Madison Avenue Monday: Everything a Heroine Needs...

...a fluffy tiara and two horribly dressed boys!

From McCall's Needlework & Crafts, Fall-Winter 1973

Vintage Thingies Thursday: The Leslie Uggams Beauty Book

For this Vintage Thingies Thursday I bring you the third beauty book that I loved as a young woman and spurred me to collect books in this genre: The Leslie Uggams Beauty Book.

I had no idea who Leslie Uggams was when I was younger, but I immediately admired her beauty, gracefulness, and poise that positively leapt from these pages. Her book was published in 1966 and is one of only two books that I have found from that era to be intended for African-American teens.

I'd like to share with you a few pages from the chapter about hair care, and along with the usual advice about keeping hair clean and visiting the salon, Leslie dealt with a topic that is just not covered in teen beauty books today: wearing a wig! Actually, the section begins, "Wigs are Wonderful -- But Not for Teens," although these were a common beauty accessory in the 1960s, along with hairpieces and switches, due to the expense of getting a really good human hair wig at the time ($150).

The following photos show Leslie's "favorite hairstyles" that were so typical of the 1960s:

Here is Leslie's own Personal Feminine Program that she shared with her readers that they might take pride in being feminine. In her words, to be feminine is to add a "something extra that makes the difference between a well-groomed girl and well-groomed 'girl' girl":

1) A bubble bath each day; sometimes an extra quick shower after a show or rehearsal.

2) Regular use of an after-bath fragrance.

3) Daily use of a deodorant or antiperspirant.

4) Brush teeth regularly; always use a mouthwash.

5) Keep underarms neat by shaving regularly.

6) Rinse out lingerie each evening so it's always fresh when I want to wear it.

7) Keep a frequent check on the cleanliness of my nails, hair, and skin.

One of the unusual sections in this book, considering that it is a beauty book, is a short paragraph on the Importance of Education for young women, including college, though Leslie seems to stress alternatives to college such as vocational school. That said, she does recommend choosing a career that a woman can "set aside or work at part-time when starting a family," one that she can pick up again later. Although this advice may seem a bit dated in light of the reforms of the Women's Movement, consider that in 2011 some of the families I know do have one mostly stay-at-home parent who works just part-time because child care continues to be very expensive in this country.

I hope that you enjoyed Leslie Uggams' Beauty Book this Vintage Thingies Thursday (be sure to visit some of the other posts at Coloradolady's blog), and by all means, leave a comment!

All photos are credited in each picture above.

Making Do and Mending

I've been trying to figure out the best way to darn a hole in thick terrycloth without a darning foot/plate on my sewing machine.  I don't particularly want to do it by hand.  Any suggestions?

Found this charming wartime newsreel out of Britain about the subject of making do while scouring the web for tips.  Enjoy!

Madison Avenue Monday: Granny Aids Cupid

Today's romantic J. & P. Coats comic ad is from either a 1933 or 1936 Simplicity Pattern catalog that a friend passed along to me.  The page is quite brittle and foxed, so here it is in all of its glory before it completely crumbles.

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

From a Simplicity Pattern catalog, circa 1933 or 1936

Madison Avenue Monday: Because You Know He's Yours

Today's Madison Avenue Monday ad hails from the British needlework magazine Stitchcraft, circa January 1964.  I hope the type of woman this ad is targeted toward has gotten her own life by now.

 

From Stitchcraft, January 1964

Valentine Heart Pins

I have long wanted to make the Valentine heart pins that Molly created over at The Purl Bee. I always thought they were a bit plain, though, so I decided to embellish mine a bit.  I spent the afternoon making these:

I simply glued a smaller felt heart onto the pink heart.  The red heart features french knots and a stitch I've recently learned and love called the rice stitch or crossed corners; it is a cross stitch variation.  My version is a variation on the variation as the corners and the cross bars are not the same length.  I like the effect.

I have quite a few sheets of Eco-fi felt in a different colors, but I used scraps leftover from my felt Christmas trees, making these nice little scrap-busters. 

They make up quickly and Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so have a peek at the tutorial and make a few of your own!

Madison Avenue Monday: Unger Knits - "Les Bouquets"

From Vogue Knitting, Fall-Winter 1962

Winner: Vintage Notions Book Giveaway!

I'm delighted to announce the winner of a copy of Vintage Notions by Amy Barickman:

Commenter #24: Shique!

Thank you to all who entered. I hope you'll consider picking up a copy of this book -- I'm certain that you will enjoy it because you wouldn't read this blog if you didn't love all things vintage!

See you back here next week for Madison Avenue Monday!

Vintage Thingies Thursday: Singer Sewing Book by Mary Brooks Picken

It has been quite some time since the last Vintage Thingies Thursday post, and in keeping with the Vintage Notions giveaway I thought you might enjoy seeing a few images of Mary Brooks Picken's work in the Singer Sewing Book from 1949:

I love the Dedication at the front of the book:

This book is dedicated to women and girls--

and especially to teachers of sewing everywhere--

who enjoy the feel of fabric, the beauty of textures,

the precision of stitches, the smoothness of seams, 

and who delight always in appropriate fabrics

carefully cut and made up for a happy purpose.

The following fashion sketches are help illustrate the techniques in the "Decorative Finishes" chapter and show how designers use these stitches from season to season:

This book has a wealth of sewing information and includes some easy projects (these are similar to--if not the same as--the "magic patterns" that Mary Brooks Picken was known for in her Institute newsletter).  I found out recently that my sewing instructor still uses her copy from time-to-time for the excellent information Ms. Picken's provided!

Don't forget, the Vintage Notions giveaway ends on Friday.  There is still time to enter!

Madison Avenue Monday: Folie by Anny Blatt

In an 80s mood today...love the pink scarf tied around her wrist. I predict that the wrist bandanna and the head scarf tied in a big floppy bow (think Desperately Seeking Susan) looks are going to make a serious comeback.

From McCall's Needlework & Crafts, January/February 1984