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The Art of Dressmaking: A Butterick book from 1927

While a small departure from my normal 60s/70s  retro fashion posts, I couldn't help but want to share some images in a book I found in my basement recently. It's a Butterick sewing book from 1927!

Yep, you read that correctly - in my basement!

I went to go do laundry and it was just lying on the floor. No rhyme or reason, it was just there. I live in a house where old people's belongings still exist but the people don't any longer (we've moved a lot of stuff around, gotten rid of a ton) but this book must have been in a box near the steps in the basement that I overlooked. I'm assuming the cats knocked something over as we have a pile of stuff headed to a thrift store.

While this book is not filled with a ton of amazing photos (it's a very solid how-to book) there are a few cute illustrations that are definitely worthy of sharing!

Come take a look with me!



Cover.
Title page



Roman numerals!








I had no idea that these arrowhead tacks were a thing.

Look at the scallop/snail shirring!

 My sister actually is much more into the 20s than me. Have a look at her Tumblr or her newly-opened online store!

Hope you enjoyed it!
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Comments

  1. marolshSeptember 3, 2013 at 11:15 PM

    How interesting that the sewing machine in the illustration is a Singer model 101, only in production from 1925 to 1930! I saw one of these last week at the Great Allentown Fair; it took a ribbon in the antique category.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CatherineSeptember 4, 2013 at 1:33 AM

    great book! will you be keeping it or give it to your sister?

    I have a book from 1911 called "the womans book" which is kinda like mrs beatons. the sewing section is very small though.

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    Replies
    1. Manic PopSeptember 4, 2013 at 10:49 PM

      Good question Cat...

      She says she has a digital copy of it, but she might need an original on her shelf. I know she'd love it.

      Delete
  3. AllisonSeptember 4, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    awesome info! I love the little tie with the ball on the end of it. :-)

    happy sewing!!
    Allison

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Manic PopSeptember 4, 2013 at 10:50 PM

      I didn't even know you could DO that! Haha. Same with the snail shirring thing. I have never seen it. At least, I don't think I have.

      Delete
  4. Lou MarSeptember 6, 2013 at 12:42 PM

    You must have sewing gremlins living in your basement who just know which stuff you should keep. :) I think the illustration of the women shaped like a rectangle is great and kinda funny esp. when they're getting measurements and they're shaped like a box. What a great find!

    ReplyDelete

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