Late 1940s Paris Fashion Magazines for Home Sewers / Sewing the New Look

[@amauryy4417]

French subscriber here loving to hear your enthousiastic commenting about french magazines, your translations are excellent, yes more of this pleaaaase!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Ah I’m so pleased to hear from a French subscriber that my translations were ok and that you enjoyed the magazines! The colour illustrations in these vintage magazines are the best! Thank you very much for watching and encouraging 💗💐

[@joiedevivre2005]

This is so wonderful & so helpful to me. I am making an outfit for an event I hope to take part in - the "Storming of the Sazerac" which commemorates an event that took place in New Orleans in 1949. Women were once forbidden to enter New Orleans' bars, except on Mardi Gras Day. On a September day in 1949, a large group of Southern ladies decided it was time women be able to get a cocktail any time they wanted, so they marched through the French Quarter, gathering other ladies as they went & stormed into the Sazerac Bar, demanding that they be served drinks. The event is commemorated each September with hundreds of women dressed in 1940's attire parading through the French Quarter to the Sazerac Bar (located in the Roosevelt Hotel) to get cocktails. This year is the 75th anniversary. It's Women's Lib, New Orleans style.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

This sounds absolutely wonderful. I only wish I could be there! I love the event it commemorates and I’m sure all the ladies storming the cocktail bar will look fabulous in their late 40s clothes! It’s an era that fascinates me, despite usually just being a fore-note to the 50s when American especially flourished. But in the late 40s not much was available and it was mostly a case of DIY at home inspired by the Paris fashion designers. For anyone who sews or is interested in fashion history I think the ingenuity this demanded of home sewers makes this a fascinating era. Thank you for watching and telling me the story of the Storming of the Sazerac, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading! 💗💐

[@MichelleSMV]

So fascinating to see the different ways ppl could alter their dresses to make them more fashionable for the time! I don’t think I ever would have thought of just adding a contrasting fabric to lengthen a dress but it’s such a good idea!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

It actually looks really pretty doesn’t it?! I have a couple of 1940s dresses that turned out to be made for young teenagers (who would never wear them these days 😆) so I’ve added contrasting bands of vintage fabric to make the dresses larger. In fact I love the idea of contrasting fabrics even without the need to make dresses larger! Thank you so much for watching and encouraging me 💗💐

[@MichelleSMV]

Oh that’s awesome! I love that you managed to breathe new life into those dresses! I think I’m going to try that at some point as well. Looking forward to seeing your next video. I always enjoy them❤️

[@sarahva]

This is so lovely, thank you for sharing! ❤

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it! And thank you for letting me know 😁❤️

[@KellyfromMemphis]

I enjoyed this immensely! 🤗

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Yay! I’m so pleased! Thank you for telling me ☺️❤️

[@laurazeman]

Lol hearing all the things ladies could make back then (their own hats and hair pieces) I can't help but feel women back then were so much more skilled than I could ever hope to be 😂. I'd love to see finished examples of these homemade items from back in the day to see how the projects turned out. I wonder if any of these homemade examples still exist. If these women were anything like me, they may have hidden the less than perfect ones from public view. 😂 Quietly discarding of them while no one was watching. 😂 I love all the clever and pretty ways to update older items. Such beautiful magazines and illustrations. ❤ I'd love seeing more of your gorgeous magazines. They are so inspirational. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

It’s amazing how much people got done pre internet, tv etc isn’t it?! Homemade examples definitely still exist as I have a few! I love seeing all the different stitches from previous owners - from perfect tiny neat stitches to big sloppy fast stitches on the same dress as it got altered over the years. And I have a 40s dress that looks to be made from three different dresses combined. I did try making a hairpiece from hairbrush hair. I washed it (you’ll be relieved to hear) but I lazily skipped the carding and sorting into different lengths bit. Laura, it looks like something I’ve extracted from the vacuum cleaner after a blockage 🤣 It’s tucked away in case I ever re-visit it! Thank you for watching and I’m so pleased you’d like to see more of these kind of magazines. I love deep diving into them! 💗💐

[@laurazeman]

@@Samanthalovestosew oh my goodness 🤣 That's precisely how I imagined my attempt would look. (Extracted from vacuum 🤣🤣🤣🩷🩷🩷) I must say, I'm very impressed you tried it!

