Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweet from Niagara Falls

Postcard 35

Sender: Nellie
Addressee: Miss Lilian Maguire, 1902 G Terry St, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Date: Aug 12, 1908
Image: General View of Falls, Niagara Falls

The fabulous Niagara Falls, looking fabulous in 1908. Comparing this image with a recent image on this page (which looks like it was taken from the same vantage point), it would appear that the structure in the lower right hand corner no longer exists.

Message:

Dear Lil,

Am having a

fine trip hope you

are enjoying yours

received you[r] cards.

Nellie

Well how fun! Nellie is enjoying her summer trip to Niagara Falls, and is assuming that Lillian (misspelled as "Lilian" in the address) is on vacation too. This is the first we have heard from Nellie, who could be a friend or a family member. And evidently Lillian has sent her several post cards. In any case, lucky Nellie to be able to visit Niagara Falls, it was no doubt as thrilling then as it is now. From the postal stamp on the front of the postcard (Seattle, Aug 14), this postcard only took 2 days to reach Lillian!

And where will you be spending your summer vacation?

1907 Jabot Blouse

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweets: Tillie Has a Nice Vacation

Postcard 33

Sender: Tillie
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 1902 G" Terry Ave, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St Louis MO
Date: July 21, 1908
Image: Nature art (spring; polychrome art series)

Well, there's not much information about this art reproduction. The picture paints a lovely spring scene in nature. The trees are just starting to leaf out and is that a flowering cherry tree in the center?

Message:

Hello, Lillian; - 

How are you, I 

received your pretty postal,

was very glad to hear

from you, and I thank

you very much. I had

my vacation last week,

had a fine time. I

will write later, and tell

you all about it. Hoping

you are all well, and I

hear from you again soon.

Your friend, Tillie

Lillian's former co-worker, Tillie, sends a hello to Lillian in this postcard. She thanks Lillian for her last postcard, lets her know she just had a week of vacation and will write later with the details in a letter. Now if only I had those letters! :)

A lovely blouse with jabot and beautifully trimmed vest (1907)

Summer Colors to Keep You Cool - 1930s Style!

I've notice that blue and teal are very popular this summer. So how about these beauties from the late 1930s? I think they'll do nicely. :)

 

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - A Smart New Jabot

Looking at the drawing in this tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s, my first thought was, "That is a jabot?" So I rustled up a dictionary definition that would explain why Ruth used this term. Essentially, a jabot is an ornamental cascade of ruffles or frills that fall from the neckline. We more typically think of a froth of lacy tiers or lacy pleated tiers at the neckline, that sort of thing. But this ruffled cascade that Ruth evidently qualifies, and Ruth explains that jabots come in a variety of forms. ;)

Simple to make, "this season's jabot" is a great way to add a dramatic accent to a frock. Read on to learn all from dear Ruth!

For a look at different styles of jabots, check out these other posts I've made:

• A tip from Ruth for a quite different style of jabot.
• Another tip from Ruth for a different type of jabot.
• A jabot neckline from the early 1950s.

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - A Tailored Jabot

In this tip for home sewers of the 1920s, Ruth Wyeth Spears describes how to start with a plain pattern for a blouse and change it with the smartest details of the day. Her thorough instructions describe how to add contrast fabric  cuffs, bias roll collar, and a pleated jabot that slips in and out of two bound openings. Very tailored and very chic!

 

I didn't know buns over the ears were popular in the 1920s - Princess Leia as a flapper? ;) Enjoy!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Easy-to-Make Frock with Pleats and Jabot

Perfect for summer, this frock is a snap to make - Ruth Wyeth Spears will tell you how! Note the  clever but simple jabot and the panel of crisp knife pleats in the skirt front.

 

You can start with or without a favorite pattern - just how clever do you feel? ;)  Just click on the image to make it larger and easier to read.

Fashion from 1951: Afternoon Dresses North and South

To end our journey through the January 1951 "advanced" fashions from McCall, we conclude with three beautiful afternoon dresses: a flattering jabot dress, a suit-dress that is just right for lots of places, and a versatile "north and south" dress.

McCall 8347

The pretty jabot neckline endures year after year because it is really flattering. No doubt about that. If you are flat-chested, it fills you out. If you need to have a prominent bust obscured a trifle, it will do that, too. And these frilled sleeves are a welcome change from the plain short sleeves, and they are perfect for larger arms. Sizes 12-20, 40, 42. 50 cents.

McCall 8349

A suit-dress that is soft, pretty, and not too suity. Just the thing to wear when you are meeting someone in town for lunch. Just the thing for lots of other places. Long jacketed, slim skirted. Softened by curved yokes and groups of gathers. Slimmed by its deep plunge neck. Make it of silk-and-wool faille if you want something truly special. Sizes 12-20, 40, 42. 65 cents.

McCall 8351

The southern version is the one with the white pique touches, of course. One would make it of gingham or chambray, linen or shantung. The northern version, with a collarless neck and long sleeves, is perfect for wool jersey, or any dress weight woolen. Nothing much to it but lines - beautiful  lines. The skirt is slim enough for style, full enough for comfort. Sizes 10-20. 50 cents.