Mary Brooks Picken (August 6, 1886,
Arcadia, KS – March 8, 1981,
Williamsport, PA) was an American author of 96 books on
needlework,
sewing, and
textile arts. Her Fashion Dictionary was published by Funk and Wagnalls in 1957.
When vice-president of the G. Lynn Sumner advertising agency she designed the course material for the Richard Hudnut Du Barry Success Course.[2][3]
She was a member of the
National Academy of SciencesNational Research Council's Advisory Committee on Women's Clothing, which selected
Hattie Carnegie as the designer of the
United States Army's women's uniform and provided advice and assistance on all elements of the U.S. Army's women's uniform beginning in 1949.[4] Picken was one of the founders of the Fashion Group, now the
Fashion Group International, a nonprofit professional association. She also served as chairman of its board.
Personal life
She was married to G. Lynn Sumner, president of the advertising firm of G. Lynn Sumner Co. of New York. Picken died on March 8, 1981, at a
nursing home in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania.[1]
Published works
1915
Corsets And Close-fitting Patterns - No. 4
Drafting and plain dressmaking - 3 A-2
Fancy aprons and sunbonnets
Millinery Stitches, Department of Millinery, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Skeleton Foundations, Parts 1 & 2, No. 102 A & B, Department of Millinery, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Solid Foundations, Parts 1 & 2, No. 103 A & B, Department of Millinery, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Braid Hats, No. 104, Department of Millinery, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Piece-Goods Hats, No. 105, Department of Millinery, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Essential Stitches and Seams, Part 1, No. 1 A-3, Department of Sewing, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Pattern Drafting, No. 2-3, Department of Sewing, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Tight Linings and Boning, No. 5-2
Essential Stitches and Seams, Part 2, No. 1 B
1916
Millinery Facings
A Glossary of Millinery Terms, Department of Millinery
Developing Hats of Braid, Department of Millinery
Fancy and Draped Crowns, Department of Millinery, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Tailored Buttonholes and Buttons, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Woolen Materials and Tailored Plackets No. 12, Department of Sewing (First Ed); Department of Tailoring, (1922 Ed), Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Harmony of Dress, 11-2, Department of Sewing, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Fancy aprons and sunbonnets
Underwear and lingerie 10 B; Department of Sewing, later published as Plain Undergarments, No. 202
Tailored Skirts, Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences,[5] Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Embroidery Stitches Parts 1 and 2, No. 7-A & 7-B, Department of Sewing, Woman’s Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences Inc., Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Remodeling and Renovating, No. 17, Department of Dressmaking, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Millinery Made Easy, 70WI, Department of Millinery, advertising pamphlet for course in millinery, reprinted in 1921, 1922, 1923, & 1924
1920
Drafting And Plain Dressmaking - Part 2 - No. 3 B-2
Patterns For Children And Misses' Garments - No. 18
Pattern Drafting - No. 2-3
Tight Linings And Bonings - No. 5-2
Laces, Silks, And Linen - No. 6
The Dressmaker And Tailor Shop - No. 25-2
1920
Underwear And Lingerie
Harmony of Dress - No. 11-2
Corsets and Close Fitting Patterns
Tailored Skirts - No. 13
Woman's Institute Fashion Service; Instruction Quarterly included "Smart Designs ... With Detailed Instructions for Making"; Woman's Institute Magazine published monthly at least through Spring of 1930
1922
Tailored Pockets, Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences[6]
Tight Linings and Boning, Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences [7]
House Aprons and Caps, No. 405, Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
1923
Woolen Materials and Tailored Plackets, Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences,[8] Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Individualizing Tissue-Paper Patterns, No. 403, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions
Tailored Seams and Plackets, No. 414, Instruction Paper with Examination Questions