a 'once for all modifications sheet' with each pattern giving basic instructions on fit.
>Thanks, Miss Rayne! That totally means a lot to me :)Before I started making these I was like "eh, it's a pattern" but now I have so much respect for anyone who makes home sewing patterns- especially from start to finish because it's a lot of hard work! Great idea for the modifications sheet! I'll have to ponder how to set that up. Or maybe I can do it as a free download on my site so folks who bought patterns before could get it, too.
>Echoing Miss Rayne, I think it is good that you are taking a step back and reevaluating the process of reproducing and updating these patterns. As fun as it was to have a trousers pattern that didn't need some of the somewhat-fiddly corrections that vintage trousers usually need, I can only imagine the amount of work that you poured into it! So suffice to say, I think straight-up reproductions will be just as popular, especially since authentic patterns from earlier eras are becoming harder and more expensive with each passing year. I really look forward to seeing what new things you're up to! :)I think putting the vintage listings on your main website might be a bit confusing for some, especially since you specialize in repro patterns. So perhaps Etsy is still the best fit? Just my $0.02! :)♥ Casey
>It's much better to take on what you know you can do, rather than struggling to do the impossible while making yourself potentially miserable in the process. Then what you love may become something you hate, and no one wants that, least of all you!I have so much respect and admiration for your talents and your willingness to share the fruits of them with all of us!
>I'd like to echo Casey- really great patterns with cool design features become scarcer, and I'd rather work with a repro anyway. I think it's sensible to look at what you can do and let go of what you can't.
>I agree with the comments above! Things that take more than they give is not good. And "just" a straight reproduction are a good thing in its own right. 🙂
>I'll agree with Casey too. the extra instructions and alterations are great to have, bit not having them won't put me off shopping with you in the slightest.I also think that the vintage patterns may be better placed staying on Etsy, but with clear links from the store. That way it's obvious you're going elsewhere to buy vintage, but will still know they're there.
>I'm just so glad you offer multi-sized patterns. Being plus sized, it is VERY hard to find a vintage pattern in my size.
>Thank you so much, gals! It really does help me with the decision to know you're behind me 🙂