SMOCKING ~ ARE YOU INTRIGUED

Good Morning to you,

I have to tell you, I am a tad excited.

.... and the reason for this excitement is, I am going to learn a new skill. I'm always keen to continue learning, especially if it has anything to do with a needle and thread.

.... and what is this new skill.

I am going to learn how to smock.

I had been thinking about it for a while, but hadn't acted on the thought.

That is, until last Tuesday, when I was talking to my friend Olive, at my sewing group.

We were talking about how fashions had changed over the years, and Olive, who is a young 88 years, told me about children's fashion, when she was a young girl.  We talked about how, Olive's mother would knit her vests and pants, using a very fine wool and the lovely smocked dresses, which were also made for Olive to wear.

I then said, I remember, when I was a little girl, also wearing dresses which were smocked and that in recent years I had thought it would be fun to learn this new skill.  If for no other reason than for the experience itself.

Olive then told me,  tucked away in a cupboard, at home, she had a copy of the Weldon's Sixpenny Series magazine, which  she kindly offered to bring the following Tuesday. 

I was thrilled, because as you know I love reading vintage cookery books and vintage sewing books.

So on Tuesday, Olive gave me a copy of Weldon's Quick and Easy Ways of Smocking.

I was thrilled.  I would guess this is a late 1930's early 1940's edition. My goodness, the cost of the magazine was 6d (pre decimalisation) or a tanner as it was often called. 

As you can see, Olive has made great use of it over the years and the magazine has come apart, but being the canny person Olive is, instead of sellotaping the magazine back together, as perhaps I would have, she has hand stitched the pages together. As I turned the pages, I realised, this was a really good idea, because it allowed me to turn the pages with ease.

So when am I starting to learn this new skill.

Well, I have a couple of quilts which I really must finish and then I am going to apply myself to learning how to smock.... or knowing me, I will be so excited, I will not be able to wait. I will read the magazine, gather my supplies, and before you know it, I will be in my element, learning how to smock.

Maybe,

I could attempt this elegant dress. On second thoughts, I think this would be a little too advanced for me. I have to say, this dress would look just a little bit fabulous, worn with a large brimmed hat. The perfect wedding outfit. I was just thinking, pop a couple of shoulder pads in this dress and this could be a 1980's design. They do say, with fashion, 'what goes around  comes around' albeit in a slightly different form.

I love the design of the collar  on these pyjamas and don't you just love the fluffy trim around the dressing gown.... take a peek at the mules... how fabulous are they. I can just see Bette Davis strutting her stuff, wearing those mules.

Well without a doubt, I am going to have to tackle this design.

If for no other reason than this is the Olive Design.  I will have to mention this to Olive on Tuesday. Although I have to say, on closer inspection, this does look a little complicated.  Maybe this design can wait until I have mastered the basics of smocking. I mustn't run before I can walk.

Do you know, I have a photograph of my father, as a little boy, wearing shoes like this.  They were made from patent leather and all the rage back then.  The shirt, was smocked with honeycomb stitch.  It seems there are a few variations to this stitch.

.... and this little girls dress is a work of art, it is so detailed, using embroidery, pulled threads and smocking.  Making this little dress would have been such a labour of love.

.... and finally,

I could not leave you without sharing a photo of one of my smocked dresses.  It's a shame, because no matter how I tried, I could not highlight the smocking. But if you look closely, you can just see the lines of the smocking. How about those matching hair ribbons.  I obviously loved my dress because I looked so happy.  I asked Phyllis, how old I was, when this photo was taken and she told me, it was taken in Cyprus when I was 5 years old.

Look at that fringe.... what happened there. My father used to think he was a bit of a barber and he would always cut my hair.... and do you know something, I always  wished he wouldn't, because no matter how careful he was, my fringe was always wonky. 

.... oh the memories.

Before I go, I just wanted to mention that Blogger has added a feature, which I have just started using. I can now feature past posts, which I think is a brilliant idea.  Last week I highlighted my recipe for Pear and Ginger Cake, this week I thought I would highlight my English Tea Bread. Who doesn't love a cup of tea with a slice of buttered English Tea Bread.

Take care and I will see you next Thursday.

This week I will be joining,

The Sits Girls

Mary from The Boondocks for Sweet Inspiration

Laurie from My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies for Snickerdoodle Sunday

As Always,

PHYLLIS' FIRST COOKERY BOOK

Good Morning to you,

I was looking for a recipe in Phyllis' cookery book and it occurred to me, that I had forgotten to share  her book with you.

