Mantilla Sewing Pattern
For today’s freebie pattern we are going all the way back to 1860. I have the full year’s book of Peterson’s Magazines for ladies. Glancing through it I came across this pretty ruffled shoulder cape or shawl titled, Mantilla For May.
It isn’t May yet, but the pattern to sew this pretty ruffled shawl was hard to resist.
A Mantilla is normally a head covering, but this most certainly is for around your shoulders. I suppose you could pull it up over your head for a time, but it may be a bit heavy after awhile.
Peterson’s Magazine
I just love these vintage, or should I say antique magazines. They are very similar to Godey’s Lady’s Magazine. They have craft patterns, stories, recipes and plates of fashions.
This is the inside cover page for the book of 1860 magazines. Very ornamental. And below is the illustration and description.
Pattern Pieces
The pattern pieces must be enlarged. There are measurements on each of the pattern sides. No directions to put it together, so you must have general sewing knowledge.
Oh, and see what it says near the numbered pattern pieces, “Any lady can make this mantilla.” Maybe back in 1860, but I know I’d find it hard to put this shoulder cape shawl together without instructions.
Download Instructions: Right-Click on the image. Select either “save link as” or “save image as” depending on what browser you are using. Or simply click on it, it will open in a new window and save it from there.
Below you’ll find a PDF file you can download.
PDF File
Download Instructions: Use the WordPress Download button or Click on the link, it will open in another window and there you can either download or print the file.
The pattern is in PDF format so to read it you’ll need the Adobe Reader software on your computer. Most computers come with it, but it is free and can be found here.
Another 1800’s Sewing Pattern
Another post of an 1800’s sewing pattern from a Peterson’s Magazine can be found here:
Child’s Pinafore Dress Sewing Pattern
In that post there is also a paragraph on enlarging the diagrams in the magazines. I’ve added it below in this post as well.
If you like this post, be sure to share it with your friends and like our Facebook Page so you can get updates every time we post new patterns.
Enjoy!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on these links, I will earn a small commission, which helps to keep the content free. Read my full disclosure policy.
The Peterson’s Magazine, & other women’s magazines from eons ago are on Archive.org! I love looking through them. About the patterns, I think a lot of them were mere suggestions, rather than actual “patterns” as we know them. I mean, look at the cut outs in this one: there are three pieces, yet the mantilla in the illustration looks like it has at least three ruffles.
Just as Ive written in a comment before on your site, women were expected to know how to make and mend garments, knit, crochet, and more. They were also expected to have at least some higher education so they could converse intelligently with their husband’s colleagues at dinner parties without being embarrassed had she been ignorant. She had to have skills in case her husband was ill and could not earn, or in case of any emergency or need where she could earn something of her own.
My grandmother had so many skills! Few women today are able to do just ONE of the many things she could perform expertly. She was also a real chef de cuisine, but that’s not apropo to a vintage crafts blog- that’s a whole ‘nother topic as they say.
God bless, Debra- & I do hope and pray you’re managing through the treatments. I am familiar with some of the things you mention especially the Neulasta shots.
Yes, Kristin I agree. I’ve found many patterns from these books I’d like to share but realize they’re just too hard to follow.
I’m doing well, continuing my Herceptin treatments until the end of June. Can’t wait to be done. And glad I no longer need the Neulasta. It’s an important drug, helped to keep my white cell count up, but oh goodness the side effects not a fun memory.