A few days ago I had a post called “Who Wore it Best?” (HERE) showing my three Effner girls wearing the same dress for the start of school. I asked the question, which girl do you think wears it best? I forgot to let you know who the winner was… Well, the very first girl in the lineup, Isabelle, won… 7 votes to 4 over Janie. So Isabelle won the spot as the girl to showcase it in the auction on Ebay. If you’ll click on the picture of her at the right side bar, it will take you directly to the auction. For those of you who read my blog from your email, you can click HERE to see it. The auction runs for 5 days and ends Sunday evening.
A few days ago I also asked the question who should be the first doll to get a new Back to School outfit? Again, if you missed that post, you can see it by clicking HERE. My Effner girls won first place and that dress is the one I was talking about above. The doll who came in second place was Molly and so I’ve been trying to decide what I wanted to make for her for her first school outfit. I have been looking through my 1946 Sears and Roebuck catalog and wanted to show you a few pictures of the fabrics that were popular that year.
If you click on any picture, it will enlarge…
Look at those prices too!!!
After looking at my catalog and getting a feel for the fabrics, I looked online at vintage patterns and found this little style that I like. I want to copy it for Molly but haven’t decided on fabric yet…
These are some combinations I could use…
I think the lavender one might be too Eastery…
I’m not positive these are the ones I want to use, but I had trims for some of them and thought they might work… any thoughts?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Back to school for Molly – staying on the plaid theme – how about the red plaid on the right and the blue with the roses? Or maybe the green in the second photo??
Decisions, decisions – – – –
HI Maureen,
Thanks for your thoughts… sometimes I just need a push in the right direction… too much fabric I guess! We’ll see what everyone likes by the end of the day…
I did have a favorite, so we’ll see…
Blessings, Jeanne
I like the green ribbon with the green print. 🙂
Thanks Christine,
I like that one too… it’s pretty close to the one in the picture…
Thanks for your comment…
Blessings, Jeanne
I think I like the fabric and trim in the last photo.
Hi Regina,
The denim colored fabric definitely looks “schoolish” to me…
Thanks,
Blessings, Jeanne
the green with the red and green trim or the pink polka dots with the rose trim.
HI April,
Okay, another one for the green and green trim… and the pink and white polka dots one…
Both would make up really sweet dresses I think…
Thanks April,
Blessings, Jeanne
I am inspired by your attention to details!
Thanks so much Linda Marie,
I appreciate your kind words about my sewing…I do try hard!
Blessings, Jeanne
All of them are pretty…I like the last one…the blue with the blue trim and maybe a white collar? That green polka dot with the unusual brown trim is nice too!
Hi Kathie,
Another vote for the denim looking fabric or maybe the green with the brown trim. I’m making notes of your comments here and the ones sent to me through my emails…
We’ll see…
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the catalog. The war was over and probably fabric rationing was over as well. People must have felt very cheerful.
I love the lavender, but I think you are right — save it for spring — and maybe make something in the same style — your pattern is so cute.
I’m inclined to go with Christine — it’s a vibrant time of year and the green would look so nice with Molly’s lovely brown hair.
HI Marilyn,
Looking at this catalog is so neat… the prices, the items, the models, etc… it’s almost like a different world…
Okay, another vote for the green…
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
I think the polka dot and brown would be super cute. It is a bit different and with a sweet little blouse may be a winner. Maybe save the green & red for Xmas time, as I like it also.
HI Joy,
Thanks for contributing to the vote for what Molly’s dress should be made out of. I still have a few hours left to go before I decide…
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks for sharing the catalog pages; I find them absolutely fascinating. That was a time when lots of moms sat down at the sewing machine to make all their kids’ school clothes. As for the fabric for Molly’s new dress, I like the first one the best–the random dots with the green and brown trim. I like a little more contrast than the other combinations have, but it all depends on what look you are wanting to achieve!
HI Carolyn,
Yes, the 40’s seemed to be a time when the sewing machines were put to good use…
Thanks for picking your favorite in the fabric choices… I like that one too…
We’ll know soon which one will be the one I choose…
Blessings, Jeanne
What amazing pictures of the Sears catalogue! Love it that you have those!
I am putting my thoughts on either of the greens (especially the first combo) or the schoolish plaids (especially the textured right one) for your Molly, because of her dark hair and warm coloring. She looks lively… Have fun!
Hi Jano,
Welcome to my blog and thanks for commenting… The catalogs are really fun to look at…it seems like it was such a long time ago…
Thanks for making your choices on the fabrics…
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi, I love to look at old magazines and catalogs. You are lucky to have the one from Sears. When we were growing up, we ordered a lot of things from Sears-Roebuck catalogues. My favorite dress was turquoise with a white lace print, size five.. At five years, I thought it must be the world’s most beautiful dress.
If you use the pattern for the little red or green skirt and blouse, something with a stripe might be nice. It looks like they might be made of corduroy or wool. You could arrange the stripes so they looked like a V–or chevron. I don’t know what the correct word would be. Anyway, because of the stripes, I would choose the blue fabric.
It is so late in the day, you may have already chosen your fabric and have is mostly made! I just wanted to tell you my choice.
HI Diana,
No, you aren’t too late to add your vote in the mix… I am working on the blouse which would go with any of the skirts…so it’s fine.
The Sears catalogs are so interesting to look at. Things certainly have change in 70 years. Wow… I just realized it’s that old… oh my goodness…
Thanks so much for adding your comments…
Blessings, Jeanne