The sewing princess

Progress on the striped dress is very slow... I still have the zipper and the hem to do. Hopefully, I'll finish it tomorrow.

In the meantime, I found this article in my book of Libelle magazines from 1956. In nr. 10, issued on 10 March 1956, to be precise. I hope it will bring a smile to your face, as it did to mine:

The article bears the title "A Royal Seamstress". I'll show you the original pages and zoom in on the sewing related pictures.

It's about princess Birgitta of Sweden (sister of the current King of Sweden), who was taking sewing lessons and creating her own wardrobe at the fashion salon Mårthaskolan, under the guidance of mrs. Lithander. Apperently, this salon held classes for young ladies from good families who came there to sew for three days a week, from 9.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m.

The princess was one of them. 

She even made some gowns which she wore for prestigious occasions at which press would scrutinize her appearance. "The cherry red evening gown, a copy of a Dior design (in the 1950's, designers made most of their money selling designs to firms abroad for them to copy) which she wore at the gala dinner for the Nobel prize ceremony was made by her, as well as the navy blue gown worn at the annual ball at Kralberg castle"...
Of course, according to the article, she was an excellent student at the salon. 
Oh, and she would both use commercial patterns and design her own.

I think that's what we need today: a princess who sews!
(hmmm, the new Dutch royal copy has three daughters... They're still a bit too young, but who knows...)