[@lenorerhodes8110]

It was wonderful browsing the magazines with you. Gorgeous dresses and accessories. I had a crocheted bikini in the late 60’s. They were quite scant and I lined the top and pants by cutting the shapes from panty hose so the boys couldn’t see through them.😆😆😆 For memory I don’t think I wore them for long. If my dad had seen them on me he would have been horrified. I wish I still had the magazine the pattern came out of. It was possibly Flair or Dolly. Xx ❤️🌺

[@Samanthalovestosew]

That was very resourceful of you 👏🤣 I’m sure you looked very pretty in your bikini … even if your dad wouldn’t have approved. Mine would have been the same. Anything other than school regulation all covering navy blue some kind of stretch flannel was what he saw as most suitable. High necked and low cut! Worn with plastic swim cap of a kind of greyish white hue that created frown lines on even the youngest face. I love the sound of Flair and Dolly magazines with patterns for crocheted bikinis. My mother used to collect a magazine called Golden Hands, which ensured a steady supply of unusual sewing projects! I’m glad you enjoyed looking through the magazines. I wish they still produced magazines like this now - though there isn’t much anyone could do with fast fashion garments. Thank you always for your support Lenore 💗💐xx

[@lenorerhodes8110]

I use to collect Golden Hands too. I probably have a few I have kept somewhere. 😁❤️🌺

[@joyofthings]

I love velvet.I can recall my mother making me a dress with swans down trimmings in the 1960 s.xx🐝🐝

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oooh that sounds lovely! I bet you looked as pretty as a picture. I love the idea of using velvet (or swans down!) trimming 💕🌸xx

[@jessicastorey1838]

Thank you for sharing. This has given me several ideas for my early 50s capsule wardrobe I’m working on for this spring/summer.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oh I’m so pleased! I have a Vogue pattern catalogue from the 50s coming up too (with very strict instructions on foundation garments, some of which look slightly torturous!) I know whatever you sew will be beautifully made and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what you do. Thank you for your support! 💐

[@lisascenic]

Thank you for sharing these lovely magazines. While I believe that vintage yarns were spun more firmly in the past, you won’t convince me that handknit swimsuits weren’t prone to stretching. All that wet wool, pulling down on scant straps is a recipe for disaster. I watched your video while knitting a vintage pattern with vintage wool, which is one of my favorite things to do.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I love the idea of being an accompaniment to knitting a vintage knitting pattern with vintage wool. My own knitting skills are at an early stage but I’m determined to make this the year that I practise regularly and truly learn. And, oh yes, I hadn’t thought, but of course the weight of all that wet wool would be on two narrow straps. Definitely a recipe for disaster! 😆 Am so pleased you enjoyed looking at the magazines and thank you for your encouragement 💐

[@alenamoss8146]

Oh wow, Thank you so much. Very inspirational. So much beauty, want to make everything. lol

[@Samanthalovestosew]

That’s the effect these magazines have on me … I want to make ALL the dresses 😂 Thank you very much for watching and encouraging 💗💐

[@ah5721]

@14:18 I love the skirt in green on the left ! a wrap skirt with buttons?! yes please!! gives me the feeling culottes with a faux skirt panel fronts of early pants feeling from the Edwardian era for my fellow USA folks - 3m = 9 ft and 10 in or 3.2 yards . thank you for the look books ! I have the ideal body shape for 40s fashion plates so I'll be trying these looks

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I thought that skirt was especially interesting too. You’re right, it is reminiscent of those Edwardian era pants (or trousers we’d say in the UK - so many little differences I need to remember as most of my audience are American like yourself!). How wonderful to have the body shape for this fabulous fashion era. The look at this time was so elegant and glamorous. I’m sure you’ll make some glorious things! Thank you very much for watching and supporting! 💗💐

[@ariettasvintagelife]

I'm so jealous of your magazine collection Samantha, they're so beautiful! Thank you for sharing their content with us! ❤❤ And also, I'd like to admit that I have worn a crocheted bikini and when it got wet I literally thought I would come out of the sea naked! It sagged like an old potato and I would never wear one again! 😂

