26 Stenographers

Did you know in the 1930s census 775,140 women were listed as stenographers? That made it the third largest occupation for women. First was domestic service, second teachers. By the 1940 the census shows the number was up to 1,000,580 women, with another 68,300 looking for positions as stenographers. For that decade, first place occupation was still domestic service, second manufacturing and stenographers third again.  That is an awful lot of women! But in that era there was only a small percent of occupations that were considered"proper" for women.

This picture I found in a antique shop years ago. I just love all the faces! It is so fun to imagine what it would be like to work in a stenographers pool in the 1930s. My sister and I use to make up stories about them. Do you see Dorthy peeking out from behind everyone? And Miss Glamour on the left in the first row, is she on her way to Hollywood? And doesn't the lady just behind the first row look like she could be a Scottish Nanny? So many different styles of hair and dress too!

1940s "Project Cotton" Apron

I ran across an article from The University of Missouri on a 1940s apron!! From their project Cotton in Our Lives. Very nicely written! To see more pictures and read the entire article click on the link above.

University of Missouri-Cotton of Our Lives

"The maker was an accomplished seamstress, as evident by the quality of the stitching and the small details that indicate experience. There was obvious pride taken in creating such a simple, yet lovely symbol of the domesticity, meant to be seen on special occasions by loved ones and friends." excerpt from 1940s Apron by Alli Kuykendall-University of Missouri

University of Missouri-Cotton of Our Lives

 Don't you love the fabric?

The New Winter Lounge-wear Look

I don't usually like to share my sewing projects until they are finished. One never knows what might happen, it might just take a long time, it might not turn out like you planned and you wouldn't be caught dead in it, it might need a bit of something else(what else you are not sure?), so you look at for  few weeks until comes to you. See there are a lot of things! But I am so excited about this one that I had to share! It has been in the making for a long time! Ask the family, I have been talking about this for a year! I just couldn't find the perfect fabric. I knew I wanted quilted, but flannel or not flannel? And I almost fainted when I saw the price of pre-quilted fabric!!

So here is what I am making! A 1960s quilted flannel robe. Not sure why I am making it in the hottest part of summer! Wishful thinking?! I am using the pattern on the left, but have decided to make it look more like the pattern on the right with contrasting binding and collar.

I finally found the perfect fabric! On sale too! The minute I saw it, I knew it was going to be perfect for my robe. It has that just right retro-kitchy feel to it, besides being Pink and roses!

 I cut the pattern out of the top fabric(roses) then layered the batting and bottom fabric(solid pink), pinned it in place and cut it into sections. I didn't want to cut both layers out because of stretching and slipping of the fabric while quilting. I am about half way done quilting the pieces. I will certainly let you know when it is complete. Hopefully before it gets cold!

It is so thick, it will be like wearing a blanket!!

Traveling in the 'Good Old Days'!

I just loved these ads from 1943 for the Pennsylvania Railroad!

And an ad from 1930 advertising Ford cars...."A Charming Companion for a busy day" Love the scene of this one. and I would love one of those cars!

An Apple a Day....

Don't you love apples? So crisp and crunchy ......and full of vitamins! But no, that is not the point of the picture. The point is my new colander!! Isn't it a beauty? I am so in love with it. It is the perfect size, has little feet so it stands on it's own and actually drains, and has the cutest star patterned holes!

 This was also a recent estate sale find, I really haven't gone to that many estate sales this year, this was from the same one I post about a couple of weeks ago, it was a gold mine! I think I would have paid four times the amount I paid, it is just so pretty. But then I only paid fifty-cents for it!!

Darling isn't it?

Don't forget your apple a day.......

1940 Home Arts Needlecraft

 Among my recent finds are these two lovely Needlecraft magazines. I have picked up quite a few now and am very excited as these are my first ones from 1940! Right around this time they changed their name from just Needlecraft to Home Art Needlecraft.

 Needlecraft has a bit of everything....... embroidery.........

Articles on homemaking....."Housework is lighter and easier since the amazing developments and advances in labor and time saving equipment and appliances. Electricity, gas, bottled gas, and kerosene are bringing undreamed comforts and conveniences to even the humblest of homes."

 Don't you love the ladies in their aprons hard at work?

Crafts..... A Pretty How-To-Do......."a simple to make party bag"....

 and of course Fashion!!

 this issue includes cooking......

......a patriotic Apron!

"A gay little apron of deep blue is trimmed with red and white polka-dotted fabric and simply decorated with daisies done in heavy white pearl cotton - for the 4th!"

 ........And more fashion! Such cute blouses!

Cream or Sugar?

I seem to be starting a collection of cream and sugar dishes, especially creamers. You all know I have a weakness for pitchers..... Mini pitchers are even cuter!

And if they are cobalt blue glass, so much the better! I was thrilled to run across this set at an antique shop recently. I have never seen a prettier set. Don't you love the detail on the rim? At one time it also had a platinum edging.

 I also have acquired these two creamers in the past year. They are so pretty I keep them on my dresser. I love the shape of the one on the left. It has a Bavarian stamp on the bottom. The other creamer on the right shouts 1920s to me. It doesn't have a mark on the bottom, so I can't be sure. But round shape + stripes + roses = 1920s in my opinion. What do you think? Can you imagine a marcelled matron in her drop-waist gown pouring cream from it?