Tag Archives: textiles

Lou Hoover at the Sewing Machine, 1932

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Lynn

A sucker for anything sewing related, I snatched up this ebay photo of Lou Hoover (1874-1944), wife of Herbert Hoover. I had never given Herbert Hoover’s wife any thought, but just a little research on the First Ladies website reveals … Continue reading →

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Judy’s Pixie

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Lynn

My post on the store Judy’s evoked many memories from women who grew up in California in the sixties and seventies.  One was my sister, Jill. She saved this silk twill Judy’s scarf from the mid 1960s bought with her … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s, 1970s | Tagged | 3 Comments

Are You a Natural Fiber Snob?

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Lynn

Recently I’ve been logging the contents of my fabric stash into a new i-phone app called Cora.  It takes some time because you need to measure each piece and fill out a list of questions. I now know that of … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Transparency in the Forties

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Lynn

My impression that older women favored transparent fabric is just that—an impression. I base it on my photo collection featuring older American women, cobbled together from found snap shots, magazine and newspaper articles, and pictures from online archives. Although it … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s | Tagged | 5 Comments

Those Polyester Sixties?

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Lynn

Although synthetics began to make their way into American clothing after World War Two, I have always thought that they did not really triumph until the 1970s.  All those leisure suits and disco outfits in bright, indestructible fabric seemed to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , | 3 Comments

What to Wear on Elephants, 1979

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Lynn

How fitting that this photo of three women adventurers was sent to me by Lizzie Bramlett of the blog The Vintage Traveler.  Lizzie has sent me many snapshots, but this is by far the most exotic. A handwritten message on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

On a Treasure Hunt at the Chicago History Museum

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Lynn

Working in an archive is like looking for vintage treasures in an overstuffed warehouse.  You might have some idea of what you want to find, but you need to keep an open mind.  Since my daughter lives in Chicago, I … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Ceil Chapman Sells Washing Machines

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Lynn

You would think that automatic washing machines would be an easy sell, since they saved so much work.  However, if the ads I saw in four issues of Better Homes and Gardens from 1956 were any indication, women took a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Dorothy Liebes—Celebrity Weaver

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Lynn

It isn’t often that the terms “celebrity” and “weaver” are combined these days, but in mid-century America Dorothy Wright Liebes achieved this status. A 1947 Life magazine feature called her “one of the most all-pervasive but least known influences in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, General | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

A New Year’s Party in Minnesota, 1937

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Lynn

Put on your silly party hats for New Year’s Eve! At this event in Minnesota, the women got paper crowns and the men somewhat squished looking top hats. Maybe that’s why they are laughing, or is it singing? The only … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s | Tagged , , | 3 Comments