Her Last New Years Resolutions for 1937 - Me, Myself

Our smart Delineator gal saved the best for last. 

                            Me, Myself

• To try to see the good points in my face, my figure, my disposition, and quit worrying about the flaws I can't do anything about.
• To confine my raptures about Robert Taylor to my girl friends. 
• To learn to drive like a man. 
• To diet, if necessary, without talking about it.
• To be aware of my high moments and give them all I've got without too much thought of tomorrow. 

Her New Years Resolutions in 1937 - My Home

Our Delineator gal makes New Year Resolutions about her home too. 

                          My Home

• To have two comfortable chairs, each with a good reading light.
• To smash - of course it was an accident - the hand-painted rose jar his former flame gave us as a wedding gift.
• To have the furniture re-upholstered, at least once in my lifetime, in the gay colors I adore instead of the drab stuff that won't show dirt. 
• To let the dust gather, occasionally, if the alternative is all work and no play.
• To insist on modern kitchen equiptment even if his mother did make perfect biscuits on a coal range.
• To have one large closet for myself alone. 

Her New Years Resolutions in 1937 - My Looks

The Delineator gal turns her resolutions toward her own mirror. 

                            My Looks

• To buy a fresh supply of cold cream, skin tonic and hand lotion before the old is exhausted.
• To get myself the face powder I want, no matter what my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas.
• To cancel all dates, neglect the family darning and go to bed at sunset as soon as my mirror shows I'm getting a "death and taxes" expression. 
• To take enough exercise so I won't look like a marshmallow.
• To get a good permanent, or none.
• To replace the liquid polish on my nails at the first crack.
• To try a new way of wearing my hair at least once a year, and dye it yellow if I feel like it. 

Her New Years Resolutions in 1937 - My Clothes

For today's list our Delineator corespondent looks at her wardrobe. 

                                   My Clothes

• To develop enough sales resistance to wave away that "too, too divine" feathery  hat which will make me look like an Englishwoman on the Riviera.
• To own at least one dress or negligee which makes me feel feminine, clinging, luxurious and slightly wicked.
• To wear good clothes, that fit, even if I have to learn to make them myself. 
• To be firm with myself at the first sign of "doo-dad" disease (the yen to wear all my bracelets, earrings, clips, ect., ect. - at one time). 
• To wear, always, the kind of underwear I'd be proud to claim as my own after the train wreck- if any. 
• To face myself critically in a long mirror before I leave the house and deal promptly with yawning plackets, undecided hemlines and skirts that bulge over the derriere.
• To risk having runs in my stockings rather than crooked seams due to loose gartering.
• To get a lift in time at the shoemaker's when my heels start to run down.
• To keep some dark gloves on hand so I'll never be compelled to carry the light pair that's too smudgy to wear. 
• To get rid of shabby clothes before my economical streak convinces me they're "good enough to wear around mornings."
• To tell neither my husband nor my friends what I spend on clothes.
• To buy six pairs of silk stockings at one time.
• To pay real money for a foundation garment if my figger needs a lift.
• To have a tailor press my suits at least once a month.
• To sew fasteners in my clothes to keep shoulder straps from slipping.

Her New Years Resolutions in 1937 - My Man - If Any

Continuing the resolutions made by the writer in the 1937 Delineator Magazine. Here is her list concerning the Man in her life. 

