ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE The monthly jottings of a free-spirited Ponsonby dressmaker of the 1920s, as imagined by Angela Lassig. VERMONT STREET 15 JUNE 1925
Dear Letty
Today I’m working on a black crepe dress and matching coat for one of my older regulars. She orders a new black costume every year…always in the best black crepe that I can buy and always in a similar style. She does entrust me with the latitude to embellish it differently each year though. This year I’ve been required to slightly alter the pattern and inset a panel down the centre -front and centre-back that I am in the middle of decorating with a fine black p silk cord which I’m couchingg down in horizontal bands of zigg zagg pattern. The coat will feature a panel of the same down the centre-back. The work is ut quite fast to do and so stylish when completed. monotonous but ust tell you, even though you will find it hard to believe…Great Oh Letty, I must Aunt Edith of Bath sent me a gift! And it isn’t even my birthday! And what quisite pair of jewelled heels that I intend to have attached to a gift…an exquisite ir of black satin evening pumps just as soon as I can. I only my newest pair em to her in passing in a letter sent last October. I had hoped mentioned them that she might consider them for me for Christmas, knowing that she probably rove of such frivolous accessories! So you can imagine how wouldn’t approve amazed I was when I received them. Her letter says that she saw them in ne of her monthly shopping trips and that she couldn’t resist Harrods on one air. She only wishes that she were young enough to wear them buying me a pair. herself ! This iss so unlike Aunt Edith but I’m not complaining! I can’t wait to wear them o be a very special occasion! - it will have to I was going to take them to Mr Mason [ii] as ne a good job with my repairs. he’s always done re so special, I think I’ll give them to Mr But as these are fixx to my shoes. I was so impressed with his Scott [iii] to fi resurrection off a pair of nearly new boots that suffered from ing and a lost heel after a mishap near the Post a muddy soaking ar. I think I told you about the whole humiliating Office last year. tt not only matched the heel perfectly, but managed affair. Mr Scott also to clean, dry and then polish my sodden boots so that they came back to me looking almost as good as when I purchased them! ng’s post I received a lovely postcard of a quaint In this morning’s Cornish villagee scene sent to me by Sybil Maxwell [iv]. I’m sure that ybil and her sister Josephine in an earlier letter to you? I mentioned Sybil tly arrived in England where they are visiting family They’ve recently before setting out for Europe. They’ve already purchased a brand new car that they are using for their jaunts around the English countryside. Sybil says that she is receiving many compliments sses and suits that I made for her. She even about the dresses wrote that one suit - in celadon and marigold-striped linen with a plain celadon linen jacket - has become her urite! I am very pleased to absolute favourite! know that my clothes have appeal at home! I don’t know how long Sybil ne will be and Josephine uspect it will away, but I suspect ear as I also be at least a year vely winter coat made her a lovely that she won’tt need for at least another few months. I still have enough of the same plaid that il’s coat; in I used for Sybil’s a delicious pale apricot shade crossed with caramel. I intend to make myself a similar coat to Sybil’s which, while of a simple
+ 40 PONSONBY PONSONBY PARISH NEWS+NEWS June 2012
construction, looked so effective when trimmed at the collar and cuffs with some caramel coloured fur that Sybil had. I think that I will face my collar with plain caramel coloured wool on which I will couch down some heavy matching twisted silk cord in lovely swirling patterns. I am determined to do the same with the cuffs which will be much deeper than those requested by Sybil. While it is not my habit to make copies of the original designs for which my customers pay me well, Sybil will not be in New Zealand this winter and it is very unlikely that someone of her standing will want to wear her old coat again next winter. I’d better make sure I get enough wear out of my coat this winter though…just in case...as I don’t dare risk an incident! y, last week I bought g the most beautiful china-headed doll - just like Letty, secon yours - from Henry Tatton’s [v] second-hand shop in Ponsonby Road. His is the one almost ne next door to the Britannia Theatre; where you bought the brass jardinière for your mother. Mr Tatton thinks that it is from the middle of the last century! Her body and limb limbs are of cloth stuffed with wool, but her perfect little hands are of porcelain as well as the lower portion of her legs wh which feature hand painted black boots on exquisitely small feet. As her clothes seem to be original but also quite ra raggedy, I have decided to remake them as a little evening project during the winter. I’m hand sewing everything and intend to practise all the stitches on them as a m means of keeping my skills nicely honed. After they’re washed, I’m going to keep her original clothes as they they’re still lovely in spite of their state. I’ve found a sm small wicker basket in which she will live, just as soon as I coax Pusskins to favour another place to curl up in in! Well dearest, I must clos close now and get back to my t dress I need to cut the sewing. After I finish the coat and then run to the haberdashers to find some nice black silk cord work buttons to set it wi be just the thing! off. I think they will Give my love to your mother won’t you and do write soon. With fondest wishes,
Maudie xx [i] Recipe: “Macaroni Pie - Bo Boil some macaroni in wellsalted milk until tender. Drain and cut the macaroni into small pieces, salt and pepper to taste. Put into a pie dish, cover with well-seasoned gravy, sprinkle wi with mixed sweet herbs, add a thin layer oof grated Cheddar cheese, g and bake in a good oven for half an hour. Source: Eveni Evening Post, 10 July 1926 p.15 [ii] JJohn Mason, boot repairer, 128 Ponsonby Road [ William George Scott, [iii] rep boot repairer, 222 Ponsonby Road T [iv] These characters are based o early Auckland weavers, on Syb and Josephine Mulvany Sybil [v] Henry Tatton, Second hand shop, 267 Ponsonby Road
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
illustration: 99designs
I’m sitting in a ray of rare sunshine on an otherwise wintry day, hoping that it will endure as I write this long overdue letter. I’ve just eaten the leftovers from last evening’s supper - macaroni [i] pie. It tasted remarkably good heated up with a little more cheese melted over it.