A Story of Thread - 1958

A Story of Thread..."Issued by the Educational Bureau of Coats & Clark Inc." in 1958. A "Reprint from Stitch in Time Vol. 29 No. 1".
This eight page leaflet tell us more about thread and needles than you could have ever imagined. It involves Napoleon, the Crusaders, the Bayeux Tapestry, "nun's work", the spinning jenny, and of course the history of Coats & Clark company. (Do you know what "O.N.T." stands for?)
Then we get to look inside a modern thread plant. Remember this is from 1958, but I imagine many of the steps are the same today. And I never knew that Mercerizing meant that the threads are run through a caustic soda bath, did you?
The threads that are shown include everything from everyday sewing thread to rug yarn and industrial thread that is used for (among other things) car tops!
Last but not least we learn about Needles of all different sizes and uses. Do click twice on the images and read through this...you might win a trivia quiz at your next sewing bee!

Redbook Magazine - 1919 -The Electric Star Vibrator

"Miss Gladys Leslie, beautiful Vitagraph Star, recommends the Star Electric Vibrator. YOU should use it."

Redbook Magazine 1919 - It's all about the Men!

We think of Redbook as a women's magazine today, but in 1919 it was called The Red Book Magazine and was aimed at men and women, most of the ads are directed at women, but some of these are for the guys.

Redbook Magazine - 1919 - Even More Ads!

Everything from Vanishing Cream, Imported Kimonos to Men's Underwear!

Redbook Magazine - 1919 - More Ads!

Just enjoy these!

Redbook Magazine - 1919 The Ads!

I see a lot of vintage magazines, but my favorite part is almost always the ads. This is no exception, there are many ways for us to peek into what was being sold in 1919. More to come!

"...she values the china too highly to entrust its care to servants..."

Do you know what all these items are?

Redbook Magazine 1919 - Seven Beautiful Women

This is a fabulous find! Redbook Magazine from June 1919. There is lots to share but we are going to start with the "Art Section" and the seven "Beautiful Women". Actually we get to see an eighth because the cover gal is surely beautiful, but she isn't named. The artist is Haskell Coffin. See more of his work here.

Ada Mae Weeks in "Listen Lester" Photo by Campbell Studio, New York.

Florence Reed in "Roads of Destiny" Photo by Campbell Studio, New York.

Elinor Fair Film Play Star Photo by Evans, Los Angeles

Evelyn Gosnell in"Up in Mabel's Room" Photo by Campbell Studio, New York

Zola Talma in "Miss Nellie of N'Orleans" Photo by Charlotte Fairchild, New York

Alice Howard in Vaudville Photo by Moody Studio, New York

Marion Williams in "Stop, Look, Listen" Photo by Moody Studio, New York.

Modes de Paris - 1859 Hand-Colored Engraving - Petit Courrier des Dames

This is the last of this collection of these hand - colored engraved fashion plates. This one gives us lots of information, but alas, it's all in French. There is a date; April 16, 1859 and this is numbered 3071, but the rest we leave to Google Translate;
Paris Fashions
Small Courrier the Ladies
Paris, the boulevards Italienst
Dresses by Gagelin, and modes of same Bricard Callmann, Fabrics Stores Three Quarters, Chapron handkerchiefs, trimmings of Richenet Bayard, of Faguer Laboullee Perfumes, hair in Byoux Lemonnier, Laces of Violard, Corsets Clemencon.

Hand Colored Engraved Fashion Plate - Mamas and Children!

This is another mystery plate with no date or clues except the fashions themselves. We've had wonderful luck with knowledgeable commenters and I hope that works this time too. The silhouette is very different, these clothes look much more wearable, but there are still lots of fancy seaming (look at the little boys outfit) and fussy frills, including that parasol and her looking glasses!
(Please click twice to really see this)

Fashion Plates from the McCall Company - 1901 - Afternoon Toilettes and Street Costumes

This page has much more helpful information. Dated May, 1901 it's out of McCall's Magazine and shows in color; McCall 6527 Misses' Guimpe Dress, McCall 6538 Ladies' Eton Jacket and McCall 6540 Ladies' Skirt. In gray tones; McCall 6562 Ladies' Shirt Waist, McCall 6532 Ladies' Skirt, McCall 6559 Misses' Jacket, McCall 6553 Misses' Skirt.
Take note of the way pleats and lace are used on the skirts, and the variety of collars. And while you are considering the serious underwear these women had to have on to get that silhouette, don't forget about how straight you'd have to stand to hold up those hats!

Hand Colored Engraved Fashion Plate - Party Ladies!

This plate has no information either, so once again I hope a kind reader fills us in. But it's clear they are at a party, maybe a masquerade ball? You won't be able to miss the aprons or the hats, but look closely and find the pockets, the purse, the bows and all that handwork. Wow.

Hand Colored Engraving of Ladies Hats

I have no information about this page, but these hats are lovely. I hope somebody comes along who can guess at a date.

Modes de Paris - 1860 Hand-Colored Engraving

This shows a young lady in her fancy ball gown and her more demure friend in the Late Victorian fashions of 1860. This plate has lots of information, but it's all in French. I tried Google Translate and got this close, but I'm sure somebody out there can do better. It is dated February 11, 1860 and numbered 3122.
"Modes de Paris Petit Paris Boulesart Letters to the ladies of Italy, a
Modes and Mrs. Bricard Calmann, Virginia Vasseur Trimmings Dresses
Lace was the thought of Violard. Fabrics of three quarters of Mrs. Clemencon Corsets, Perfumes of Laboullee. Byoux in hair Fluri to Lemonnier Cilman Fans of Duvelleroy"

Styles for Any Season - 1959

Styles for Any Season, indeed! I only wish I had the pattern for that vixen dress. But looking closer it's not the dress it's self, it's all about how she's wearing it. The hair, the jewelry, and those shoes...the gal has it going on. And to think this was in a Workbasket magazine!

Simplified Systems of Sewing and Styling - 1948 - Lesson 10 - Accessories, Their Importance and How To Plan Them

The last of these booklets from Simplified Systems of Sewing and Styling by Doris Anderson. We've seen highlights from each one. Today it's Accessories, Their Importance and How To Plan Them. But this is a section about "Hat Lines - How They Affect Face and Figure". Pay attention!

Simplified Systems of Sewing and Styling - 1948 - Lesson 9 - Professional Finishing Details

More from Simplified Systems of Sewing and Styling by Doris Anderson. We are going to look at highlights from each one. Today it's Professional Finishing Details. There were lots of topics to choose from but let's learn about Soutache Braid, Novelty Trims, Machine Stitched Braid and everybody's favorite Rick Rack!