Body Modification Early 1950s-Fashion

I reckon it's simply advertisement tactics making the large-busted girl appear the smallest. Wouldn't I love to have something like the 'Up and Out' feature for the lady with the 'little' ta-tas. I like mine, very much, but wouldn't mind a bit more bulk. Ok, they're up and out enough, just... barely filling an A-cup. A load of tops/shirts are not terribly flattering. That wasp's waist is pretty bitchin', too, I do, however, appreciate my organs being in their proper places. These images are from a 'Workbasket' magazine from the early 1950s (not sure which year; some totally rad housewife put all of her 'Workbaskets' into handmade books covered in 1950s shelf-paper. For some reason not every 'Workbasket' cover is included. All's swell, though! Lubs up the scans, please, and have a fabulous whatever-time-of-day-it-is-where-you-are. :)

Witch Stitching

In addition to 'ordinary' ephemera, I collect (and utilise, at times, though I'm in the market for a mold-casting kit so I don't have to use unique, antique buttons I'll never see again) old sewing stuff. And doilies. Love doilies. Seriously--I LOVE DOILIES, just ask my bewildered beau. Anyway, here are a few interesting things I thought some of you might enjoy.

Check out that fabulous spiderweb foil! They are very good needles, by the way.

This is one of my coolest, weirdest sewing items. I've never had trouble threading needles--but who could resist a WITCH Needle Threader? Odd that it says 'Printed in Germany' on the instructional sheet, when this was produced well-before The Cold War ended (see the box, which says 'Made in Western Germany'). Oh, er, yes. I'm also obsessed with Cold War stuff.

Now this spiffing little bit of kit is, as you can see, Victorian. I did not snip off that corner--what sort of philistine would do such a thing? They look mighty useful, though, don't they? I will probably take a pair and put them on a garment as a test.

Bitch Slappin', Kid Smackin', and Jet Settin'!

No, Rita Hayworth was probably a lovely woman, and violence is just not at all cool (sigh... even against children, I suppose), it was just a catchy title. I may change it as it is sort of offensive, isn't it? Erm, yes, anyway, onto the ephemera! Be sure to click for the full size; these are postcards (save the student photograph) and have a lot of fascinating details that may be missed in the 'thumbnails'.

1. From the 1946 film Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford.
2. A group of students, photographed in what appears to be the early- to mid-1920s.
3. El Sombrero Motel, Niagara Falls, New York
4. Hotel Sahara, Las Vegas.
5. Stardust Hotel, Las Vegas--nearly double-length postcard!
6. Monterey Court, St Augustine, Florida. (Front of postcard.)
7. Monterey Court, St Augustine, Florida. (Back of postcard.)

Smart Knitting Needlecraft - Ephemera 3 six

And now... it's back. Smart Knitting Needlecraft! So very many apologies to you for neglecting to continue the scans. I'll do my best to keep it up, as well as chucking a number of other things in here and there for variety. Please enjoy! :)