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
