Harper’s Bazar magazine insert, 1896
Full-scale patterns were printed in magazine supplements beginning in the 1860s. Both these and the small-scale patterns like those in Godey’s Lady’s Magazine were made in one general size for an average, youthful figure. A good deal of adjusting of the patterns (mostly of the bodices) was necessary to get the custom fit needed for an individual wearer. And first anyone wanting to make one of these patterns would have the challenge of finding and tracing the right coded lines on this page and its reverse, out of the 84 on both sides of this easily torn page and trace each piece onto paper.
Private Lender