Thrifty Finds

I picked up a couple of great old sewing reference books at an op-shop (thrift store) recently and wanted to share them with you.



"McCall's Sewing in Colour" was published in 1963, but still has a lot of good reference information that I'll find useful I think. It's divided into sections such as facing, collars, cuffs etc. There is also a fair bit of content that really places the book squarely in the 1960s. My favourite pages are those that explain the basic wardrobe needs of a modern woman:



Under the heading At Home it says "The homemaker often makes the big mistake of thing she does not have to look her best when doing her daily chores. Actually, ill-fitting clothes lower her morale and make her less able to cope with everyday trials. This doesn't mean she has to dress up, but it does mean that she should look neat and trim..." hmmm, kinda rules out my round-the-house weekend outfits! Also, under For Shopping (in a "City Department Store") it warns "Slacks and shorts are taboo". So now you know.

The second book, "Golden Hands Encyclopedia of Dressmaking" was published in 1972. It is also a sewing reference, but focusses more on pattern-making and includes quite a few patterns for women's and children's clothing with instructions for how to alter them to fit you. I'm hoping that along with the pattern-making class I recently went to, I should be abe to use this book to make myself some new winter skirts. Lots of great illustrations and photos in this one: