The Pajama Game

One of the less challenging items of clothing to make is a set of pajamas.  They usually don't require much fitting as nobody sees them anyway (or shouldn't!).  The top either is a slipover with a v-neck or a placket, or buttons down the front.  The pants either have an elastic waist or elastic and buttons.  The styles haven't really changed much in 100 years for men, and women have adapted the look and comfort of men's pajama styles for their own.  Following is a selection of pajamas from the 1940's and 1950's.  Most of them are available in my Etsy store.

This guy has to get in one last smoke.  This is an example of the placket style and a very simple round neck button style.  The pants are only two pieces--no side seams.  Notice the shes instead of comfortable slippers.

These little guys have pajamas just like Dad's, but with the addition of a collar.  In pajama sewing the seams are usually flat-felled or french-seamed for comfort.  Topstitching is also used to keep the soft flannel from rolling.  Buttons, when used, are flat.

Proving that pajamas are timeless, here's a redo of the former pattern--this time the tissue is printed!

Interestingly, these pants have a side seam and are shaped at the hip.  I like the contrasting piped trim.

Here is an annoying little brother and some elegant frog closings.

These are looking just like the first pattern for men.   I like the shortalls with the drawstring waist.

I'll bet these are a little uncomfortable.  A waistband and side seams for a really fitted pant.  Looks more like a leisure outfit than pajamas.

Now these are really wide and wonderful!  Bellbottom pajamas.

A terribly unflattering robe without the belt, and extremely bulky with it!

Robes are pretty universal except that women's and men's wrap to different sides.  Looks like Ronald Reagan as a boy!  Ken doll had a pajama set with slippers just like #1.

Cute slippers.

Aren't these adorable?

From the 1990's.  Showing that things never change (except the models get hunkier!).  And evidently floors get warmer.

Here are some bedjackets for eating breakfast in bed.  They look pretty pulled together for just getting up.

Baby Dolls.  I remember them well!

And this is my mother's nightgown pattern.  I understand when my father saw version 1 for the first time as a new husband he was not amused.

Today is National Hat Day

What are YOU wearing?

Interesting Sleeves

I like patterns that have something different than the usual read-to-wear stuff.  The patterns below all have very interesting sleeve variations that make sewing vintage so much fun.

These have the seam on the top.  I just love this pattern!

This example is seen a lot in 40's dresses.  There are usually pattern pieces for shoulder pads, too.

Here is a nice sleeve that was on one of my favorite 1980's blouse patterns, too.

Of course, I had to include dolman sleeves.  This was a favorite suit of mine.  The t-shirt is simple to make and looks good in most fabrics.

Another dolman for that classic slouchy no shoulders 1950's New Look.  This one is cut in one with the bodice.

This bow would look good if you have a long neck.

Another one of my favorite patterns.

The buttons and tabs are sweet.

Another dolman with a raised waistline.  Waspie definitely required!

Silly picture aside, this dress makes an interesting strapless effect in contrasting fabrics.

These are all available in my Etsy store.

Vintage Children's Patterns

I have another question for my followers:  Do you think there is a market for vintage children's sewing patterns?  Below are some of the patterns I had listed for several months on Etsy, of which I only ever sold one.  I know it's hard to get most little girls into something that looks decent these days, as opposed to the current style of Britney-wear, but infants and toddlers would have to wear whatever you put on them it seems to me.  Update 25 August 2015!  I have listed some children's patterns here.  Look for the tabs at the top of the blog.

Sold

Sold

Yet Another Store

I've opened another store, this time on Artfire at http://www.artfire.com/users/CatnipHillTwo.  I will be adding some more items there periodically and will try to have different items than are in my Etsy store.

I have a question to ask of my followers.  What kind of vintage clothing do you buy?  What era?

I have a lot of things to list from the Edwardian era and pre World War II, but don't know if it is selling well.  Is there a market?

Update!!  I closed my Artfire store some time ago.

Rakes and Sweepers

I ran across this today while rearranging some things and decided to write about it.

The box is 4-3/4" by 2-1/4 " and 3/4" deep.  The stamp is gone as well as the postmark, but I think it is from the 1930's.

This was inside.

This is about full size.

Here is the instruction sheet for the little rake.

And then there was this nice brochure wrapped around the rake.  (Why do I keep hearing Jerry Lewis?)

Enlarge this and check out what little Mary has been doing with her oversized scissors.  That is Rice Flakes all over the rug and she is making confetti of Mama's Good Housekeeping.  Looks more like a mess a boy would make.  Mama is practicing for her Lady Gaga tryouts.

I'm making this full-size so you can see the nice graphics.  They used real silver paint on the cover and some of the sweepers.

Look at that beautiful braided cord and rubber bumper.  I am going to have to try replicating that for myself.

And looky what else I have!

The top reads "If this toy gives satisfaction why not buy a full size Bissell at the same place"

And here is my full-size sweeper.

It's a Universal and is also stencilled with the name of the department store that sold it - "Winegar's, Michigan's Greatest Home Furnishings Store".  Since I live in Grand Rapids and I had never heard of Winegar's I went to the Kent County GenWeb site and did a search.  Here is a link to the bio of William Winegar, founder, and here is a link to a portrait of him (another bio is on the preceding and following pages).  William started the store and then brought in his sons, Frank, William, and Louis.  Here is a caricature and bio of Frank Winegar.

The above from "The Grand Rapids Furniture Record", 1919.  You had to be a pretty good salesman to sell refrigerators in January in Michigan!

But, back to the Bissell sweeper.  You can click to enlarge to read this.

The above is from:  Illustrated New York:  The Metropolis of Today, 1888, p 205

Anna Sutherland Bissell was the President of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company for 30 years, after the death of her husband, Melville.

You can still purchase this non-electric version of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper.