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1930s, PatternVault shop

Sally Makes a Conquest

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October 17, 2011

My J.C. Penney’s copy of the January 1939 McCall Style News has this fantastic comic strip advertising J.C. Penney’s fabric department (click to magnify):

McCall J C Penney Co ad advert sewing advertising 1939 1930s

Four lessons I learned from this comic strip-advertisement:

Hapless blondes need the help of sensible brunettes;
Romantic/sexual/social conquests can be made through the power of sewing;
Home sewing leads to female homosocial harmony and shopping outings; and
Home sewing means money for new shoes!

A high resolution PDF copy of the January 1939 McCall Style News is now available in the shop:

McCall Style News January 1939 art deco pattern leaflet catalog

1930s, advertising, McCall’s, sewing, sexual politics

4 responses to “Sally Makes a Conquest”

Noas’ Libellule

October 18, 2011

I love that comic strip.. and your 4 lessons. Was wondering which hair colour I should be next… hapless or sensible?

http://www.noaslibellule.blogspot.com

Reply
1. PatternVault
  
  October 19, 2011
  
  Thanks! Before committing to a hair colour, you could try a streak or two first..
  
  Reply
Foster

October 19, 2011

Love the four lessons! Where did you get this comic strip?

Reply
1. PatternVault
  
  October 20, 2011
  
  Thanks! The comic is on the back of a McCall’s advertising booklet in my collection, originally given out to J.C. Penney’s customers. A business selling McCall’s patterns could have their booklets customized— so copies from other fabric shops have something else on the back.
  
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Sally Makes a Conquest

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4 responses to “Sally Makes a Conquest”

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