23 Ways To Make Your Pies More Beautiful

We doing big crimpin’ up in Thanks-giv-ing.

Food stylist Victoria Granof uncovered this amazing spread in a 1959 issue of “The American Home” magazine.

If there was an upside to America’s golden age of female domestic oppression, it was probably that ladies were encouraged to stay home and spend their time developing elaborate pie crust-crimping methods.

It’s pretty brilliant.

Sit tight, we’ll break down a few of them for you…

1. “Leave 3/4-inch overhang, clip into points with scissors and roll angled pieces into cornucopias.”

Everyone loves a tiny cornucopia.

2. “Fold edge under, use key for indentations.”

3. “Trim pastry even with edge, use remaining pastry for braiding strips. Moisten pastry edge; press on braid.”

4. “Fold under edge; use vegetable parer for design.”

5. “Fork tines make this design.”

That seems true!

6. “Looped edge is molded over pencil or round object with strips of pastry, but always moistened for sealing.

ALWAYS.

7. “Leaf edge is merely pieces of pastry cut in leaf shapes, moistened, then sealed on rim of pie.”

8. “For inside ruffle effect, fold over pastry edge, press left index finger under fold, press right index finger firmly next to lifted portion.”

9. “An interesting design can be made with the handle of the pastry brush. Crust is tucked under as on number 2.”

And here are more clever ideas from modern-day crust artistes.

Because even in the new millenium, the ancient art of crimpage and cutouts is not lost.

10. Layer cut-out circles like fish scales.

Source: media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com

11. Cut shapes out of one crust and put them on another pie.

Get these flower and leaf cutters at Williams-Sonoma.

Source: rk.wsimgs.com

12. Make a leaf pile.

Instructions at The Story Of Kat.

Source: flickr.com

13. Cut out little circles to make a honeycomb pattern.

From Martha Stewart.

Source: marthastewart.com

14. Do some crazy leaf and vine-arranging.

Instructions at Instructables.

Source: instructables.com

15. Cut out stars for a patriotic look.

Pie recipe at Country Living.

Source: countryliving.com

16. Or get ziggy with it.

Instructions at Style Me Pretty.

Source: isa2.stylemepretty.com

17. How about a few decorative pastry turkeys for Thanksgiving?

Recipe at Adventures in Cooking.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com

18. Or a lovely flower made of crust strips.

From Love & Homemade Recipes.

Source: loveandhomemaderecipes.com

19. A tidy braid always looks nice.

Instructions at Inspired By Charm.

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com

20. Or you can go with the classic lattice.

Photo tutorial at La Receta De La Felicidad.

Source: sandeea

21. You can use your favorite cookie cutter.

From The Kitchn.

Source: i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com

22. Or stick with a nice autumnal leaf.

Recipe at Everyday Occasions.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com

23. Pro level: Dress pie to impress in herringbone pattern.

Instructions at Style Me Pretty.

Source: isa2.stylemepretty.com