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I Would Have Been Sick, Naked, and Unprepared
Apparently, in the 40s it wasn't enough to cook, clean and completely meet all the needs of both your husband and your offspring. It was also expected that, should you become ill, you would SEW YOUR OWN HOSPITAL GOWN. What the hell? Notice that the drawing on the lower right shows the the traditional "party in the back" option that most of today's hospital gowns offer.
Posted by Kimberly on May 4, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
Yes, but at least you could choose a fabric that perfectly accentuated your wan, sickly pallor.
Posted by: David | May 4, 2005 2:05:26 PM
Yeah, I'd be an indecent tramp running around the psych ward for having no home-made gown either. I couldn't sew if my life depended on it. I'd fuckin' die...nude. Cooking? Yes. Even so much as hemming? Stapler.
Posted by: Cate | May 4, 2005 7:23:38 PM
Ha! You laugh, but seriously my grandma did used to make herself pretty little hospital gowns. And when she got older, she always had a nice, never-been-worn gown set aside (if not already packed) for any stay she might have in the hospital. Heaven forbid a doctor should see her looking lackluster.
I think my mom even sewed herself a little gown to wear in the hospital before she had my brother -- and that was in 1973. Oh how times have changed.
Posted by: Julie | May 5, 2005 1:25:29 PM
I sewed my own hospital gown in 1998... it's a nursing nightgown with snaps all down the back. Seen me through 5 labors so far!
I hate standard hospital gowns, they don't cover anything and you have to strip to nurse.
Posted by: Miriam | May 10, 2005 6:30:26 PM
OMG! That was funny. Cracking up here in my office-too much. More, please.
Posted by: Gary | May 13, 2005 4:16:24 PM
Actually, I think this is a "bed jacket" pattern with an optional long version. Men and women wore bed jackets when confined to bed, which you were when you got sick or hurt because there wasn't much else they could do for you. The bed jackets were great for wearing over hospital gowns because (1) they covered up better and (2) were warm. If you did go to the hospital in the 1940's you stayed for a while. Since researchers found that humans get well faster at home, they cheerfully kick you out before you are well enough to protest.
My mom insisted I buy a bed jacket in 1968 for the the birth of my daughter. I never wore it. They kept you in the hospital for 3 days back then, and I was ready to snatch DD from the nursery and go home 3 hours after the blessedly easy and short delivery.
Posted by: KathleenSews | May 22, 2005 3:38:31 PM
The O'Connor sister's were just speechless when the rude nurse not only refused to tuck Syndi in but also insisted as she was walking away that she heed the etiquette of thorough feminine hygeine even in the setting of the charity ward of the county asylum.
Posted by: StevieS | Jun 21, 2005 4:03:51 AM
Forget Syndi, StevieS. What about poor Julia? She can't even get a bed, poor dear.
Posted by: jfasoga | Jun 27, 2005 5:47:11 PM
You know, this is a good idea. Maybe, by bringing your own hospital gowns, you can cut down on your emergency room bill. Oh, and you could carve your own tongue depressors, too, and make cute little macraméd holders for them, and also crochet your own blankets and slippers.
Posted by: Lois | May 31, 2006 9:45:41 PM
