Curated Short Stories and More from the 1880s—1930s.

VOL.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY

Fashion & Décor as Society Intended

Style dispatches from the era that cultivated good taste.

Published June, 1882
In the June 1882 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, Mrs. Jane Weaver provides detailed instructions for crafting a decorative knitted quilt featuring a diamond motif and embroidered crosses. The article guides readers through the specific knitting rows and finishing techniques required to create this warm, fringed coverlet for a bed or bassinet.
Published April, 1882
Published in the April 1882 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, this article by Emily H. May provides a detailed guide to the latest spring fashions. It describes various costumes for women and children, offering specific advice on materials like cashmere and silk, as well as instructions for trimmings and construction.
Published March, 1882
Published in the March 1882 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, this article by Emily H. May introduces “The Philippe Costume,” a fashionable Parisian polonaise. It provides detailed instructions and a full-size supplement pattern to help readers recreate the elegant, looped garment and its accompanying pleated vest.
Published February, 1882
In the February 1882 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, Mrs. Jane Weaver provides instructions for crafting a decorative hanging bag for boots and shoes. Made from brown holland and red braiding, this practical closet organizer features scalloped flaps and worsted ball ornaments.
Published January, 1883
In the January 1883 edition of Peterson’s Magazine, Emily H. May presents a detailed guide to the latest Victorian silhouettes and construction methods. The article provides comprehensive dressmaking instructions for a variety of garments, ranging from elegant house costumes and mourning attire to practical children’s outerwear.
Published February, 1883
Written by Emily H. May for the February 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, this article provides detailed instructions and a diagram supplement for creating a stylish “Panier Bodice.” It describes the garment’s construction from five specific pattern pieces and highlights decorative elements such as a moiré sash and palm-leaf outline embroidery.

Flappers & Fiction

A curated archive of short stories and writings from 1880s to the 1930s. We preserve and organize public-domain literature by theme and genre, offering readers a clear window into the ideas, lives, and imaginations of the past.

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