1942—Modern Pattern Design
by Harriet Pepin
Acknowledgement
MY ILLUSTRATOR, Elizabeth Rocheford, made all explanatory sketches simple and clear. Without her interest, talent and cooperation, this book would not have been possible.
Further acknowledgment is extended to Susan Stewart Foley for her splendid cooperation in the testing and comparing of suggested methods of procedure. The help which she and her students extended was most valuable. I also pay high tribute to Beatrice Borman for suggestions and criticisms that are the direct result of her experience in the application of the block system in manufacturing firms. And to Jeanne Kimball Winters for her cheerful cooperation as a novice in testing the lucidness of the instructions and text.
And finally, I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to Elaine Platou whose copywriting and editorial criticisms have been of inestimable value. Without the encouragement and the stimulus given me by past graduates my book might never have been completed. It is, in no sense, the work of an individual.
An expression of appreciation is owed the late Charles Kaplan, former chairman of the Pattern Making Department of the Central High School for Needle Trades in New York City, for his personal instruction, and to his daughter Esther for her assistance while I was a student in her classes.
Fully three decades ago, Mr. Kaplan was doing research towards the development of a fitted foundation pattern to serve as a practical basis to creating original designs. His earlier books, Sixteen Lessons on the Principles of Pattern Making as Applied to Women's and Children's Apparel, Principles and Problems of Pattern Making as Applied to Women's Apparel original and revised editions, printed and copyrighted in 1932, 1935 and 1937, respectively, presented simplified methods for drafting foundation patterns that far excelled others then outmoded. Mr. Kaplan's late works, "Principles and Problems of Pattern-making," Books I and II, published and copyrighted in 1939 and 1940 respectively, and coauthored by his daughter Esther, augmented his earlier findings and illustrated the use of the foundation pattern in creating original designs.
The teachings of these two far-sighted individuals have materially influenced the rapid growth and interest in clothing design in our country.
Their books were used with permission of the copyright owners.
Further acknowledgment is also given to the authors of many valuable volumes:
PRACTICAL DRESS DESIGN, by Mabel Irwin
RECURRING CYCLES OF FASHION, by Agnes Brooks Young
YOUR CLOTHES AND PERSONALITY, by Mildred Graves Ryan
LANGUAGE OF FASHION, by Mary Brooks Picken
PATTERN AND DRESS DESIGN, by Josephine Eddy and Elizabeth Wiley
ART IN EVERYDAY LIFE, by Harriet and Yetta Goldstein
PATTERN DRAFTING AND GRADING, by M. Rohr
SIMPLICITY SEWING BOOK, Simplicity Pattern Company
VOGUE'S BOOK OF SMART DRESSMAKING, Conde Nast Publishing Company
SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT THAT AID IN HOME SEWING, U.S. Bureau of Home Economics
BRESSMAKING MADE EASY, McCall Company
I also wish to acknowledge my debt to the authors of numerous other volumes used in research, and to the trade publications such as Women's Wear Daily, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Mademoiselle, for data on fashion influences, trends, et cetera.
