I found this great vintage knitting book when we were organizing our new sewing/craft room. It was mixed in with some sewing patterns and books from the 1980’s, so I’d never looked closely at what was in that folder (the anorak pattern dissuaded me) but when I emptied out that folder to put on the shelf, I came across this book by Patons & Baldwins Limited Toronto: Styles By Beehive Series No. 40. The back page was torn, so I didn’t know what year it was from, but judging by the styles I guessed 1940’s. I was able to track the year down online and I was right; it was from 1949! This book was my Grandma’s and it was open to Page 9, the “Antelopes” sweater, below right, which is why much of the colour is rubbed off that page. I wonder if she ever made that sweater?
I hope you enjoy seeing these lovely 40’s fashions!
On a different style note- I love the waistband of this skirt, above, it looks kind of like a half waistcoat.
The checked grid pattern on the cardigan above adds such a great detail.
The earliest “Uggs”, above.
Would you wear a hood like these?
I like the texture of the one on the left, above.
I love the cardigan on the right, below, too. It’s lightweight and would look so nice paired with a skirt.
With the advent of a New Year, in the Northern Hemisphere, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of winter. I think that this is the perfect time to share some more vintage knitwear, don’t you think? It is the season for cardigans and sweaters, after all, and I haven’t shared any for quite a while. The last time was. . . at the beginning of November, so I would definitely say we are overdue for another instalment of A Fashion Moment. Today our Fashion Moment is with Newlands.
Who was Newlands? Well, Newlands & Co. Limited was a textile mill located in Galt (now Cambridge), Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1884, and in 1916 was merged with the Galt Robe Company to become Stauffer-Dobbie Ltd. It was a major Galt textile manufacturer of the time. At this point, the history is a bit fuzzy, but somewhere along the way, their textile division started a line called “Lady Galt” which made towels, draperies, bed linens and yarn goods. Lady Galt was available from the 1930’s to the 1970’s, as I can find some advertisements, but I don’t know exactly when they started. At some point they began to make mainly towels but, in the 1970’s, the Lady Galt Towel line went into receivership. Dobbie Industries was able to start another line, Cambridge Towel in 1979, which was the largest North American towel manufacturer, as well as being the only Canadian one. At this point, the story of this company becomes modern day. In November, of last year (as in only a few months ago) Cambridge Towel was, sadly, forced to close it’s doors, as they lost several large contracts (including one with Walmart). Isn’t that sad that yet another Canadian and North American manufacturing plant has been shuttered?
Anyways, I started this post to share with you all these interesting pictures of some knitted sweaters, and the next thing I knew I was falling down the rabbit hole of textile mills and outsourcing manufacturing!
I hope you enjoy the pictures from this book. The book itself is in very bad condition, with the cover torn off and taped back on and the pages tattered and stained. Nevertheless, I do love old fashion books, because of the illustrations. This one came home with me from a flea market a few years ago, and I am glad to be able to share it with you today. I believe it is from the late 1940’s, as one of the models is referred to as “Miss Canada 1947”, and the silhouette and styles (as well as hair and makeup) fit in with that era as well.
I think that it is about high time there was another peek into the McCall’s Treasury of Needlecraft, don’t you? It has been quite a while since the last edition, back in July, where I shared knitted and crocheted dresses. This time around, we are delving into “Dressy Sweaters”.
By this I mean, not your average knitwear, which is usually intended for warmth (although style is always important as well!). These knits I share with you today are all just a bit fancier- either with intricate patterns, beading or other pretty details. Some of them are not specifically intended for evening wear, but look a little bit more elegant due to how they are styled, and what they are paired with, while some of them are intended for evening wear. We don’t usually think of knitted and crocheted garments for evening, but when they are made out of more delicate materials, they are the perfect option for fancier occasions, especially when the weather begins to turn cooler.
I hope you enjoy these lovely pieces! Which are your favourites?
This needs to be in my wardrobe. Like, right now. This is one of the most beautiful cardigans I have ever seen, and it is definitely worthy of being worn with a bridal ensemble as shown here. Or with anything for that matter, as it would make any outfit incredible!
Two outfits finished off perfectly with the addition of a belt.
You could definitely wear this beautiful jacket in place of a blazer. It looks so polished.
When in doubt, add a muff. And beading. And gloves. And impeccable hair. Ok, I’ll stop now.
Not only in love with her top, but her topper as well! Do you think it’s a beret? Or a hat with a folded up brim? It’s hard to tell!
I’m gonna guess the lady on the right is wearing a bullet bra. . .
What appears to be another bridal ensemble.The question we are all asking ourselves though is . . . seriously, what is with the guy in the background??
And last, but not least, this “handsome mandarin jacket” is made of ribbon yarn. It gives an interesting texture, and also a pretty and elegant sheen, don’t you think?
(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!)
