Birds in Design

Clips from Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (Pacific Press, 1923).

Retro: Block Printing

Click on page images to view full size. 

I scanned a few more of my favorite pages from Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (1920). I really like the little drawstring bags shown in the top image. They were block printed with a simple motif and then the printed design was embellished with chain stitch embroidery.  

Retro: Cut Paper

These pages on various paper cutting designs and techniques are from a circa 1920 art teacher's handbook (from my own collection) called Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos. I am especially intrigued by the cut paper alphabet based entirely on letters and numbers cut from identically sized squares of paper.

On an unrelated note: I am at my parent's house for an entirely unplanned visit. Thankfully, my mother's illness, which precipitated my flying trip to see them, has turned out to be nothing serious. As I am now away from home until next week, there will be a slight delay in the release of the winter issue of Nuno...should anyone be wondering...I expect to be finished by the end of next week, rather than the end of this week.

Retro: Needleweaving

I recently found a very interesting book: Needleweaving...Easy as Embroidery (by Esther Warner Dendel, 1971).   It's short and concise and got me excited about trying this almost forgotten technique. I expect you'll be seeing a few of my attempts at needle weaving here, over the next few weeks. All images this post scanned from the book.

 

Retro: Paper Bag and Newspaper Halloween Costumes

Paper grocery bag donkey mask with "funny paper mane" and embroidered tape bridle. 

Paper grocery bag cow mask with paper cup cow-bell.

Paper grocery bag clown mask with "funny paper" and fabric suit.

Paper bag owl mask.

Paper bag chicken mask with paper tail feathers.

Doll costume with paper bag hat and crepe paper pigtails.

All images this post scanned from a copy of the1967 edition of McCall's Needlework and Craft Magazine (my personal library).

If I had a little person to kit out for Halloween, I would so turn them into one of these (the cow is my personal favorite).

Apparently, back in 1967 McCall's put out a pattern to make these (#8941 for inquiring minds that want to know...and it cost 50 cents).

It appears that the cow and donkey have a separate piece for the front of the head (also cut from a paper bag). Still, I think a reasonably crafty person could use any of these ideas as a starting point for a spectacular Halloween get-up for their own little munchkins. 

Retro Craft: Woven Fabric Rug

This idea for weaving rag rugs from Better Homes and Gardens Dollar Stretching Decorating (1983) is very similar to the tie weaving idea I shared a while back. It's just a giant variation on the loopy-loom woven potholders I made back in elementary school.

Tips from the book:

Tear or cut fabrics into 4 or 5 inch wide strips. The strips for the warp should be non-stretchy. The fabrics used for the weave should have at least a little stretch. Sew together to make approx 8 to 10 yard lengths. You will need need about thirty 10-foot-long rolls of stretchy fabric and thirty-five 8 foot rolls of non-stretchy. As you roll the fabric up, turn the edges under.

Build the loom in the room you are going to do the weaving. Use  four 6-foot 2 x 2's, approx. 300 finish nails, eight 3-inch wood screws, and four 6-inch corner braces. Screw together the 2 x 2's, use the corner braces as shown in the picture. Mark off each inch (72 per board). Drive a nail into each mark.

     
After you are done weaving, finish off the edges with a series of loops. Use a crochet stitch (using your fingers) as shown in the last photograph.

Inspiration from the 1920's: Geometric Forms

From Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (1920).

Folk Art Inspiration: Leather Craft

From Folk Arts and Crafts by Marguerite Ickis (1958).

Inspiration from the 1920's: Flower Motifs

From Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (1920).

Macrame Seat for Sling Chair

Refurbish an old sling chair with a snazzy new macrame seat using these instructions from Better Homes and Gardens: Treasures from Throwaways (1976).

How-to: 
Click on images for instruction pages at full size.