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Across the Fence:  housedresses  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - May 25 2007 : 7:33:51 PM
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anyone remember the print 'housedresses' that our momma's and grammies wore during the 1940's and 1950's? i have such fond memories of my 'nannie' always wearing them!
anyone ever see them anymore? i never ever find them in antiques shoppes. the patterns were often pretty much like the aprons of that time too.
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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mkmomus
True Blue Farmgirl
248 Posts
Merle
Greensboro
NC
248 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 7:46:47 PM
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I remember them Frannie. My mother always wore them. Some had buttons and others just went over your head. My mother called the ones with buttons housecoats and the other house dresses. My mother still wears them. They do sell something sort of like them at WalMart. My last child was born in the month of Aug and I wore them all that summer. They were great. I was up north at the time and I got them in a ladies store. It was a store that had all the bras and panties in little glass front drawers behind the counter. The lady would measure you and pull out bras for you to try on. My mother and I were just talking the other day about how we used to walk downtown and go shopping when I was growing up. No malls then. If we had lots of packages we would take the bus back. I wish we could be like that again. Maybe we will if gas prices keep going the way they are. I just picked up my son from grad school today and we were talking. He is an environmental major and he was giving me a big speach on the landscape of America and how he feels it will change. I think the younger generation may go back a little. One of my favorite sayings is "What goes around, comes around" and another is "Everything old is new again" There may still be hope! And just maybe I'll make myself a house dress!!!
Merle |
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candismom
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Elizabeth
560 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 7:55:49 PM
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Frannie,
I love them I buy them new from a company caled American something. I will get the catalog and post the name and web sit for you. I pay about 13.00 for them.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 8:08:20 PM
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I love the look of house dresses. It would be neat for someone to re-create a pattern for all the farmgirls to use.
Alee |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 9:44:58 PM
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| I saw some on ebay!!! |
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Nicie
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Denise
Lincoln
NE
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 9:53:58 PM
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Untill a few years ago we could still buy them for my Grandma here in Falls City. The Lady at the dress shop said that there were many of the ladies at the local nursing homes that wore them and that she had a couple of companies that still made them. But that was about 5 years ago. Don't know about today.
I don't remember my Grandma ever wearing anything else and I spent a lot of time on the farm.
Denise
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Edited by - Nicie on May 25 2007 9:55:32 PM |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 10:07:52 PM
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Both my grandmas always wore those and aprons too. I would love to find some.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2007 : 10:11:28 PM
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The Vermont Country store has them...but they are $39.99.
I like the idea of a pattern, I'd like mine to have pockets and be in the xx sizes.
Pamela
http://homesteadmercantile.blogspot.com/ |
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newheart
True Blue Farmgirl
471 Posts
Margie
Owings Mills
Maryland
USA
471 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 12:46:42 AM
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All the catalogs for large sizes (large and xx large) offer them. In fact I brought some last year after I had my Heart Attack and heart surgery. The slip-over ones were easlier for me to wear and more comfortable....I still have 3 left that I pull out and on some times..They are crisp and neat and lovely print colors..
MARGIE
Chocolate makes my Heart 'sing"... |
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TheSoapMaven
True Blue Farmgirl
691 Posts
Susan
LA
USA
691 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 02:19:09 AM
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My mom wears nothing but these. We buy them at Stage and the local dress shop. They are usually 19.99 at Stage and between 30 and 40 at the dress shop. I got her three for Mother's Day. One is just amazingly beautiful - a bright red. I think it is her favorite.
Susan
http://www.thesoapmaven.com
http://notquitejunecleaver.com
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 04:57:15 AM
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My mother always wore them, and my grandma made hers. Mom always said she felt more comfortable in a dress than slacks or pants. And I feel the same way, I love my long skirts as much as my capris or jeans.
Every time mom went out, though, she never wore her house dress, unless it was to a neighbor's house to chat or something. Never to a store! Those were the days.
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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Runbikegrrl
True Blue Farmgirl
250 Posts
MaryAnn
Waterbury Ctr
VT
USA
250 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 05:56:36 AM
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Georgann how funny they call them patio dresses. My "housedress" is a pair of my daughters old (we have at least 1/2 dozen) PJ/sweat bottoms and an old T-shirt. In the summer its shorts and T-shirt. Throw them on when I get up, do and dog hike in them and if I'm not going anywhere pretty much stay in that get up all day.
So many interests so little time! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 06:06:23 AM
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I've always loved this photo, for many reasons: one, it's my great grandmother, Dodie, wearing one of her famous housedresses, and two, the photo is SO dour, and the back of the picture reads, Mom, Dad and Aunt Hazel (left), March 1957 Anniversary Dinner....