                                                My Man - If Any

• To let him walk off with the morning paper because I've ordered another copy for myself. 
• To flatter him to the point of believing he is a grand cook, so he can prepare the victuals when he invites ten people to dinner on the maid's night out.
• To make him take care of his own dog even if I must resort to a little well-timed carelessness in feeding the pooch. 
• To give him advance notice of anniversaries and birthdays, and subtlety be hanged. 
• To admit I hate prize-fights and cigar smoke.
• To admire his hair-cut and his new suits, willy-nilly. 
• To be a veritable lamb and honey-child with women he's interested in, so they'll like me better than they like him. 
• To develop a few personal extravagances when he starts squandering the family income on stag dinners, green fees and fancy fishing tackle.
• To encourage him to have his secretary buy gifts for me, so he won't pay outrageous prices in gift shoppes for things I never can use.
• To make him stop talking about girth and baldness and do something about it. 
• To have for myself a handsome doctor and a fascinating dentist.
• To keep him waiting, occasionally, for the good of his soul.
• To expect orchids (all right, gardenias then) and get them or else---
• To agree with him, always, in company, but be reasonably firm about my convictions when we're alone. 

Her New Years Resolutions in 1937 - Social Life

"New Years Resolutions, with a dash of enlightened selfishness, that will make a new woman out of you." 

This fine advice comes to us from the Delineator's Magazine in 1937. There is no author listed, but she was a pretty smart gal with good advice for then and now.                              

My Social Life

• To be firm about not entertaining uninvited visiting relatives and friends who bore me. 
• To teach my maid to lie with convincing charm so I can avoid dull callers and telephone conversations.
• To keep a list of all books borrowed from me and send postcard reminders to all borrowers. 
• To leave a dull party early, even if my hostess is counting on me as a fourth at bridge.
• To yawn openly, start emptying ashtrays and as a last resort, slip into a negligee, and appear in the doorway rubbing cold cream into my hands, if any guests linger on after midnight on weekday nights.
• To spend my free evening seeing "Lovers Alone" (or it's equivalent) at the movies if the local culture club meetings put me to sleep. 
• To denounce swing music as cacophonous tripe if I prefer sweet jazz and symphonies.
• To entertain to suit myself and my budget, no matter what the crowd does.
• To remember funny stories and repeat them only if I, too, can make them sound funny.

(More tomorrow)

For The New Years Party in 1937

Make an entrance...wear a cape inspired by British Peeresses! 

Maybe you are tired of shopping too.

I am feeling much better since yesterday, but man, this getting ready for Christmas takes it out of a gal! 

For Good Little Girls in 1937

Get them ready for the holiday parties in a new dress! 

High Tech Christmas Gifts - 1937

"You, too, can help your children to prepare for opportunities to come...and do it within your Christmas Budget!" "...your children will be learning to think at the keys of a Royal Portable, a priceless permanent asset." 

 

Simplicity Fashion Forecast - 1937

"Early spring line-up of new suits and frocks"
(Remember you can click twice to see the details)

What a Difference Maybelline does Make! - Hollywood Magazine , 1937

"You would be amazed at the added loveliness that could be so easily yours with Maybelline Eye Beauty Aids!"

"Do you carefully powder and rouge, and then allow pale, scanty lashes and scraggly brows to mar what should be your most expressive feature - your eyes? You would be amazed at the added loveliness that could be so easily yours with Maybelline Eye Beauty Aids!

Simply darken your lashes into long, curling, luxuriant fringe with the famous Maybelline Mascara-in either the economical Solid-form or the popular Cream-form-see how your eyes appear instantly larger and more expressive. Absolutely harmless, non-smarting, and tear-proof. Keeps your lashes soft and silky and tends to make them curl. At any cosmetic counter --only 75¢.

Now a bit of Maybelline Eve Shadow blended softly on your eyelids, and notice how your eyes Immediately take on brilliance and color, adding depth and beauty to your expression!

Form graceful, expressive eyebrows with the smooth-marking, easy to-use Maybelline Eyebrow Pencil. A perfect pencil that you will adore.

Every time you squint or blink your eyes the tender skin around your eyes is creased, encouraging wrinkles. Help to avoid these crow's feet, wrinkles and laugh lines - keep this sensitive skin soft and youthfulby simply smoothing on Maybelline Eye Cream each night.

The name Maybelline is your absolute assurance of purity and effectiveness. These famous products in purse sizes are now within the reach of every girl and woman-at all 10¢ stores. Try them today and see what an amazing difference Maybelline Eye Beauty Aids can make in your appearance."

