Showing posts with label 1950s fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1950s fashion. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Scraps from the Past: Sewing a Season's Worth of Girl's Blouses

The pattern: McCall's 9563, a set of classic blouses for a growing girl from 1953.


The scraps: Cut pattern pieces of the short sleeve and peter pan collar were the scraps inside this pattern envelope. The multiple cuttings in green and white plaid and pink and blue plaid tell me that this sewist was efficient! She was clearly cutting fabric for multiple versions of the blouse at the same time, as she prepared for spring and summer wardrobe needs of her young girl or girls. These scraps are a lightweight cotton, soft and yet durable for summertime fun. The big question is.... why didn't she sew these pieces? We will never know, but we can admire her efficient approach to sewing!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Scraps from the Past: A 1950s Flannel Nightgown for Christmas

The pattern: Simplicity 4140



The scraps: Tucked into the pattern envelope for timeless nightgowns were two scraps, one a soft yellow flannel, and the other a cute flannel print of umbrellas. Written on the front of the envelope: Joanne Christmas 1952, Mother Easter 1953, Rena Louise Nov 1954. So the sewist made three nightgowns, two for winter and one for summer, and at least two as holiday gifts (Christmas and Easter). On the envelope back is more writing: (in red) Joanne view one yellow flannel white ruffles Christmas 1952. Also on the back, written in pencil: "R. L. Nov 1954" and "Mother Easter 1953". Now that is getting mileage from one pattern, and how handy that all three wear the same size!


It's pretty clear that Joanne got the yellow flannel nightgown. And I think it is safe to assume that Mother got the umbrella print flannel nightgown - umbrellas being a great spring theme. Alas, no scrap for Rena Louise!

Are you inspired to sew a flannel nightgown for Christmas?