Wonderful mail order patterns were advertised in magazines and newspapers around the country starting in the 1930's all the way through the 1980's, and probably then some.  This made it so much easier for the stay at home mom, wife and homemaker to have access to frocks, everyday clothing staples and fancy dress patterns that could be delivered right to her home.  Material could be purchased at the general store in town or ordered as needed.  Many of the mail order patterns I find are postmarked from the mid west, just a little glimpse into fashion history.

Photo from Woman's Day | January 1956