In Search of Style: Fabric for a 1930s "Dress Hit of the Year"

This wonderful dress from the 1930s and Superior Patterns of Sears, Roebuck & Co has charming style and was evidently quite popular!

Superior 460

Tucked in the envelope was a page from the fabric section of the Sears catalog, featuring silk and rayon fabric and several dress patterns. And there in the upper right corner is the very same dress, in a charming dotted print rayon.

The text for the pattern states "The Dress Hit of the Year". And: "A stunning pattern! At the very top of the style ladder! Featuring a youthful collar and a smart button trim. So simple it can be made with the least possible fuss. A truly versatile style; can be worn almost everywhere! Because it is a Sears  pattern you're assured a perfect fit and absolute comfort." Well! Enough said!

And here is the back side of the page:

In Search of Style & Scraps from the Past: A Dress Sewn from a Sears Catalog Pattern

It's the early 1940s, and where would you shop for a "Superior" pattern for an afternoon dress & bolero, as well as the fabric? Why, the Sears Roebuck catalog, of course! Today's finds were in a pattern from the early 1940s, and included both the catalog page that illustrates the pattern, and scraps of fabric from the resulting sewing project!

First, here is the pattern:

"Shop at Sears for Fashion-Right Fabrics and Patterns"

In Search of Style 

And here is the page from the Sears, Roebuck & Co catalog that was tucked in the pattern:

Note that the ensemble on the model is the very same pattern! And fabric at only 49 cents a yard! Which fabric swatch do you like? I actually like blue print that is on the model, though all the patterns are pretty. :)

Here is a close-up from the pattern instructions. Note the "peek-a-boo" breast pockets on the bolero:

Scraps from the Past

Also inserted in the pattern were these lovely rayon scraps (yes, rayon!). I can so visualize this ensemble in this wonderful floral pattern on a soft taupe-brown.

I'd say it is inspiring fashion from the 1940s and Sears!

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!

Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweet from Ada, June 5, 1908

Postcard 029

Sender:  Ada J. Matz
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 1902 G" Terry Ave, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St. Louis, MO
Date: June 5, 1908
Image: Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, MO

The Jefferson Barracks still exist, and the entire area is now managed by the Jefferson Barracks Heritage Foundation, complete with museums, historic buildings, and so on. Another worthy place to visit if ever I am in St. Louis!


Message: 

Dear Lillian: - 
Many thanks for 
the beautiful card and
handsome souvenir. Words
fail to express my surprise
and great delight when
the parcel came to hand.
We have rain almost
every day and today it
is scorching hot. Am glad
to learn that you like it
so well in Washington.
With sincere good wishes, 
I remain,
Ada J. Matz

I wonder what the "handsome souvenir" is that Lillian sent to Ada. This post card is such a gracious thank you and greeting. Ada reports that the weather has been days of rain and now scorching hot in St. Louis. I suspect that is not the weather that Lillian has been experiencing in Seattle! ;)

An Afternoon Dress - 1907

Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweet from Tillie, May 26, 1908

Postcard 027

Sender:  Tillie
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, c/0 Mrs. Mueller, 1902 G" Terry Ave., Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St. Louis, MO
Date: May 26, 1908
Image: Los Banos (The Baths) San Diego, Cal.

This postcard from Lillian's co-worker in St Louis, Tillie, shows a photograph of Los Banos (The Baths), located in San Diego, California. I don't think this building exists anymore. At least, I could not find it on the internet.

Message: 

Hello, Lillian; -

I received your pretty

card, was very glad to hear

from you, also glad you 

liked the photo. We are having

warm weather, give me the good 

old summer time. Hoping to hear

from you soon again. Tillie.

[]

So Tillie loves the summer weather. :) Of course, in May it was probably still pleasant. I was searching for information on the climate for St. Louis, to see just how bad it could be, bad enough that a person would have to move elsewhere for their health. And it seems to be essentially very hot & humid in the summer (sub-tropical almost) and freezing in the winter. So a move to Seattle for Lillian would have meant a move to a much more moderate climate, not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter. :) Smart move.

A beautiful afternoon dress 1907

1930s - A Beautiful Afternoon Dress

This lovely dress from 1937 has such interesting details in the bodice. Note the shaped saddle yokes, short flutter sleeves, and a V-neckline with tie extensions. A lovely touch is how the straight princess seams in front release into pleats near the hemline. And the artist has rendered the dress with sheer fabric. Beautiful!

1930s - Another Lovely Frock

I love the artful design of the bodice in this lovely dress from the 1930s - gathers at a contoured high waist, with cute little tie belts at the natural waistline that tie in back. Drawn with sheer fabric, it is simply a delight.

Accessorize Your '60s Cocktail Dress!

It's the hunt for accessories! This wonderful Patt-O-Rama mail order pattern from 1966 that I posted yesterday in my shop features a chic two-piece dress with a focus on the accessories.

