Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s: Smart Treatments for Pleats

In this tip from the 1920s for home sewists, Ruth Wyeth Spears provides some tips for adding smart details to box pleats. As usual, she provides wonderful illustrations that leave no doubt as to how to implement the tips.

 I especially like the second tip on creating extended points of the box pleats. Do you have a favorite? Would you ever use these tips?

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s: Upgrade a Plain Dress to a Plaited Frock

I just love the way Ruth's mind works! In this tip for her 1920s audience, she solves the problem of wanting a pleated (or should I say plaited?) frock when all one has is a plain dress pattern. The solution? Pleat the fabric first, and then lay the pattern pieces! So clever. :)

Ruth Wyeth Spears is such an inspiration!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - a Smart Box-Pleated Skirt

Well, a bit of life got in the way of my regular posts, so sorry for going silent for a couple of weeks! Let me resume with a tip from our favorite 1920s sewist and fashion advisor, Ruth Wyeth Spears. :)

Delivering "preppy" style, this tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s describes how to create a box-pleated skirt that is attached to a camisole. The skirt is intended to be worn with an overblouse and a sweater. Note the rule of three times your hip measurement for determining the width of the fabric for the skirt. I love the tip of hemming the skirt before pleating, and then adjusting the length where the skirt joins the camisole (rather than in the hemline). I just love Ruth's tips. Enjoy! Oh! And refer to my post on sewing a 1920s tunic dress foundation garment for a better understanding of the garment construction in this tip.

1946 Originator Sketch - Saddle Yokes Provide Smart Details

This Originator sketch features saddle yokes. I first discovered saddle yokes in vintage patterns and I must say that I find them a rather wonderful way to construct a dress or blouse. The saddle yoke combines the sleeve and the yoke into one piece.

This sketch features pleated sleeves with the saddles yokes, which looks very pretty. And the saddle yokes are also one-in-piece with center front bands or panels, with the edges trimmed with saddle stitches. Additional cleverness! I love how the center fronts extend into the skirts of the dresses - very smart details. :)

Spotted in a Shop Window - Dress with Box-Pleated Flared Skirt

Spotted in the window of GAP in downtown Seattle, this cute, stripy "fit and flare" dress has winning style.With flattering 3/4-length sleeves and a sassy softly-box-pleated mini-skirt, it looks like it would be fun and ever so comfortable to wear.

Enduring Fashion for Girls - Charming 1930s Style Revisited in 1970s

A few weeks ago I posted this dress from the 1930s for a young girl. Butterick 5202 is completely adorable, with a center box pleat (front and back) framed by knife pleats, and a surplice button closing in the geometric yoke. Neat short and long sleeve options and matching panties are noteworthy, too. :)

And then just the other day, I happened to post Simplicity 9346 from the late 1970s in my Etsy shop. Not completely identical, but what striking similarities! And equally delightful. Pleats, yokes, off-set button closing, short & long sleeve options - it's a wonderful and worthy re-envisioning of the 1930s style. :)

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Smart Plait Treatments

Accented box pleats are the focus of this excellent tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s. She provides two ideas - top-stitched box pleats with extended points (a very handsome treatment, I think), and pairs of box pleats trimmed with braid (note the use of a low-hung belt over the pleats -a nice extra touch!).

Fine flapper fashion, I think!

1970s Sportive Style from Christian Dior and Vogue!

Coordinated outfits were immensely popular in the 1970s. They would stretch your dollars and your wardrobe with style and these examples from February 1973 are no exception!

 

In the background, it's the "Very Easy Vogue" 8474 pattern of three quarter length cardigan jacket with an A-line skirt and wide, straight slacks. In front is Vogue Paris Original 2816, Christian Dior's easy elegance of classic belted suit with casual jacket over an A-line box-pleated skirt.

 

If these strike your fancy, you can find Vogue 8474 in the following Etsy shops:

• Classic Cabin
• Baubles And Kitsch
• Ardythes Orphans
• Mrs Wooster

 I couldn't find Vogue 2816, but there are other, similar patterns from Vogue and Christian Dior available, if you don't mind browsing.

 

And while you're browsing Etsy, be sure to pick up an authentic pair of 1970s Christian Dior sunglasses:

Sorocco

And a 1970s Christian Dior hat!

 

 

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