Square Dance Skirt Pattern

I'm continuing to work through my small stack of National Needlecraft Bureau patterns.   Today, it's a square dance skirt sewing pattern.  

Leaflet E-2611 from the National Needlecraft Bureau.   A cute square dance skirt sized for a 27" waist.  The pockets are rounded and loose, attaching to the waistband with the gathered skirt.  And, or course the bottom ruffle and an appropriate dose of rick rack.

I headed out to Google to see if I could date the pattern, and was surprise to find an advertisement from the Miami Herald, featuring the skirt, dated July 1, 1950.

Great description for the skirt :  "A vacation ensemble isn't complete without the full swinging barn-dance skirt described in leaflet E-2611.  The special feature here is the big puff pockets gathered at the top to keep compacts, kleenix, et al, from hoping out".     There are two interesting bathing suits patterns here, as well - one a sewing and one a crochet pattern.

Now, I never realized that a full swing barn dance skirt was a fashion necessity for a Florida vacation ... but, not having been there in 1950, what do I know?

The pattern is a front/back leaflet, which I have scanned into a PDF document.   It's available in my shop, should you care to drop by.    Either way ....

Thanks for dropping by to read my ramblings.
Lorrie

Mail Order Knit Crochet Patterns

I've now collected quite a number of the mail order pattern.  A have a few that are quilting and sew, but for the most part, my collection consists of knitting and crochet patterns.   I don't have any exact count yet, but I am going to say around 450.

If you have been knitting or crocheting for any given time, I'm sure you are familiar with these patterns.   Most of them will have the words Design written across the top of the photo.   There were (might still be) mail ordered through newspapers and magazines from the early 1930s to present.  (Sewing patterns go back to the 1890s).    Their format look like these.

Design 974 - A lovely Pineapple Jacket

Design 847 - Shell Stitch Cape

Design 851 - Doilies

At this point, if have less that 20% of the patterns available in my shop.  These patterns are quite consuming to get listed as I rework them into a standard size paper document, with the original pictures; each one taking several hours.   

I have been wanting to put them all on display.  After some thought, I decided to add them all to one of my Facebook Albums, with notations under each picture.   This way, should you be looking for something specific that is in my collection, you can let me know and I'll move it to the top of the stack for processing.  They are also, of course, just great fun to look through.  

To view the collection, go to my Facebook Pages and select the Design Mail Order Album.  

Thanks for dropping by. 

Lorrie  

What about the National Needlecraft Bureau

I recently came across a packet of old 1940s pattern that were issued by The National Needlecraft Bureau. This lot is mostly craft related, and quite fun.  Such as ....

Pattern S14-3 :  Jointed Horse 

E-284 Stocking Dolls (Mammy & Clown)

I took up a search to see what I could learn about National Needlecraft Bureau.   Their patterns were largely mail ordered through newspapers, however, seem independent of the other mail order firms (such as Needlecraft Services).  I find tracks of their activity between the early 1940s to the late 1960s.  An old newspaper article indicated they, in support of the poor economic times (WWII) were putting out a number of craft patterns to be made as childrens presents.   

National Needlecraft in the 1940s and 1950s also were active in the various state fairs, hosting a number of crocheting and sewing competitions.   I have a feeling that many of the award winners at the state fairs may have been the pattern source.  Although, I do not have any facts that specifically state that.  

Crafts were not the only patterns.   I have several other that are of the home decor category. And in old newspaper archives I have found quite a few references to clothing and accessory sewing and crochet patterns.

Rose of Erin Doily 

13-40 Braided Rug 

I particularly like the feel of the 1940s in this one.   There's the blazing fire, the centerpiece rug, and on the end table, not only is there a very out-of-scale burning cigarette, but a stand-up holder and flower bouquet. 

But the information I could find ends there.  Was National Needlecraft Bureau actually an organization formed to promote the arts during the war era, and continued on?   Their involvement in imply far more than a mail order pattern operation.     There are trails to two different address in New York, but as far as who started it, how did it end, who were the people involved, etc, I've hit a dead end.   

I have started posting these patterns on one of my Facebook Album pages to get them all in one place visually.   They are in my shop, of course, as well.  

If you know any of the details regarding The National Needlecraft Bureau ..... please share !

Thanks for dropping by 

Lorrie  

Meet Handy Andy; Crocheted Hot Mitt

We all know that the old issues of The Workbasket are historical for their lousy pictures.   They were lousy way back then and they, of course, have not approved with age.   But, some of them are just so fun that we must look beneath the grain to see the prize.     Like this one from 1956. 

Meet Handy Andy.   He's has an extra long face and a really thick neck, which are nicely matched in size by those big ears.   

And then, using this chart (or branching out on your own) and some felt, you create his facial features.  

This would be a fun project to work with your grade school sized kids.  You crochet, they help decorate !  

If you'd like to make a Handy Andy of your own, he is available as a Free Download in the shop.   There are also several other Free Potholder Patterns as well.   

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Ursula duBois Knitting Patterns

I came across the name Ursula Dubois in a 1966 issue of The Toledo Blade, and, picking up a new name, was driven to investigate futher.   (I love going through these old newspapers and can spend hours at a time. Thus the reason I get so little done, some days).

A number of knitting patterns were issued under the Ursula duBois name between 1964 and 1969.  Interestingly enough, these patterns were 15 - 75 cents higher in price than the norm for this time period.  Frequently, the pictures were low quality, making it difficult to see the merits of the garments.   Many of them, however, were modeled by actresses; in this case, Pat Woodell.    To a smaller extent, the patterns were syndicated across various newspapers.   I've found evidence of 5.

