Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Reverse Tucks: The Smartest Form of Trimming

I have to admit, I really love this tip for reverse tucks. Normally I am all for tucks on the outside, but this tip for accenting a tailored blouse with reverse tucks at the cuffs and hipline creates a very smart look. Ruth Wyeth Spears describes in detail how much extra fabric to allow, how narrow to make the tucks, and how far apart to make them. She just makes it sound so easy. :) Turn any blouse into the latest 1920s fashion with this technique!

Spotted in a Shop Window - Artful Top with Crochet & Tucks

Spotted in the shop window of Anthropologie in downtown Seattle is this enchanting sheer button-down lacy top, with contoured bodice of tucks and crocheted-picot-lace below. The surprise of this winning style is the swing back!

 

Totally scrumptious fashion!

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Trimming a Frock and Coat with Tucks

I love garments with tucks and this tip from Ruth Wyeth Spears and the 1920s delivers tucks in spades! Ruth illustrates a frock and coat, both with one-inch wide tucks. She describes this popular form of trimming as being especially chic on solid-color georgette and chiffon fabric. She also describes the technique of using a gauge (note the typo in the article - the first I've found! - where "gauge" is replaced with "gauze" ;)) to aid in making the tucks.

Doesn't the model rather remind you of Lady Mary from Downton Abbey? Or maybe her mother?

Blouses with Tucks - Then and Now

Spotted in the shop window of OSKA in downtown Seattle, this pleated and tucked blouse is superb. I have blouse-envy. :)

Tucks in blouses were particularly popular throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s. Here is a wonderful advertisement from March 1952 for blouses that have such beautiful details, with tucks the dominant feature. I love these blouses - such variety, and very different from modern blouses. So pretty! Note that many of these blouses are sheer, and rely on the perfect undergarments. ;)