11.30.07
Vintage Crafts: Winter Edition

As you may remember, I have a stack of old craft magazines that date from the 19th century to the 1950s, thanks to a friend of mine saving them from a garbage pile. Last May this post featured the June 1949 issue of Mon Ouvrage. Now that there’s a chill in the air, I thought I’d share with you one of the winter editions. Today, excerpts from the January 1950 issue.
While some of the crafts and decorating projects are so dated they’re kitschy, I find that others are still useful and could be updated in today’s materials and colors. The caplet, especially, is tempting me at the moment.
Each issue of Mon Ouvrage usually has 24 pages, but unfortunately the middle section of this particular issue is missing. Judging by the page just before the missing ones, my guess is that it was about lingerie. Not the most charming of styles anyway, so no matter!
If you’d like me to send you the full-size scan of any of these pages, just let me know by e-mail or in the comments section.

Going on a ski trip? Don’t forget to make your own sleeping bag first.

Decorating project: a modern living room!

This is the caplet pattern I’m talking about. Without that ribbon and a little less baggy, and this could be the perfect cover-up for a holiday party. Here’s a close-up:

Smocking

An embroidered collar.

Ski Sweaters (from the cover)



karen said,
December 1, 2007 at 4:37 am
thanks for sharing…I enjoy the old magazines and the retro ski-style look!
suzy attwood said,
March 22, 2008 at 12:50 am
I too am “hooked” on vintage patterns! May I please request a full-size scan of any of the page for the capelet?
We live in Kananaskis, a tiny place high in the mountains, between Calgary and Banff. Amazing how the internet reduces the distance between those with common interest!
Thanks for your efforts to put together such wonderful information.