Saturday, June 5, 2021

A gift for you from 1949!

 



I collect old copies of the Australian Home Journal. Usually I find them at garage sales, op-shops, or a trash and treasure market if I'm lucky, but I've also been known to snap up a bargain from ebay on rare occasions. 

Since early 2020 I'd had a plan to share my copies with you over the course of a few years, but as the process of scanning and formatting to a good reading quality is laborious and quite time consuming, and life got busy with other things, that plan needed to be put on hold for a while. 

However this week, in between all the homemaking, sewing, pattern writing and gardening, I spent time each afternoon bringing together the May 1949 issue of Australian Home Journal as a PDF file for you to download and enjoy.

I can't wait to discuss some of the contents with you this month, as there's so much to read and consider about post-WW2 life for the Australian homemaker. I love reading these magazines for the insights they give, the frugal tips, recipes made using minimal ingredients or the relatively new thing at the time "pre-packaged ingredients", the classy chic style, sewing & crochet & knitting patterns, a lovely story in each issue, patterns for clothing sold by Australia Home Journal, homemaking tips, NO GOSSIP, movie reviews, theatre reviews, and ads scattered all the way through for lotions, potions, underwear, medicinal aids, and so much more.

Each issue of the Journal included three free paper patterns (you can see the ones inside May 1949 as they are on the cover) and believe me these were not for the faint of heart because they have minimal instructions and were not marked like the patterns of today - but my sweet Blossom, who is a gifted seamstress, understood them when she gently browsed a few and even exclaimed "Oh, so that's how they do it!" with one particular gathered blouse pattern. 

In the May 1949 issue of Australian Home Journal, which I'm sharing with you today, there are a number of knitting patterns as here in my country May is the end of Autumn and many women were preparing to knit for winter. 




Unfortunately there are two pages missing from this issue, however, it's still a wonderful read. Being May, there's a number of gift ideas to make for Mother's Day, but also interesting and stylish ideas for dressing up with pearls, scarves and cravats. 



I simply love the advice to women on how to hold themselves gracefully. Here's a snippet...


Now, I'm not by any means a woman who wants to step back into 1949 because I thoroughly enjoy my home conveniences and a grocery store just up the road, but I do believe we ladies may have forgotten (or not been shown) the gentle art of 'being a graceful woman' and that returning to the classics of good manners, self respect, etiquette, kindness, self sufficiency, modest dress, good posture and resourcefulness within our budgets and with our purchases, would be a wise pursuit. 

There's so many of these magazines that I can't wait to share more in future, and it would be lovely if I could give you a new one each month but I shan't promise that as life tends to step in and upset my plans more than I'd like at times...but I shall endeavour to bring them as regularly as time allows. 

Use the link below to download the magazine. It's a very large file because I made it with high resolution.

DOWNLOAD The Australia Home Journal May 1949


Next week I have a Homemaker's Diary project to show you, and I'll explain how I use it to help keep my days and tasks on track. This week I worked on the cover and here's a sneak peek...


Prayer request:

Please pray for Blossom, Ross and the three children. I have not seen them since May 26th (Blossom's birthday) as they came down with very nasty head colds just a day later. Now more than a week has passed and they're still battling this very nasty bug. In the midst of this Charlie cut a tooth and there's more on the way. Ross's dad dropped off some fruit, bread and veg one night, and I did some grocery shopping for them but had to leave the bags at the door as they are infectious. They'd truly appreciate your prayers for swift healing! ((thank you))

Well friends, enjoy the magazine and please share your own thoughts in the comments below. I think what stands out most to me in comparison to what magazines are like in 2021, is the lack of gossip or scandal, and how everything is geared towards using your hands, head and heart to benefit your family, self and home life. Quite refreshing! 

Bless your dear hearts, and may this weekend become a time of refreshment, inspiration, improved health, and most importantly, a closer walk with Jesus. 

hugs





37 comments:

Janice said...

Thank you so much Jennifer, for going to the trouble of scanning and sharing the magazine. Like you, I do love reading them. If I go looking, I have a few of my Grandma’s here from the 30s. I think that may have something to do with my love of the lovely floaty dresses of that time, along with the beautiful artwork of the patterns. I’m in awe of the ladies, including my Mum, who knitted the jumpers and cardies in such fine wool and such intricate patterns. I’ll have to sit down with a cuppa and have a read.

