>Happy New Year everyone!
My husband is happily going though family mementos today, with the warm California sun streaming in through the windows. He was looking through documents and came to me excited. There is a letter from 1941- the first when his grandfather Anthony W. Maringolo told his grandmother, Philomina Cornaccia, how he felt about her. On the back is scribbled notes, that Matt now recognized from my influence, as pattern notes. We looked up the pattern and found it on this blog, and now I am on a quest to find it for my collection- to make up for myself and take a photograph of- and have him add to his stash of mementos. Phillis’ parents were a professional seamstress and tailor, as was his great great grandfather, and sewing came naturally in their family, apparently.
When I pulled up the picture of the pattern my husband ran over excitedly to his stash of old photos and pulled out one of his grandmother and great grandmother standing together in the dress- altered to be house dresses. Here’s the letter and the picture.
If anyone knows of anywhere I can find this pattern, Simplicity 3778, or has an extra copy, let me know! I did a search online and turned up nothing, but I’m adding it to my ebay search list.
Have a blessed New Years day!
Love,
Lauren
*update* I now have the pattern! Horray!! Now to add to my sewing list…
phenolicfanatic
January 1, 2010 at 10:42 pm (14 years ago)>very cool story- I love making those type of links. Love your blog! michele xx
6p00e0098eb6158833
January 2, 2010 at 6:28 am (14 years ago)>That's such an exciting project to make and document! My given name is Philomena so it's also nice to see that name in your post.
Shona
January 2, 2010 at 11:31 am (14 years ago)>I checked my pattern stash but no, and have asked one of my fave pattern retailers to keep a look out for you. It is a great story!
Debi
January 2, 2010 at 12:14 pm (14 years ago)>What a wonderful discovery! I'm doing the same thing with some photos of the clothes my Grandma wore in the 1940's.I just so happen to Simplicity 3778 in my pattern stash in a size 18. It's a pattern I absolutely adore. I was planning on making a copy of the pattern and would be happy to send a copy to you for your project! I just have to get some swedish tracing paper first.YAY! I love recreating family fashions!http://fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com/
"The Golden Girl of the West"
January 2, 2010 at 6:50 pm (14 years ago)>I love that pattern, the neckline is swell. It is in one of my reference books; Blueprints of Fashion by Wade Laboissonniere. Good luck tracking down the pattern darling, I hope you find it.XO~Syd
Hillary
January 3, 2010 at 10:21 pm (14 years ago)>Gah! I just bought this in size 14 on ebay last week. It is in the mail now. I don't know if you're closer to Debi's 18 or the 14, but I'd be happy to make a copy for you too if you like. Or are you definitely looking for original?
casey
January 4, 2010 at 7:18 pm (14 years ago)>Oh wow–what a neat thread of history and sewing to find! :) That pattern has been in my "one day" dream list (at least copying the design, since I don't own the pattern ;). Looks like a couple readers have copies of that one, so I can't wait to see your version! :)♥ Caseyblog | elegantmusings.com
sewweekly.com
January 8, 2010 at 7:46 am (14 years ago)>If you or any of your readers want to help someone with another quest, here's my question:http://www.sewweekly.com/2010/01/another-philomena-another-quest.html