The reason I wanted to share Phyllis' cookery book, was to show you the transition from Ivy's, to Phyllis' to mine. It is really fascinating to compare the books.  

Ivy's Cookery Book had 4 colour plates and the method was written for someone who actually knew how to cook.  I think if you were a novice this book would have been no help at all. 

Now Phyllis' Cookery Book is much grander as it has 17 colour plates, and the Method is easier to follow and more detailed. 

Whereas mine, well, it is just bursting with colour photographs and information. I think I said that mine was a "peacock" compared to Ivy and Phyllis' cookery books.

Does this book look familiar?

It does doesn't it. Do you know why? Well it is  because it is similar to this one, but if you look closely at the motif, there is a difference. On this book cover, you will notice there is a rolling pin and wooden spoon, instead of a spool and needle. They are a set, the first one is a sewing book and this one is a cookery book.

Let me introduce you to Phyllis' first cookery book.
I almost feel there should be a fan fare.... tadaaah!

You open up the book and this colour plate is the first one you see. I think this plate is to entice you into the book, to see what other delights are hidden inside. How do you fancy "Roast Pheasant with  Accompaniments".  

... and how about cooking the pheasant in this oven,

The caption reads,

"Cooking the Modern Way. This roomy modern cooker has a door that drops at the front.  This is an advantage when basting meat, as the tin can rest upon the door". mmm not so sure about that.

Whilst this lady  is elegantly stooping, I think I would get a bad back after a day's cooking, with having to stoop so much.

The chapter begins with the sentence, 

"The housewife probably spends more of her waking hours in her kitchen than any other room in the house.  It should therefore be a pleasant room and a well-appointed one".

Hands up everyone who agrees that we all need, a pleasant and well appointed room.... my hand is up, well actually, both my hands are up.  

....but seriously, so much time was spent in the kitchen because all the food had to be freshly prepared. There were no easy frozen or ready cooked meals for our mothers.

There was an alternative cooker.  This is a small table cooker and the caption reads, 

"For a small household this type of cooker is convenient and economic.  It boils, grills and bakes just as efficiently as the larger models."

I look at my large cooker, with it's six gas rings and it's double oven, and I wonder if I could cook as well on this little stove.  Actually I know I could, it would take a little while to adjust though.

I remember watching a programme about cooking in Greece.  The presenter, visited an elderly lady, who lived in a little village house in the mountains. For her cooking, she only used an open fire.  She made the most beautiful looking baklava which she  baked over the open fire. Where we would put the baklava in the oven, she just placed it in a pan and cooked one side, then she flipped it over onto a plate and slid the uncooked side back into the pan to show us the beautiful, golden brown, baklava. I have never forgotten her as she was in her 80's and had cooked all her life over an open fire and produced such lovely food. I was, and still am, full of admiration for her, but to this lady, it was normal, as she had always cooked that way. 

How about this deep freezer.... a little different to the huge fridge/freezers we have today.  Do you see the small compartment on the left hand side. The caption reads,

"This refrigerator has a deep-freeze compartment on the left, and in this foods can be stored for many months. Fruits and vegetables can be gathered in the summer and stored in perfect condition until Christmas." 

Actually it does remind me of the fridge Phyllis had when I was a little girl.  We lived in Cyprus at the time and the only way to get ice, was to buy it by the "chunk", yes you read correctly a chunk. A man would ride his three wheeled bicycle through the streets of Famagusta.  The bike had a container attached to the front and inside he had a huge block of ice.  He would shout to tell people he had arrived, and everyone who wanted to buy ice, would take their dish out to him, and he would chip off a chunk of ice for you.

I thought it a shame that we could not enjoy this beautifully laid table, in colour, with the crystal glasses shimmering in the light, but alas this was a black and white photograph.

The caption reads,

"Cutlery is laid from the outside and is used towards the plate.  If desired, the sweet fork and spoon can be laid at the top of the cover."

This beautifully laid table is at the beginning of the Home Entertainment section,

"Entertaining can be a pleasure or a strain; much depends on how it is tackled.  If meals are planned beforehand there is no need for a single handed housewife to forgo the pleasure of having her friends to luncheon, dinner or tea, a fork supper or any other type of entertainment within her means and within the scope of her household.

If domestic help is out of the question, and if economy must be studied, entertainment should be simple.  To strain after effect is to court disaster.  Simple meals can be as charming and as satisfactory as the most lavish ones.  One secret of success is to prepare as much of the meal as possible beforehand."

.....This section sounded very Downton Abbey to me.

