I've pulled together my favorite design elements from this decade--the full skirt and the demurely tailored pencil skirt; the fitted bodice and tailored sleeves; the curvy collar and the wide pointed collar; the detachable peplum and the removable dickie. You can mix and match to your heart's content and create an entire closet full of flattering outfits that take you from relaxing on the patio in cool gingham to stepping out in sophisticated glamour with all the stops pulled out. Thanks to the inspiration of customer Denise B., I've also added a brand new set of instructions for a breathtaking petticoat a lá Alice Lon!

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Size 4-18 ePattern:[cc_product sku="elc1950w" display="inline" quantity="false" price="true"]Size 16-26 ePattern:[cc_product sku="elc1950plus" display="inline" quantity="false" price="true"](Looking for the paper version rather than the ePattern? Purchase from one of our many retailers worldwide! Please note that Patterns of Time carries my entire line and is well stocked.)

When it comes to retro maternity style, I may not be an expert, but I think sheer experience has to count for something! I've lived through two decades of maternity wear, beginning with my first pregnancy in 1996, when I was just starting out as a seamstress-for-hire and making lots of Regency gowns.

It all started when I was perusing ModCloth and saw a beautiful plaid circle skirt. I needed it. The problem was, it was $64. Yikes. But no fear! I can sew(ish)!

As a young teen obsessed with vintage clothing, I dearly wanted a circle skirt. I'd seen them in old magazines and thought the felt ones with appliques like poodles or the Eiffel Tower were just too cute for words. When my grandmother realized how much I loved vintage fashion, she gave me a beautiful ruffled petticoat she had made in the mid-1950s and two felted wool circle skirts she was still wearing as late as the 1970s (she kept her 23" waist until her death by doing nightly sit-ups on a slant board!). I was 14 at the time, and the clothes were a perfect fit. I was on cloud nine.

My boyfriend and I went to New York Comic Con last week and cosplayed as the Luteces from the video game Bioshock Infinite. The game is set in a somewhat Steampunk, Edwardian utopia, and when I started researching for these costumes four months ago I knew right off the bat that I wanted to use your Beatrix Walking Skirt pattern.

Of all the Edwardian outfits from the "Anne of Green Gables" series, the light pink traveling dress that Diana wore for her honeymoon has always been one of my favorites! Late last year I stumbled across the perfect pink bengaline moire', so I decided that now was the time to reproduce this costume!The Beatrix

I used the wonderful Beatrix Potter Walking Skirt pattern and Edwardian Shirtwaist to make this outfit to celebrate our school centenary. The entire school, staff and parents dressed up and went to Beamish open air museum,

Created from an original 1909 May Manton pattern, this is my nine-gore “Beatrix” Walking Skirt pattern. This pattern can be used with the Edwardian Walking Jacket or with the “Beatrix” Jacket pattern. The skirt has options for straight back and "habit" back, which has a demi-train appropriate for side-saddle riding!

(Looking for the paper version rather than the ePattern? Purchase from one of our many retailers worldwide! Please note that Patterns of Time carries my entire line and is well stocked.)

Here is a Simplicity ladies' playsuit pattern from the 1950s. What drama! Note the one-shoulder bodice styling and the "pannier" wrap skirt.

Perhaps more than any other item, the circle skirt instantly brings the '50s to mind! My late grandmother wore these all the way into the late 1960s and looked fabulously glamorous in them. I love this feminine silhouette!

I love this mid-1940s Simplicity pattern for a woman's suit. Beautifully tailored and very appropriate for Fall and Winter wear. That feminine fitting is fabulous.

This is a Simplicity pattern for a tailored blazer with pleated skirt. It looks very collegiate. I especially like the short-sleeved version of this 1940s suit, shown in the center.

A 1940s older teen's blouse and skirt pattern. This is a wonderful look. It reminds me a lot of Shirley Temple's clothing from her teen films.

Early 1930s skirt pattern for a tailored look. Note the offset button placket on each.

This is a pattern for a May Manton nine-gore walking skirt. This pattern served as the chief inspiration and source for my 1909 "Beatrix" Walking Skirt pattern. Perfect to pair with the "Beatrix" Shirtwaist, "Beatrix" Jacket, or my Edwardian Walking Jacket pattern for an afternoon's stroll!