Tag Archives: resources

Learning from the Facebook Group “Mid Century in Color”

Sometimes I wonder just who Facebook thinks I am, sending me links to sites about farms and baby animals.  But recently the mysterious algorithm provided something I treasure—a link to the wonderful resource Mid Century in Color: Amateur Photographic Slides … Continue reading

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Treasure and Trash on Pinterest

I have given up on Pinterest many times.  After getting recommendations from friends and sewing teachers, I’ve tried to assemble various “collections” of things that inspire me.  Each time I have delved into that chaotic bundle of images, I have … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s, General | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Getting Out the Vote, 1956

The current election has reminded us once again that African American women are the bedrock of the Democratic Party.  They also did a lot of the hard work of turning California from red (as it was when I was growing … Continue reading

Posted in 1950s | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Archives to Explore—Textile Records at Cornell University

Not everyone gets excited when they hear the word “archive,” but I do.  And combine “archive” with “textiles” and my blood really starts rushing. Recently, the history librarian at my university sent me news that Cornell University Library has acquired … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Exploring Harvard’s “Women Working, 1800-1930” Collection

I never had to walk five miles in the snow to get to school, but I used to travel long distances to libraries and archives in order to do my research. These days you can sit at home and discover … Continue reading

Posted in 1900s, 1930s, General | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Gimbel Book: Paris, London, and American Styles, 1910

On the website for the Thomas J. Watson Library at Metropolitan Museum Library, I browsed through the 1910 catalog for the Gimbel Brothers department store, then in Philadelphia. I had my eye out for clothes and accessories especially aimed at … Continue reading

Posted in 1910s | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Trying on Hats in Bronzeville, 1941

This evocative photo, captioned “Buying hats in a ten cent store which caters to Negroes,” is included in the volume Bronzeville: Black Chicago in Pictures, 1941-43 (2003). The book matches photos taken by photographers working for the federal government with … Continue reading

Posted in 1940s | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Singer Showcase, Issue 1

We all know that Singer makes sewing machines. But were you aware the company also ventured into the pattern business? I discovered this by chance (a favorite research method) when I came across the first issue of Singer Showcase from … Continue reading

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

California Stylist: A Trade Magazine for the West Coast Garment Industry

The California garment industry began expanding in leaps and bounds in the 1930s, and the magazine California Stylist (1937-1971) was there to document the process. I first discovered it while doing research in the Irene Saltern archive, which contained issues … Continue reading

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments