Category Archives: catalog scans

Catalog Inspiration: 1912-1913 Corsets

Posted on by

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

I started making a 1910s corset this weekend using Jen of Festive Attyre’s pattern she took from an original corset and very graciously posted for free on her website.  In case you were not aware, Bridges on the Body is doing a 1910s corset sew-a-long right now as well.  Since I’ve been madly patterning away here for the first 1910s patterns for Wearing History I figured it was high time I made myself a corset to wear underneath the samples I’ll be making soon :)   Still a way to go before you get a sneak peak, but I’m sooo excited!

In fitting my corset and deciding on length and such, I flipped through my old Gimbel Brothers catalog from 1912-1913 and found two pages of lovely corset images.  I hope you enjoy, too! Click on the images for a larger version.

Catalog Inspiration: Fall and Winter Coats- 1939-1940

Posted on by

My thoughts have been turning to cold weather 1940′s clothing as of late.  Tops of my list is a great casual overcoat that is stylish and warm.  Now, if only I could send away for it from the images below. “Hollywood” is tops on my list! These are all from the Fall and Winter 1939-1940 National Bellas Hess catalog. Click on any image for a larger version.  Enjoy!



Dainty Waists in Christmas Boxes, 19-teens Inspiration

Posted on by

Here’s some beautiful inspiration images for you from the nineteen teens.  These images come from an undated National Bella Hess catalog, but the styles put them around 1915-1917, I’m guessing.  The pages advertise “Each Waist in a Christmas Box.”  What a glorious gift these would be! I’d love to find one waiting for me under the Christmas tree!

I must say, I cannot WAIT for Wearing History to delve into 1910s patterns this year!  I know you probably are tired of hearing me say it in every post of this type, but the Edwardian-1910s are truly my favorite era.

Hope you’re having a lovely week, and hope your holiday festivities are much blessed, whatever holiday you’re celebrating :)

Suits Preferred…

Posted on by

Ah, it seems colder weather is upon us! It went overnight from a hot California summer to a somewhat cooler Autumn.  And of course, being the time traveling scatterbrained seamstress that I am, I’m jumping all over the board in terms of inspiration and/or things I’d love to see in my closet.  Sometimes, you know, the desire to have said items in my closet does not always equal the motivation to start or finish projects ;)   Autumn and approaching winter have me dreaming of wools.  Wool suits, wool dresses, wool felt hats… anything snuggly, tailored, and warm.  Here’s a few inspiring images from the Fall/Winter 1939-1940 Bella Hess catalog.  Click on any of the images for a larger version.  Enjoy!

Victorian Novelties, Part 2- Things that Go “BANG” in the Night

Posted on by

Continuing on with the odd novelties, and in the vein of “trick or treat” for Halloween, here’s a few more little tidbits from a 1900 catalog.  You can see the prior post here.  I’m trying to screen these old ads for things that might be socially unacceptable or offensive today, but an occasional thing might slip in that I missed.

Things that go “BANG” in the night (or day)

And for a different kind of spark…

Here’s hoping we’re back and rolling, and you all can see this post properly!

Just in case you’re seeing this in your reader and not on the site, the blog address is http://wearinghistoryblog.com.  If for some reason the posts aren’t showing up for you, you can subscribe to the RSS feed from the site- there’s a little orange icon on the right column on the main page (click the top banner if you click in on the post address).  Sorry for the mix-up, and hopefully now everything is running smoothly!

Crazy Victorian Novelties

Posted on by

I had a lucky find of a huge lot of old catalogs a year or two ago, and this week pulled some out to revisit the “treasures.”  Apparently, I had glazed over this one and not even opened the cover, so the contents were a complete surprise (or terror?) and I think are perfect to start the Halloween season.  My husband and I believe this catalog was from 1900, as that date was mentioned in a few advertising descriptions.  I’m posting some individual ads here, as many were not in the best of taste and quite socially unacceptable today, but a few might sneak in that aren’t quite as p.c. as today dictates.  So, were those really the good old days?  If these were today some of these gadgets would most likely end in lawsuits!  Make sure you read the descriptions.

1) As opposed to this.  Mmm… Asbestos.  This one was so important it got a separate larger leaflet inside tucked inside the catalog.

2-  Frighten the tramp or burglar!  Or your wife and children… seriously, who thought this was a good idea?

3- And you thought these were styled after Groucho Marx.

4- The mustache marketing craze was SO 1900.

Stern Bros Summer Catalog, Final installment

Posted on by

Hello!

First off, so many thanks for your sweet comments about our Queen Mary pictures a bit ago!  Thanks so much :)

I finally got around to scanning in the last of the Stern Bros catalog, so here’s the final post!  It was kind of tricky to get this all scanned in- it opens up quite large (well, larger than my scanner, anyways) so it took a bit of fiddling to piece it together. Not perfect, but you get the general idea.  If you missed the prior posts you can see them here and here.

I know I’ve said it before, but I *love* this era.  It’s so silly and fun.  Stripeys! Swimsuits! Funny hats! Love it.  Here’s a few of my favorites from this big open page.

Swimsuits with stripeys or sailor style, complete with silly bathing hats.  Fun!

Yummy stripey sweater with big buttons and BIG tassels, dainty insertion lace on the blouses, a fun oversize jacket, a stripey parasol, and the clever use of stripes and pocket construction on one of these skirts. LOVE.

Have a lovely weekend!

Smart Summer Apparel, 1910s- pt 2

Posted on by

Gosh, summer is almost over and I just realized I didn’t follow-up with more images of this lovely pamphlet.  The first post is here, if you missed it.

Although this pamphlet is undated, a few lovely blog followers commented that they believe it is from 1916.  I just LOVE these wild designs with stripes! I have an affinity for the whimsical designs of this period, and these are tops in my book!

Here’s the original layout, plus close ups of each page so you can make out the descriptions.

 

Also, just a note to let you know that I am having computer issues, so unfortunately the new 1930s accessories pattern will be unavailable for a while, but I’m hoping to get it back soon so I can make it available again!

Hope you are having a beautiful week, and staying safe!  With all the earthquake and storm happenings on the East Coast, I’m sending you my best wishes if you’re in the affected areas.

Fabrics, 1936

Posted on by

I’m sorry for the lack of posting! Life has been a bit crazy lately.

Have you been occupied by any creative endeavors?  It’s still pretty warm here, but I’m daydreaming about some pretty mid 30′s fall fashion.  I love summer, while summer is here, but I also love my wools and tweeds!

This image is from a mail order catalog from 1936, and has a good example of an autumn color scheme to incorporate into your sewing projects.

Hope you’re having a lovely week!