Get to know the modern Rogers Peet - 1937

The Rogers Peet stores closed in the mid 1980's, but they were impressive in their day;
"Rogers Peet was a men's clothing company founded on November 6, 1874. Rogers Peet introduced several innovations into the men's wear business: they attached tags to garments giving fabric composition, they marked garments with price tags (the established practice was to haggle), they offered customers their money back if not satisfied, and they used illustrations of specific merchandise in their advertising."

You Can Wear Your Dirndl Tyrolean Blouse With Everything - 1937

From Delineator, Butterick's Magazine that featured fiction, features and fashion...Butterick Pattern fashion, of course!

More Mad Men!

More ads from Retail Advertising, the 1937 Book published by International Textbook Company. These sample ads were used to explain advertising styles with good and bad layouts, ect. We just want to see some good looking guys from 1937!

A Well-Shaped Bag For The Knitter

Another great project from the booklet "Sewing" by Ruth Wyeth Spears from 1937.

"If you are thinking of a gift for some one who knits, why not a really smart knitting bag? Yes, it is possible to make one that doesn't look like a sofa cushion with the feathers taken out. It is all a question of the shape and pro-portions and kind of material. In these diagrams I have given you some measurements that will help in shaping an attractive bag that will hold 14-inch needles, a ball of yarn and a partly finished knitted garment of generous proportions.

As for material don't choose cotton or linen or thin silk for a bag that is going places in the winter. Woolen cloth of the same color as the costume with which the bag is to be carried or of a harmonizing tone is best to use. For the bag shown here 1/4-yard of 54-inch wool material will be enough. The lining will require 5/8 yard of silk or sateen. A 9-inch slide fastener will be needed to make a neat closing.

The dimensions for the side pieces of the bag are given here at A. It is a good plan to cut a pattern of newspaper. Cut a piece 16 inches long and 9 inches deep, fold it the short way through the center and then shape it as, shown. The dimensions for the end and bottom section are given here at B. This is just a straight 34-inch long strip tapered at the ends in the proportion shown. The dimensions for the handle are given at C. It may be necessary to make a crosswise piecing in the long strip for the bottom and end section. Join the pieces for the strip before you shape it.

Face the handle with the lining material. Make the bag and the lining separately and press the seams. Sew the slide fastener to the outside portion of the bag, then stitch the handle in place. When this is done, put the lining. inside, turn in the raw edges at the top and sew it by hand over the tape at the edge of the fastener."

Make A Pattern For A Rag Baby - Ruth Wyeth Spears, 1937

"A toy booth in a bazaar for a big metropolitan church -just fabric toys and every one of them had been made by a manufacturer! Home-made toys have long been a bobby with me, so the chairman of the toy committee was immediately searched out. "There would be more money in it," she said, "if the guild ladies made the toys." The difficulty seemed to be the stuffing. They just didn't look like anything compared to these sleek manufactured toys. The stuffing is the most difficult part, I know-but it is the most fun, too. It is as much fun, really, as clay modeling. Home-stuffed toys will never look an just alike, as factory ones do, but if a little care is used in modeling them they are as individual as people.

The rag baby shown here is not round and roly-poly, like most rag dolls, but rather flat. She is stuffed very tightly, yet she is quite floppy and sits down gracefully, because of sewing across the body at knees and hips. She is a little more than 12 inches high.

To make your own pattern, cut paper 8 inches wide and 14 inches deep. Rule this paper into 1-inch squares and number these as shown here. Now outline the shape of the doll so that the lines cross the squares exactly as they do here in the diagram. The dotted line is the cutting line and the solid one the stitch line. The same pattern will serve for both the front and back. Mark the stitch line on the fabric in pencil and the eyes, nose and mouth through perforations made in the pattern.

