1920s Publications

The following PDF eBooks can be read with Adobe Reader (Free software which is already on most computers) or with a PDF app on a smart phone or tablet.

How to Make a 1920s Flapper Dress

In the early 1920's making a dress was a fairly involved process. It was a skill that young women learned from their mothers or sewing classes, and it was carried out the same way as it had been done for centuries.

This amazing book created a sensation when it was released in 1924 as it revolutionized the dressmaking process. The speed and ease with which a dress could be created was unprecedented at this time and even today it raises eyebrows.

The sceptics said it couldn't be made in one hour as the designer, Mary Brooks Picken, claimed, so a public demonstration of the technique was held in a large department store in New York. The critics were silenced when the beautiful dress was made in only 35 minutes by an experienced dressmaker by following the instructions provided.

This book teaches you step-by-step the dressmaking method taught by Mary Brooks Picken so that you can create your own authentic 1920s style dress.

Original dresses from the 1920s era have suffered the effects of time and are unsuitable for wearing so the next best thing is to make your own... this books shows you how!

How to Create 1920's Style Fingerwaves

1920's movie stars popularized fingerwave hairstyles and it wasn't long before the general public wanted to know how it was done.

An enterprising hairdresser of the stars published a book on how to create fingerwaves. He provided six lessons on the basic technique then he took the hairstyles of twelve popular movie stars and showed in detail how to recreate them.

Fingerwaves were the perfect complement to the short hair styles that were in vogue in the nineteen-twenties, and like all good hairstyles fashion turns full circle and the hairstyle becomes popular again.

If you would like to learn how to create beautiful fingerwave hairstyles then these lessons by a 1920's professional are just what you need.

Cutting and Styling Bobbed Hair

The initial short-hair hairstyle of the 1920s was the straight cut Bob that resulted from trimming long hair. This is the style that was popularized by Louise Brooks. It was simple to create and easy to maintain however it was rather plain.

It didn't take long for hairdressers to start embellishing the Bob and making it into something much prettier. Techniques like shingling, layering, and tapering were used to add style.

By the end of the 1920s and early 1930s hairdressers had perfected the art and created stunning hairstyles. This book contains the distilled wisdom of one of the expert hairdressers of the era. You can get the benefit of his experience!

The Marcel Wave Hairstyle

Learn how to recreate the marcel waves that added beautiful waves to the various womens hairstyles of the 1920's and 1930's. The Marcel Wave is similar to the Finger Wave in appearance, but the Marcel is more permanent due to the use of a hot curling iron.

It is difficult to find good information on marcel waves. These marcel waving waving lessons were created by an experienced hair stylist of the 1920's, so there is no better or more accurate information available than is contained in the lessons.

There are 8 detailed lessons which teach you the basics and variations of marcel waving, and another 9 very basic lessons on the popular 1920's bobbed hairstyles.

The Hair Bobbing section contains photos and basic descriptions of children's bobs like the Buster Brown, Dolly and Sweetheart bobs, plus ladies bobs like the Boyish bob, Semi-boyish bob, Shingle bob, Old English bob, High bob, Curly bob, and Egyptian bob.

Decorative Drapery of the 1920s and 1930s

DECORATIVE DRAPERIES & UPHOLSTERY is an answer to numerous requests, over a period of years, from home builders and interior decorators, for information and advice about color schemes, draperies, decorative furniture coverings and problems of interior decoration.

The scope of this book had to be limited to a carefully selected number of decorative problems which would at once cover much ground, be practical of execution and easily understood by anyone interested in interior decoration, whether as a non-professional or as a professional decorator, or as a buyer or seller of decorative textiles.

Accordingly, Decorative Draperies & Upholstery offers solutions of familiar problems in decorative draping and upholstering, embodying complete color schemes and including many familiar decorative problems of background and furnishings.

While a certain amount of practical information has been given about drapery construction and workmanship, Decorative Draperies & Upholstery is not a manual of the draper's craft. Such books aplenty already exist but none that extensive research has been able to disclose which offers decorative suggestions in line, form and color, for layman and professional alike, as do the color plates in this book.

No partiality has been shown towards any particular "style"; many are represented in the color plates. The object has been to draw inspiration from many sources of design, all of which have suggestive value for today's requirements. Nor have the latest interpretations of contemporary style tendencies been neglected.

1920s Bead Book in Color

Beaded Bags were at the height of popularity in the 1920's and are keenly sought by collectors today. You too can own one of these beautiful bags.

You can create your own beautiful beaded handbag, necklace or bracelet using the genuine 1920's designs from this book. Create your very own stunning handbag that will become a family heirloom - and impress your friends.

Contained in this PDF eBook you will find 35 stunning designs from the peak period in beaded bag design - the nineteen twenties. These exclusive creations in hand-worked bags, necklaces, neckbands, headbands, bracelets, rings and other items come with complete directions for making.

1920s Halloween Ideas Book

Are You Stuck for IDEAS on making Halloween Costumes or Decorations?....

Eighty Years ago your great grandparents had the same problem and so a Crepe Paper manufacturer published a Solution

The Simple System outlined in their vintage booklet used Crepe Paper to produce Cheap and Colorful Costumes and Decorations that anyone could create

We have republished the Crepe Paper manufacturer's Vintage Publication as a downloadable book and added some Bonuses containing extra information.

This PDF eBook shows you how to make stunning costumes, invitations, place cards, favors etc., decorations that create atmosphere, plus dance and game ideas

1921 Spring and Summer Hats

This publication was part of a series produced by the Woman's Institute Millinery Service to assist members studying their millinery course. It is NOT a step-by-step 'how-to' book. Rather, it is a series of illustrations and descriptions of 35 different hats for the students to make by applying their course material. It is prefaced by a detailed explanation of the latest fashion trends in hats.

"1921 Millinery" is ideally suited for fashion students, costume designers, or anyone looking to create an authentic 1920's style hat.

NOTE: We have expanded the book with two extra sections on hats from 1922 and 1923 so it now covers most of the early 1920s.