A Fashion Moment With McCall’s Treasury of Needlecraft: Dresses
(This is the prettiest crocheted dress I’ve ever seen, and it is by far my favourite of all the knitted and crocheted dresses today. It is made out of a “Morell Woven-Edge Silk Organdy Ribbon No. 192”. I am not familiar with this material, but it sounds heavenly, and the dress is beautiful as a cocktail dress, paired with some lovely sparkly jewelry.)
A while back I introduced the “Fashion Moment” series I am going to have here on the blog, (until I run out of magazines, books and publications from which to share pictures, that is!) I still have plenty of pictures to share from this wonderful book, “McCall’s Treasury of Needlecraft”, though, which was published in 1955. Last time I shared pictures of knitted and crocheted hats and accessories sets. This time, I have gathered pictures of knitted and crocheted dresses and skirts. I am not a knitter or a crocheter, so I cannot imagine the work that must go into creating these amazing garments!
I love these pictures, as they offer not only a glimpse into the fashions of the era, but also what the average woman in the 1950’s was wearing, and creating herself. Coco Chanel once famously said, “A fashion that does not reach the streets, is not a fashion.” These pictures show that the styles we associate with the era: a full skirt, cinched waist, hats and gloves, were not only runway styles, but indeed did trickle down to the garments that everyday women were making for themselves. I hope you enjoy this peek into the year 1955!
A lovely classic skirt on the left, and a perfect ensemble of hat, gloves and pleated dress on the right.
A trio of “The Beautiful Basic(s)” that can be made as a dress or as separates. I can only imagine the time it would take to create pleats! These would be a beautiful addition to any wardrobe.
A stunning dress and bolero set of flaming red, accented with a lovely green scarf. (Which also appears to be modelled by a member of the walking dead, or perhaps a wax sculpture?)
And let’s take a closer look at it. . . the ribbing adds some lovely texture. I also have a feeling that some shapewear is at play here. . . 😉
This lovely dress is longer in length and I think it could play well as both the 1950’s or even the 1930’s if it was paired with a halo hat, gauntlet gloves and soft curls. Knitted / crocheted dresses were very popular in the 1930’s as well.
Another pretty dress, on the left, accented with pearls on the bodice. I love the unique fuller skirts of these, as usually they are more fitted in shape. Also, the black pumps on the right are what I have been searching for my entire life.
Another colour photo, and this time in a lovely shade of blue. This one is accented with ribbon and glitter to create a distinctly pretty cocktail dress. Paired with classic pearls, this is definitely an amazing evening outfit! Bouffant hairstyle optional. 🙂
Would you wear, or do you if you are so lucky as to own, a knitted or crocheted dress? Which of these dresses and skirts is your favourite?
(Also, if any of my readers are knitters or crocheters, and would like the patterns for these, I would love to share!)
July 8, 2016 @ 11:39 am
Wow, these are all so lovely! I can’t even imagine how long one of these garments would take to make, but they sure are pretty. And seriously, those shoes!
July 11, 2016 @ 11:44 am
I know- everything is so lovely! You should make one sometime and then you’d know how long it takes 😉
July 8, 2016 @ 10:35 pm
I only wish that I had the time, patience, and skill to crochet or knit myself an entire outfit! I think the dress with the pearl bodice accents was my favorite. Something like that is so beyond me right now! I just started knitting recently, and one day hope to be able to knit a sweater. I don’t think I’ll ever be confident enough to knit a whole dress! You should look up 1930’s crocheted dresses, if you haven’t seen any. They are simply divine!
July 11, 2016 @ 11:41 am
I love 1930’s crocheted dresses- the 30’s certainly knew how to do crochet! I love that dress with the pearl accents too. And, congratulations on your new knitting adventures- I have never been able to master that skill, despite many attempts (I once knitted a rectangle which I turned into a purse for my sister) so I am in awe of those who can knit or crochet! Maybe one day you will be able to conquer a knitted 1930’s style dress 🙂
July 11, 2016 @ 10:57 pm
I would wear a crocheted dress. I don’t have one but crocheting one is on my ever-growing list of projects. I think they run small, but, yes, I would like to see the instructions. Thanks, Nicole. 🙂
July 11, 2016 @ 11:55 pm
A crocheted dress would be amazing- I am so impressed by people who can crochet, as I am not skilled in that area at all!
July 14, 2016 @ 1:57 am
My stars, these are lovely. The very last dress in particular jumps out at me, as I find curved necklines like that to work quite well on my figure (not all neckline do, I assure you). The colour is really fresh and fun, too, and as I have so little baby blue in my closet, I think it would get a lot of wear. If only there was a magic button (or I had the skills needed to make) that would have such land in my closet.
Thank you for the inspiring fifties fashion images, honey. They were oodles of fun to see.
xoxo ♥ Jessica
July 15, 2016 @ 2:11 pm
I agree: that rounded neckline is so elegant, and it really is so flattering on so many figure types. I wish there was a magic button too- I can think of plenty of lovely vintage things I would want to appear 🙂
July 14, 2016 @ 4:23 pm
What a stunning collection of dresses and skirts. These are beauties! The first and last dresses are amazing but all the everyday ones are lovely too. A knitted dress is on my maybe someday list of projects. I think they are beautiful but they would take a good bit of knitting! That bolero is pretty and very achievable though!
July 15, 2016 @ 2:08 pm
They are beautiful aren’t they! Would you like the pattern for the bolero? I can send it to you, if you’d like. 🙂
July 31, 2016 @ 3:20 pm
Thank you so much, I would love that!
August 1, 2016 @ 2:35 pm
All right! I will email them to you 🙂