Saturday 2 December 2017

Advent Calendar Day 2: Something Handcrafted for Christmas

I haven't handcrafted anything in a while so I thought I would do a little time travelling to discover what the 1930s woman might have worn for the festive season. Apparently, fashion was laying much stress on the importance of little touches of lace, especially at the wrists and neckline of a plain dark day frock. 

The above pattern appeared in the October 1935 edition of The Needlewoman.

Materials required:
1 ball of coats’ Mercer-Crochet No. 80 in white.
¼ yd of white organdie.
1 No. 4 Milward’s Super Archer steel crochet hook.
I reel of Coats Super Sheen No. 50 white.

Should anyone like the instructions please email me (see email link at right) 

The Needlewoman October 1935.

If a Jabot was not your thing, you also had the opportunity to make a set of lunch mats with the free transfer included in the magazine.


These would have looked quite striking made up in shades of terra-cotta, brown and cream as suggested by the magazine, although I might have opted for red and gold to make them more Christmassy.


Anyone interested in 1930s fashion might enjoy this previous post on my family history blog.  


I'm linking with Julie over at Julie's Scrapbook  More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.

40 comments:

  1. Oh collect those magazine. They are fascinating to read and I actually made things from them

    Julie xxxxxx

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    1. I feel very guilty! I enjoy the magazines so much I read everything and make nothing. I must do better. :)
      I loved your post this morning, hugs Barbara

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  2. I've just got back from town...spent to much
    money...! Well..it is Christmas! :).
    And..l'm putting up my crib later, that's a job
    and a half..all those nails! :).

    And..it's a good job you added a picture on where
    to wear the lace, around the neck..looked a bit
    suspect to me...especially made of lace...!!! :)

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    1. Hi Willie,
      I’ve just got back from Sainsbury’s and also spent too much money!
      Be careful with that hammer.

      I suppose you could use the Jabot as a sporran if you so desired! :)

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    2. Just finished the crib...Planning was
      past last Thursday..so, had to get on
      with it..looks nice..especially with the
      cat~flap..! :).

      If l wore it as a sporran, l'd make sure
      it was made of fur..and wear it on the
      'inside'..! :).

      Time for a lemon tea and a piece of almond
      crumble..just like l feel...! :).

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    3. Now all you need is a cat!
      :-) x

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  3. The lace collar is beautiful, but I don't think I have the patience to make one these days - and I don't have a plain, dark dress, either! The lunch-mats are gorgeous, and would still look good on any table today. Have a nice day, hugs, Valerie

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    1. Hi Valerie,
      I’ve got a nice plain navy dress, but I don’t have the patience to make the Jabot so my dress will have to stay plain! :-)
      Happy December, hugs Barbara

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  4. Good morning, Barbara! Once again, you have brought to me, memories of a time that I cherish to this day. My mother used to crochet and do tatting, an art that was already lost when I was a child. I remember her tatting shuttle, that I don't think she remembered how to use, for she never showed me how to use it. But these patterns I DO remember. Every Christmas she would hand out handmade gifts that meant so much to the recipients. Thank you for sharing the past in such a meaningful way.

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    1. It is so lovely to read about your memories Anita, thank you for sharing them. My mum used to knit and make beautiful embroidered tablecloths, but she couldn’t get on with crochet. I wonder if tatting is a lost art now or if some people still do it – I must have a look online.
      Happy December

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  5. My mother in law took up lace making when she retired and very quickly picked up, however her first love was assembling and collecting the lace bobbins with all the beads and fine wiring and paintings on the shaft. When she died we had nearly 300 to find homes for.

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    1. That must have been such a lovely collection, and what an interesting hobby for your mother.

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  6. What a lot of fine delicate work in that collar. The mats would not be out of place today. They are lovely.

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    1. I agree, and I’m very tempted to have a go at making them, but I might wait until after Christmas and do them for next year.

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  7. My mother and grandmother made beautiful crocheted items. You don't see much of the delicate needlework these days, though still a lot of knitting, which is good.
    Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend, Barbara.

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    1. Knitting has had something of a resurgence in recent years so maybe it is only a matter of time before needlework becomes really popular again. I hope so anyway. Thanks for coming over Sandra, I appreciate it. Happy December.

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  8. The Jabot set was beautiful, but I would never make it. I was most impressed by the hairstyles that changed so radically from the 30s to the 50s.

    I really liked the looks of the mats, but I would choose a different color or colors. They would be quite lovely even today. I guess some things in art and sewing are timeless. Great Day 2 entry.

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    Replies
    1. It is beautiful isn’t it, but it looks quite complicated to make. Thanks for taking a look.

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  9. A lot of ladies on tv now could do with a Jabot! The lady in the first photo has lovely waves, just like Mother had. Nice post. xxxxx

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    1. I smiled when I read your comment about the Jabot, but you are not wrong, and I agree with you about the hair style. xxx

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  10. I'll pass on the Jabot set and the mats - it was the jumper that caught my eye.
    xx

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    1. I would be happy to pass on the instructions if anyone wants them. The jumper is quite striking but I don't think I would wear it. :) x

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  11. The mats are very attractive- and they do not look impossible to make. I love the lace jabot and cuffs. They would be much easier to make with #10 thread. The#80 and#50 threads are impossible to find (thank goodness!- those teeny tiny crochet hooks...) Never a dull post from you, Barbara! This is a treat!

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    1. You are far more knowledgeable about these things than I am Colleen, I wouldn’t know where to start with the jabot and cuffs. I might manage the mats though.
      I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. xx

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  12. Good choice for something handcrafted. I used to like to make crafts, but can't seem to find the time anymore. Fun to see the old magazines!

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    1. I’m just the same Marcia. I was always making something when my son was small but these days I’m more likely to be found tapping away at my keyboard.
      Happy December!

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  13. I love these old patterns. I´m sure my mom had some just like that. She was always making interesting things for the house and for us.

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    1. I’m sure she would have had them Darlene. My mum certainly did. I just wish I kept them!

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    2. Me too. But we can´t keep everything. I have some of her old recipes.

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  14. I love this series of advent posts, Barbara. This is such fun!

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    1. Thank you so much Jeanie that is such a lovely thing to say. It’s not too late to join in the fun if you would like to, just pop over to Julie’s blog (link in post) to find out all about it.

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  15. Great choice for handcrafted...love the lace collar. x

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  16. Isn't that lace collar beautiful, so delicate.

    All the best Jan

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    1. It is beautiful Jan, but I would not know how to go about making it. I am very envious of anyone who knows how to crochet.

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  17. So cool! I am loving these posts! Reminds me of my mom and growing up, looking at her books!

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    1. This one reminds me of my mum too, she and my dad married in 1938 so very much the same era as this.

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  18. Loved this lace collar dear Barbra!
    i too used to collect old magazines which i find fascinating with olden times fashions and elegant ladies .
    wishing you best of luck for your project my friend

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    1. Hello Baili, it’s lovely to hear from you – I must pop over to your blog once I’ve left this reply.
      Thanks for your good wishes, I’m enjoying it, but it’s not easy following all the prompts. :)

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx