celebrities and fashion: February 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Measuring for 1921 Butterick Patterns

Here we have more from "The New Dressmaker" put out by Butterick in 1921. These are the measurement guidelines you need, even for your doll.

"It is absolutely essential that you buy your pattern by the right size. In no other way can you be sure of securing the perfect lines of the original design. The right size will save you time because it means there will be no unnecessary fitting. It will save your material. A size too large takes more material than you require while a size too small might make your dress unwearable. Insist on being measure each time you buy a pattern. New corsets or an unsuspected change of weight may have altered your bust, waist or hip measure. Before buying a pattern put on your best corsets and lace them properly. Wear a waist or dress that fits nicely. Never be measured in old corsets, over your coat, or in a clumsy dress or a negligee."

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Altering Waist Patterns - 1921

"Altering Waist Patterns For Figures That Vary From The Average"

"For a Figure Broader at the Back than at the Front, for Square Shoulders, for Sloping Shoulders, for a Full Bust, for a Small Bust, for Round Shoulders, for an Over Erect Figure."

This helpful advice is from The New Dressmaker, The Butterick Publishing Company, 1921. "The New Dressmaker is the accepted authority on dressmaking and tailoring and the methods which it gives may be used whenever the current styles call for them"

Monday, February 24, 2014

Something Blue - A Story from 1956

Here is a charming story "Something Blue" from The New We Work And Play, New Basic Readers, 1956 Edition.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Two Beautiful Bird Cushions - Gorcy Catalog, 1928

Hot-iron transfer patterns from the 1928 Gorcy Catalog. Because this was a Canadian company several of the ads are in English and French.

You could also get this image hand painted on ecru or black satin. Yes please!

Friday, February 21, 2014

New and Attractive - The Japanese Design

This is one offering from the August 1928 Gorcy catalog. Gorcy was based in Montreal and many of the ads are in French and English. This one caught my eye because I haven't seen a Sewing Machine Scarf or one for a Phonograph. These were stamped patterns that came on different fabrics (at different prices) . Then you could buy cotton or silk embroidery floss 'make the article'.

In 1925 Emile Gorcy patented his Transfer Ink with mutton fat as the main ingredient.

"Be it known that I, EMILE Gorcy, a citizen of the French Republic, residing at Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Transfer Ink...This transfer ink is formed of the following ingredients, preferably combined in the proportions indicated, namely: mutton fat,49 parts; black soap. 14 parts; and aniline coloring, 7 parts."