Figure 1.--.

The delineator offered a pattern for a kneepants silaor suit, "Dark-blue serge is the material pictured in the suit in the present instance. The trousers, which reach a trifle below the knee, are shaped by customary seams along the inside of the leg and at the center of the front and back. Darts at the back secure a perfect adjustment at the top, and pockets are made at the sides and in the right sides of the back. The upper part of the trousers is finished with a waistband that is sewed underneath; button-holes are worked in the waistband to pass over corresponding buttons sewed to the under-waist, and the closing is made at the sides."

The Delineator

The Delineator was founded and closely associated with Butterick Company--one of the most well known companies making home sewing patterns. According to Metropolitan Monthly [February 1874], the Butterick company started printing patterns in 1865, issuing a Metropolitan Monthly as a means of illustrating and advertising their patterns. In 1872 they started publishing their Delineator to provide more scope in a larger publication for there patterns with many more pictures in all categories and sizes. It included other information about fashion and home. The Delineator achieved immediate popularity at a cost of 15 cents per issue or a years subscription offered at $1.50 that included a choice of bonus patterns to a value of $1.00. Prices of individual patterns ranged from 20 cents to 40 cents with a deluxe version sometimes reaching $1.50. By 1883, the circulation was 155,000 copies per month, and 10 years later in 1893 it had reached the staggering number of 500,000. Circulation was worldwide, including 85 countries in such exotic and out of the way places as Ceylon, Chile, Hong Kong, Congo, Curacao, Fiji Islands, Siam, etc. In 1905 the Delineator was still selling for 15 centsd per copy, the same as 1872. According to the same article Butterick was producing about 15,000 patterns a day, and sending them out to all the places mentioned.' The Delineator was graphically reserved, and used stylized representations of contemporary women. It was run by the inventors of the pattern and initiated the fusion of the sewing pattern and magazines. The Delineator, as with most fashion magazines, primarily focused on women's fashions. There was for the time, however, unprecented coverage of children's fashions--including boys' clothes. The magazine is the single most important source of information on late 19th and early 20th Century children's fashions.

Garments Offered

This Illustrates a Boys' Sailor Suit in ten sizes for boys from three to twelve years of age.

Dark-blue serge is the material pictured in the suit in the present instance. The trousers, which reach a trifle below the knee, are shaped by customary seams along the inside of the leg and at the center of the front and back. Darts at the back secure a perfect adjustment at the top, and pockets are made at the sides and in the right sides of the back. The upper part of the trousers is finished with a waistband that is sewed underneath; button-holes are worked in the waistband to pass over corresponding buttons sewed to the under-waist, and the closing is made at the sides.

The blouse is made up on a supporting under-waist, which may be omitted if deemed undesirable. The blouse and under-waist are shaped by under-arm and shoulder seams, and their lower edges are gathered and joined to a belt, upon which buttons are sewed for the attachment of the trousers.

When the under-waist is omitted, the lower edge of the blouse is turned under for a hem, through which an elastic is run to regulate the fulness, the blouse drooping in the usual manner. The fronts are rolled back at the top by a collar, between which is revealed a shield that is attached with buttons and button-holes at each side.

The collar is in true sailor shape, falling deep and square at the back, and is covered with a facing that is extended down the front edges of the fronts to form underfacings. The closing is made invisible at the center of the front, and a row of white braid simulates a pointed cuff upon each of the shapely coat-sleeves. The left sleeve is further ornamented with a chevron and anchor. The shield is decorated with four curved rows of braid, and a row of similar braid outlines the sailor collar and covers each outside seam of the trousers. A bow of ribbon is placed below the ends of the sailor collar.

Blue or white flannel or serge or a combination of the two colors will make up attractively in the suit, and for small boys, piqué, duck, percale and Galatea will be greatly favored. The finish may be provided by machine-stitching, and anchors, stars, wheels, etc, may decorate the blouse.

A stylish suit of this description may be made of all-white flannel and neatly finished with machine-stitching.

The hat is a straw sailor showing a blue ribbon band and streamers.

Comments

Please note that the clothes require an underwaist in order for trousers to stay on. Also note an elastic gets added if this is not true.

Source

Delineator Magazine, September 1893, pp. 305 and 306.

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Created: October 30, 2002
Last updated: October 30, 2002