The pattern included this additional sheet that describes how to accessorize this dress in three different ways! I thought it would be fun to see if I could find vintage fabric and accessories in Etsy shops to match the suggestions. Check them out below. :) Did I do a fair job? Do all the elements work together? Feel free to suggest alternate choices!

I will say, that just the exercise of selecting the pieces for each version made it easier to imagine myself in each version of this two-piece dress. A very fun and useful result!

LEFT: Fabric & Accessories for Dress Sewn in Brocade

Beige brocade fabric

Shop: Fabric Depot

White kid gloves

 Shop: Cristi Natural

White clutch purse (brocade)

Store: From The Vanity

Pearl drop earrings

Shop: Vintage Brink

 Pearl bracelet

Shop: Truly Vintage UK

BOTTOM: Fabric & Accessories for Dress Sewn in Linen

Lemon-colored linen

Shop: My Fabric Studio

Black straw sailor hat

Shop: Vintage Vixen

Black patent sling back shoes

Shop: Frocks N FrillsVintage

Pale yellow gloves

Shop: Jens Closet

Black double-strapped handbag

Shop: The Swanky Fox

RIGHT: Fabric & Accessories for Dress Sewn in Brown Herringbone Wool

Brown herringbone wool fabric

Shop: Fabric Consortium

Dickey

Shop:  bobby's Boutique

 Watch on a chain

Shop:  Yesterday Time

Gold bangle bracelets

Shop: Joann Brocanto Vintage

 

Flat gold earrings

Shop: Beautiful Passions

 Brown leather pumps with stacked heel

Shop:  Kat's Cache

Brown leather pocket book

Shop: Pinky LaRoux

Mid 1950s - Sheath and Matching Jacket are a Study in Gray

Mmmmm - she looks pleased, and who wouldn't in this fine gray sheath with a matching cute short jacket? I love that little belt closing in the front.

Note the notched cuffs on the fitted jacket - the small details can add such class. :)

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Silver Accents for Afternoon Wear

In this tip for her 1920s readers, Ruth Wyeth Spears draws an elegant afternoon dress in a shimmering fabric. To this she applies abstract flower appliques with applique leaves and a ribbon stem. She recommends silver cloth appliques and silver ribbon on a dark fabric (perhaps black?). It's the very newest thing!

Use the motifs in this tip as your template when you want to add this Art Deco element to your afternoon frock. Just tap or click on the image to enlarge it and then print it.

Home Sewing Tips from the 1920s - Updating a House Dress to an Afternoon Frock

Starting with a "straight dress pattern", Ruth Wyeth Spears walks you through easy steps to turn your simple house dress into a fashionable, flattering afternoon frock. She adds a bit of skirt fullness at the sides, cascading drapes, trailing fabric ribbons, and long sleeves. Just like that, an every-day frock is turned into a lovely one!

Note the fabric-covered buttons at the shoulders. Enjoy! And don't forget to click or tap the image to enlarge it for easier reading.

Scraps from the Past - Elegant, Modern "Pinafore" in Black

The Pattern: Advance 8055
This lovely pattern from 1956 features a modern "pinafore", consisting of a full or slim skirt with detachable bib and shoulder straps, and a handsome blouse with a wing collar and the ever-flattering 3/4-length sleeves. It simply looks like spring and summer fashion to me, and definitely for the afternoon or evening. :D

The Scrap: This scrap was tucked in the pattern. Although they don't show up very well, rows of shiny dots fleck this black rayon scrap. The only pattern pieces cut were the bib, shoulder straps, and waistband. Most likely the original seamstress used a favorite skirt pattern in combination with the bib to create a very special afternoon or evening ensemble. Can you imagine it? :)

1950s Refashion - Remodeling a Front Draped Skirt into a Slim Skirt

This is such an interesting refashion from 1951!

Before: A dress with a front-draped ("harem-drape") skirt that had stretched out of shape.

After: Fabric was folded and seamed 4 inches below the waist to create a peg-pocket line that slants down toward the side seams. To make peg pockets, the fabric inside the fold at each side was cut and a pocket lining of taffeta was inserted.

A slim, crisp silhouette, with intriguing, sharp style!

Before and After Hit Parade: Cute 1940s Summer Frock

Seamstress: Emily in Australia
Pattern: Du Barry 5833

Here is the pattern, Du Barry 5833, from 1944 and the war years. Such a classic style, this frock has a swing skirt, square neckline, and a lightly bloused bodice with short sleeves and the option to go sleeveless:

The result:

Emily picked a gorgeous color for this frock, and is true to the short-sleeve version. Lovely flare and a perfect length. So flattering, and a lovely result! And I think I spy her cat (named Lamp) in the mirror! ;). Speaking of her cat, Emily has her own shop on Etsy, Lamp's Little Luxuries, where she sells beautiful hand-knitted accessories, so be sure to check it out!

June 1950 - More Dresses!

Step out into a sunny June day in any of these fine dresses from June 1950.

Sunny June Fashion from 1950 - An Afternoon Dress

This afternoon dress was featured in the June 1950 edition of Women's Home Companion. I love the surplice bodice and that fabulous collar - beautiful!

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.