Mrs Exeter's sewing plans

I'm still not in a position to do much dressmaking, so instead I'm living vicariously through Mrs Exeter's plans for her 1952 spring/summer wardrobe.

The April/May 1952 issue

Mrs Exeter was clearly quite a selling point for the magazine at the time; not only is she mentioned on the cover, but this is also the lead article.

Before even new Couturier or Paris Original patterns

It is written in the first person, with Mrs Exeter stating that she has been "filled with a new enthusiasm: to make more of my own clothes". She follows the regular advice of the pattern book, which is to begin by buying her undergarments. Her choices, which look quite formidable, are illustrated.

A long brassière, and a girdle

The first item she wants to make is a coat-dress, Vogue 7624. "So many women of my age and measurements feel they can't wear a wide skirt, but I think - as long as the hips are smooth - they're wonderful for making waists look a bit smaller."

'Mrs Exeter' photographed by Norman Parkinson

She does, however, choose the long-sleeved version because she hates showing her elbows.

Vogue 7624

For her coat, she thriftily chooses a fabric which will work for both day and evening - grosgrain - and a design which she will also make up in a thicker fabric for later in the year.

Vogue Special Design 4291

It also appears in the "7 Wardrobe Bases" feature

The pattern

Mrs Exeter's second day dress choice is "a slender wool one - the sort that is quite indispensable for an English summer - with a white collar and cuffs (I shall have at least two sets)".

Vogue Couturier 678, on the right

This too appears twice in the issue, the second time as a suggestion to make in linen.

It is this pattern.

Showing the separate collar and cuffs

Which I immediately recognised as this reissue.

With the usual slight, unnecessary, tweaks to the artwork

Mrs Exeter is particular in her choice of suit pattern; it must be "uncluttered and classic", as her figure "demands long lines". She also intends to make a blouse to wear with it.

Special Design 4282 and Vogue 7607

To round off her spring/summer wardrobe, Mrs Exeter requires two more dresses. One is a dinner/evening dress in a style which she calls a "hostess gown" - Special Design 4292, shown with the suit and blouse above. The other is a "good, all-purpose print dress". For this, she intends to make what she calls a "long-standing favourite of my generation", a redingote with a matching slip.

Vogue 7615

Sadly, I couldn't find any other illustrations of this pattern online, so I'm unable to compare it to Vogue's idea of a redingote as a coat.

So in total, her plan is - four dresses, one suit, one blouse, and a coat. If I tried to make all of this, starting in April/May, I would be lucky to have it done by Christmas. Clearly, Mrs Exeter was a very speedy seamstress!