I don't know what Yellow told White, but the poor girl looks absolutely petrified:
The arched eyebrows, the handwringing...in fact, she's been twisting her fingers together so intently that she's LOST HER RIGHT ARM!
Yellow, I don't know if you're White's mother, older sister, aunt or best friend, but this I do know: you have a black and twisted little heart.
Simplicity 1466, 1930s
Ah, Memorial Day -- a time for fun, friends and BBQ. Mr. Pattern Junkie and I are having friends over for ribs, brisket and jerk chicken (Mr. P.J. being quite the king of the smoker), and I find myself wishing for the perfect barbecue ensemble. A quick search of the Vintage Sewing Patterns wiki provided answers beyond my wildest dreams. (It has a knack for doing that.)
First up: this little number, Spadea 602-A:
An Emilio Pucci?! Be still my pattern-loving heart. I'd love to be able to pull off this fetching ensemble, but snug capris would not be flattering to me. Cute as this illustration is, the description is even better:
This way to the beach, barbeque or buffet at home! Double tiers of shaped bands girdle the waist and garter the knees of these snug young pants. For exciting hostess fare that's spiced with Spanish flavor, make them in jewel toned velveteen and embroider the cuffs with swirls of metallic thread.
Snug young pants spiced with Spanish flavor? Love that, although "smug young pants" would be worthy of a T-shirt. What I wouldn't give to see these made up in jewel-toned velveteen and embroidered with metallic thread!
Next up is Simplicity 4061:
Pigs at the grill! A classic really, though I have to admit I've never understood it. It's a little macabre, no?
Here's another his and hers BBQ apron ensemble, this one from the 40s. McCall 1481:
It's another great example of how mid-century patternland men just can't stop having meetings, no matter the setting! Sure, he's wearing an apron -- but the suit and tie are on, and he's reading either an agenda or a memo. (Sure, it could be a recipe, but wouldn't that be in a book?)
Finally, here's the ultimate -- an actual dress designated for BBQ-wear, Hollywood 1989 :
Is it just me, or is this a horrible outfit for eating ribs? (Then again, Scarlet didn't eat at the barbecue, did she?)
U.S. readers, may your Memorial Day be filled with friends, fun, family and food -- non-U.S. folk, may your Monday be the same way!
I love that this 1930s pattern, Butterick 8670, comes with a guarantee. See the little certificate of fashion freshness on the right?
Here's a close-up:
This is one of those little details from the past that makes me inexplicably happy. The faux wax seal with "Butterick" on it, the ribbon on the certificate... I imagine a Butterick employee strolling by the patterns like a teacher at a science fair, sticking a ribbon on one and declaring, "Yes! It's FASHION FRESH!"
Now take a look at the back. Modern Vogues may give us triangles and rectangles to puzzle over when we try to decide if a pattern will complement our body shape, but in the 1930s Butterick just laid it on the line:
"Coat for Shorter Women of Larger Hip." It's certainly more to the point than "Pear," "Triangle," "Teepee," or whatever other label is in style at the moment.
What's interesting, though, is that the pattern does have a larger bust to hip ratio than I've seen before. Most modern B34s run 36" at the hips, and you can find B34s from the 1940s that measure 37" at the hip. This B34? It has a 29 inch waist and a 38 inch hip. Could Ezra Butterick have made patterns in different proportions in the 30s? Some for Short Women of Larger Hip, some for Tall Women of Smaller Bust, others for Average Women of Thick Waist? It seems unlikely, but what an interesting thought. Anyone out there have Butterick patterns from this era that we can compare?
In the meantime, may all your sewing projects be Certified Fashion Fresh!
