BUTTERICK PATTERNS

   A pattern company founded by Ebenezer Butterick (American) in 1863. Initially, he manufactured patterns for men's shirts and childrenswear, and added women's patterns by 1866. Butterick is credited with being the first pattern producer to offer patterns in a full range of sizes; up until this time, patterns were sold as one size only. In 1867, he incorporated the company as Butterick & Co., and four years later boasted sales of four million patterns. His first patterns were made of stiff paper; however, once Mme. Demorest began selling soft tissue patterns in envelopes in 1872, Butterick followed. In 1916, Butterick included sewing and layout instructions (the Deltor) and was producing its own magazine, The Delineator. The home sewing market remained strong until the 1960s. Several factors impacted the change: more women went to work as opposed to staying at home, clothing styles began to change at an increasing pace, and, as more manufacturing moved offshore, clothing prices fell. Suddenly, clothes were more affordable and consumers were more attracted to purchasing now rather than waiting to sew. In 1961, Butterick acquired Vogue Patterns and continued to work under its own signature. In 2001, McCall's Pattern Company bought Butterick and Vogue.

   See also Demorest patterns; Simplicity Pattern Company.