I think it is about time we took another look into this April 1941 edition on the Canadian Home Journal, don’t you think? The last time we took a look inside was back in March, with a spread about Easter fashions. This time I am sharing a collection of the beauty advertisements!
There are quite a lot of ads for face creams and “cocktails”, several advertisements featuring movie stars, and of course all of the ads showing the ideal 1940’s look! Interestingly, unlike other beauty ads I’ve seen, none of these mention the war, even though they were right in the midst of it in 1941. There are quite a few pictures today, (a lot of which are Woodbury ads!) but as I was flipping through it again, I realized that I missed a few, so I think that those will make another post sometime in the future!
I love this last ad- I wish that my powder came in containers this pretty! Modern makeup just doesn’t come anywhere near as close in elegance!
Just what will the Grahams wear for Easter Sunday? Why, I’m so glad you asked . . . because I just happen to have a three page spread showing just that!
My brother gave me this Canadian Home Journal from April of 1941, this past Christmas, and I’ve been eagerly waiting to share it with you all, because there is an entire section in the magazine featuring Singer sewing machines, and Butterick patterns! I haven’t figured out yet what I am going to wear this Easter Sunday, but any of these patterns would be delightful, don’t you think? It’s too bad I won’t be able to make any of these lovely dresses, but at least we can enjoy looking at them, right?
The article on the right page talks about how Mrs. S. Armstrong, of Montreal, wanted to have “more pretty clothes- for much less money”, and so she decided to sew them herself. However, there was just one problem- she didn’t know how to sew! But, no problem, she just went to her nearest Singer Sewing Centre, and enrolled in their Three Free Lessons. “There the obliging sewing instructress showed her how easy and simple it is to sew- and save- the Singer way.” Now Mrs. Armstrong has become “quite the expert” and “does all her own sewing- on the modern Singer electric Mr. Armstrong gave her for her birthday”. Furthermore, “the Singer Sewing Centre in your town is always ready to help you. Go there for wardrobe ideas, for advice on a sewing problem, or for “short course” lessons in dressmaking or home decorating. All these services are free!” Well, I just want to pop over my local vintage Singer Sewing Centre now, don’t you?
This dress, above, is just perfection!
I love this striped blouse and suit from Butterick 1440.
Here is what Margaret, Ailsa, Dorothy, and Peg Graham will wear.
Dorothy likes the “high surplice neckline” of Butterick 1444 and the “wide midriff belt” of 1451, above.
Ailsa “likes the shirred pockets” in this Butterick 1407 suit. Also pictured is Butterick 1453. On the other page, we are shown how to add some “spice’ to your outfit!
There will be “many pleasant uses for these important additions to the Spring costumes they are planning”.
Margaret likes the “saddle shoulders in both the dress and the coat of this ensemble because they give a broad shoulder line”. Broad shoulders were definitely the thing in the 40’s! Butterick 1462 includes both the coat and the dress. And Peg, on the right, likes the “slim lines of this reefer which buttons up to a high collar” Butterick 1160 and 1465.
And lastly, my favourite is this ensemble with Butterick 1456. I love everything about this: the cape, the handbag, the cool folded hat. . . the officer (haha just kidding!)
Which of the patterns from this issue of Canadian Home Journal do you like the best? Don’t you wish you could still order things from old magazines and catalogues, when you browse through them? Have you ever seen an issue of Canadian Home Journal before? And, have you picked out what you are going to wear for Easter yet?
It is high time that I share some more treasures from the Mccall’s Treasury of Needlecraft, don’t you think? I took all these photos last year, shared some here on the blog (hats, dressy sweaters and dresses), and then forgot that I had the rest of these! They were a bit out of season, but now that we’ve got snow on the ground, or at lease chillier climes headed our way in the Northern Hemisphere, sweaters are just what are needed. So, today I am sharing a few lovely vintage pullover sweaters from the book.
Above: I love her belt over the top and also how her scarf loops through her collar- such a lovely classic look! Also, note that she has a zipper on the front of her skirt, which I think is rather unusual for that era?Â
Pretty vintage ski attire- if only sports attire looked as nice today. Yes, I know that it’s all about “performance” but as someone who really couldn’t care less about sports, I just want everything to look nice đ
This is a really nice “college girl” look. Again, I love her scarf- I think I need to adopt scarves into my outfits more often!
