DIY of 1940's Fashions

You think we, as 21st century people, created DIY--nope!  This concept of do-it-yourself was created as a desire to support the troops and provided an surge in 1940's garment making.  In 1942, sewing pattern sales rose 40-50% over the depression years.  By the end of the war, the number of female home sewers nearly doubled!

We continue our tour of the 1940's fashion exhibit presented by
Pacific War Museum located in Fredericksburg, Texas

"Help fight the war with scissors, needle and thread!"

Sheath dress made from linen table cloth--

conservation advice promoted cutting down existing

materials and remaking them into new practical wearables.

This table cloth dress headed the advertisement

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do--or do without!"

This is evening gown with bolero jacket, sewn by Edith Dyer

Edith was married to Navy expert cyptanalyst, who was

stationed in Pearl Harbor during the war.

She made this ensemble to wear to dances and social events

held at the Officer's club.

Tailored black wool dress going away suit,

sewn by Mrs. J. G. Keyes, who used a Vogue Couturier pattern

as her going away dress when she married in 1940

Many brides wore going away suits after the wedding ceremony;

in some cases the suit served as the wedding dress for those wishing

to satisfy wartime restrictions.

Another example of a 'going-away' dress

Here's a booklet on Make and Mend for Victory

that was used for Alterations, Make Over, Accessories--

practical knowledge for those home sewers

Another example Of DIY--this nylon night gown

Through nylon disappeared on the home front, this 

scarce luxury item could still be found among military personnel--

In parachutes!

Not only were there home sewers, but knitters who wanted

to be of service to the military.  In the above photo, you will

see, lower left corner, the Vogue pattern that was used

to make the going away suit in the above photo.

This half knitted sweater, in colors suitable for military

was "Bundles for Britain", a small knitting

circle, led by New Yorker Natalie Wales Latham.  This

organization expanded to a number of branches and sent thousands

of sweaters, socks, scarves and caps across the Atlantic.

Here is the pattern "Man's sleeveless sweater--V-neck"

"Takes 2 hanks--Khaki color, 2 prs. #6 needles, #4 needles to be

used only for 3" ribbing at the bottom of the sweater"

You can find 1940's knitting patterns here