As you can see, this table is laid for a birthday tea. I love the style of tea plates as they are very delicate. The birthday cake I would imagine is a fruit cake, oh, just a minute and I will check. Yes, it is a fruit cake.  

Before I go, I thought you would like to see a closeup of this lovely embroidered tablecloth which I have been using as a back drop.  

A good friend of mine knew that I collected embroidered tablecloths and gave me this one as a gift.  There is so much beautiful embroidery in this tablecloth. This is a good quality linen which I lightly starch  after washing..... oooh, I had another Downton Abbey moment!

This is just a little selection of photographs and information from the book. This is a comprehensive book which is broken down into sections, with advice about your kitchen, home entertaining, preparation of foods, seasonal menus and so much more. There is so much useful information, that for a young wife it would have been such a very useful book. 

I will show you more of the contents of Phyllis' book at a later date.  I think you will find the section on Home Entertainment interesting.  

On Sunday I will be making Lemon Curd from Phyllis' Cookery book, so I am going to sort out my store of jars as I love Lemon Curd..... oh yes and so does George.

Take care and I will see you later in the week.

This week I will be joining,

Karen from Sew Many Ways

Claudia from Mockingbirdhill Cottage

Connie from Family Home and Life

IVY'S COOKERY BOOK

Good Morning to you,

I am pleased to say we had a beautiful, sunny day yesterday.  George and I went for a long walk and it was so lovely to feel the sun on our faces again.

Sorry to be so English, but you know how we always like to talk about the weather, it is a part of our make up I'm afraid.  When the sun shines and it feels so much warmer, it makes me feel  happy, and  people you pass on the street smile as well, so, I have to talk about it, as the sun might disappear tomorrow and not return for another fortnight.

On Friday I had a lovely surprise. Nowadays, most of the things which drop through my letter box, are either bills, brochures or circulars, or since I have passed 60 years of age, I receive a range of brochures informing me of what I am suddenly in need of......you know, things like chair lifts!!! but  I will not go into that.

It was not always that way, I used to write and receive lots of letters, but I will talk about that another time. So you can imagine how pleased I was to receive two lovely pieces of post. The first was, this lovely card.

Do you remember a little while ago I told you about Ivy's Cookery Book, well, I opened the envelope and what a surprise I received. It was a card depicting The New Radiation Cookery Book, circa 1933.

Look a little closer at the pinafore....isn't it gorgeous. I could not decide if the pinafore was smocked at the waist or if shirring elastic had been used. What do you think? Which ever was used, it certainly looks pretty.

Do you know, I don't think I ever saw Ivy without a pinafore, whether she was cooking, baking, washing or cleaning.  She always used a pinafore to cover her day clothes, so at the end of the day when she was ready to settle for the evening,  she would remove her pinafore....or pinny, as she called it, and her clothes were still neat and tidy.

Phyllis wore pinnies, but the ones she wore were half pinnies.  Phyllis said they were much more fashionable when she was a young married women and she would not have dreamt of wearing a full pinny as they were so old fashioned. What is it about us women and fashion! 

Do you see the egg slicer, on the right hand side. I am sure this style of egg slicer can still be bought nowadays.

I remember Ivy using one of these, they made the slicing of eggs so much easier, as they were cut in a uniform width. The sliced bread was buttered, thinly or as thickly as you could afford, then the sliced eggs were laid onto the bread, the second slice was then placed on top.  I know you all know how to make a sandwich, but I was describing the process, just to reach this point, as it brings back happy memories for me.  The next stage and most important stage to my mind,  (remember I was a little girl) was cutting the bread, not in half, oh no, but into small triangles. Which I loved! they looked so delicate on a tea plate and just right for little hands to pick up.

Looking at the ingredients on the table, I think this lady was preparing an egg salad.

Pyrex dishes were fashionable in the 1930's and I remember when I was married in 1970, I was given quite a few different sizes of Pyrex  dishes as wedding presents. Do you remember, you used to buy one large, one medium and one small casserole dish, with lids.  I used to stack them, one on top of the other, on my open kitchen shelves....this was before fitted kitchens became fashionable. I used the Pyrex dishes for many years, but with moving, slowly one by one, they chipped or broke, but I visited a Charity Shop before I went to India and found three in different sizes just like the one in the picture. I love them as they are so easy to clean, even the most stubborn stains are removed with a little soaking. 

Do you see the little jug with the stopper in the top.  This is how vinegar was decanted by Ivy. They were gorgeous little glass jugs, the only problem was, that as lovely as the jugs were, even if you were careful and only lifted the stopper slightly, nine times out of ten, there was always too much vinegar pouring out. Years later, I used my vinegar jugs for olive oil.

