Make The Clothes That Make The Woman - McCall's 1956 Part 2

Let's look at more of this McCall's catalog from April 1956. This has some Fashion Excitement for the young, patterns featured in Mademoiselle, the empire silhouette for brides and maybe best of all Givenchy designs, direct from Paris!

Make The Clothes That Make The Woman - McCall's 1956

Make the clothes that make the woman. That is the refrain from this McCall's catalog dated April, 1956. It came to us from Capwell's, "Oakland's Finer Store". These are just fabulous, We see "the narrowed silhouette", "the new season cover-up" (though why you'd want to cover these up is a mystery), and "new looking designs for women". Enjoy.

Hand Crocheted Ties for Men and Boys - 1952

Hand Crocheted Ties for Men and Boys in Imported D-M-C Pearl, as shown in Vol. 404 from 1952. It's the "newest fashion for men".

"The hand crocheted tie is fashion's big new favorite for men and it's the big new favorite with men who want something really new, really different, really good-looking in ties.
Whether he prefers solid colors . . . smart neat patterns ... or bold exciting designs ... you'll find them all here to choose from and, each and every one is downright easy to crochet and, above all, downright economical too - most can be made for less than $1.00.
And what beauties these ties really are crocheted of luxurious silky D - M - C Pearl! They tie easily, and with that perfect knot that every man likes, because only D - M - C Pearl has the texture, the superb lustre, and the strength and suppleness so important in a good hand crocheted tie. In addition, like all D - M - C, the brilliant colors are fast to washing ... an advantage you'll appreciate as much as he will.
Crochet him one of these smart new ties and see how pleased he'll be to wear it."

Mary Maxim Sweater Designs - Original Knitting Designs for all the family!

These are wonderful sweaters from a Mary Maxim Catalog. You could order these and many more patterns and then you knit them for your loved ones.
This company is still in business and you can read more here.

This is undated, but maybe somebody can recognize that sports car they are leaning on for the back cover.

These sweaters are "Perfect for casual wear the year 'round" and "Soft and fleecy as a cloud", "Gay Designs for Little People", "Smartly Styled", A "Head Start" on Fall Season Fashions, and it's the "Newest Knitting Sensation".

Spring Fashions from 1925

From a graceful era Needlework Magazine shows us several outfits from March, 1925. This includes Porch-Wear, a Smart Blouse Thats' Easy To Make, Becoming Lines for the Matron and of course, The Popular Button-down-the-Front Dress. And the patterns were 12¢ each.
Our cover girl is wearing a "Boudoir Jacket, with it's Matching Bandeau" it's "Easy to Make, Dainty as a Flower and Altogether Adorable". Wouldn't you agree?

Things you find in Patterns

In selling vintage patterns I come across lots of things, usually fabric swatches or ads that show that pattern, but this is a first.

(If you like found things you should look at one of my favorite blogs Forgotten Bookmarks.)

So You're Going To Knit A Sweater! - 1940

So here's a batch of fashionable forties looks for you to knit. Each one has a fetching name, Best Girl, Take Off (!), Cafe Society, Tea Time, Campus Belle, Surprise Package, Saratoga, Honey Chile, Heart Stealer, and Prophecy.

Don't miss the details, hairdos, hats, jewels, and very supportive undergarments!

(And doesn't our cover girl look like Casey?)

How A Dress Should Fit - 1947

If you want a vintage pattern to fit well you need to go by your measurements, since sizing changes over time and even between the different pattern companies. So you need to know how to measure correctly for the era you are trying to re-create. This mid forties Simplicity Sewing Book gives you some guidelines.
Be sure to wear all the right supportive undergarments and shoes. You're on your own for the hair-do!