They got married in 1918, so I guess anniversaries at that point were special enough to wear a housedress AND cross your arms! Or, for my great grandfather, to find something more interesting on the ground 
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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candismom
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Elizabeth
560 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 06:22:45 AM
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Aunt George,
That is where I order mine from. I love them. They are quick and a good price.
Thanks for posting that.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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MariaAZ
True Blue Farmgirl
203 Posts
Phoenix
AZ
203 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 11:37:33 AM
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My mother has worn housedresses for as long as I can remember. Blair (a mail catalog store) carries them for pretty reasonable prices. Mom was wearing a housedress this morning that is a cherry print with a black background and I was thinking how pretty the fabric would be as an apron.
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
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Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 12:04:29 PM
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I went to the website and there are some really cute ones on there. My problem is I'm 5' tall and the ones that go to your knee goes around my ankle, lol. I hate that, I have a hard time buying dresses unless I go to a nice shop and get petite. Grrrr, short people, lol.
~~Blessings, Mikki Jo
www.mikkijo.etsy.com
http://burningmeadowsprings.blogspot.com/
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 5:51:06 PM
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Both Grandmothers wore them as well as a apron over them.
I think I have a couple of her dresses. and a couple of aprons.
Pinkroses |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 9:42:45 PM
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oh my gosh gurlfrenz .. how fun to read all your memories of house coats/dresses .. i just can't believe they are still sold!
i don't remember them being real flattering to my nannie's figure .. i guess if you sashed them at the waist (or hips) and did a little pull-up and blousy look .. they would be pretty cute! thanks for all the great memories! xo
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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mom2knk
True Blue Farmgirl
321 Posts
Blanche
So Cal
321 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 10:19:28 PM
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| My MIL always wore a housedress and her aprons of course!! |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 10:39:18 AM
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Jonni - that photo is hilarious! Love everything about it.
Here's a question now to follow the discussions on housedresses - what kindof shoes did your mom or grandma wear with the housedress? In the summer, my mom had a little canvas slip ons and in the winter, she wore anklets and loafers. And a sweater, too.
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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candismom
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Elizabeth
560 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 10:52:28 AM
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Mikki Jo,I am 4'11 and 100 lbs. I get the petite small from the site Aunt George posted and they fit me just fine. Also Willowridge has cute dresses and jumpers. I get the petite xs from them.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 11:11:08 AM
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Jonni, I love this photo. Takes me back a ways. Thanks for sharing.
Farmgirl hug,
Patricia
Farmgirls do it organically! |
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theoanne
True Blue Farmgirl
282 Posts
teddie
CARROLLTON
GA
282 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 5:52:19 PM
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Grandma made all her clothes including her housedresses. These always buttoned. Her shoes were the laceup old lady orthededic style with a 1 in. block heal. If @ home she wore either white anklets or thigh high hose. The hose were held up with garters( not the garter belt,but the kind like thick rubber bands) She would roll the stockings down, garters and all, around her ankles and then if she left the house to go to the store she rolled her stockings up to the thigh. A housecoat was what we now call a robe.
Mom wore zip up housedresses. and later she started wearing Mu-mus(sp?) These are like the patio dresses. She is 82 now and the mu-mus are still her favorite clothes @ home. She does wear slacks to go out.
I like dresses/sundresses to wear around the house when it is hot out. But only to lounge in. If I'm working then it needs to be shorts or pants.
Jonni loved the photo.
TEDDIE
Too blessed to be stressed! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2007 : 05:24:11 AM
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Theoanne...Grandma Ranke (in the photo) also wore the old lady ortho shoes...I can't remember the maker, but my mom would get her a new pair for mother's day, along with something a bit more frivolous. She always wore black or navy. Poor gran had "kankles" and I do remember her wearing knee highs, but not rolled down.
I love the photo too--I never knew my grandfather, but this is exactly what Grandma Ranke and Aunt Hazel looked like when I knew them!
I think the reason we probably don't see any of these housedresses in antique stores is because they were so "used". Probably so worn out, they would go into the rag bag after a time.
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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jendada
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Jen
Ellendale
MN
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2007 : 11:25:16 AM
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| My Grandma Neustel always wore a housedress too. My mom and aunt would sew them for her...buttons all down the front. She almost always had a sweater thrown around her shoulders except when it was really hot. I can't really remember her shoes but I think they were brown with ties. and thigh high stockings. The picture reminds me a lot of her. She hated having her picture taken. Always had her arms crossed but one hand would be in front of her face placed along side her nose!! |
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Across the Fence: housedresses |
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housedresses
