Needlecraft Magazine
Publication Date: August, 1919
Original Cover Price: 10 cents
Published by: The Needlecraft Publishing Company
Place of Publication: Augusta, Maine and New York, NY.
Number of Pages in this Issue: 28, counting the covers
About the Cover Art: The cover is in color and is absolutely gorgeous! It shows a smiling model standing on the deck of a ship. She is dressed in a crisp white ensemble with a pretty turquoise blue filet crochet sweater overtop. A jaunty straw hat tops it off. Such a pretty illustration!
Craft Techniques You Will Find in this Issue: Crochet, Knitting, Tatting, Embroidery, Rug Making
This publication generally had needlework patterns, projects, techniques, tips, lessons, and inspiration, plus fashion illustrations showing the latest trends of the day. There was usually also a cooking section with recipes for good old-fashioned home cooking. (This issue has ice cream and dessert recipes.)
Some of the contents you will find in this issue:
For Knitters: A leaf and diamond pattern block for bedspread, with an elaborate border to match these counterpanes. There is an Edwardian-style summer sweater to knit. There is also knitted lace with a matching insertion- you could pretty much use these to finish off almost anything- table linens, bed linens, garments, etc.
For Crocheters: This issue is extremely special because it has TWO patterns by Mary Card! Mary, in my opinion, was the greatest crochet designer of all time. She was an Australian designer with a long and distinguished career- her accomplishments included the publication of books both in Australia and the USA. Her work is outstanding and is still highly collected and sought after by needlework enthusiasts today. (Finished pieces designed by Mary typically go for higher prices than crochet linens usually do on ebay.) Mary’s first design in this issue is the British Coat of Arms in Filet Crochet; the article features a close-up illustration of the design as well as written instructions. The second pattern of Mary’s is simply AMAZING. It is a “Dragonfly Centerpiece”. According to Mary, the dragonfly lace edging can be used for rectangular articles as well as for curved ones. The illustration shows a curved centerpiece. Mary actually gives instructions for doing the linen center of this piece. If you are used to working from antique publications you probably have an appreciation for how unusual this is- many of these old patterns kind of leave you on your own to get through that part through trial and error!
There are lots of other great crochet patterns in this issue too: a Tea-Cloth with corners of filet crochet (chart included) by Mary Fitch (who was another prolific crochet designer with books to her credit); Embroidered linens with crochet edgings- a round imitation cluny border, an oval doily, and others; edgings for Edwardian style lingerie- camisole, undervest, “kimono-style” nightrobe; 3 different yokes for corset covers & camisoles; There is an Edwardian-style summer sweater to crochet (it is worked in filet crochet and the chart is given. This is actually the sweater that is shown on the cover in color. There is also a daffodil floral insertion in filet crochet, and the chart for working it is included.
For Tatters: Tatted Yokes For Camisoles and Corset Covers.
For Cross Stitchers & Embroiderers: Any of the filet crochet charts listed above could be used for cross stitch as well. There are some embroidered linens shown in this issue that serve as great inspiration, although specific instructions, and transfers, are not given in this issue- at the time you had to send away for the perforated patterns.
For Seamstresses: Sewing instructions for a Wild-Rose Cushion For Hatpin. Also, pages of fashion illustrations with a bit of information, but no actual sewing patterns (you had to purchase those by mail order at the time.)
For Rug Makers: Rag Rug Braiding instructions, for “Rugs Such as Grandma Used To Make”.
Ads&Advertising You Will Find in this Issue: A full page ad for Bixby’s Jet Oil for black shoes & shuwite for white shoes; A partial page ad for Fleisher yarn; A partial page ad for Keds shoes;
More Photos From the August 1919 Issue of Needlecraft Magazine
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By Amy Solovay
About the Author — Amy Solovay is a freelance writer with a background in textile design. She learned to crochet as a small child. After earning two degrees, one of which is in textile design, she launched a career in the textile industry. She has worked as a textile print colorist, knit designer and director of design for various Los Angeles based fabric manufacturers. Later she transitioned to writing about crochet, knitting, crafts and other topics for major media outlets. She enjoys designing crochet and other craft patterns, and she invites you to make use of them.
This page was last updated on 5-19-2021.