Stitch the front and back together, leaving an opening in one side for turning and stuffing. Stuff the feet and the legs up to the knees, first using tiny bits of cotton pushed in firmly with the blunt end of a pencil. Sew across the knee line. Stuff the upper part of the legs, then the head and arms, working the cotton in in little bits and shaping it from the outside with your fingers. Stuff so tightly that the doll has a chin and chest and is stiff and firm. Sew across the hipline as indicated in the diagram and sew the opening together."
From Sewing by Ruth Wyeth Spears, 1937

A Scarf, Cuff and Belt Set - 1934

Just get out some silk and whip this set up!

Here is a gift that makes a really substantial showing and the entire cost of it will be three-quarters of a yard of silk, a matching belt buckle and a little thread. For this small investment you can make a scarf, cuff and belt set that fits perfectly into the new mode for simple frocks and smart accessories.

Either flat crepe or taffeta is good material to use, and be sure to choose a color that has some interest-a red that is a little rusty or that leans a little toward magenta, a blue that is a little green or quite violet, a green that is deep and strong or soft and silvery or an amber color with life in it.

The silk will probably be 39 or 40 inches wide. The diagram at the upper left gives you the dimensions for dividing the three-quarter yard to make this set. The section shown at D is the scarf. B and C are the scarf ties. D and E are the cuffs. F is the belt.

Fringe The edges of the scarf square one-half inch deep, then stitch along the top of the fringe to keep the material from raveling more. Fold corner wise wrong side just a little off center, as shown here in diagram E. Mark a 4-inch slash at the center of the fold edge, stitch around the marking and then slash between the rows of stitching, as indicated in this diagram. Turn right side out, press the turned edge turn back the slashed corners, make the ties double and sew them on as at G.

Make your own pattern for this fabric hat - 1937

I just got a group of booklets called Sewing by Ruth Wyeth Spears. This is one was published by Syndicate Book Press in 1937. I was able to find that she authored tons of books about sewing and decorating, but I couldn't find much about the woman herself. I'm thinking she was the Martha Stewart of her day. If you know more please share.
There are tons of cool projects like this, do let me know if you make this hat...we want a picture!

Here is a smart stitched hat that you may make of any silk or wool fabric. It is interlined with either crinoline or heavy muslin. You will need three-quarters of a yard of the hat material, and the same amount of interlining. You will also need a hat lining and one yard of three-quarter inch wide grosgrain ribbon for the trimming.

For the brim pattern cut a piece of paper 8 inches wide and 14 inches deep. Rule this paper into one-inch squares, as shown at the upper left, and then outline the brim pattern so that the lines cross the ruled squares just as they do here in the diagram. The edge of the pattern marked A is placed on a fold of the goods in cutting the fabric. Use the pattern to cut the top and 'bottom of the brim and also the interlining.

To make the crown pattern, cut a piece of paper 10 inches wide and 14 inches deep and rule it in one-inch squares, as at the upper right. Outline the pattern over the squares, as in the diagram. The edge of the pattern marked B is placed on a fold of the goods in cutting both the crown and the interlining.

Baste the seams of the crown and try it on to adjust the size, then stitch the seams, clip the edges and press them open, as shown here at C. Turn to the right side and make the two decorative rows of stitching along the seam lines. Make the crown interlining of the stiff material.

Baste, try on and then stitch the center back joinings in the two brim pieces and the brim interlining. Place the two layers of the hat material with right sides together and then place the interlining on top. Baste and stitch around the outside edge, then turn right side out, baste along the turned edge and then finish it with three rows of stitching, as shown.

Rubber Reducers, Bust-Confiners, Bloomers, Slumber Snuggies! Lane Bryant Catalog 1937 ( Part 5 )

"...resists the greater strain stout women place on their underclothes."






And don't miss the Diaphragm Reducer...to be worn over corset" Gads, how did these poor women get dressed? Well, we'll leave them to their misery, this is the end of this catalog. But we can all be glad times have changed!