A Vintage Christmas - A 1961 Seattle Dream

I wish everyone a heart-warming holiday, and all the best in the new year! Enjoy these photos that I took of  this year's vintage-themed holiday window display at the long-time jewelry store Fox's in downtown Seattle. The display features items from late 50s and early 60s, with a special nod to the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. 

Scraps from the Past: 1960s A-line Skirts in Wool for the Winter

The pattern: This wonderful and easy-to-sew A-line skirt from 1962 was a wardrobe must-have in that decade. It was easy to sew and flattering to wear! And this pattern from Simplicity provides the A-line skirt proportioned for short, medium, and tall heights. Now that makes it easy to fit!

The original sewist left her notes on the envelope front. Beginning at the top of the envelope, she wrote "For Jan - Dec '64". So, do you think the skirt was sewn for January - December 1964? Or do you think Jan is the person who got the skirts? In any case, the sewist goes on to describe what was sewn:

"Made blk herringbone - 25-1/2" waist

Took 3/4" seams on side

Fin lgth 24-1/2

3/4 yd - 54" enuf

Made blue skirt - 25-1/4" waist

Simplicity 4466

The scraps: Two small snippets of wool in a herringbone weave were pinned to envelope. Here is the black fabric that she used, and the very pretty blue. Both are a comfortable, light weight wool. Yum, classic fabric for classic skirts! Looking at the pattern can you visualize the skirts in these fabrics?

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s: A Ribbon Rosette for Your Evening Frock

With the holidays approaching and all the festivities that this season entails, another tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears for her 1920s sewists on the subject of evening frocks seems appropriate! This tip is for creating a large ribbon rosette with streamers to accent your 1920s party frock. Key to her tip is two-toned or double-sided ribbon (a different color on each side, not two colors on each side). You create knotted loops and sew them in tiers to a circle of buckram - easy-peasy!

I love Ruth's tips. Enjoy!

In Search of Style: Aprons for the Bazaar!

Not too long ago I posted this wonderful pattern from Advance and 1960, which features four charming, themed hostess aprons. It sold relatively quickly, and it is easy to see why.

Tucked inside the pattern was this clipping, with a tip for "Step-Saver Aprons".  By adding a pocket for things "To Put Away" and another pocket for things "To Throw Away", you save a housewife many steps. :)

With its generous pockets, the apron is similar to the gingham apron and the cobbler aprons illustrated on the pattern. Note that the tip describes making the aprons to sell for $2 each! Those are 1960 prices. :) I do believe you could get more if you are sewing for your local community or church bazaar!