"Planning Parachute Parts!" in Easy Dressmaking (1947)

In 1947, "Frances K." wrote to the "Ask Anita Best!" column in Easy Dressmaking.  She wanted information on something that must have puzzled many women at the time: how could she best use the war-surplus parachute silk on sale in many of the shops?

"Francis K., intrigued by the parachute sections she sees on sale in so many shops, is wonder whether she would really be able to make herself some pretty undies from them.  What worries her most is that the material seems to be cut on the bias and she can't quite see how to plan the pattern shapes on the sections."

"For Frances and many more of my readers who will be buying these fascinating silk sections I have pictured on this page an alluring set of lingerie and an excellent brassiere and shown how the patterns for all these garments should be laid on four parachute sections for cutting out.  Each pattern section has been numbered and named so that all you need to do is send for the patterns and lay the sections on your silk just as the diagrams show.  From two parachute sections you could cut the nightdress and the knickers, or you could cut the petticoat, the cami-knickers and the brassiere.  The patterns are arranged in position so the main part of each garment is cut on the bias except the knickers and these and the remaining parts of the other garments are on the straight of the fabric.  Allow plenty of space for laying your parachute sections out flat and pin your pattern pieces carefully in position with plenty of pins so that they cannot slip when you start to cut.  All turnings are allowed for on the pattern so you can cut exactly to shape.  The making up is, of course, as usual."

And for those who are particularly interested in the details, I give you Anita Best’s original diagram with its key:

No. 1—Nightdress front.  No. 2—Nightdress back.  No. 3—Bodice front.  No. 4—Shoulder strap.  No. 5—Knickers back.  No. 6—Knickers front.  No. 7—Knickers yoke.  No. 8—Petticoat front.  No. 9.—Petticoat back.  No. 10—Bodice front.  No. 11—Cami-knickers front.  No. 12—Cami-knickers back.  No. 13—Bodice front.  No. 14—Cami-knickers strap.  No. 15—Brassiere back.  No. 16—Brassiere front.  No. 17-18—Brassiere centre section.  No. 19—Brassiere front section.