A practical Apron

The current HSF challenge is #5 Practicality. And as usual I tend to finish the challenge on the last day, even though I spend my vacation at home these past two weeks...
Anyway, I decided that if I'm making something for houswork it should be something I feel comfortable wearing in my home.

My choise is this House-Apron from 1936

It is from the same "Frohne Modelle" Album, as the Pyjamas I made last year.
Now maybe you remember my frustration when I discovered that my 50s tool wouldn't work with the 30s patterns of the same brand, because the scale changed. I had to guess most of the pattern and although the "Schnittzeichner" is supposed to minimize the pattern work, it actually took ages.
So a couple of weeks later I started searching ebay for the original 1930s device. And I was lucky!
The seller didn't know what he was selling and I made a bargain!!!

And it was absolutely worth the wait! Now that I used both the 50s and the 30s method on both 50s and 30s patterns I can confidently say:


The 30s version is so much better! The device is balanced better, since it's material is from sturdy metal, while the 50s one is plastic. Although ist is heavier I felt that overall it was easier to use the older tool compared to the 50s one.

1930s "Frohne Schnittzeicher" compared to the 1950s version of the same brand.

From digging out all tools needed to my completely finished paper pattern it took me 20 minutes! If I remember correctly my pyjamas pattern took about 2 hours with all the calculating that had to be done back then and I had to make a mock up, which I din't do this time.

Patternmaking with a 1930s "Frohne Schnittzeichner"

The sewing was super easy and the only thing taking a little longer to make were the bias strips to bind the edges of my Apron.

The front decoration is using bias strips as well. Only a little more narrow.















My conclusion:
Not only did I make an item of practicality (an Apron for all my dusty houswork), I was also able to use an original 1930s device to create the pattern.
And a device of practicality it is! It makes patternmaking much easier and faster (no calculating, no scaling) and is 100% period!

The challenge details:

1936 House-Apron

The Challenge: #5 Practicality
Fabric: 1,5m printed cotton, 1m black cotton for the bias tape
Pattern: Fohne Modelle 101/36
Year: 1936
Notions: 2 buttons, polyester thread
How historically accurate is it? I am not sure about the ladybird print, but everythig else is good.
Hours to complete: about 5 hours
First worn: Today to clean up after my bunny
Total cost: 15€ for the fabric, Buttons from stash

1936 Pyjamas

A few days after purchasing my 1930s Frohne Modell Album I started sewing my new Pyjamas. My first Pyjamas to sew, as a matter of fact.
As described the procedure to enlarge the patterns is requiring a special tool, which has been provided by Frohne as well. Since I purchased the tool along with some 1950s Albums last year I wasn't worried until I opened the 30s pattern to discover that the scale must have been changed...
So I tried to calculate/ measure/ guess on the new dimensions and made a muslin mock up. Honestly I am not overly fond of making mock-ups, but with that much guesswork I just had to do it.

To save fabric I only scaled up and made half the pyjama (right side only - good thing there are no pictures of that!).
The legs of the trousers were way to big, but the only thing needing adjustments on the blouse were the sleeves.

Please do excuse the lack of fotos, since I was in kind of a hurry to finish it. Only three days after starting the pattern I went on a trip and I sure wanted to wear my new pyjamas!

Here they are:

These Pyjamas are super comfy and I just love the puff sleeves and the bow!

The blouse is closing with three mother of pearl buttons and a tie-belt. Since I tried hard to match the pattern it is kind of difficult to see on this picture, but there is one patch pocket on each side.
The trousers have an elastic set into the waistband and no other closure.

The fabric used is cotton poplin with a 3% content of spandex. I believe this is not so accurate, but it is truly comfortable!

So from now on I can sleep and dream myself into my own Alternative Universe (lot's of gorgeous dresses, you bet!)


The Challenge facts:

1936 Pyjamas

The Challenge: #20 HSF Alternative Universe
Fabric: 4m cotton poplin- 3% spandex
Pattern: Fohne Modelle 78/36
Year: 1936
Notions: 3 mother of pearl buttons, polyester thread
How historically accurate is it? The spandex content isn't accurate, but the rest is spot on!
Hours to complete: about 15 hours
First worn: 22nd of October 2014 - lots of good dreams that night!
Total cost: 37,40€ for the fabric, 1,95€ for the buttons

 

Frohne Modelle

New patterns!!!
Sometimes there are offers on ebay I just cannot resist. Like an original "Frohne Moldell Album" from 1936 Germany, which I bought last sunday.























I really want to show off my new patterns which arrived today, so please expect many many pictures.
And more pictures...

The album itself is in a rather good condition, although I was wondering how to open it... The patterns of all the pretty dresses are on the backside of each page showing off clothes.
It turned out that the album is closed with press-studs. And rather rusted ones as well...
Since I didn't want to damage the binding I used a large ruler to open the studs which then looked like this:

 

 The first page isn't the prettiest of all and luckily only the first three pages of the manual are "aged" in that way.

I removed all pages and used a paint brush to dust off some of the rust and old dust.

Actually I think it is a very clever construction.
The cover is made from cardboard and has made a very good job protecting the contents of the album. Every pattern is in perfect condition:-)

"Frohne" started releasing sewing patterns for home use in the early 30s and is providing Womens, Mens and Childrens wear in every issue. I'm not sure how often these early editions got released, but I also own some 50s issues which were labelled as Spring/ Summer and Autumn/ Winter, so two times a year.

Aside from the fact that every model in this book is 100% authentic it is actually very funny to read the inscriptions, which a usually one sentence exactly.


Now lets see those models, shall we?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I am now the proud owner of patterns for EVERY SINGLE garment you've just seen!!!
Do click on the pictures to enlarge them a little and notice all the funny little details like the gentleme in his dressing gown holding a hairbrush and comb! Or model 83 - open crotched drawes were obviously still used.

Since I own some 1950s "Frohne Modelle" as well, I couldn't help but compare. Look at these Dirndl Dresses from
1936                                                                                 and 1957

 

To use the patterns the "Frohne Schnittzeichner" (which I bought as a bargain with my 50s albums) is required. It is a tool to enlarge patterns to every imaginable size.

My "Schnittzeichner" in it's original box.

 

Sincy body types vary a lot every issue is offering a range especially designed for plus-sized Ladies. Those models are inscripted
"Für stärkere Damen" which translates into "For strong Ladies"
The later Frohne issues simply state an "a" beside the pattern number to indicate it is suitable for plus-sized Ladies.
Frohne recommends using these specific patterns if a lady has a bust circumfence of more than 108cm.

Frohne Modell pattern sheet

One particular model catched my eye directly:

1936 Pyjamas

 

 The inscription:

Pyjamas with puff sleeves, knotted belt and patch pockets.
Fabric requirements: 4,5m for a fabric width of 0,8m.

The experienced seamstress can easily use all these patterns without the tool, so feel free to make your own pyjamas!
It is the pattern above;-)
(Please mind the pattern piece numbers required in the picture to the left)

My pattern madness doesn't stop here... 

I won an auction for some ready to use 40s patterns as well, so stay tuned for more pretty pictures (and patterns for me)

P.S.

If you are wondering what happened to my yellow dress project, the fabric is still a curtain and the pattern still in the book... Maybe I'll manage it for the Re-Do challenge...