Advance Pattern Co., 1932-1980: A Company Lost to Time

Taleah Cameron
Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice

About this Item

Title
Advance Pattern Co., 1932-1980: A Company Lost to Time
Contributor Names
Cameron, Taleah (Author)
Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York. Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice (Degree granting institution)
Davidson, Hilary (Thesis advisor)
Date
2025
Degree Information
M.A. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York 2025
Department: Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice
Advisor: Hilary Davidson
Abstract
Though unknown now, between 1932-1966 Advance Pattern Company was one of the biggest competitors in the sewing pattern industry. They did this by selling themselves as a fashionable brand with easy-to-sew patterns. This reputation, paired with their vast array of sewing patterns meant to appeal to various customers, was what solidified their place in the home sewing market. Despite utilizing all sorts of branding and advertising tactics to build a successful business the company disappeared and fell into obscurity. How did this once strong company disappear without much explanation, while its former competitors, Simplicity, McCall's, Vogue, and Butterick, still manage to maintain relevance in the home dressmaking market today? An analysis of older articles, archival materials, books, and the company's sewing patterns help in understanding what business decisions elevated or ultimately hindered the company, in hindsight.
Subject
Fashion
Home economics
Education
United States--History
Textile research
Industrial management
Keyword
Advance pattern
Business history
Dressmaking
American history
Home sewing
Pattern company
Sewing pattern
Rights
In Copyright
The copyright for this work is held by its author/creator(s). Usage of this material beyond what is permitted by copyright law must first be cleared with the rights-holder(s). This work has been made available online by the Fashion Institute of Technology Gladys Marcus Library strictly for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder for this work and have any objections to this work being made available online, please notify us immediately at [email protected].
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Identifier
FIT Repository ID: etd_001025
URN/ISBN: 9798304995191
Related Materials
Also available from ProQuest
Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 86-08.
Type
Text
Thesis
Language
English
Publisher
Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses,

Citation

Cameron, T. (2025). Advance Pattern Co., 1932-1980: A Company Lost to Time [Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York]. FIT Institutional Repository. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/600043
Cameron, Taleah. Advance Pattern Co., 1932-1980: A Company Lost to Time. 2025. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, Master's thesis. FIT Digital Repository, https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/600043
Cameron, Taleah. "Advance Pattern Co., 1932-1980: A Company Lost to Time." Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, 2025. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/600043