Daughter: Ooh, look, Mummy, over there. Isn't he dreamy?
Mother: Haven't I told you not to use that terrible slang? But, hmm. "Dreamy" may be apt, in this case.
Daughter: Can you get the majordomo to introduce us?
Mother: Certainly not. Only pitiful and desperate women need the services of the majordomo, dear. Besides, you have to tip him so much. If I can't get that man to come over here and introduce himself before the band finishes this song through pure application of my feminine wiles, I'll eat my hat.
Daughter: But, Mummy, you're not wearing a hat.
Mother: I'll eat YOUR hat. It doesn't go with your dress, anyway.
(Today's pattern is from Rita. You can find it here.)
Oh, and the lovely Sarah at Pink of Perfection put up a nice interview with me the other day -- it's here if you want to read it!
Is that a bath tub in the back ground?
Posted by: wundermary | 05/20/2009 at 05:32 PM
I love the slanted pintucks, or whatever you call it.www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
Posted by: Trudy Callan | 05/20/2009 at 05:32 PM
That dress could TOTALLY go fauxlero. Navy blue with hanging pleats on top, white below.
Posted by: Cookie | 05/20/2009 at 05:51 PM
I can't help but wonder what happened to Daddy...
Posted by: Rachel | 05/20/2009 at 07:05 PM
The Mother ate him,Rachel
Posted by: Theresa | 05/20/2009 at 09:11 PM
OMG but I love your stories! You are too wicked ;)
Posted by: Otherwise known as Jen | 05/20/2009 at 09:48 PM
How *do* you think of them, Erin? And what's with wearing one glove and holding the other? Was that some sort of etiquette thing, or was it because of the rock on the right hand (presumably from the most recent broken engagement)?
Posted by: *Sandra* | 05/20/2009 at 10:15 PM
these pattern stories are totally the best, plus i always love vintage illustrations.The mother looks like she is about to smack someone with her glove-indigo
Posted by: indigotangerine | 05/21/2009 at 01:04 AM
i just love these old patterns. those dresses had some class and style to them. wish we had them reproduced for today - but all i find are the repros from my high school days, and that's a real trip. thank you erin for the entertainment. how did the fabric swap go? any pictures? did you get anything wowza?
Posted by: Anonymous | 05/21/2009 at 04:06 AM
loved your interview......you inspire me to be happy :D
Posted by: mymaterialvoid | 05/21/2009 at 05:58 AM
What I don't get is their waists. Talk about an unreachable ideal that makes one feel wholly inadequate. Gee whiz. Maybe the daughter was adopted. Few women who ever had a kid remain wasp-waisted.As for the gloves. I think Maw is teaching DD how to swat the hired help with aplomb.
Posted by: Jan E | 05/21/2009 at 08:16 AM
Re: the gloves: Lemonade stains a la Little Women?And the waists: A diet of men's souls is low in fat!
Posted by: Rachel | 05/21/2009 at 09:08 AM
They each have a glove off because they're about to challenge each other to a duel over who has the pointier dress.Their choice of weapons? Pointy dresses.
Posted by: Melissa | 05/21/2009 at 09:19 AM
Good answer to the Maryanne/Ginger question. Really good answer.
Posted by: http://wienerdogtricks.typepad.com | 05/21/2009 at 09:39 AM
Neither of these women looks as if she has ever eaten ANYTHING.
Posted by: Monique in TX | 05/21/2009 at 10:53 AM
They don't eat, my dear. They drink champagne and smoke cigarettes while trolling for rich men on cruise ships between New York and Gibralter.
Posted by: evalyn | 05/21/2009 at 12:36 PM
But I love the dress, esp the chiffon over a slip-dress version. Whatever happened to Style?
Posted by: evalyn | 05/21/2009 at 12:37 PM
Also, women wore some pretty industrial-strength underwares back then.
Posted by: Melissa | 05/21/2009 at 02:22 PM
I so want one of those in charcoal for work, I can imagine clinching some serious business deals!
Posted by: emilyjayne | 05/23/2009 at 12:10 PM
that polkadot dress is stunning, I would buy it in a heartbeat!
Posted by: Jessica / Lola Vintage Clothing | 05/31/2009 at 11:04 PM