May 23, 2010
Eva, your tailoring and dressmaking correspondence course
I have received a gift that is simply priceless, due to its originality, usefulness, and what it shows about how well the person who gave it to me knows me: it is a 1954 correspondence course in cutting and sewing. Amazing. Thanks Charly.
My friend found it by chance in an antique shop and immediately knew it had to be for me. When I opened it and started examining it, I couldn't believe my eyes. Apparently, Eva helped our grandmothers learn to sew for many years; try it and ask them if it rings a bell.
The best part, without a doubt, are the illustrations and the tone with which "Eva" addresses her valued readers. In the course's introductory letter that you see in the photo above, one can read gems like the following:
That is, if you are single (you naughty girl) you should be making clothes to catch someone or, as a second option, try to find a well-paid job (in 1954? a woman? I'll tell you which one). And if you are married (it's out of the question for you to work at the same time) your husband and mother will be happy to see that you are good for something at home (besides raising children, cooking, managing...).
As a woman, I perfectly understand your interest in Cutting and Sewing. Undoubtedly, you must have often thought about the convenience of knowing it. If you are single, you would like to wear this or that model or be able to practice a profession with magnificent earnings. If you are married and, perhaps, a mother, what a pleasure it would be to dress your children well and see your family happy to have a true little homemaker, capable of helping the household economy!
That is, if you are single (you naughty girl) you should be making clothes to catch someone or, as a second option, try to find a well-paid job (in 1954? a woman? I'll tell you which one). And if you are married (it's out of the question for you to work at the same time) your husband and mother will be happy to see that you are good for something at home (besides raising children, cooking, managing...).
That's how things were 60 years ago; it's good to remember that now that there are so many doomsayers proclaiming the end of our society, and also to not forget where we come from. Fashion is fashion now; before, it was cutting and sewing. It wasn't taught in creative design schools but at home from mother to daughter. It wasn't showcased on runways but in small salons with clients, and its primary goal was to be useful, wearable, beautifying, marketable. I wonder if all the designers in our country had a mother or grandmother who took Eva's course.
Right now, it has me completely engrossed and captivated. Besides laughing my head off at the texts and social life recommendations, Eva is genuinely useful because it has provided me with countless patterns that perfectly fit the idea I had for the next collection, that "See Italy and die" collection, which is still in the research phase but must be a reality by October.
I bid farewell as Eva does in her last installment, with a recommendation that I couldn't disagree with more, given my baroque tendencies, but which I also love and fully embrace:
Seek simplicity. The lovely scene you see on this page is a beautiful example of how pleasant and gentle a woman appears when she seeks simplicity and naturalness in her attire. Avoid complicated designs, and if you wear them, let it only be on special occasions. Ostentatious designs tire the eye and soon cease to be attractive. Seek elegance in simplicity, and you will gain a reputation for good taste.
Receive my warmest regards,
The Countess, seeking simple and natural attire
The Countess, seeking simple and natural attire
2 comments
Soy una antigua alumna de ustedes q hize corte y confección y diseño de moda empezó y me quedé en el principio, me gustaría, retomarlo otra vez.
María Loli
February 19, 2019
Buenos días!
Yo también tengo el curso de mi madre. Algo maltrecho pues algunos de mis hermanos o yo, pintamos algunas páginas, no muchas pero… Lo he rescatado y borrado todo lo que he podido y no ha quedado mal, pero desafortunadamente, la lección número 20 ha desparecido. Busco a alguien que tenga este fascículo y si es tan amable, me haga el favor de pasármelo escaneado. Podría hacer un ‘apaño’ copiando lo a color y encuadernado lo y así la colección, estaría cojita pero con una " prótesis".
Sin ven este correo y pueden ayudarme, de verdad, me harían muy feliz.
Saludos.
Marga Aguilar.
Marga Aguilar
February 19, 2019