Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Art Deco Applique

Ruth Wyeth Spears describes this Art Deco applique as "futuristic" - it must have seemed a striking design at the time! Use this tip to create a colorful, silky, appliqued handkerchief. Perfect for bridesmaid gifts, don't you think? Relatively small effort, with an authentic result! Just remember to use vivid contrasting colors, as Ruth suggests.

Vintage Ads - Cleaning with Art Deco Style

Wonderful Bon Ami! I use it myself, although it no longer comes in the very cool Art Deco container displayed in this 1934 advertisement. I  marvel at how well dressed the homemaker is in this ad, just to clean the tub. A little fancier than what I wear when I clean the bathroom - lol!

Cheap! Cheap!

Spotted in a Shop Window - Art Deco Drama

This figure-hugging strapless evening gown with its dramatic fan-pleated neckline is so stunning. The light accent of Oriental peonies at the waistline provides a perfect contrast to the neckline and the flaring of the gown below the knees.

Spotted in the window of Luly Yang in downtown Seattle.

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Silver Accents for Afternoon Wear

In this tip for her 1920s readers, Ruth Wyeth Spears draws an elegant afternoon dress in a shimmering fabric. To this she applies abstract flower appliques with applique leaves and a ribbon stem. She recommends silver cloth appliques and silver ribbon on a dark fabric (perhaps black?). It's the very newest thing!

Use the motifs in this tip as your template when you want to add this Art Deco element to your afternoon frock. Just tap or click on the image to enlarge it and then print it.

Spotted in a Shop Window - Sculptured Drapery in a Formal Gown

Spotted in the shop window of Luly Yang in downtown Seattle, this formal gown is simply sublime. It has such an Art Deco look, with dramatic sunburst gathered draping as counterpoint to the gathered skirt. The empire waistline underscores the gathered-draped bodice.

Note the graceful sweep train. And the tiny sprinkle of glitter at the base of the sunburst. Wowza.