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I’m so pleased you like my magazines! 🥰 I’m also very interested that crocheted bikinis and swimsuits are no different to the knitted ones. I’ve heard comments like ‘it’s all about getting the knitting tension right’ but I remain skeptical! I’m not sure even the most perfect tension withstands the heaviness of wet wool! I can imagine they look very pretty (so long as the wearer stays firmly on dry land!!!) 😆❤️❤️

[@asheraucoin]

Love this video! Inspiring! I'm in the midst of early fall cleaning and your video lifted my spirits. I am a Christian Dior fan, Kathrine Hepburn and her pleated pants, and beautiful retro 1940's to early 60's designs. Happiness is :) Thank you so much for lifting my spirits and putting a smile on my face :) By the way you look lovely! Take care and give your muffin dogs a cuddle

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I like to have sewing videos on while I do the cleaning too!! I hadn’t realised till watching the New Look (I had to subscribe specially … and temporarily! … to Apple TV) what a sweet man Christian Dior was. Somehow it makes his dresses even more special. And I love Kathrine Hepburn’s glamorous tomboy style too. Thank you very much - and I’m so pleased the video brought some joy. There is something so joyful about those colourful late-40s dresses. I shall give the dogs a cuddle from you! ❤️🥰🐾

[@asheraucoin]

Bringing up Baby 1938 movie-Carey Grant and Kathrine Hepburn! Her outfits were amazing and I love that movie. Reminds me of my Husband who is a maths guy-and yes I am truly like the Kathrine Hepburn character! Yes, Christian Dior was a wonderful man. His dresses were so very special. Some people cannot be replaced. Give your sweetheart doggies a treat! Kind Regards @@Samanthalovestosew

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@asheraucoin Bringing Up Baby is one of my favourite movies of all time! I can’t say how many times I’ve seen it. Now I shall also have the happy thought that a Kathrine Hepburn-alike watches my videos! 😃💗

[@seestellysew8472]

This was so enjoyable. I’d love to see more videos like this.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Oh I’m really pleased that you enjoyed it! I have a pretty big collection of vintage sewing pattern magazines and it will be a pleasure to share more of them - thank you for encouraging me! 💗💐

[@missterryvintage]

Thanks for sharing those magazines. :) I adore Le Petit Echo de la Mode :) I have a few from the first half of the 50s. Illustrations are so cute and I like that there's something for home sewers, even if usually it's something small.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

It’s one of my favourite vintage magazines to find because of all the colour illustrations! I work in publishing myself so I know that colour pages quadruple cost. It seems like a lot of UK vintage magazines (which I love too) relied on mainly b/w illustrations with written descriptions of colours, especially in the cash strapped 30s and 40s. I’m so pleased you’re still watching my videos - thank you very much for all your support 💐

[@missterryvintage]

@@Samanthalovestosew Hah, I also work in publishing :D I design and set books for an academic publisher. :) And yes, you're right about the cost of colour print, too expensive. I noticed that sometimes in old magazines they used single colour, you know, it'd be still a black and white picture, but with a single colour for background or sth, just to add something colourful but not to make it super expensive to print.

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@missterryvintage Oh that’s why we both love print! The non-fiction sewing and craft books I’ve always worked on have virtually had their day, which is why you find me doing KZbin! Yes, l’ve noticed those single colour washes too. They’re rather effective. I’m also looking at ways to add colour digitally to vintage b/w illustrations. Sounds like you’d know more than me!

[@missterryvintage]

@@Samanthalovestosew Hi, I've just posted a quick tutorial about colouring b&w illustrations on Instagram. :) Hope it helps.

