Antique Crochet

This magazine is "The Delineator: A Journal of Fashion, Culture, and Fine Arts". It was published by the Butterick Publishing Company. The original price was 15 cents! I think that one of the coolest things about this magazine is, it shows pictures of many garments that Butterick actually made patterns for. So if you find an outfit you like when you look through the magazine, there is a chance you could find it on ebay (or at a flea market or antique store). I guess in a way it was sort of like the Victorian version of "Butterick Patterns", only a much better version because it had so much more than just fashion.

Table of Contents:

The complete table of contents is pictured above. You can click on any of the photos above to see an enlarged view of the table of contents. Actually, you can click on any of the photos on the page and you will be able to view an enlarged photo. Below, I've written a more detailed account of this issue's contents.

Bicycling and bicycle outfits:

How in the world could they possibly have been comfortable riding a bike in such clothing? YIKES! But at the same time the illustrations are rather charming and romantic...the ladies were so feminine! Quoting a bit from the accompanying article:

" The woman cyclist, when properly attired and mounted, presents as graceful and dignified an appearance as does the fair equestrienne in her stylish habit...in order to fully enjoy wheeling, one must have thoroughly practical attire, and fashion designers have produced a generous assortment of garments for the purpose. Naturally, comfort was deemed of primary importance in the devising of these styles, but grace and smartness have also been attained in a notable degree, because good taste is never willing to wholly sacrifice beauty to usefulness." "It is not a simple matter to effect abrupt and radical changes in customs that have prevailed for ages, and many women cyclists, therefore, cling to the essentially feminine skirt, in the making of which, however, the requirements of utility and perfect activity are fully considered..."

What a fascinating article, and it is such an intriguing look at cultural history!

Fashionable hats and bonnets ~

a look at some bedazzling headpieces trimmed with flowers, feathers, and lace. To me these look more like works of art than fashion accessories. I cannot imagine ever actually wearing such a creation on my head! There are some real showstoppers shown here.

More Antique Fashion Illustrations:

Women's dresses, gowns, and capes, plus children's clothing and much more.

Artistic house furnishing and decoration:

I just love the page layout of the illustration that goes along with the article. It is really beautiful, showing three separate scenes of dining room, a detail of the oak buffet, and the bedroom (they actually refer to it as the "boudoir"). Really gorgeous!

Fancy stitches and embroideries ~

This article is a single page that shows a full-sized table mat design (one quarter of it is pictured; you mirror image the design up and down to make the complete design.) Don't worry if you didn't quite "get" that, because it will make sense to you when you look at the smaller diagram in conjunction with the full-sized pattern. the embroidery design is really lovely. This authentic Victorian embroidery pattern would make lovely reproduction linens for today's needlework enthusiasts.

Crocheting ~

a pattern for the sweetest old-fashioned "infant's crocheted hood" is given in this issue. It is really fancy. The instructions to actually crochet it are given. There is also a pretty crocheted edging.

The Art of Knitting ~

In this issue are instructions for a knitted plate doily. This item is really gorgeous. It is round lace with a lace edging. It\'s only 40 rows and looks like a fantastic project! There are also instructions given for an infant\'s sock. I would not recommend either of these patterns to beginning knitters, but if you have a bit of knitting skill I think you would enjoy them very much.

The Art of Netting:

Instructions are given for loose loops in clusters, wire frame for embroidered netting, and mounting netting on a frame.The Art of Knitting~ In this issue are instructions for a knitted plate doily. This item is really gorgeous. It is round lace with a lace edging. It's only 40 rows and looks like a fantastic project. There are also instructions given for an infant's sock. I would not recommend either of these patterns to beginning knitters, but if you have a bit of knitting skill I think you would enjoy them very much.

"Modern Lace Making"

Beautiful pictures of a collar of modern lace and an oblong doily in point lace; some info is given about these items, but it seems to be of a general nature...an advanced lacemaker couldprobably make good use of this, but specific instructions are not given for making the featured items.

Tatting ~

This issue of The Delineator contains patterns for some beautiful tatted lace designs. Instructions are given for a tatted edging~ this is exquisite! It is not your ordinary skimpy tatted edging either~ it would take quite a bit of time to actually make this, but WOW! talk about spectacular! If you like to tat, this would be a worthwhile project for your time and energy. Instructions are also given for a clover leaf insertion and a tatted border for table centerpiece. The clover leaf insertion looks simple but pretty. The tatted border looks like you could use it multiple ways. It is really pretty. The motifs lend themselves well to a variety of applications.

Illustrated Miscellany

My favorite regular section in "The Delineator" is the one called "Illustrated Miscellany". I like it because the drawings are always so pretty, and because you never know what fun surprises they have in store for you! This time they have fancy yokes, a jet collar ornament (looks to me like an extravagant necklace! gorgeous!), many garments, a crocheted bag, some fancy boxes, a fancy bag, a handkerchief case, some fancy hanging shelves, a fancy ornament, a fancy pen-wiper, and a crocheted basket. These items are described in great detail, but specific instructions for making them are not included.

Paper Dolls ~

There are paper dolls in this issue! They are really cool two-sided ones. The paper dolls would be cut out and folded in half so that the front of the doll faces front and the back of the doll faces back. One of them is a Chinese doll, and the other is a little girl in an empire waist dress holding a doll.

Victorian Silhouette Art:

Also part of the "children's corner" is a page of Victorian shadow pictures. There are 4 of these silhouettes all together. They are charming!

"Burnt Work~ the tools and their uses".

I don't even know how to begin explaining this article, so I guess you'll just have to take a look at the pictures- or even better, find yourself a copy of this magazine. The Burnt Work article is intriguing! A chrysanthemum design for a penwiper is given.

The Co-Educational colleges of the United States

Please click on any of the photos below for a close-up view. A girl's life and work at the University of Chicago. By Emily James Smith, University fellow, 1893-4. I think this article would prove interesting to any alums from the U of Chicago. The article is just under 3 pages and has 3 illustrations.

"Employments for women~ typesetting".

This article about typesetting is great reading for history buffs!

"Venetian Iron Work" ~

This article is 4 pages long and is very well illustrated. The author was J. Harry Adams. The subject is lamps and lanterns in ironwork. General instructions are given. It looks to me as though previous metal work experience would be recommended in order to actually make these items. Also, this article is part 10 in a series. I noticed that the author does mention some of the previous parts in the instructions for some items.

Ads & Advertising

The ads in this magazine are truly entertaining. Most of them are partial page ads. Lots of corset ads; clothing and catalog ads; Butterick cutlery (scissors etc.); full-page ad for Madame Rowley's toilet mask or face glove; 1/2 page ad for the autoharp; Ad For Henerson's Double Sweet Peas; many more.Check out this crazy ad from the Electrolibration Co.

"This simple and easily applied home treatment, without medicine or electricity, augments the supply of vitality by polarizing the body and causing it to absorb oxygen from the air through the pores of the skin, thus supplementing the work of the lungs to an almost unlimited degree..."

Huh? Whaaaat??? Click to enlarge, it's definitely an entertaining read. The back cover is an ad for Pears' soap; it is lovely! If you can find one in good condition, this ad would look amazing if removed, matted and framed. On the other side is an equally cool ad for "The Dressmaker and Milliner", which was described as "A new quarterly magazine illustrating in colors and tints the latest modes in costuming and millinery".

Where To Buy This Issue of the Delineator Magazine

By now, you might be wondering where to buy your own copy of this magazine. I originally purchased mine on ebay.

Click Here to search ebay for this issue.