I thought I would remind you what Ivy's book looked like, a little dogeared now, but well used, and certainly well loved. 

I loved the words "A selection of proved recipes".
Now take a look at the next page showing the various editions of the book.

Do you see the sixteenth edition, February 1933? This is the date shown on the card.

Who would have thought. I had not seen anything to do with Radiation Cookers before, so to see this card was such a surprise and such a thoughtful gift. I have decided to buy a frame for the card and hang it in my sewing room where I can see it daily.

My second piece of post I will share with you later in the week.

Before I go, I think I should mention, that as cold as it has been in the North of England, nothing compares to what Debbie from Our Old Homestead

has had to cope with.....16 inches of snow.  Debbie said the snow started on Thursday morning and of Saturday morning it was still falling. It would be lovely if you could pop over and say hello, I can not imagine what it is like being snowed in like that.

This week I shall be joining,

Karen from Sew Many Ways
Claudia from Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Take care and I will see you later in the week.

SEWING, KNITTING AND EMBROIDERY

Good Morning to you,

Firstly, I would like to thank Kathryn from The Dedicated House who kindly featured my white beaded cushion this week see here.   I was over the moon.   Kathryn hosts Make it Pretty Monday, please pop over and visit her, I know she will be thrilled to see you. 

What can be inside this rather old, well used, red book. The cover is quite plain, it has a motif which is two cotton spools and a sewing needle. The cover appears to be quilted and you can feel the slight texture as you run your hands across it.

Shall we take a peek inside,

This is a beautiful carpet, worked by Queen Mary, grandmother to our present day Queen, Elizabeth II. The twelve panels were worked separately and the border was added afterwards. The carpet, which is worked entirely in cross stitch, took nine years to complete.

Yes, it is a late 1940's early 1950's Needlecraft Book. This book contains everything you need to know about sewing, dressmaking, dress accessories, embroidery, knitting, crochet, toy making, lace making, mending, patchwork and soft furnishings. As you can see, this is a very comprehensive needlecraft book. It is a book I use on a regular basis, because although fashions change, needlework does not.

The description of these collars reads "The straight collar on the left looks most attractive on a V-neck dress. It is made in crisp white organdie with blue embroidery and trimming. On the right is the square tailored collar, which has a narrow frilled edging and a Broderie Anglaise insertion."

These collars remind me of ones which we wore during the 1980's. Do you remember the styles which Princess Diana wore....the square collar is so very similar.

This photograph shows an original Victorian belt, made of velvet, and is boned and laced. It was made in 1880 and the actual waist measurement is 18 inches. There are twelve shaped panels with fine light boning sewn in to the seams. Silk cord is laced through the eyelet holes.

Can you imagine a waist measurement of 18 inches, I think as women, our shapes are changing. I did think that the design was like a corset and so must have pulled the waist in, but this is a belt, so I don't believe that would be possible.

"Designed for cold winter mornings, this smart house-coat, with a double breasted fastening, shawl collar and full skirt, should be made in woollen fabric in a gay colour. "

As beautiful as this house-coat is, I would never get any housework done, it would be to cumbersome. These house-coats were presumably worn by ladies of leisure.

Again, go back a few years to 1971. I owned a black Maxi-coat, in exactly the same design as this house-coat. George said, it was as if I glided when I walked because he could not see my feet......but it was very fashionable and it kept me warm in the winter.

"This attractive slip, is suitable for day or evening wear. It has a gathered frill edge with lace round the hem, and the figure flattering yoke is finished with narrow lace."

I only know two people who still wear slips and that is Phyllis and Sadie who are both 82 years of age.

"This very attractive nightdress has a deep band of smocking round the waist and a narrower band trims the top of the bodice. It has wide shoulder-straps and the hem is finished with a gathered frill. The top edge is frilled to match."

One of the first things I learnt to sew when I was a school girl was a nightdress, perhaps not as elegant as this, but just as simple to make.

....and here is the pattern, just two, long, pieces of material, which are smocked and sewn.

"Warm without being bulky, this bed jacket is worked in a crazy-pattern crochet. The straight "cut" and Magyar-style sleeves give ease of fit, the only fastenings being the ribbon ties at the neck, waist and sleeves."

I remember, when I was a little girl, Ivy used to knit her own bed jackets.  She would wear them to bed, to keep her warm and cosy through the long winter nights.

"This is a pattern for a dinner frock. The bodice is a straight piece draped at the hip into a centre panel.  The two-piece bodice has cap sleeves and is gathered at the shoulder seam to give soft folds at the front."