[@rowanhughes8682]

These magazines are packed with inspiration, arent they! Id say yes to any one of them (especially the 'slimming ones 😅) I wouldn't have anything like the level of skill to rework and update my last year's fashions, all very ingenious. The closest restyle I've acheived was to open up the side seams of jeans and insert a huge triangle of crazy fabric, ta dah you've got magnificent 70s bell bottoms🎉

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I love all the ideas and inspiration these French magazines especially are packed with. There’s always lots of advice on slimming dresses in vintage magazines but figures they call ‘outsize’ (a term I doubt would be used today!!!) looks equivalent to a modern size 12, 14 tops!!! You would love the New Look series Rowan. I know you turn your ears back at paid for tv (so do I) but you get one week free trial with Apple TV and it’s a cinch to cancel. I’ll alert you to when the series is complete, hop on for a week, force yourself to get square eyes watching the lot, then cancel. I’ve cancelled for now but will pay for one week to watch the rest of it. It’s SO good. Re the jeans transformation why not insert some tartan next time. Go Bay City Rollers circa early 70s! No need to thank me for the idea. You’re welcome!!! 😆xx

[@rowanhughes8682]

@@Samanthalovestosew Bay City Rollers!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 What a look!!! I am getting more 'outsize' by the day, engrossed in crochet projects and very few outdoor hikes or vigorous yarn sweeping! Along with outsize dressmaking, knitting patterns for anyone over a 34" bust are described as 'matronly' 😂😂😂 One day I really do intend getting a smart TV and the subscription world will be my oyster.. nay, my pearl! The glistening cherry on my otherwise plain terrestrial tv Victoria sponge. 🎂

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@rowanhughes8682 Ah … no smart tv. The problem is worse than I thought 🤣 I cannot believe that any woman in any era ever liked to be called a matron. Was there a male equivalent?! I bet there wasn’t. Just phrases like men improving like fine wines etc. Harumph. As for being glued to the sofa with crochet. It has a lot to recommend it (coming from a sick person who owns an extremely energetic border collie!) And you know about the incessant rain 🌧️🐾🐾

[@killerkitschvintagelizzie]

Oh! So much inspiration here!

[@Samanthalovestosew]

My mum (now a film critic!) said I went too fast. I used to get told my videos were too slow. One day I will get it just right (can only hope!) There is so much inspiration in these French magazines. Thank you Lizzie! ❤️x

[@killerkitschvintagelizzie]

@@Samanthalovestosew personally, I think you were fine. Not too fast, not too slow. Just like Goldilocks and the three bears, you were just right! :) I also absolutely love when you do these types of videos. They're incredibly inspiring for me. Xx

[@Samanthalovestosew]

@@killerkitschvintagelizzie Ah, thank you very much (I think my mum’s eyes take a while to focus so she needs extra time 😆) I’m hoping to do more videos like this if people like them so I’m pleased that you do. If only there were magazines like this today! (But then what can you do with old leggings?!!) xx

[@iansaunders6983]

I could tell by your voice you were in your element here. I first heard your voice on KZbin 84 videos ago. That's how many of your videos I have watched and commented on. No one forced me 84 times. I even bought you coffee. I appreciate I am not your target audience or have the credibility of your esteemed fellow experts. Apologise if I embarrass you. I see on the news today that Iris Apfel died, she was 102. Not sure if you are familiar with her. She was a fashion designer who was offered a modelling contract when she was aged 97. She would have been in her 20's at the time your French Fashion magazine were printed. Hope you feel better soon. Ian (ever determined)

[@Samanthalovestosew]

Thank you very much! Yes, I did see that Iris Apfel died. She was a great pioneer for older women, showing that they don’t need to disappear into the shadows and can be eye catching, stylish, glamorous and relevant till the end. It must have taken great courage on her part, she will have made it easier for those who come after her and I certainly admire her.

[@Susanpattinson8733]

I was thrilled to see these magazines I just wished I lived in that era no offence to the fashion of today but I absolutely hate these Lycra tight leggings the girls are waring revealing evening !i think Coco Chanel would be horrified?great video Samantha x

[@Samanthalovestosew]

I totally agree! We need Coco Chanel to come back and sort us all out. She didn’t mince her words and I’m certain wouldn’t approve of the uniform of Lycra leggings. It’s not just the lack of style I find depressing today but the lack of colour. My father, like me, is a colourful dresser and we’re mutually appalled at everyone else matching the pavement. Of course they in their turn must be fairly astonished by us! Though actually they seem to like it. I guess it takes a little courage to be out of Lycra legging uniform! Thank you very much for watching and encouraging 💐x