Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Scottie Dog Patterns from the 30s and 40s

Turns out that Scottie dogs were quite the fashion in the 1930s and early 1940s.  Here's a few transfer patterns from the McCall Needlework catalogues that include those adorable pups.  I've included the McCall descriptions of the patterns and my guesstimate as to the date of each pattern.

The earliest one I've seen is McCall 50 from the (late 20's?) early 1930s.
McCall 50: Printed Pattern for Stuffed Animals.  Price, 30 cents. These animals can be very cleverly made to look as though they were really coated with fur.  The cat and dog illustrated were done with yarn and a machine-craft guide on the sewing machine, using unbleached muslin for the foundation.  Full directions given.  Similar effects can be obtained by using fur cloth, terry cloth or bath toweling.  They make nice cuddly animals for the children to play with.  The cat and Scottie can be used as pillows for the porch or boudoir.  The cat is 14 x 17 inches; Scottie 15 x 19.  The duck is 12 ins high; the dog 10 inches. Make these of calico or terry cloth.  Another dog in pattern.
-From the November 1942 McCall Complete Needlework Catalogue
McCall 430 (from c. 1936): Transfer Design for Embroidered Picture "Friendly Neighbors."  Price, 35 cents. This appealing picture will delight anyone with a weakness either for Scotties or for Colonial doorways wreathed in rambler roses.  The colors of the cottons in which it is to be worked are beautifully blended.  French knots for the roses, straight stitches for the shutters, single stitches for the dogs, etc.  For 6-strand cotton on light cream linen, medium fine.  Color chart and leaflet.  Design, without mat, fits a 9 x 12 inch frame.
-From the August 1940 McCall Complete Needlework Catalogue
McCall 517 (from c. 1937): Transfer Design for Scrap Bag Gifts. Price, 25 cents. All sorts of fascinating pot holders with new ideas.  The carrot and bird designs are stuffed with cotton--making them look very real.  The glove pot holder is grand for pulling the roast out of the oven.  The elephants and morning glories are nice in pairs. For those who crochet we've also included a simple design.  And there's that impressive rooster twine holder to be made of felt or oilcloth. 12 different designs.
-From the August 1940 McCall Complete Needlework Catalogue 
McCall 622 (from c. 1938): Transfer Design for Felt Crafts.  Price, 25 cents.  With this fascinating felt craft pattern, you can make no end of lovely gifts in bright colored felts.  Very easy to handle--no unwieldy hems or edges to felt! You just stamp and cut the design from the felt and finish edges with pinking or cover them with wool stitches.  There are belts, bags, dangles for lapels, pin cushions, trimming motifs, etc. (25 designs).
-From the August 1940 McCall Complete Needlework Catalogue 
McCall 653 (from c. 1939): Transfer Design for Scotties in Cross Stitch for Chair Back Set or Pillow.  Price, 25 cents.  The amusing antics of these cunning little Scotties add a touch of gayety to even the decorous room.  The design can be worked in black or one color on natural, cream, ecru, white or oyster white linen in six strand cotton, pearl cotton No. 5 or fine English crewel wool.  Crosses 8 to the inch.  One chair back design, 14 and 1/2 x 16 and 3/4 inches and two chair arm designs 8 and 1/2 x 14 and 1/2 inches.  Suitable for pillow.
-From the August 1940 McCall Complete Needlework Catalogue
McCall 728 (from 1939): Transfer Design for Scottie Tea Towels. Price, 25 cents. Leave it to the Scotties! They've donned their aprons--very doggy ones at that--and they're taking charge of the kitchen.  These six helpers having nothing slow about them.  In no time they are done--straight stitches and outline make them very rapid.  Gay strand cottons keep them lively.  Six designs about 8 inches high and 5 and 1/2 to 7 and 1/2 inches wide.
-From the November 1942 McCall Complete Needlework Catalogue

What? No Scottie dog embroidery patterns from 1940??  So sad....though, maybe I'll just adopt this next one as an honorary 1940 McCall Project pattern (I'll have to find it first..):
McCall 943 (c. 1941): Transfer Design for Scottie Motifs for Outline Stitch. Price, 25 cents. With his Scotch hat and plaid coat, Scottie is a gay figure and supplies an amusing decoration for all sorts of household articles.  There are sizes for children's clothes, towels, pillows, laundry bags, curtains, crib covers, etc.  Best of all, Scottie gets done in quick time.  Those easy outline stitches, you know!  For the different sizes, see below.
-From the November 1942 McCall Complete Needlework Catalogue

I also found this lovely cardigan with Scottie dogs embroidered on the button placket in the August 1940 Vogue magazine.  How cute is that??

