McCall’s magazine was a real stand-by for our thrifty and talented Grandmas who wanted to keep up with the latest fashion trends. They could knit and crochet wardrobes that kept them feeling stylish at a fraction of retail costs, and have a lot of fun doing it!
From what I’ve seen online, the well-known pattern makers for seamstresses like Butterick and Simplicity did the same and were even more popular. Practically every home had a sewing machine, but some women probably still had the skills to do everything by hand if necessary.
Although it was a lot of work and must have felt like another chore in times of necessity like the Depression, it also gave women a lot of creative freedom. When they had the time and the funds to be choosy about fabrics and to adapt their own touches to a pattern or add decorations, knowing how to do this and having the support of companies that sold the things that they needed was a real relief from economic and social limitations that may have faced them every day.
Today, people find that creative freedom by doing things online and go to Walmart to ease their financial hardships during tough times, but it’s not the same. Somehow, the old way seems more attractive in some ways. Your thoughts?
By the way, I’ve got several fabulous “new” discoveries and am preparing them to show you . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
Back to Mad Men times . . . . . .
Someone custom-tailored this dress in about 1965. I put the tie belt around it just for effect, but it is an A-line style, which can be worn belt-less, too.
Although it doesn’t show well in this photo, the neckline is a wide, high scoop with a collar. The material is unusual in that it is fairly heavy and is almost embroidered with the floral pattern – not printed. The style and flower design, plus the back metal zipper, are the clues to its age. Although many copycat styles and designs are on the market now, this one just looks different and you have to have a trained eye and know the details to spot it.
It’s always fun to suddenly see a dress like this, because it immediately transports me to the ’60’s and all the mod and English influence that was popular then. That’s what everybody wore, who was…
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I show a lot of this style, because it was SO popular from the mid-forties until the early ’60’s. This example is quintessential in all its qualities.
I’m sure this was home-sewn because when I found it I found 3 others obviously made for the same woman. Yes, she may have had a tailor.
Lovely cotton which can’t be found anymore – certainly not in fabric stores. It’s hard to describe if you don’t know it. Looks wonderful, feels wonderful and gets better with age.
Also, the buttons she used are just great! They’re big, plastic and colorful. Some were sculpted in their shape. The sewing is impeccably done and fabric-covered belts always look so crisp and stylish. Naturally, there’s a generous hem (whatever happened to those?).
All four of these dresses were of exactly the same style, each one in a beautiful cotton print. Though I’m sure they were well-used, they hardly looked worn – a testament to the quality of vintage materials and workmanship, as well as the care of the owner.
Each one opens the book on a mystery, just as illusive as they can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … . . . . . .
Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com
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