Sewing Inspiration: Sewing For Everyone.

I warn you now, before you regret beginning to scroll, this is a seriously long post. Thirty-five images of 1940s sewing inspirations are about to hit your computer screens at an

alarming speed. I apologise if any of you have a poor connection and loading this page crashes your browser and sends you into a full internet melt down. Ladies (and gentlemen?) prepare to be shocked and amazing with the sheer quantity of simply delightful illustrations that are about to appear  before you. But first, a little about the book!

Sewing For Everyone By Mary Brooks Picken

Published in 1944 in New york. 

Fashion Drawings by Patricia Lingane Rowe.

Detail Drawings by C. Florence Valentine.

I managed to come across an original copy of this book in one of my local charity shops. I was so excited to find this treasure that I did the typical, second hand shopping anxiety 'grab and run' to the till, frantically glancing over my shoulder 

to make sure no one was going to snatch it from my grasp.  

Filled with the most amazing tips advice and illustrations into the skills needed to make  your own clothing, all described in a curt narration so typical to the instruction manuals and 'how to books' of the 40s. Sewing For Everyone is one of the favorite books I own. It was so difficult to try and narrow down the 

pictures so I just decided to share them all with you. 

Ps: The author Picken,  was an influential fashion and textile author

from 1915 most renowned for providing advice and assistance on all

elements of the design of the The US Army women's uniforms from

1949 onwards. 

Hand written on the first page, it seems this book

belonged to Ursula!

This section details the different types of stitches and trimmings that can be applied to your creations! 

 Bias Binding,  Scarves & Handkerchiefs, Machine Smocking,Two Fabric 

Frocks and Braiding. 

 

Bands and Straps, Edge Stitcher, Quilting, Cording & Pinked edges seams

 and Decorations. 

 

 Bows Bows Everywhere, Machine Picoting, How To Make Bows, 

Shirrings and Applique.

 Top Stitching, Decorative Machine Stitching.

In this next segment Picken begins to categorise dress types and 

explain with the help of illustrations how to create them, as well as offering variations on the traditional styles.

Evening Assemble.

Day Wear Assemble and Variations.

Sheer Lace Dress with Slip and Variations.

Princess Frocks and Variations.

Afternoon Dress and Bolero. 

Tailored Coat and Dress.  

 

Panel Front Dresses. 

 

 

 Aprons!

Phew! That's it, well done if you made it to the end, you must be tired from all that scrolling. I hope you found this drawings as inspiring as I do, I cant wait to finally getting round to jazzing up some of my plainer frocks with ideas from this book. I've got a rather shabby brown late 40s dress that could do with a spot of applique. 

Harriett x