Friends, I stumbled on this vintage original 8x10 glossy photo of an "unidentified seamstress" and her Singer sewing machine on eBay last week and I knew right away I had to have it, especially for $2.95.
It took me two seconds to identify said seamstress, but I'm unusual that way. Can you? How about her sewing machine?
Guess away!
Any other fans of sewing-related ephemera out there? Whatcha got?
Dinah Shore.
ReplyDeleteYep, that looks like old Dinah to me too. Now I am far from a expert, but my big question is, how often does one sew a dress - neckline to hem - one quarter at a time?
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at guessing celebrities names. Heck, I have a hard time remembering the name of someone I just met 3 minutes ago. But I do know what she is doing.
DeleteShe's creating her own pattern/fit by means of draping. Most symmetrical patterns are draped on only half the body - usually the right front and right back halves only, thus 1/4 at a time.
It might just be a mock-up. Mock-up pattern drafting is used when the dress has something you are not sure how to make/how to get the look the design has (everything is possible on paper, reality makes the difference). In the first draft you do not do the whole dress, just half of it, or just the part that is difficult. :)
DeleteI don't know her, but the machine is a Singer 201-2. I have the same with the cabinet and stool.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea who it was, but now that someone's guessed it I've looked it up! I see she did a range of patterns for Spadea. Anyone know how that came about?
ReplyDeleteI have seen that face before--reminds me a little of Ida Lupino.
ReplyDeleteThat is defintely a Singer 201 in the background.
I don't know who she is, but I covet her hairstyle.
ReplyDeleteForget the sewing machine, look at her shoes!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm also guessing Dinah Shore, but I cheated -- I googled her name after the first commenter mentioned her, and found pictures of her from the same time period, with the same hairdo and everything. It's bizarre how different she looked with the dark hair and '40s eyebrows verus her later blonde hair and more natural eyebrow look.
ReplyDeleteHad the consensus not emerged so soon, I would have guessed Eva Duarte, later Peron...
ReplyDeleteGreat guess: I wish I had a photo of Eva Peron sewing!
DeleteIt can't be Claire McCardell, the hair is too dark...
ReplyDeleteJoan Crawford! Without lipstick.
ReplyDeleteThere's no such thing as Joan Crawford without lipstick. ;)
DeleteI know, it's so weird!
DeleteEdith Head (sans trademark glasses)?
ReplyDeleteSpud from Down Under
Don't know but that looks like my 201 that is also in a queen ann cabinet but has the matching stool with the qa legs. I love all the old singer ads and nostalgic photos.
ReplyDeleteBoy, you have to get up early to beat this crowd... and I have a 6 hour advantage here in France! Oh well, next time.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog...makes me homesick!;-)
DeleteI was thinking Lotetta Young, never would have guessed Dinah for the same reasons Rebecca Grace mentioned.
ReplyDeleteSuch a keen eye you have, Peter.
Definitely Dinah Shore. I'd know that face anywhere, even with that dark hair. I love the Dinah Shore show with all those Kraft food commercials. Spray cheese and marshmallow casseroles!
ReplyDeleteWasn't Dinah Shore from an obscenely rich family or something? I seem to recall reading a "Victoria' article about the massive sail-powered yacht her father owned; I'm pretty sure the girl in the story was Dinah Shore! Seems funny if so, that she would know how to sew!
ReplyDelete