Elizabeth said...

Loved seeing the old magazine. I ordered a wonderful dress pattern in 1969 or so from a newspaper ad. It came from New York. Let me tell you, that pattern was the best I ever came across...and it went together PERFECTLY!! I loved having a simple dress (that was the style then) with some extra features that other pattern books did not have and thus no one else in my area had "my dress"!! Wondered why all patterns could not be made thus. Of course, now, you are fortunate if the pattern is even close to good...perfect? Never does happen anymore...and people who do not know English as their first language should not be chosen to write the directions, excuse me...just the same as in any other language. Words can mean different things to different cultures!! I have not sewn in a long time...I want to get back to it. Maybe if I could find a better machine too, that would help (I have 2...neither is very good). Thanks for the walk back in time. I am currently working on some memory books about the lives of my mom and her parents primarily...for our offspring. I try to include all sorts of things, as well as their wisdom as I recall it.
Elizabeth

Lorrie said...

I look forward to reading the old magazine. I always enjoy seeing what crafts were popular in the past, and reading about old recipes is fascinating.
I will pray for Blossom and her family. To not feel well and have a teething child is doubly testing.

Annabel said...

Oh my gosh I even love the words at the top "Skill to do comes from doing!" Thank you Jenny. I hope Blossom and her family re fully well again soon. xxx

Gill said...

Thank you for doing this , I shall look forwards to reading the full magazine relaxing with a cup of tea, later this afternoon. I liked the final advice about not standing on your dignity, but to carry it with you! I used to love reading through my Grandmothers magazines. She always took a British one, Woman and Home; but it has changed too much now, and is full of gossip. Happy weekend.

Joanne said...

Hi Jennifer,
That was a lot of work scanning in an old magazine on a home printer/scanner. I'm sure the magazine wasn't taken all apart and fed through all in one go. That is love for your hobby :)
Arrowroot biscuits, Anacin, Johnson's baby powder,Kraft Cheddar, Brasso, Kellogs All-Bran, Horlicks and Bayers asprin are all familiar name brands growing up ! Always fun reading old magazies :)
Now a days the ads are always refgerring to a website for more information. If readers are not Internet users how does one cope ?
Knitted cardigans like this were made by Mom and Grandma.
Enjoy the weekend,
hugs, take care,
Joanne

diana said...

Thanks so much for sharing the magazine and posy and I am praying for Blossom and family. Changing seasons seem to bring colds🙏

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I knew you would love this! There is a wise saying across the top of every issue...and I'm thinking of making a set of stitcheries from them. We need more wisdom than ever today. Bless you my dear friend!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

"I liked the final advice about not standing on your dignity, but to carry it with you!"
I agree - what wisdom in that little article for us today. :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Thank you so much Diana. x

Lin said...

Thank you Jennifer - I am looking forward to reading this. xx

Lin said...

Love and prayers to Blossom and family. xx

daisydilly (vicki) said...

Thank you for the magazine download. Love the cover. Sending prayers for Blossom and family.

Winifred said...

Love to you all & remembering you all in my prayers. Hope Blossom's family recovers soon bless them.

I loved that magazine especially the patterns. Those dresses were so elegant. Thank you for taking the time to do this. The quality is excellent.

Little Quiltsong said...

I so appreciate the work you put into this download - thank you, Jennifer! Praying for Blossom and her family!

Shirley said...

Thank you for the delightful magazine copy. It was so interesting to look back in time, and there were several things I recognized that are no longer available.
I'll be praying for Blossom's family. I hope they make a full recovery very soon.

Tammy said...

Oh how lovely a magazine...I am praying for Blossom and family...They do not make magazines like that anymore..Even craft magazines have little crafting left in them these days... And most have nothing but advertising or scandal as you say in them...We need to get back to the basics...

Angie in SoCal said...

Prayers being said for Blossom and family. What a walk down memory lane - I was four years old that year. Wisdom is timeless.

Susan said...

Praying for Blossom's whole family, and you and Mr. E., too.

Jenny said...

Thank you for the sweet gift of the magazine. I really look forward to reading it. Hope your little family is all well soon.

