They got me a 1940's Montgomery Ward's catalogue and get this, it has the fabric samples in it!!!! After ooohing and ahhing...I still can't put it down!
It doesn't have a year written on it but by looking at the styles and this inside ad, I'm guessing it's from around 1943:
Here are a few of my favorite outfits and their corresponding fabrics:
This suit is made from Julliard's 100% Virgin Wool. The wool is amazingly thin and supple:
I've seen lots of similar patterns to this spring suit-style dress but with the black and white photo is hard to imagine how colorful this really is:
These dresses are made out of linen-look rayon fabrics:
Stripes! I love this striped spring suit!
ackkk....I really want this fabric! I can never find the perfect striped fabric for the 1940's look at my local fabric store...
This is one of my favorite dresses in the entire catalogue:
And here's an up-close picture of the amazingly beautiful rayon crepe!
My second favorite print from the entire catalogue:
Love, love, love this fabric! I think the navy and white one is my favorite!
I am definitely in heaven! I would so love to make one of these dresses with similar fabric! Which is your favorite?
Also, just a heads up that there is a whole month of LOVELY pincushion giveaways at the Sew Weekly. Check out this cutie--today's giveaway:
Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway for the EvaDress pattern of your choice! Go to this page and leave a comment! The giveaway closes tomorrow (Thursday) at midnight EST!
This is crazy cool! Isn't nice to have family members that really get you.
ReplyDeleteOMG that is stunning, with the fabric samples too, heaven!
ReplyDeleteAwesome gift, I'd be in heaven too! :)
ReplyDeleteWow. BEST. GIFT. EVER!
ReplyDeleteAmazing gift! I love the 40's fabric choices --both the colors and designs.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Major envy here... ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book, oh how I wish we had those fabrics now. I agree with you, about the stripes, they are hard to find here, too light weight and just in baby pink and blue. Hope you find some soon. Enjoy your fabulous book.
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing to see the fabric samples! What a treasure!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift, and a great resource for you. Like you, my favourite is the red dress - the fabric, the detail .... ahhh those were the days!!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing! There's nothing I love more than fabric samples. I wish someplace like Spoonflower would add a nice rayon so we can all knock these lovely prints off and sew with them!
ReplyDeletei'm going crazy over the fabric samples. it's everything you need for your next trip to the fabric store!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness what a lovely gift! I admit I first saw the title and thought "Sears Catalog?" so I wasn't that far off. LOL But fabric samples?! Ooh my.
ReplyDeleteThat yellow suit with the large buttons really reminds me the 40s influence in some of the 80s fashions!
If you ever get hold of Marsha Hunt's book, "The Way We Wore," you'll notice that not only does she describe the clothing in detail but also what they are made of and what the fabric was made of. The number of wool fabrics with names I had never seen was astonishing to me. Part of that I think is that the 30s and 40s was pre-central heating and air conditioning so the need for really light weight wools for months like October, November, March and early April was important. Now, if you can find a lightweight wool crepe or wool gauze, you're lucky.
ReplyDeletewow, what an amazing gift!! color me jealous :)
ReplyDeleteOnly thing I can say at the moment is: WOW.
ReplyDeleteAmazing gift!
-Sara
autumn, coffee and inspiration
Best. Present. Ever! *faints from delight*
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely up there with the best gifts ever...worth the wait, that's for sure ;o) I think my favourite fabric you posted is the green and pink one picture in the second fabric swatch...I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat's incredible! Lucky girl.
ReplyDeleteFunny the post took so long, it takes three weeks or so for something to make it all the way down here from home. Did you call them on skype so they could see you open it?
Goodness, that is simply amazing and I am green with envy! What a fabulous present.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an AMAZING present! How fun to be able to actually handle and see the fabrics in all their glory! What a find!
ReplyDeleteWowza... what a gift!!! I would totally be in your shoes, unable to put this down! hehe. How neat to be able to handle the fabrics--so fun! Thank you for posting the little peeks inside--what a treasure trove! :)
ReplyDelete♥ Casey
What a wonderful gift! Pity one can't order the fabrics, though...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic gift! That looks amazing. Your so lucky! :-)
ReplyDeleteHey! That is a real treasure!! It was worth the wait time, Do you know? I worked until last year in a sewing shop and the shop had catalogs like that, but of this years, of course. I could spend hours looking at patterns and fabrics that were included in the catalog as you have. Very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I did not know these existed. I am so envious right now. :) It is certainly a treasure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous post. You are so lucky to get that find! I'm hosting a blog hop again tomorrow for the 2nd Fashion Friday. I'd love it if you'd link up with us. Any post on fashion will do! Have a great night gorgeous! Kori xoxo
ReplyDeletewww.blondeepisodes.com
What a fantastic find! I love that the fabric samples are with it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, don't feel you have to participate, but I think your blog is great so I'm passing the Stylish Blogger Award on to you. :-)
Shirred Elegance is my favorite but all of them are really nice. The Striped skirt and top are a favorite too because I have been looking for patterns for day time dresses and I think something like that would be perfect. It sure gave me some ideas about some of the patterns I have. What a great book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift!! I love that button-down blouse in the 5th photo from the top. I tend to like more fitted clothes to give me some shape. I love how you have samples still included in the book!
ReplyDelete