1910 through 1917Pictorial Review Company
Pictorial Review was established in 1899 as a typical ladies' magazine, with articles on current fashion trends, child care, and housekeeping. The sewing patterns appear throughout the magazine. The usual order in which the patterns are illustrated is ladies, young ladies, girls, children, babies, accessories. Aprons typically appear near the accessories patterns.
I haven't yet located an issue of Pictorial Review featuring this pattern. It's possible it was featured only in newspapers and was used as a sort of promotional item. I suspect that when you received your apron pattern there would be an insert for a discounted subscription to the magazine.
The earliest reference I've found for this pattern is a 1910 newspaper advertisement.
Modesto (California)Bee
Friday, November 18, 1910, p. 3
The latest newspaper reference to this apron I've found is interesting. The Lead (South Dakota) Daily Call for June 29, 1917 ran an article on page one detailing a meeting of the Lead chapter of the American Red Cross. The chapter was ramping up their organization to support the war effort. (1) The ladies had made a trip just a few miles up the road to Deadwood to observe the Deadwood chapter's work and methods, which the Lead ladies proposed to follow. The ladies were expected
"to do sewing, knitting, gauze work and engage in other like activities that will be conducive to the comfort and physical well being of the troops. Much of the work the ladies will able to do in their own homes"
However, there was an expectation that some ladies would prefer to do their work at a converted hall, on specified days and times. And when working in the hall
"All members while working at headquarters are required to wear aprons of a specified design. They must have sleeves and be of a certain length. The exact style of apron is Pictorial Review pattern No. 3783, a supply of which will be found at Chase's store Monday afternoon."
Ladies could also purchase aprons ready-made from Daniels and Fisher, Denver, for $1.50. Daniels & Fisher promoted themselves as the Denver equivalent of Marshall Fields in Chicago and John Wanamaker in Philadelphia. Daniels & Fisher was quite proud of their tower, built in 1910.
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The Ladies' Work Apron
An apron designated as a work apron usually means that the apron provides full coverage. It often has sleeves. The description on the envelope reads:
With High Neck and Rolling Collar, or Low Neck in Square or Rounded Outline and having Sleeves in Full or Elbow Length or Sleeveless with Sleeve Protectors.
The instructions finish with "Any desired style of trimming may be adopted," which is interesting for a work apron.
Yardage requirements are given for both 36" and 27" wide fabrics. These are both common widths for utilitarian fabrics. We'll see that these widths will require some additional work. Separate yardage requirements are given for the sleeves.
Making the Ladies' Work Apron
Stay tuned!
(1) Although World War I began in 1914, the United States didn't declare war on Germany and become directly involved in the War until after April 6, 1917. The Lead Red Cross Chapter started their work just ten weeks after the war declaration.
Originally published on 7/6/2008, substantially re-written on 11/24/24.
