Fashion Service Women's Institute magazine 1931

 I was absolutely thrilled to find this Women's Institute magazine at an antique shop recently. The Women's Institute of Domestic Art and Science was founded by Mary Brooks Picken in 1915. She wrote and published a variety fashion, sewing and millinery books including a magazine. (In this post I shared a sewing course written by Mary.) My sister also reminded me of Vintage Notions by Amy Barickman, which is a compilation of excerpts from her collection of Women's Institute magazines.

The lasted mode in millinery. Love the sketches!

Frocks and Fashion....

Sewing tips and hints.

 Cooking, one of my favorite pages! 

And of course, the ads are just as fascinating as the articles! Could I have two please of the charming afternoon frock?

Quick Fix Alterations from Women's Day magazine-1954

 These pages I found in the 1960s Decorating book. You never know what you will find! They are from Women's Day November 1954. 

Some of the tips are helpful, but what really caught my eye was the illustrations. Too cute!

Needlecraft - August 1938

 Another Home Arts Needlecraft magazine, this time from August 1938. The covers make me laugh, sometimes they seem a bit random, but always cute.

 Don't you love looking at the advertisements? I would love a tick tock alarm clock. Take note of the aprons the ladies are wearing in the sketches. Cute!

 This is the back cover. Aren't the dishes pretty? So typical of the era.

 A few summer dresses for the readers enjoyment. How about that housecoat?

 

And an apron! In a cute kitchen.

"A well ordered kitchen, well equipped and cheerful in color does much to cool the canning campaign."

 

"Cute" seems to be the word of the day, sorry!

Needlecraft December 1938

 The cover just cracks me up!

It is crazy to think the original price for the magazine was ten cents and I thought I got a bargain when I bought it for four dollars!

 This was the height of the Scottie Dog craze. Here is advertised a stuffed scottie, a scottie embroidered pillow and chair set. (I am assuming the chair set is little covers to put on a upholstered chair to keep the arms and headrest clean.)

 Suggested handmade gifts for 1938; Quilted jackets, embroidered waistcoats, girdles and suspenders (these are the kind made to wear outside your clothes as a wide belt, not the undergarment variety), embroidered hoods, embroidered slippers, challis blouses, shirred skirts.

 Hankies always seem to be the "fall back gift" in the 30s and 40s. If you didn't know to get a person or didn't know them that well, give them hankies! But can resist a charming embroidered hankie?

 I love this advice on choosing a frock for Christmas. "Buy color for your Christmas frock. Choose simple designs with lines that will give you a trimly short flaring skirt, a nipped in waist  and a high neckline. Don't forget that good-cheer frocks, such as shown here, are best with long sleeves because winter makes a long, long after Christmas stay."

Don't you love the little dolls with their national costumes? Too too cute!

1930 December McCalls Magazine

"Insist on a McCall Pattern - It's the short cut to Paris style"

 I am not a great fan of fur, but don't those 1930 coats look handsome with that large collar? I also love the Santa tucked in the corner, even though he looks a little out of place.

"These new Paris designs achieve a maximum of smartness with a minimum of material"

 

My favorite is 6329. When I think of the early 30's, I always think of their great collars/necklines. So chic! Or as the magazine says- Paris Style!

 

And who doesn't need new night wear for Christmas?! You can choose from either the newest French pajamas........

..........Or a more traditional floral silk negligee. Which would you prefer?

 I am definitely a floral silk negligee kind of gal. I love how it wraps over and drapes!

The Thrill of a Smart Fitting Gown

 I am sure we would all agree with the title of this advertisement! They certainly had a way with words then. This is a beautiful page from The Ladies Home Journal, 1925. Don't you love how colorful it is? Color ads are always such a treat.

I love all the dresses in the ad, but this one really caught my eye. Not sure if it is the bow catching the over skirt up, the subtle polka dots on the fabric or the hat! Just love that hat.

"Pictorial Review Patterns for years have been the choice of women who demand chic and smartness-whether in a simple frock or an elaborate gown."

 

 This ad is on the reverse side. It just makes me laugh! Don't you love the names they gave products?

May 1930-The Farmer's Wife

The Farmer's Wife was published between 1893 and 1939. It covered a wide range of topics including; cooking, sewing, caring for animals, feeding the threshing crews, fashion, preserving, housekeeping, childcare.....

 Some interesting recipes........Red Bunny?

My Mom loves this advertisement! Wish it was still available.....

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!