Bob-In-Board, Weaving Tool from Prudential Products

Clipped from a 1955 issue of McCalls Needlecraft is this craft tool --- Called a BOB-IN-BOARD.  Apparently it's primary use is in weaving.  "You can make a collar (in one hour), cuffs, also braid, stoles, fringes, trims, lace corners and yardage".

To receive your kit and patterns, for the very low price of $6.50 (which wasn't that low for 1955), mail off the offer to Prudential Products in Upper Derby, PA.  

Now, I'm making an educated guess that this particular product was not a hit.  How's that, well an internet found nothing .... absolutely nothing.  

But, with the post, there is now something.   And perhaps, I'll find more.  If I do, I'll be sure to come back and update this reference.  

Should you know anything about the Bob-In-Board, please add a comment.  

Thanks for dropping by

Lorraine Perlette Yarn, Vintage 1940's

In my collection of pattern books is this 1942 twelve page leaflet entitled  Lovely Creations for Baby, A joy to Make with Lustrous Lorraine Perlette Volume W16

The inside of the books shows Copyright 1942, W. Hannan.   Now, I apparently got quite confused and spent a fair amount of time searching Google land for W. Hannan Co.   Then, finally, a light went on and I realized the Company was not Hannan, but probably Lorraine.   Back to Google land I went.  

Lorraine Mfg. Company in Pawtucket, R.I.  This post card dates back to 1908.   This company originates back to the 1898.    (If you are interested, there's an interesting read at the Rhode Island Historical Society).

This postcard, from 1918 shows the plant was quickly expanding.   Although their line of goods included Worsted and Cotton Yarns, fabrics were the primary focus.   In the 1940's, with the start of World War II and the shortage of cotton and wool, they produced several replacement yarns for the times ... the Perlette, a 100% Nylon and a Strawtex Yarn.  They issued (at least) two pattern books during this time.   The Lovely Creations for Baby Book pictured above, as well as 

New Hats, Bag and Belts of Lorraine Strawtex No 17.   Now it would seem that there should be patterns books before 15, and at a minimum No 16, however, I've not found a single track.

Lorraine Mfg. Co. dissolved in 1954.   Another end to fiber art history.  Now, I've not identified what I would claim to be a replacement thread for the Lorraine Perlette.   I have the patterns from Volume W16 in the shop, and for these I can only recommend selecting a material that matches the gauge.  

Ok, on to something else.     Thanks for dropping by.

Alice Brooks Design Catalog, Mail Order Pattern Selection

I recently came across another of the Alice Brooks designs catalog.    It's full magazine size, standard black and white photography and totals 24 pages in all.

The contents, as you might expect, are of the typical mail order variety.  

 There's a delightful assortment of childrens sewing patterns, 

 And sewing patterns for toys and dolls, 

 Womens fashions for sewing, knit and crochet, 

 And, of course, delicious designs for crocheted home decor. 

And, the catalog could not be complete without transfers. 

The catalog is not dated.   I do have a several of the patterns represented in my shop and a quick check showed the catalog to represent designs between 1946 and 1956.  Based on this, I'd say this book was issued 1956 or early 1957.  

The center pages contain two simply patterns that were included as free to customers.   I've added these two designs to my shop listings  --- Free, of course.   The complete pattern shows in the below pictures, however, go to the shop should you like a full size page in PDF format. 

Apron Applique Pattern

Crocheted Pineapple Bowl

 I've posted all of the pages of the catalog in one of my Facebook Albums, appropriately called Alice Brooks designs, should you like to look through the entire book  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie 

Coats Clarks 1947 Thread Price Guide

Tucked in the 1947 issue of Womans Day Magazine is Coats and Clark's Leaflet HH-46.  On the last page of the insert, a materials guide was included which detailed the price of the interchangeable Coats and Clark's and Chadwicks Threads.  

Check out those prices !!!   Although nothing by todays' pricing, I'm sure they were consistent with 1947.  

That's it .... just wanted to share.    Thanks for dropping by. 

Modern Knitting Magazine Commitment, 1948

I'm sharing this with you ... just for Fun.   

Tucked into the front pages of a 1948 issue of Modern Knitting magazine is their service commitment. 

Did you notice that the individual points spell out the word SERVICE?  I'll have to keep a watch out to see if the other needlecraft magazines in this time period followed suit.   

That's it ... just wanted to share. 

Thanks for dropping by. 

Dawn Mohspun Knitting Yarn, American Thread

" Dawn Mohspun is a luxuriously soft 2 ply yarn made of 100% Orlon Acrylic fiber.  It may be machine washed and dried.  It is moth-proof and non-allergenic.   Dawn Mohspun has a fluffy surface.  A deeper, even fluffier texture may be obtained by gently brushing the garment with a wire brush."  

This yarn was introduced by American Thread in the early 1960's.   To accompany the release, they issued one pattern book - New Dawn Mohspun Fashions

This book is reviewed  in the Shop Talk Blog, should you be interested.   There are also, of course, a couple patterns in the shop calling for Dawn Mohspun.  

I've done a number of Google searches and see no direct substitution recommendations for this yarn.   If you have worked any of these patterns, or know of substitution info, I'd love to hear from you ....I'll update this post with the information for others use.  

Thanks for dropping by,  

Lilly Rug Yarn, Art 241

Lily Mills introduced their 'famous' rug yarn in 1937.   This time period was nearing the end of the Great Depression and creating your own home essentials was still economically important.  

"A wonderfully soft, thick, fine quality 100% cotton rug yarn in rich, fast, colors.  This yarn is widely used for all types of crochet work such as hats and bags, bedroom slippers, pot holders, etc.  Also, it is widely used for making Fluff, Pompom, Hooked, Crocheted and Woven Rugs".   

The yarn was introduced in 4-oz skeins.   

(photo courtesy of Polly's Vintage Linens)

Into the early 1940's, Lily Mills promoted the different uses for their Rug Yarn.  As was the norm for this time period, department stores also set up instruction areas to teach you the techniques and giving free patterns with yarn purchase. Crocheting hats and bags was another popular instructions.  

During WWII cotton became scarce, creating a quite a boom for those stores that were able to obtain leftover stocks.   It was during this time period that the nylons and synthetics started gaining their popularity.   Of course, when the war ended and cotton again became available, their marketing (and sales) hit new time highs.   It has to be noted, of course, that they were not alone in this market ... the greatest competition being American Thread's Aunt Lydia's Heavy Rug Yarn.  

The product promotion began dwindling in the early 1970's, and by 1975 had entirely left the market.  Now, that's certainly not to say that rug yarns left the market.   Newer yarns were marketed employing additional fibers .... versus 100% cotton. 

During it's run, Lily Mills produced several pattern books that directly promoted this yarn, as well as offered patterns through leaflets distributed through shops and the popular Needlework magazines.  I've reviewed one of these books - Smart Little Toppers - in the Shoptalk Blog. 

There are, of course, a number of patterns calling for Lily Rug Yarn, Art 241, in the shop if you'd care to browse.  
Thanks for dropping by.