Nothing like posing for a photo while eating an apple? But just look how wholesome this sweater is because it is in an orchard. Style-wise, I don’t really like the boxy fit. It would probably be comfortable, but not as elegant for sure.
A “simple crocheted” sweater. Love the batwing silhouette. And, the statement necklace is really interesting too- usually models wore more understated jewellery such as pearls and chains.
Which sweater is your favourite?
Well, that’s rather a small collection for today, but as it is late and I still have many things to do before the end of the day (I’m selling at a craft sale tomorrow, and there’s much to be done before then) so. . .  I’ll sign off for now!
Happy First Day of August- and on that note- also the first day of the My Vintage Cover challenge!
I can’t believe that August is already here (really, where did July go?!) but I am so excited that My Vintage Cover is starting. To get you in the mood, here are some covers I have come across in my image searches, which I think might just be “easy” to replicate. And, if you have no idea what I am talking about, you can read all of the details here or scroll to the end of this post, for an abbreviated version of events!
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This cover basically relies on a large amount of flowers. And they could be any flowers too- it’s the impact and vast quantity that makes this cover recognizable.
This iconic cover would actually be really great to recreate, because it is black and white and you wouldn’t need to worry about colour matching your clothing! It’s all about the silhouette.
Those of you with bakelite collections could probably pull this one off fairly easily. I thought about doing this one, but I don’t own any colourful bracelets!
Recreating an illustration could be kind of fun. This one from the 1920’s features a relatively simple outfit- simple compared to most of the fantastical covers of the era!
Well, I hope that these covers give you some inspiration and ideas- especially the last three đ Tanith has also been sharing some covers, so if none of these seem to fit, hop over and check her post out. And if you’d like to see the covers I have done in the past, you can find them here.
Even if you aren’t planning on taking part in the My Vintage Cover challenge- I hope you enjoyed seeing all these great magazine covers!
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Again, here is the condensed version of the My Vintage Cover challenge, being hosted by Tanith and I.
-Running August 1- 31, 2017.
-This is a non-competitive event; we just want people to have fun!Â
-Tag your recreations with #myvintagecover on Instagram or post them on your blog.
-We may post a few “round-ups” depending on how many people participate
-You can recreate a vintage magazine cover (such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar or McCall’s) or an editorial vintage fashion image. Images with distinctive poses, or styles that are iconic to a specific era are great options.
-Repost & share your inspiration image, or link to it, so everyone can compare the recreations and originals
-Recreate as many images as you would like! There is no limit!
Back when the lilac hedges were in bloom (three weeks ago) I decided that it was time to do another fashion moment with my Creative Hands books, and this time to do a lilac theme. Lilac is not a colour usually associated with the 1970’s, so I extended my palette to any purple, and pink as well. Surprisingly there were a fair amount of pastel shades, including some lovely ensembles in pinks and purples, and some more questionable ones too. Sometimes you just have to wonder what they were thinking. But then I think that all the time nowadays too. đ
I am not particularly drawn to purples and pinks myself. Though I like them in nature, (I love lilacs!) they don’t find their way very often into my wardrobe or decorating. I do have a few pieces that have pinks in them (such as floral prints) but I have no purple pieces. The only items I have had that are purple have since made their way out of my wardrobe. Do you find that you like certain colours in nature, but are not drawn to them in other places? Anyways, here are some lovely purple and pink vintage inspirations for you today!
Aren’t these great illustrations? They outline some ways here to add knitting to your dressmaking pieces, such as adding collars and sleeves, or piecing a knitted bodice to a skirt to make a dress.Â
I love the pattern of the fabric in this dress! Isn’t it crazy, but super fun? That is a separate petticoat too. It’s rather a nice idea to have matching petticoats, as that way you don’t have to worry about it showing.Â
A classic coat never goes out of style. Though how you style it might. . .Â
Nothing like a backless knitted evening gown in angora paired with silver shoes . . .Â
I really like the simplicity and subtlety of that pink plaid skirt. I could totally add that to my wardrobe.Â
I couldn’t resist including this adorable baby set!Â
Which of these outfits or pieces is your favourite? Are you drawn to lilacs and pinks and pastel shades? Would you be tempted to add any of these outfits to your wardrobe?
