Make and Mend

A little patriotic-ness for this week. I love the 40s mindset of "we will get through this" "we will all do our part". Part of which was Make Do and Mend! We can all use a bit of that today in this time of economy.

"Patterns for women's suits have a wide variety of designs, but when choosing a pattern for remodelling, remember that men's suits in general have certain characteristics: a seam down the back, two darts at the waist, a side pocket on the left and frequently flap pockets."

"There is life in the old girl yet!" Suggestions for making Playsuits, Jumpers, Weskits, Boleros and Aprons from old dresses. It is suggested you make a "Pinafore from a dress by cutting out sleeves and underarm sections."

Have a good and safe holiday friends!

and

God Bless America!!

A crowd of New Aprons

Do you remember that little rhyme from your childhood? "Two is company, Three is a crowd, Four on the sidewalk not allowed!" For some reason it came to mind. Anyway on to aprons!

Aren't they cuties?! I am so excited to have found them at the estate sale! What really caught my eye at first was the fabric. Such cheerful prints!

These two are the same. I couldn't resist the pink flowers and the other I am quite certain I have another apron in the exact same fabric! Isn't that something?

When I get a new apron, I like to examine it to see what story it has to tell. How much was it worn? What style and time frame is it from? Was it made at home or commercially produced?

A basic style, two nice size pockets, "H" style back and princess seams. That says mid to late 1940s.

The ties really intrigued me, they have binding on one edge and the ends curve to a point. Looks like a nice tidy way of doing it, I will have to keep it in mind.

A little worn on the edges........

.........And a little mending. These aprons were loved!

Because they are both the same style, but are a made in slightly different ways, it makes me think they were handmade. Of course there is always the possibility the aprons were produced at different factories. But I like to think of someone sewing them up at home.

This one shouts 1940s! From the sweetheart neckline to the flared skirt.

Love the fabric! Who wouldn't like it?! Never mind don't answer......I know a few pink haters...

Old Fashioned Angel Food Cake

 Have you ever tried making an angel food cake from scratch? I don't make it very often, but every so often we have egg whites to use up. This time I had 9 whites. I was just going to pull out my favorite recipe and whip it up, but it called for 14 egg whites!! So I headed for the cookbook collection and found one that only took 8-10 egg whites.

 Now I have made an angel food with a vintage recipe before. It didn't turn out so well, so I wasn't too sure what to expect. I did notice differances between the "modern" recipe and the vintage. In the vintage, you do not whip in the sugar like making a merigue, it is just folded in before the flour. Also the temperature was a lot lower. And the flour to egg white ratio was higher then in the modern recipe.

 A few tips I have learned about angel food. Definatly leave the egg whites out a couple of minuets to warm up, they get fluffier at room temperture. Cake flour makes a big differance. It is finer and blends in better. If you can't stand the bleached taste (llike I can't), mix half cake flour and half all purpose. Cool throughly, there is nothing worse then a mushy cake. I know it is hard to wait, but it is worth it! I my opinon, the little "legs" on the pan don't work all that well, I used a bottle.

As you can see, it didn't last long. I hardly had time to snap a few pictures! And no time to decide what to put on top!! Even though it wasn't as tall as a regular angel food, I was really happy with the texture. Very fine, but still moist. I think this recipe is a keeper!

Wondering why I would have 9 eggs white to get rid of? Extra Special Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream!!

Books, Aprons, Sheet Music, Nurse Cap and Wool!

 My goodness! It is already Wednesday! Yikes! I was planning on getting this post up on Monday......oh well....on to the post!

What, you ask is the title all about? My lovely weekend!

What could be more perfect, then an estate sale, a book sale and a fiber festival?! And yes, I went to them ALL! I have some lovely finds to share with you all, including new aprons! But that will be later. Today it is a nurses cap. I am not sure why I love vintage nurses' caps and uniforms.....probably because I loved the Cherry Ames books growing up. I still get excited when I come across one!

This is one of my fovorite finds to date. I am so so excited about it! Aren't the little tucks wonderful?!

The cap has snaps on the corners of the back piece so it can be laid flat for ironing and starching. A very imortant feature as nurses had a reputation to uphold on their tidiness and starchiness. The construction is so interesting, so simple - yet unique.

Sewing Notions

 In looking through my stash of vintage sewing things, I came across this needle card. Needle cards were a popular advertising item in the early part of the 20th century. It also made nice small gift for grandmothers, old aunties and schoolteachers. I believe this one is from the dime store Woolworth's. Judging from these ladies hair styles and dresses, it looks like it is from the early 1930s. I love how one side the ladies are sewing and on the other they are having tea.

Below are button cards given to me by my great-aunt.  The illustrations are beautiful! Some of my favorite vintage notions. Someday I will think of a really brilliant way to decorate with them. Right now they reside in a drawer.



It Happened in Brooklyn

My sister and I watched "It Happened in Brooklyn" this weekend. Twice! Starring Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, Kathyrn Grayson and Peter Lawford. So many great actors packed into one film! The storyline is very simple and sweet. A returning GI tries to resume life in his hometown of Brooklyn along the way encountering a lovely music teacher, friends old and new, dreams out of reach and lots of songs!

The best part? Jimmy Durante cooking spaghetti wearing an APRON! He then sings "I Believe" still wearing it. The apron is so cute, I wouldn't mind one......

On the Go Sewing! - Sewing Kits

Do you have a sewing kit tucked in your purse for emergency repair? Or do you carry a little kit in your sewing bag, knitting bag, or crafty bag? I sure do!! These little kits are indispensable.

This is a vintage one I found in an antique store. It is very very small. Wouldn't take up that must room in a purse! I think 1930s -1940s. When I researched sewing kits this type was most commonly given out as a freebie by businesses. I guess the business name is written on the front, but I can't decipher it, wish I could!

 And this is my sewing kit that I currently use. I made it years ago when I found these cute tins in our fabric store. It came with a bunch of safety pins in it. I made the pincushion by cutting a piece of cardstock the size of the top and covering it in batting and fabric. I also found the cutest pair of folding scissors at an old fashioned dime store.

 Bandaids are an essential for a sewing kit, don't you think?