"If you check your pattern with your measurements and make adjustments before cutting your fabric, fitting your dress will be easy.
Try your dress on right side out and stand before a long mirror. You should have a basting thread from top to bottom in the center back and front (unless there is a center opening serve as well to check the perpendicular line).
Keep the picture of the garment before you while you fit. It can be tacked to the corner of your mirror. You need pins and a tape measure also.
Pin the shoulder pads in place before you begin your fitting.
These diagrams show how your garment should hang. If seams or darts must be taken up or let out to gain the desired effect, pin the corrections and transfer the change with chalk on the wrong side after you take the garment off.
Lengthwise threads of the material down center front and center back should be perfectly straight and perpendicular to the floor. (Except in a bias cut dress).
Crosswise threads Should be straight across figure and parallel to floor at bust and hip.
Underarm seam should fall in a straight vertical line from the center of the arm pit to the floor.
Regulation shoulder seams should be directly on top of shoulder, sloping neither to the front nor the back.
Garment should be loose but without wrinkles at the bust line to give ease, and allow arm to move freely. About 4 inches larger than bust measurement is usual allowance.
At a point about six and a half inches below the top of the sleeve the crosswise grain should run parallel with the floor and the lengthwise grain parallel to the underarm seam. It should allow for movement of upper arm It should be without wrinkles. Darts or gathers in long sleeve should come at the elbow.
Skirt should fall straight down from hips allowing ease to sit and not pull or cup up under when standing."

These are not the Barbies you are looking for.

OK, these outfits are weird enough...but look at the dolls! I think these were all Barbie knockoffs and I'm sure that first guy is NOT Ken.

Some Indoor and Outdoor Smartness for Him and Her - 1934

McCall Magazine hasn't forgotten the kids in 1934. They ask "Little man, what now?"and "Doesn't she look sweet?".
Please note "The leggings are especially nice. They buckle on just above the bottom of the coat."
The Princess Elizabeth coat is "equally attractive coming or going." Don't miss "A tiny tot fashion with amusing touches of childish chic."
Just remember "Pink for a brunette, blue for a blond.."

Fabulous Colors For Fabulous Knits- 70's Fantasy Flowers

We are getting ready for a snow storm which we don't really do here in Seattle, but it put me in mind of sweaters. Then I found these hippy chick knits for you to make.
(If anybody really wants instructions I'll try to accomodate you, but I'm not sure this sort of thing should be encouraged.)

Knitted patchworks play a visual game on a color-sliced cardigan that rides atop a pair of matching pants. Garter stitch strips knit in varying colors are joined with strips of crochet. Pants, knit in the round, have a drawstring waist, crocheted trim at bottom. Coats & Clark's Red Heart Knitting Worsted.

Multipatterned vest is knit in one piece. Patterns are traditional Scandinavian designs-hearts, flowers, roosters, and little people. Coats & Clark's Knitting Worsted.

Yoked pullover, a mosaic delight, is worked in the round to underarms. The sleeves, worked separately, are then joined to complete the yoke. Coats & Clark's Knitting Worsted.

Stripes and patches pattern a wrap skirt that may be made in any length, any width. "Patched" strips are knit, then joined with bright crochet. Coats & Clark's Knitting Worsted.

At-home warmth is reflected in an elongated knit that will go anywhere. Same motif, worked in different colors, gives a multipattern effect. Drawstring waist lets you nip it in as much as you like. Of Bucilla Superwash Knitting Worsted.

A long, long column of single crochet-the perfect field for the blossoming of super-sized flowers! Quick to work up, dress has a back zipper for a trim fit. Simple-stitch embroidery is done in the same yarn. Bernat Knitting Worsted.

Curl up under a shower of flowers! Giant blooms splash over a four-paneled afghan that is easy-and quick-to make. Each panel is worked in single crochet; then all are joined with a crocheted fagoting stitch. Of Bernat Knitting Worsted.

Two little maids in a row wear pinafores that are just as pretty coming or going! Flower sprays-each slightly different-continue around the back of each for a posied hemline. Work both the same in single crochet with a picot edging; then embroider the flowers she likes the best. Of ColumbiaMinerva Knitting Worsted.

It Snowed!

I'm home in Seattle and while it doesn't snow much here, the 2 year old granddaughter has talked about it for weeks. And finally we have snow! This Good Housekeeping cover by Vernon Thomas just looks like her and her little brother.
I hope you are all snug and warm!