Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Sew a Fixed Sash for Your Frock

It's all about that important "drop-waist" belt line in 1920s fashion. In this tip, Ruth Wyeth Spears shows her home sewers in the 1920s how to create a perfectly draped, fixed sash that snaps on!

Don't forget to make sure that the sash belt fits snugly. :) And don't you just love that simple, "wine-colored crepe satin frock" Ruth has sketched?

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Making a Fabric Tie or Belt

This tip doesn't even require instructions. Just follow Ruth's illustrations to add a fabric tie or belt for any need. :) Easy peasy!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Flapper summer frock with belt & scarf

Can you visualize this flapper dress in a soft light and dark violet chiffon? Ruth can! If you are planning on sewing a frock from chiffon or other sheer fabric this summer (isn't everyone? ;), then Ruth recommends that you use whipped French seams for the seams. 

 Sheer fabrics (such as chiffon), are actually a very popular trend this summer (I think I read that in the fashion news of the New York Times). The use of sheer fabrics in summer clothing is a perennial favorite throughout the decades - you just can't go wrong. But the thin, delicate nature of this fabric requires very specific sewing techniques, such as Ruth describes.

Don't forget to try this design of two-toned girdle (belt) combined with a long two-toned scarf. Inspired!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Three Tie Belt - A Smart Innovation of the Season!

Do you love Downton Abbey, The Great Gatsby, or simply the fashions of the Flapper Era? Then this fashion tip for a three tie girdle (belt) is for you!

This tip comes from a compilation of 250 newspaper articles of sewing and fashion tips by sewing maven for the home seamstress, Ruth Wyeth Spears. The compilation was published by Illustrated Home Sewing Magazine, is described as "a  book of graphic instructions in dressmaking and millinery" and is dated 1927. Illustrations are drawn by Ruth herself.

This tip provides complete instructions for sewing a three-tie belt worn at the hips. Note that this belt is sewn with a lining of contrast color, and is one of the "smart innovations of the season". It looks easy to sew. In fact the majority of the tips fall in that category and would make a great "Downton Abbey" Sew-Along. But I think I need to post a few more tips so that a full ensemble could be sewn. Not to mention, I want to get the tips posted before Downton Abbey moves on to the 1930s. :)

Keep watching for future postings of Ruth's tips!