Gray Squirrels on a Bright Background

I love this project from Ruth Weyth Spears Home Decoration with Fabric and Thread, published in 1940. Put squirrels on your drapes! 

A Rug Made From an Old Coat and Scraps of Felt!

This old idea could be pretty great today...and you might not have to cut up old hats and discarded school pennants. Found in Home Decoration with Fabric and Thread, 1940, Illustrations and Text by Ruth Wyeth Spears.

As One Girl To Another...More 1940 Kotex Advice

So here are the guidelines you need...what you can and can't do during 'that time of the month'.
Be especially careful to not get a cold!

As One Girl To Another...1940 Kotex Advice

"Things happen fast from eleven to seventeen...". That's right, and if you just talk to your Mother "As One Girl To Another" then some of lives mystery's will be solved. At least they will if you have this helpful pamphlet from Kotex printed in 1940.
But really have things changed so much?

Chesterfields Sundial Dress - 1940

This is the back cover of the May, 1940 issue of The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist magazine. It shows the charming Miss Elaine Shepard in Chesterfield's Sundial Dress. It seems she went on to more important things, but she sure did right by this dress, imagine posing with this massive dress, that also massive hat, the huge bouquet and then smoking a Chesterfield and looking like you enjoy it! A model's life wasn't all glamour.

Mail Order Patterns from The Progressive Farmer - 1940

Here are some of the patterns you could order from The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist in 1940. They range from baby clothes, to practical maternity dresses and even a truly lovely 'graduation frock'. There is an emphasis on cotton because this was basically a farmers magazine and cotton crops were very important, there are several mentions of the need for everyone to have a cotton mattress.
There is speculation that most of the mail order patterns all came from one company, but I don't think we really know. If you have more information please share. Also if anybody knows more about Lillian L. Keller who worked for the Tennessee Extension Service, she seems to have been a clever gal indeed!

The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist - 1940

This is the cover art from the May, 1940 issue of The Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist. The artist is Gari Melchers, who you can read more about here.

So You're Going To Knit A Sweater! - 1940

So here's a batch of fashionable forties looks for you to knit. Each one has a fetching name, Best Girl, Take Off (!), Cafe Society, Tea Time, Campus Belle, Surprise Package, Saratoga, Honey Chile, Heart Stealer, and Prophecy.

Don't miss the details, hairdos, hats, jewels, and very supportive undergarments!

(And doesn't our cover girl look like Casey?)

Christmas Cheer Throughout The Year - Give Lovely Cannon Towels - 1940

"...ready to gladden the heart, and the home, of every lucky person on your list!"

Famous Fashion Designers Inspired by Silverware! - 1940 Better Homes and Gardens

Just in time for Christmas, "Community Plate - Leadership in Design Authority" shows us the silverware that inspired Balenciaga, Molyneux, Schiaparelli and Lelong to create these gowns.
Mind you, it was the silverware that came first...but thank goodness these mere dress designers had such inspiration!

BALENCIAGA took his style inspiration for this creation from Coronation* by Community ... the best loved pattern of all!

MOLYNEUX was inspired by the jewel like flower design of the loveliest pattern of the year...the new Milady*byCommunity.

SCHIAPARELLI created this exciting, dramatic gown, inspired by the exciting, deeply carved pattern, Forever*by Community.

LELONG designed this superbly simple gown in honor of the superbly simple pattern... Lady Hamilton* in Community Plate.

Santa plays Sandman

This is a nightgown that Santa approves of. (Who wouldn't?)

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