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| Courtesy Library of Congress |
In the early days of the brassiere, two handkerchiefs would do, apparently. Here's how to turn them into an undergarment.
Illustration Where there's smoke there's fire, Russell Patterson, 1920s. Courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
One of us -- 
8 comments:
while I'm sure more comfortable than a corset doesn't look too supportive.
Well I used to make my own as my mother taught me in similar fashion in my teens when getting all cotton bras was next to impossible [being allergic to manmade fibres] but it only works when you have a petite figure....
I helped catalogue the wardrobe of a long-lived and very wealthy lady, lady Ada Geough Bond. Her clothes spanned the period from late Victorian effusive, through flapper frocks, to bias-cut silk chiffon and beyond. The range of underwear included several crocheted bras:
http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/566010
Search the national Trust site for Argory +Costume for the collection which includes 18th-century men's attire, a 1730's 'hostess apron', military uniforms and Lady Ada's fabulous wardrobe.
I remember doing this in the 60's. You could make a really cute halter top with colorful scarves or handkerchiefs. Didn't use them for a bra, though.
We used to tie two bandanas together for a halter top circa 1972.
I wish I could sew - I would try to make one of these for sure.
This reminds me of an Anna Russell routine = the Ladies club which is grateful to a member for volunteering to speak about how to turn old skirts into patchwork quilts. This will save the club money so they can pay to have a really expensive speaker, an expert from Vogue magazine who will speak on the subject of (much paper rustling) - "oh let me see now, oh yes, how to make skirts from old patchwork quilts."
This is quite fun to see! Perhaps this would explain my mother's extensive handkerchief collection, which I found in her things (along with the rest of her "collections"). Maybe she was planning on starting her own Victoria's Secret?!?! I did find two adorable, but hopelessly tiny hostess aprons, which were clearly made from two handkerchiefs, which look to me to be from the 30's or 40's.
Thank you for this video! I was directed here by the Etsy blog!
Betty
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