Vintage discoveries

After my mum passed away I inherited her dressmaking patterns along with all her sewing paraphernalia.  Sadly the patterns have been sitting untouched for many years.  Although I kept her patterns because I loved them, I had never really looked at them.

As my interest obsession in vintage patterns has been growing since I joined the blogging community and my discovery of other vintage lovers blogs like Casey, Debi, Gertie and Rosy, also Sew Retro, I decided today was the day to check out what was actually in the chest where these patterns have been stored since 1995.

After opening the chest and removing a few sewing related boxes and books of mum's this is what I was left with.   

Treasure chest

I had the most wonderful time going through them all.  I thought the best way to sort them was to start with all the pre 1960's patterns.  I then sorted them into women's, men's and children/babies.

Damaged pattern envelopes

I've found that I have many wonderful patterns like the lovely lingerie on the left and the beautiful evening coat on the right.  Sadly, as can be seen above, many of the envelopes are damaged although I'm sure all the pattern pieces are accounted for.

Being the compulsive list maker that I am I started an excel file to catalogue the patterns and put them in some sort of order.  Some patterns are dated however, most are not.  I would love it if anyone can help me out with some dates.   Here are a few of my discoveries.

1940

McCall 3912.  I love this evening gown but it's very low cut and I probably wouldn't wear it. (Actually, I can't imagine Mum did either)

Unknown

Dress 7219.  This one was ordered through the Melbourne newspaper "The Sun".  I can't find any information about these patterns.  I'll be making this one for Summer.  I may even do a contrasting top.

1940's?

Dress with attached six gored skirt - Butterick 1411.  I love view A (the larger one on the left). 

1941

Housecoat - McCall 5737.  The short version will definitely be joining my wardrobe.

Unknown

Blouse - Butterick 6887.  I want to make a blouse and was hoping to find a long sleeve one, but nup none however, I did find this one.  I love the version in the center with the wing collar.
  
I will show you some more in another post.  I have spent a most delightful afternoon making some wonderful discoveries.  What do you think...

Hooray! The Postie Came

Look what was in my mailbox today!

When I first saw A Stitch In Time: Vintage Knitting and Crochet Patterns 1920-1949  I knew I just had to have it.  I have a real weakness for vintage designs.  They really inspire me.

It's a re-publication of the 1972 classic "A Stitch In Time" by Jane Waller, a collection of original knitting and crochet patterns from the 1920s through the 1940s.  Sixty of the original patterns and illustrations (sorry, I didn't take photo's of the original patterns) are included in the book along with stunning colour photo's of each design and new adaptations using contemporary yarns.

 

I waited with anticipation for this to arrive and I certainly wasn't disappointed.   Aren't these knitting designs gorgeous!   There are so many beautiful things to make I don't know where to start.  Possibly the pale green frilly jumper, but then again......

The book includes the usual information at the start like tension, crochet terminology etc.  but there are a few techniques I don't know how to do so will have to research them first.  They are explained but I don't understand.  Call me dumb... but I think I need pictures or to be shown how.

It's a great book saving the practical pattern instructions for posterity while providing a social history as seen through the magazines and leaflets of the times.

Do you knit?  What are you knitting?

PS  Sorry about the light glare in the photo's.  I got a new SLR camera a few days, still learning how to use it.

How Long Does it Take...

You may remember that I did a workshop on getting the most out of my Overlocker blogged about here. I decided I should put those skills to use before I forget them again.  I thought the gathering would be a useful technique, one I would most likely be using many times in the future.   First, what to make; where could I use some gathering?  This is where I started.

I chose to practice this technique on bias cut fabric (my sample from the workshop was stitched on fabric cut following the grain line). It seems to me there is little/no difference between the two.  I have used the gathering on a frill here and as you can see it works very well.  I also used the technique at the waist.

This apron is the end result of my practice session.   I didn't have a pattern.  I wanted to use the measurements from one I have which belonged to my mother but alas, it is no-where to be found so I designed my own.  To get a vintage feel I used a cotton gingham and ric-rac  I'm very happy with how this apron turned out and I will definitely use this technique again.

Who knew one small garment could take so long to finish.  When I started I thought it would be a quick couple of hours sewing, but NO.....!  Five days later and I have finally finished.   Do you have times when something small and simple seems to take forever?  Or is it just me?