Madame Weigel's Patterns | Interest
Madame Weigel's Patterns
Phone: +61 400 900 813
Reviews
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24.01.2022 Another of Madame Weigel's gems from Lugano in 1923, the final instalment tomorrow
23.01.2022 From 1929, a feature from Madame Weigel on the feather boa, although I just love the tiny eye veil. Great illustration!
23.01.2022 The brightest, most stunning dress from a 1960s Weigel's counter catalogue. Sumptuous!
20.01.2022 If proof were needed of Madame Weigel's geographic spread, here's part of some maps I'm working on, this for western Victoria. Each place had an agent at one time or another, quite amazing that she reached so many.
20.01.2022 I've put a feature on the rinker cap on my Instagram page in a "down the rabbit hole" feature of investigation.
19.01.2022 From Weigel's in 1949, a photograph used to show this evening dress pattern at a time when the company needed a little reinvention. Sadly, it didn't work and the journal ceased publication the following year, whilst the patterns continued on until 1968. Gorgeous dress!
19.01.2022 I've often wondered what the lobbies of the grand hotels that Madame Weigel so loved looked like. This photo tells us! She wrote of taking up her seat, watching and listening to the seemingly fascinating guests. Some pretty cheeky stories retold!
18.01.2022 Some of the images from my next workbook on Madame Weigel's millinery. Year by year, this will detail each of her hat patterns as well as the running commentary provided in her journal on styles, tilts, fabrics, trimmings, veils, feathers, and even dead birds
16.01.2022 So happy to have these companion volumes out, Madame Weigel's life and work on the record in these evidence-based, independently researched histories. Available on my website, www.madameweigel.com.au
15.01.2022 Just one section of the index-in-progress for my next workbook on Madame Weigel's millinery, this the part on flowers on hats. I've reached 1908, close to the end of the Edwardian era when hats were huge and flowers powerful. I am again amazed at the breadth and depth of Madame Weigel's legacy to Australian fashion history.
15.01.2022 Those shoes have some walking to do in the new USA ... Momentous Day!!
14.01.2022 During the past few months I've been working on Madame Weigel's millinery for my next workbook. With so many entries in the index for the bow, here's a great example for Melbourne Cup 2020 and all those hats not made, not worn.
14.01.2022 From Madame Weigel's hotel lobby for those interested in conversations heard, and opinions formed by the expert people watcher, Madame Weigel. More to come!
13.01.2022 One of my Madame Weigel vandyke cushion shams, just one piece used for best over a cushion. Make sure to look out for these 1930s gems, they are still out there and usually stunning.
12.01.2022 As I passed Mark Foy's once upmarket department store in Sydney some years ago, where Madame Weigel had an agency, I was reminded just how important haberdashery and drapery were to business back in the day. A prominent part of life now sadly faded to far less.
11.01.2022 Tough times in Barcaldine, Queensland, in 1918 when a fast sale was needed, this drapery shop piling the goods out on the front yard to sell what they could. Whilst researching Madame Weigel's agents across Australia, many stories of strife emerged that affected lives, property, families, livelihoods, in this country so well known for good responses. Thinking of Melbournians today, onward and upward.
10.01.2022 1960s fabric inspiration from my 1965 Weigel's counter catalogue, so much of the era.
09.01.2022 Don't forget to follow me on Instagram at @madameweigel.patterns for more on Madame Weigel, lots more to show and tell.
07.01.2022 My final instalment in the Madame Weigel eavesdropping series, the best saved for last. Somehow she managed to wrangle herself a first class compartment adjacent to the great pianist, Paderewski. She was a top customer at Thomas Cook so maybe that was the pathway. The ultimate on departure, a kiss on the hand from the great man - the "we" she refers to is herself and her maid, Sarah Neilson.
06.01.2022 From a more delicate moment in craft history, bedjackets or dressing jackets from Madame Weigel in the 1930s. Gorgeous garments, fine yarns, colours, and knitting and crochet skills.
06.01.2022 My favourite tea cosey pattern from Madame Weigel in the 1930s, the flower top. This gorgeous version in the collection of the Pioneer Women's Hut, Tumbarumba, NSW. Lots of pleasure making all of these flowers.
05.01.2022 Working today on my next workbook on Madame Weigel's millinery, this from 1909, "Slightly upturned brim with decoration in buckle shape of rosebuds and ribbon". This was the era of the really huge hat.
05.01.2022 Part of a book recently donated to Templin Historical Village near Boonah, this old image shows the finesse of the tailored riding skirt, an essential garment adapted by many women who sewed at home and relied on horses to get about. Another Madame Weigel initiative underway at Templin, more soon
04.01.2022 Maternity wear was scarce in Madame Weigel's pattern series in the early decades, overtly discreet in the 1910s and 1920s, then a little bolder through the 30s and 40s to blossom in the 50s and 60s. This gorgeous outfit from my 1965 counter catalogue, the most fabulous swing coat in uber-60s fabric.
01.01.2022 In this little series on Madame Weigel's eavesdropping skills, this from 1923 as she continues to work her way through the grand hotels of Europe. Born in 1847, she was now in her 70s so taking it a little easier than the days when she hurtled around in her car, phaeton, carriage, chauffeur-driven limousine, or on her bicycle. She too was renting out her grand house by now.
01.01.2022 An early men's dust coat from the 1880s in Madame Weigel's pattern series, a practical garment suited to Australia's dry and dusty climate.
01.01.2022 Madame Weigel made a few comments about the "uncommon felt". Apart from the felt hat being unusual, any other ideas?