Again this dress, which has padded shoulders, puts me in mind of the dresses we wore in 1980's. I had a similar dress in pale blue, it was a little shorter, the hem reached just below my knee, but otherwise, it could be the same dress.

"The motif on the centre panel of the rectangular cushion is Jacobean in style. The other cushion has applique patchwork, the motifs are made up of diamonds of plain and patterned fabrics.

I realise the first cushion is Jacobean in style, but it really does put me in mind of  cushions which can be bought at Ikea. I think it is the beautiful embroidery.

If you are lucky enough to have a sewing room, take a look around it and look at everything you have.  Then take a look at this photograph,

Like me, you probably have shelves, filled with material, patterns, cotton, ribbon, books, wool, beads, embroidery threads....the list is endless. Now look at the picture above, to see what our mother's and grandmother's used.

"Here you see part of a room which has been made into a cosy sewing corner. Note the useful cabinet on the left to hold cottons, scissors, patterns and so on. It is essential that the sewing machine stands in a good light, and that the chair is very comfortable."

Our mother's and grandmother's achieved such beautiful work with so very little equipment and materials.  It made me think about what I have and how lucky I am to have so much, in a room, I can call my sewing room.  I am grateful for what I have and I am full of admiration for the women who went before us, who achieved so much with so little.

I enjoy looking back to a life my mother and grandmother lived.  Yes I appreciate it was austere, and often a hard life, but I do believe in these times, where money has to stretch further for families, we can learn a thing or two from them.

Take care and I will see you later in the week.

This week I shall be joining Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

DAPHNE THE GREEK GODDESS

Good Morning to you,

I awoke this morning, made my way downstairs to put the coffee machine on. I opened the shutters and look what I saw!

What was that on top of our garden statues head?

Were my eyes deceiving me. I reached for my glasses and yes, Daphne (the name of the statue) was wearing a snow hat and snow wrap .....doesn't she look elegant. 

I am not being egotistical by naming our garden statue Daphne. Actually never mind about egotistical, who names a garden statue, certainly not me.  The name was given by Kyriargos, our Cypriot friend. The first time he looked at the statue he told us, her name was Daphne, after the Greek Goddess. What could I say, I graciously accepted the title of Greek Goddess.

For the sake of accuracy I thought I should tell you that Daphne was a actually a nymph  and not a goddess.

Way back in October, I  promised to show you more of my Picture Post Magazine from 1939. If you missed the first part you can read it  here So today I thought I would show you adverts from that era.

So, before and after photographs are not only a product of today's advertising. This is quite a transformation. Do you think it is due to the lighting, the make up, the hairstyle and the smile. Tell me, am I being cynical?

This little girl is enjoying her Chilvern Cottage Cheese. She  definitely has a contented look on her face. 

Do you see the price of the pair of silver plated teaspoons. They could be bought for one shilling. Mind you, the price was a shilling, only if two box tops, from two six penny packets of Cheese were sent to the Chilvern company.

I remember Phyllis saving box tops from packets of Daz Washing Powder. For every "x" amount of tops you sent to Daz, you received a red plastic rose.  Phyllis collected about  a dozen which were displayed in a vase on the dining room table.  It sounds odd nowadays to collect plastic roses, but in the early 1960's they were very fashionable.

I remember using a similar product to Veet, when I was in my 20's, I only used this once as trust me the aroma was not a pleasant.  Looking back, I dread to think what ingredients were included in this product.

Tin salmon during the 1930's, 40's, and 50's was a definite luxury item.  I remember Ivy would make salmon and cucumber sandwiches, cut into triangles, as a special treat for our Sunday tea.

I would hope that the "valuable ingredients in Cuticura are based on scientific knowledge" and not added haphazardly!

Phyllis bought Pepsodent toothpaste when we were children. There was a catchy song which was sang advertising Pepsodent, but for the life of me I cannot remember it.

Do you think the model in this picture is the same as the model, Miss C in the "How I got rid of my wrinkles" advert? If not they are very similar.

....and finally, Yardley Lavender perfume.  This was an expensive perfume as the prices ranged from 2 shillings and 6 pence to 2 guineas....a huge sum of money for that time.

I found it interesting to see, that the advertising for women's products,  were playing to the insecurities of women, in 1939, very much as they do today.

What do you think of the adverts. I should imagine the company  you will know, is Yardley as they are a well known name. 

This week I shall be joining Claudia for My Favourite Thing  here

On Sunday I will be making a Greek vegetarian dish, until then take care and I will see you later in the week.