• Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket Magazine

    Several years ago, while out garage-saling, I “scored” a stack of 25 vintage Workbasket magazines from the early 1950s for $2! At the time I was thinking there might be some vintage crochet patterns I would enjoy making… but there is, oh, so much more! Just so many “precious” things, I have to share. The Workbasket was very popular in…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – July 1953

    This installment from my collection of vintage Workbasket magazines comes to you from July 1953. I thought the cover doily was so pretty that I made it myself! That was a fun project. And while they got off to a good start with such a lovely crochet pattern, it must have been the month to recruit Christmas card salesmen… er,…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – June 1953

    Time for some more scans from my collection of vintage Workbasket magazines, this one from June 1953. (Which I guess I should have posted in June, huh?) Anyway, 60 years ago. “Here is a hat which will keep you looking cool on the warmest days and is a perfect match for those casual summer dresses.” So, I’m supposed to believe…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – March 1953

    The next issue of The Workbasket that I have is from March 1953– almost exactly 60 years ago. The only comment I’ll make as to the cover is that women’s foundation garments in the 1950s were very different from what they are now. Goodness! The popularity of cheap, synthetic fabrics amuses me. “This striking fast color makes unusual blouses, curtains,…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – September 1952

    It recently occurred to me that I never did finish sharing my collection of vintage Workbasket magazines. It’s time-consuming to choose and scan the “precious” little tid-bits from each issue, but oh-so-much-fun to share. So let’s see… looks like we’re ready for September 1952. Crocheted hats are kinda in right now. Just trying to visualize how that one would look made…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – June 1952

    This issue of the Workbasket magazine is from 59 years ago– June 1952. Such a pretty lacy crocheted doily on the cover. I can’t quite make out what’s in the dish, though. Can you? I think maybe it’s candy and/or nuts. I can’t think of anything else a 1950s housewife might keep in a fancy dish on the side table.…

  • Lifestyle

    Making hairpin lace

    Vintage needlework fascinates me. I enjoy a wide variety of hand crafts, and I’m always eager to learn something new. Last summer friend of mine (an older lady) taught me how to make hairpin lace. She even had an extra hairpin fork that she gave me. It was a larger one, though, the size to use with yarn to make…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – April 1952

    Here we are in 1952 with plenty of handy “Ideas for the Bazaar, the Home, Gifts, Sparetime Money Makers, with Many Articles, Easily Made and Inexpensive, that find a Ready Sale.” How’s that for a tag line? And with plenty of capital letters, too!                             The first…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – January 1952

    It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Workbasket post… and I still have quite a few I haven’t share with you yet. I know you’re just so excited about that, aren’t you? This one is from January 1952, and as you can see, the cover was torn off. For some reason, this issue seemed to have more than its share…

  • Literary Pursuits

    The Workbasket – December 1951

    It’s been awhile since I shared a Workbasket with you, and I thought you might be needing some hokey gift ideas for Christmas… circa 1951. I loved the edgings on those towels, but all I can think of is having to iron them to keep them looking nice. Iron bath towels? Uh… no, thanks!I’m sure these are very sweet baby…