-From the August 1940 Vogue Magazine; the last photo of mother, child and Scottie via Kymbeee on Pinterest

Ah...I just love all the Scottie dog designs!!  Which are your favourites?
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27 comments

  1. Packed away in the deep dark depths, somewhere, I have teatowels/pillowcases embroidered with these little Scottie dogs that use to belong to my Grandmother - so we are looking at your mentioned era. They are all hand embroidered, and I always thought that living in Australia it was to remember the heritage of my Grandfather - he was a Scotch-man who immigrated out here in 1915 ... thanks for helping me to add a little knowledge to these pieces I have...J

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  2. This is going to seem random, but it's the 'make them out of towels" that did it.  My Aunt had dresses made from towels during WWII, 'cause they weren't rationed and it's what my grandmother could get.  I'm told the  local general store owner used to call her when they got those in and she'd go down and get three or four and make a dress out of it.

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  3. Definitely the cleanup Scotties! Why can't mine don their aprons and get to work? They just make messes!
    (My pups are part Westie, part Cairn, part everything else!)

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  4. Alyssa OpishinskiJanuary 22, 2013 8:48 PM

     The little scottie with his pipe and tam-o-shanter is my favorite! Although "Scotties in a Colonial Doorway" was a close second.

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  5. I have a weakness for Scotties AND colonial doorways! I might actually be able to finish that embroidery project.

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  6. Ahhhhhh!!  So flippin' cute!!!!!!!!!!

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  7. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 22, 2013 9:11 PM

    hahahah! I just LOVED that description for the pattern :)

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  8. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 22, 2013 9:12 PM

    Ah, I bet your pups are so cute!!!!

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  9. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 22, 2013 9:13 PM

    That's amazing.  I've heard of making dresses from scraps but it's ingenious to also be able to make them from towels!

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  10. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 22, 2013 9:14 PM

    Oh wow! That is so amazing!!  I wonder if the teatowels/pillowcases are from any of these Scottie dog patterns?  It's so wonderful that you still have them!!

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  11. Somewhere in one of my folders is a little girls' twin set knitting pattern with a Scottie dog border from the '30s or '40s, and I've seen a lot of similar ones around from the period. I hope to make the cardigan up sometime soon for my little one.

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  12. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 22, 2013 10:06 PM

    That would be SO ADORABLE! I haven't yet seen any Scottie dog knitting patterns.....so cute!

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  13. Oh my goodness, what a fun idea about the button placket! I knit nearly that exact same sweater with a ribbon button band a year ago and have seen similar in vintage knitting booklets but never one with embroidery on it like that. How fun! I may have to think about that idea for the future!

    One of my favorites is the amazingly detailed doorway, but who could resist the little cleaning or smoking Scotties on a set of towels??

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  14. What a cute round up - I love the toys (also the cat - though I know that's not what we're focussing on here!)

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  15. They are so cute. I have knitted a 1940s jumper with Scottie dogs on the yoke - very sweet :-) There is a knitting pattern for a Scottie dog, on eBay I think.

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  16.  She did that, too.  :) Quilts, dresses, PJs.. all from scraps.  There was a coat factory near her where she used to get the scraps from and make quilts out of them.

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  17. Franklin D. Roosevelt had a famous Scottie named Fala and I think that may be why we see so many Scotties as images from this era.. Fala even has a Wikipedia page and when he died in 1952 he was buried next to the President.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fala_(dog)

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  18. I absolutely adore scottie dogs.  When I was a child one of our neighbours had a scottie dog, the only one I've ever known and he was so cute!   I'm pretty sure I've got some scottie dog buttons in my mother's button tin.  Must try to find them.

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  19. I've been given a Needlework book from this era with a pattern for a Scottie.  I have 1/2 metre of some thrifted wool plaid for making him in.  Will probably be making an appearance on my blog soon!  Have also seen round and about on my travels some great Scottie doorstops and such like.  Seems like they are enjoying new found popularity.

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  20. The Scottie dog motif, brings back nostalgic memories, as a little girl in the 50`s, my dear mom made me a lovely dress with this motif. She made all my clothes, and inspired me with the love of sewing.
    She  tragically died young after my tenth birthday, in a car accident. The beautiful  memories of her, has given me strength to carry on all these years.

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  21. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 23, 2013 5:34 PM

    You should DEFINITELY do a sweater with an embroidered button placket...I always LOVE your needlework projects!

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  22. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 23, 2013 5:35 PM

    hahahha...I love the cats too...I should do a cat focused project one of these days! There are so many cute patterns to make adorable felines!

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  23. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 23, 2013 5:35 PM

    I completely forgot about Fala!  Thanks so much for the link!!

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  24. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 23, 2013 5:36 PM

    Oh! That will be so cute...a little plaid Scottie! I look forward to seeing him on your blog!!

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  25. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 23, 2013 5:37 PM

    What a beautiful memory of your mother.  I'm sorry to hear about her untimely death.  I am happy to hear that she inspired you in your love of sewing!!

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  26. Debi_myhappysewingplaceJanuary 23, 2013 5:38 PM

    Aren't the Scottie buttons great?  I love how these ones blend in and you dont really notice them until you look up close. :-)

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  27. The Scottie dog tea towels are just adorable!

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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