Breaking Barriers: Butterick Patterns Made Available for Non-English Speaking Sewers in 1974
Recently, I came across a McCall's sewing pattern from 1957 that was printed in French and Spanish, which was surprising to me. It seems that McCall's may have been one of the first major pattern publishers to offer their patterns in multiple languages. I found an article from a 1974 issue of Tricot Journal that discusses the frustration of Canadian sewers who felt excluded from the market for patterns printed in English only. It appears that by 1974, Butterick had also begun to expand into foreign markets. Hope you enjoy this article.
NOW, BUTTERICK PATTERNS IN FRENCH!
by Lyse Rossignol
Translated from "Tricot Journal", April 1st - 4th, 1974
If we have the reputation of being women who are talented and creative when working with our hands; if we have ability and imagination, no doubt it's due to the precious heritage left us by our ancestors.
When this Colony was first founded, courageous women made everything by hand with the most limited resources. However, we French speaking women have not been over-indulged when it comes to patterns. We have never had commercial patterns with instructions in French. Here and there, a term has bean translated for us, but it has been difficult for those who do not speak English. Butterick has been in existence for more than 100 years. Finally, one of the largest pattern companies (founded in 1863 by Ebenezer Butterick) has started to print patterns containing instruction sheets written entirely in French. The first time you cut out a French Butterick pattern, you will realize that it is one of the most efficient devices at the disposal of the seamstress who wishes to be at the peak of fashion.
