Decorator Dreams from the 1940s

As I wrote last month, I am cataloging a box full of vintage needlework books and patterns that I bought at an auction.

To review the history of this crafty family, in 1917, in upstate New York, Minnie married Walter.  They had a son named Louis, who grew up and married Olive in 1940.  Grandsons came along in 1943 and 1948. By 1950, they all lived at the same address, with Louis being considered head-of-household.

From 1917 through 1939 (shall we call this the Minnie Era?), there are just 13 books; but once Olive came on the scene in 1940, the collection expanded greatly.  From just the first half of the 1940s, there are 50 books and patterns!  Some of the books were obviously much-used, with each page taped for reinforcement, and lots of handwritten notes pinned in.  The patterns were ordered from various newspapers and magazines, and were each stored in their original envelopes. Some of them are in pristine condition.

So when I found a group of patterns gathered into one of Olive’s envelopes, it struck me as unusual.  It made me imagine that these were her favorite designs, the ones she wanted to use as she decorated her first home.  (I have no actual proof of that, and none of the patterns are dated, but just imagine with me….)

You are a guest in Louis and Olive’s home for the weekend…

As you come in the front door, you are greeted by a lovely dresser scarf in the entry way —

Dresser scarf.

Being a craftswoman yourself, you express admiration and ask for the pattern.

Crochet chart for the dresser scarf.

After a visit to the bathroom to freshen up —

Bathroom set with swans.

You sit down to a light lunch —

Luncheon set.

After lunch, Olive invites you into the living room and gives you the best seat.  You surmise that this is Louis’s chair because the chair set is simple and unfussy.

Chair set.

You spend a lovely afternoon crocheting while you visit.  Mother-in-law Minnie is in the background, fixing dinner and setting the table with the best tablecloth.

“Dinner at Eight” table cloth.

During dinner, you compliment the delicious food*, and admire the stunning table cloth. 

After chatting late into the evening, you are conducted to the guest room, where even more intricate needlework awaits.

Crocheted bedspread.

You have a restful night’s sleep, and in your dreams, the stars all look like crochet motifs….

Alright, back to present day.

I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of decorating in the 1940s, and that you will come back for more stories from this great pattern collection!

*Boxes of recipe cards were sold at this auction too, and I did not even bid on them!!  Now I am so sorry I didn’t, because I would have gotten a more complete picture of the skills of the women who gathered all these pattern books.

 

 

 

 

Category : Craft Projects, Crocheting, Household Textiles
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