The Mary Frances books as seen in "Victoria Magazine"
With wit and charm "Adventures Among the Thimble People," as this little guide is subtitled, teaches budding seamstresses everything they need to know to make a variety of outfits and accessories. The Fairy Lady, tommy Pin Cushion, and Sewing Bird are just a few of the "talking" implements that offer Mary Frances advice in charming verse. A cross-stitch sampler is the first project they work on; a complete wardrobe for a 16-inch doll follows. In addition to instructions on page, there are many actual patterns in back---for an "automobile" coat and bonnet, a party dress, a "lady's work bag," even a wedding dress---33 in all
Though learning to sew is the book's focus, gentle life lessons are woven throughout its ages---a typical custom of the day. Sage words like "patience brings reward" and "try try again" from Sewing Bird and others encourage young hands when tedium looms.
Mary Frances and her dolls convey the first aid remedies for
accidents and emergencies with humor and the best contrmporary advise
(1916). ISBN 1-891656-29-5. 144p (h)(LE93)
THE MARY FRANCES SEWING BOOK or ADVENTURES AMONG THE THIMBLE
PEOPLE, Jane Eayre Fryer. $28.00
An exceptionally clever and fascinating story of a little girl who
wanted to sew and how her grandmother's sewing bird and all their
other sewing tools show her how. Lessons include the making of a
complete wardrobe for a 16" doll including a wedding dress.
Full size patterns included. Designed to capture the imagination of
every lille girl who will find the pleasures and rewards of
this too neglected part of learning. A reprint of the 1913 book of the
same title. Heirloom edition. ISBN 0-916896-85-4. 270 pgs. (h) (LE26)
THE MARY FRANCES KNITTING AND CROCHETING BOOK, Jane Eayre
Fryer. $28.00
Instructions, through a delightful story, teaching children how to knit
and crochet all kinds of garments for their dolls through
the guidance of Crow Shay, Yarn Baby and Wooley Ball. Heirloom edition.
Illustrations by Jane Allen Boyer. Reprint of 1918 book of
same title. ISBN 0-916896-90-0. 270 pgs. (h) (LE39)
MARY FRANCES HOUSEKEEPER, Jane Eayre Fryer. $28.00
The story of the Paper Doll Family of Sandpile Village where Mary
Frances learns proper etiquette and the fundamental principles of
good housekeeping. Written against the contemporary background of the
time, 1914, the story offers a valuable insight into the
social graces of this period. Includes full color cut-out dolls and the
furniture for every room of the house. ISBN 0-916896-90-0. 256
pgs (h) (LE42)
MARY FRANCES COOKBOOK, Jane Eayre Fryer. $28.00
A cook book in story form, this is the tale of how Mary Frances learns
to cook because she wants to help her mother when she falls
ill. With the help of the Kitchen People, Tea Kettle, Rolling Pin,
Toaster Man and all their friends, who talk to Mary, she soon
learns the necessary skills. Receipes are given in the simplest words,
every operation described, with enough mistakes included, to
make any little girl quite comfortable in this new adventure. ISBN
0-916896-96-X. 176 pgs (LE50)
THE MARY FRANCES GARDEN BOOK or ADVENTURES AMONG THE GARDEN
PEOPLE, Jane Eayre Fryer.$28.00
In helping to make things grow, Mary Frances and her friends share the
pleasures of the land; finding joy, appreciation and
understanding of nature's wonders in their garden adventures. ISBN
1-891656-01-5. 384pgs (h) (LE58)
THE LITTLE GIRL'S KNITTING & CROCHETING BOOK, Flora
Klickmann.$20.00
From simple stitches and patterns to the more advanced to make numerous
doll garments and accessories combined with delightful
illustations and photos. "Instructions for making many articles-for
Dolly, for Baby, for Mother, and for Auntie...useful things
that a small girl will love to make." ISBN 1-891656-36-8. 128pgs (h)
(LH10)
THE LITTLE GIRL'S SEWING BOOK, Flora Klickmann. $20.00
"Pretty things that a little girl can make including an
outfit for dolly's wardrobe, furnisjhings for dolly's cottage, presents
for mother and auntie, and handy things for herself."
Delightful illustrations and photos. ISBN 1-891656-37-6. 128p (h) (LH11)
THE LITTLE GIRL'S FANCY WORK, Flora Klickmann.$20.00
"To teach girls how to de Needlework that shall be Good Craft as well
as "Fancy"...to show them how to turn their handwork to useful
account, and apply it to the practical things of everyday life." Cross
stitch, hem-stitch, hardanger, embroidery, knitting.
Delightful illustrations and photos. ISBN 1-891656-38-4. 128p (h)
(LH12)
MARY FRANCES CARD SET (15). $12.00
A note card set consisting of 3 each of 5 color plates from the book,
THE MARY FRANCES SEWING BOOK. Includes 15 envelopes and gift
box. (LE30)
SEWING
BIRDS:
An exact replica of the 19th c. original, the one found in Grandma's
basket and who introduces Mary Frances to the thimble peope in
THE MARY FRANCES SEWING BOOK. Used in the same fashion as a "third
hand" the bird clamps to a table while the beak holds the fabric
that is being worked on. Forged from solid brass, the bird is a useful
as well as a decorative accessory. 4.5" high Bird is packed
in a padded gift box. (LV10)
$28.00
for Brass finish, (LV11)
$40.00
BUTTONHOLE SCISSORS. $18.00
A 4.5" adjustable buttonhole scissors with notched blade and set screw
to control length of hole. A high quality reproduction of
the 1865 Henry Sears & Son classic. The same scissors used by Mary
Frances in THE MARY FRANCES SEWING BOOK. (MY76)
CLOTH
DOLL PATTERN FOR MARY FRANCES. $5.00
Pattern for a 16" cloth doll suitable for the wardrobe that Mary
Frances makes. Doll has jointed arms and legs and contoured facial
features. Includes some basic garments. (LE34)
MARY MARIE WIG. $14.00
A combable wig specifically designed for the Making Memories Mary Marie
doll. (LE47)
MARY
FRANCES "Marie Marie" Doll Pattern. $12.00
A 16" cloth doll pattern, specifically designed by Ellen Thompson to
accompany
the book THE MARY FRANCES SEWING BOOK, where Mary Frances makes a
complete wardrobe for her "Mary Marie" doll. Doll has bendable
joints and dimensional facial features. Wig available separately (MA56)
MARY FRANCES COMBINATION PATTERN. $10.00
After sewing the clothes for her doll, Mary is ready to make full size
garments for herself. This pattern is designed to fit girls
from 10 to 12 years. (LE43)
PORCELAIN "MARIE MARIE" 16" DOLL. $30.00
Mary Frances's charming doll, "Marie Marie", with the big floppy hair
bow suitable for the the vast wardrobe that Mary Frances makes in the
MARY FRANCES SEWING BOOK. (LE40)