In addition to the patterns, several columns, in different cities, were written under the Ursula duBois name, and typically appeared along side, or underneath the pattern advertisement.  These columns were 'Let's Knit', 'Now Knit This', and Knit Clinic.  Both columns gave suggestions and advice, as well as answered readers questions.

There is two hints out there that Ursula duBois may have been an actual person, not a syndication name.  The first hint is that her name was updated to Ursula deBois Lewis in mid 1968, implying a marriage.  The second is business license was obtained under the name (whereas we do not see this with syndicated names).

And that's it.   I was not able to find nothing else.   Which, if Ursula duBois was an actual person, I would expect to find tracks like birth or death certificates, events, designer references.   But nope.   Nothing.  I did set up a couple Google alerts on her name/address and if something should pop up, I'll fill you in.

In the meantime, I copied off all the patterns/columns I found and my putting them out here and there in my daily stream over at Facebook.   They are set up in their own Album - Ursula duBois, should you like to take a look.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Pineapple Doily Patterns

The year was 1946 and the Spool Cotton Company, in the form of their book No 230, announced they had 14 New Pineapple Designs.

 See - 'Featuring 14 New Pineapple Designs' right there on the cover. 

Their claim is 'the Pineapple Motif is the most popular' design of all.   They might be right in this, however, I'm not sure.   I sell more 'non-pineapple designs' as pineapple, but suppose that is not an apples to apples comparison.    But, I do have to admit ... there are marvelous pineapples in this book.   

No 7770 A/B Runner and Vanity Set :  This pattern features a runner at 12 x 30 inches, with variations of this pattern to crochet a 12 x 17 inch doily, as well as a round doily at 12 inches in diameter.  

No 7768 Doily - Centerpiece - Tablecloth :  This pattern starts with an 8-1/2 inch Doily and builds to a 23 inch Centerpiece.  A layout chart is included if you'd like to keep going to make an entire tablecloth. 

No 7767 Doily - Luncheon Set - Tablecloth - Bedspread :  Like other patterns in the book, this set starts with a double pineapple motif that is made into a 12 x 14 night stand doily, a 12 x 35 inch runner, 14 x 15 inch luncheon mats, or perhaps a tablecloth or bedspread at 75 x 105 inches. 

Pineapple Doily :  This pretty piece at 15-1/2 inches has a 5-1/2 inch linen center. 

No 7773B Apron :  This apron has a ribbon waistband and ribbon stripes that meet in small bows

 at the pineapple hemline. 

No 7772 Bread Basket Doily: Sized 6 x 13 inches and bound to make a pleasing performance in a basket near you. 

No 7776 Square Centerpiece; Square Tablecloth.   Both with ample pineapples, the doily measures 23 inches square and the cloth is 54 inches.

No 7650 Pineapple Set :  This pattern is a threesome; almost a pineapple overload.  The instructions include a 65 x 84 inch Cloth, a 90 x 108 bedspread and an 18 x 38 inch runner (not pictured).    These are heirlooms in the making.

No 7769 Six Pointed Doily.  Just medium in size at 14", but bold in design.

No 7777 Square Luncheon Set includes the center piece and place mat doilies and a round bread and butter doily.  All, of course, with a nice pineapple border.

No 7778 Doily has a small star surrounded by 8 pineapples and a just right amount of lace
with scalloped edges.

No 7775 Tablecloth :  This lovely cloth, made up of 180 4-1/2 inch motifs measures
54 x 68 inches when completed.

No 7779 Luncheon Set - This set includes doilies at 16, 12, 9 and 6 inches.  It will make a stunning luncheon set, or a variety of individual doilies to scatter through your home.

No 7774 Luncheon and Chair Set :  This is a pattern set to crochet both the (single) place mat and the chair set pictured.   Simple, yet quite attractive.

No 7771 Centerpiece - You just might recognize this beauty from the front cover.
 It measures 20 inches in diameter.

And, as usual, the back cover is the same as the front.   Now, remember the cover said 14 'New' Designs?   Well, there are over 14 base patterns here, not to mention the variations within the patterns.   I wonder which ones aren't new?  

It's a delightful book of pineapples.   For those true pineapple lovers, this one has the potential to keep them up at night trying to decide where to start.  The patterns are listed individually in my shop, just follow the links, should you be interested. 

Hope you enjoyed the photo journal.   Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie 

Knit Mittens Earmuff Pattern - What were they thinking?

This is going to be my last Modern Knitting Rant ... at least as related to the Spring 1949 issue.   This is the pattern in question - a knitted set - mittens and earmuffs.

The first issue - There is no stated size in the pattern; not even a hint in the pattern name (you know, mens, misses, childs).   Now, I assume they are intended for a child based on the pattern design and visual size.   Okay, so these companies will add 'fillers' here and there in their magazines, but would it be too much to expect a size range?

As for the mittens - the design is a braid that is stitched into place.   Ya right !   Gives these to almost any child and they are going to pull at those braided threads until they exist no more.

And, moving right along to my largest grievance - the earmuffs.  To make these, we are going to cut 48 strands that are two yards each and braid them together, folding over and securing the ends.  Then, we will roll up the ends to form the circular muff part and stitch together.  Done.   DONE???  How are these supposed to stay in place on the head ???  Usable as earmuffs - definitely not !!!  

Modern Knitting -- what were you thinking?  

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie

P.S.   I've listed this pattern in my shop as a FREE DOWNLOAD, in case you'd like to give them a try anyway.