Suzy said...

I so enjoyed reading this issue. The article on how to sit lady-like and the Dear Abby of the time, brought smiles to my face. The ads were interesting. I had not heard about Rheumatism and had to look it up. You don't hear much about that these days. The fashions were very tailored. I miss the days when we would get dressed up to go shopping or really dressed up to go out to dinner. And what ever happened to dance floors? It be nice to go to a "fancy" dinner out and dancing. ♥

liloca, liloquinha said...

Oi Jenny,eu tenho algumas, eram de minha mãe, o primeiro cachecol que fiz aos seis anos era destas revistas.Minha mãe usava muito para tricot,receita ,vestido para ela e para mim e receitas culinárias.
Memórias afetivas, sou grata a Deus por este tempo.
Deus abençõe você e sua família!!!
Liége

Susan said...

Love and prayers to Blossom and family.

Caroline said...

Love the Home Journal Magazines, thank you for all your time in making this one available to us all. I hope Blossom and her family are much better soon. God Bless xx

tylasnan said...

Thank you so much for my birthday present Jenny. I was born in 1949 and it is my birthday next Friday.Thanks to Trove I have read the copy of The Australian Women's Weekly that was printed on the day I was born and now I have this magazine to look forward to reading. Prayers for Blossom and family.
Cheers, Karen near Gympie.

Carol said...

Thank you so much for this magazine. I'm also a fan of old magazines and books regarding homemaking and crafts. One of my prized possessions is a sewing book for schoolgirls in home economics classes in the 1940s. I'm so looking forward to spending time in the Australian Home Journal. Prayer also for Blossom, Ross, and family.

Sherry said...

Thank you for the magazine. Prayers going out for Blossom, Ross and the children. Take care of yourself also.

Ondrea said...

I shall download the mag and read it later. I used to have copies of my grandmother's Womens Weekly. Now I can't locate them lol. Many healing hugs to Blossom and family.

nannajs said...

Hi Jenny
I belong to the Embroiderers Guild of SA Port Pirie Branch, we have a large collection of old magazines from the 1930's.
I think they may be English, as you say no rubbish gossip just full of ideas and patterns. These magazines have free transfers for projects included. The transfers, or some of, still work today. They include knitting, crochet, embroidery for home decor as well as clothing. There is also a short romance story. I love going through them and have completed a few projects, with a few modern changes.

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

I have always LOVED the beautiful styles from this time and wish we could still get them today! Honestly, I could sew them but my love of sewing clothes switched over to quilting a long time ago. My mom was born in '31 and I still remember how she would draw (doodle) exactly like the sketches of the fashion ads and patterns. (She was very good!). I just love seeing any of them as they always remind me of her. And yes, the content in these are definitely from a better time, tho I'm sure it was so hard to deal with the effects of the war!

Carol in Texas said...

Oh those wasp-waisted women on the cover! Carol in Texas

Val Laird said...

Thank you, Jennifer, for bringing back such happy memories of my childhood. The Australian Home Journal was one of the rare luxuries my sweet mother was able to enjoy. Some of those gorgeous dresses I would love to wear today - pity I don't have the figure to carry it off anymore!!! Thank you for the hard work you put in to give us the enjoyment of reading these treasures from the past.

Nancy in IN said...

Pray all are doing much, much better.

It's A Classical Life said...

Thank you, Jennifer, for being so generous once more with both your time (this scanning must have taken ages) and with sharing what you have. I can't wait to delve into this month's issue! It certainly satisfies my love of history and homemaking. Prayers to Blossom and her family - these bugs are extra tough this year. I hope they all have a speedy recovery.
Thanks again!
Kirsty

Águeda said...

Thank you so much for sharing your magazine. It's so cute, so interesting and useful. I'm praying for your pretty Blosson and her family. God Bless you and your whole family.

Linda C said...

Thank you so much for the downloaded magazine. I love these old publications especially quilting ones. A former patient's family members gifted me some of her mom's collection after her passing. I think of her often when I see one of those treasures. I cared for her the year I was the guild's quilt show chairwoman and Miss Viola and I talked "quilt."

Miriam said...

My prayers for your beloved. Hopefully they are better now,
Miriam