Speed-Cro-Sheen by Coats & Clark's

In September, 1953, Coats and Clark's introduced their Speed-Cro-Sheen thread to the market.   This thread, a follow-up to their Knit-Cro-Sheen was a heavier weight and designed for crochet 

Full page advertisements were placed in magazines, and two separate pattern books were introduced with home goods patterns, bedspreads, rugs, mats, etc.  

"The new cotton crochet spread, Speed-Cro-Sheen, makes it fun to experiment with contemporary design"   In addition to the standard white and ecru (that was typical for the time period) this thread was available in an array of bright colors, as well as multi-colored.  

100% Mercerized Cotton, Size 3 - an 8-ply firmly twisted thread in 100 yard balls

Speed-Cro-Sheen was frequently advertised in newspapers -- the typical sales promotions.  This ad was from the 1953 introduction of the thread.   It entered the market with a selling price of 25 cents.

Full scale advertisements, in the form of newspaper articles (as in this 1960 example) also appeared, most likely coordinated and paid for by The Spool Cotton branch.  "The instructions leaflet for rug and bedspread also includes instructions for crocheting a vanity cushion bench cover.  For the leaflet, send a stamped SASE ....."   The Mail Order Pattern Number - PC-9117.

Here's another (1968) Speed-Cro-Sheen newspaper promotion.   In this case, the offering is being made by The National Needlecraft Bureau.   (I've not figured out the relationship between Spool Cotton and NNB.  Whether NNB paid a fee to use the patterns, or if the organizations were tied together.   Give me time!).

Speed-Cro-Sheen even made it's appearance in a number of Anne Cabot's Mail Order patterns.  (Typically, mail order designs did not specify any specific brand).  This pattern set, 5791 and 5901 are from 1982.

By 1986, the price has climbed to 89 cents a ball.   A big jump in price from the 1953 introduction?  Not really.

Advertisements and promotions began to decline in the late 1980's and completely disappeared in 1994.  Coats & Clark's Speed-Cro-Sheen enjoyed a 41 year life span ... And, that's pretty good.

There are a fair number of patterns in the shop that call for Speed Cro Sheen, should you be interested in browsing.

Thanks for dropping by.

Stitch in Time Leaflets, Vintage Coats & Clark's

Here we go .... it is Fall, 1953, and Coats and Clark's issue out (what I believe was a yearly) campaign aimed towards school girls ... The Stitch in Time Pamphlet. This pamphlet may have been distributed through Home Ec classes.

This is the Stitch in Time  - Fall 1953 - Volume 24, No 1, Called The New Look in Crochet.

The patterns featured are all beginner designs with a couple personal and home accessories worked in Speed-Cro-Sheen.  The two open page pamphlet that is wrapped in promotional material.

The pattern featured here is the 'Suit Yourself Hat and Bag, which is a cute half hat and matching drawstring bag.

The receiver gets the patterns and completes an easy survey and mails back to Coats and Clark's.

Can you see yourself, as a young teen, filling out the survey, mailing it in and waiting impatiently for your pattern book to arrive?

The Tweed Place Mat is an attractive beginners design with a solid contrast border that measures 12 x 18".

The leaflet finishes off with another two basic designs - The Candlelight Placemat and Gourmet Potholders.

The back page gives us promotional thread information for the Speed-Cro-Sheen.   It's here, I'm sure, the young girl starts thinking 'what color her hat will be?".

I've several of these 'Stitch In Time' Issues from the 1940's and the format has significantly changed.  The earlier publications were marketed as Spool Cotton Company, and these shows Spool Cotton as the Issuer with Coats & Clark's as the Copyright.   Apparently, 1953 was part of the company transition period.

Hope you enjoyed the pamphlet.
Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie