Pat Prichard Part 1

Welcome to part 1 of my feature about 50’s and 60’s textile illustrator Pat Prichard. Sadly there isn’t very much written on the internet about this inspirational lady, who like Tammis Keefe and Lois Long produced many (hundreds ?) of designs during her time as a creative.

I find her bird and animal designs amongst some of my favourites.

As with Tammis’s designs, Pat’s hankies were produced and marketed by J.H. Kimball & Co. Some of her hankie designs were repeated in scarves also bearing her signature. She also designed handkerchiefs for Franshaw.

I did a little research and discovered a great article in the Corsicana Daily Sun Newspaper, Texas in 1956. Here Pat is quoted as saying : –

“A hankie in the springtime is for show, not to blow. Which means you should pick handkerchiefs by colour to complete your spring outfit”, says Textile designer Pat Prichard. Miss Prichard doesn’t believe In using spring handkerchiefs on your nose at all. She advocates starching them lightly and wearing them as colour accents on belt or bolero. The young, blonde designer has created some handkerchiefs specially to contrast with spring suit, colours of navy and beige. Miss Prichard’s 15-by-15 inch handkerchiefs (for J. H. Kimball) feature mint green, beige and lemon yellow. In monochromatic patterns or against white backgrounds. She advises mint green hankies peeping out of jacket pockets or tucked in the belt of beige and navy suits, and beige or lemon yellow for navy outfits. So what happens to the ensemble if you suddenly have to blow your nose? “Nothing,” says Miss Prichard, “For that. you use tissues !”   So now you know ; )

There’s a great article about Tammis Keefe over on the Making it Fun site, which gives more of an insight as to how these designer like Tammis worked during the mid century years. Don’t miss part 2 of Pat Prichard’s work here on friday.