Friday, May 25, 2007

WHAT'S IN THE SEWING BASKET?




Here is one of my sewing baskets purchased with contents.


(Remember to click photo for larger image)

Photo 1: This basket was purchased in 2006 in Victoria (Aus). It measures about 33cms and made of wicker and cane exterior and rattan interior.
Photo 2: Here are the contents inside the basket. There were also two plastic bags of modern buttons (not shown).
Photo 3: The contents are spread on the table - four needle books, three of which are handmade: one embroidered with wool, one silk, one perforated paper and embroidered, and a commercially made leather needlebook with a label stating - Hall's Nickel Plated Needles. These Needles will work easily and resist rust. Elephant Brand (picture of elephant) trade mark. The Hallmark of Quality. Made in England by Wm. Hall & Co. Ltd. Studley Redditch.
Other contents - several cotton reels, vintage buttons, safety pins in tin, more cotton reels and thread cards in smaller basket, solid plastic thimble, buttonhole scissors, small scissors marked Sheffield England and on the handles are the letters E R 19 53 (souvenir from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II) darner, and several bodkins which leads me to ........
Photo 4: I have tried to show the decorative bodkin in closeup (not easy to do). It is made of brass.

Sewing Stand


Here is a sewing stand which was purchased in Geelong, Victoria.
Photo 1: We think that the wood is walnut. It is 45cms in height.
Photo 2: On the inside of the lid is a label - A Morco Product Registered Trademark with a lovely picture of a lady.
Photo 3: These are not original to the sewing stand but were being stored inside, so it is only fair that I show these to you - five thread holders (mauchlineware), four sewing kits, the blue glass "blob" that is just showing behind one of the boxed kits is a darner, three vintage dress patterns, beutron buttons, beaded pincushion.
Photo 4: And as well as the vintage mix, there are also some newer reproduction pieces still packaged - DMC, Elizabeth's Vintage Notions, etc. plus some reproduced needle books.

The two photos below show a mass produced doll pincushion and a vintage handmade crocheted pincushion and wishbone thimble holder (love this).


The last photo is the new arrivals - Art Needlework catalogue from the US dated 1932-33. I love looking through these and it is also great for dating some needlework tools. Also shown are more knitting nancies being added to my enormously growing collection with the last two (far right) being new. An unusual item to mention here is the pin card dated 1901 to be exact as it has a calendar of this year on its back. It is advertising Roachsault - Barrett Chemical Co. (pesticide). These were usually give aways. Two last items are a metal knitting needle gauge and a vintage needle book.


So I will be posting more - "What's in the Sewing Basket"? soon.....stay tuned!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, I was just googling Morco Products and found your website. We have a Morco Sewing stand too (with the little lady sign). The same shape as your stand and with a red lining (inside).
Would you be interested in seeing photos of ours - since they are sister/brother stands?

Anonymous said...

do you know how much the morco sewing stands are worth?

crazyhaberdasher said...

I cannot say for sure.....are you in Australia or outside Aus?
We paid AU$100.00 about 5 years ago. Would that give you some indication? I haven't seen any others for sale.

Fairlee Cooke said...

Hello I was also googling Morco Products as I have the same sewing stand as you except mine has red lining. Mine is the same shape and has the lovely old fashioned lady with wig and blue dress, surrounded with the words: A Morco product registered trademark. I would be interested to know if you can help, where they were made and when, and how much they could be worth. Thankyou for your time and you have a lovely site. My Great Grandmother was a professional tailoress who was born in 1880 and in 1900 she was a court dresser. A nyway please reply if you can. Sincerely, Fairlee Cooke.

crazyhaberdasher said...

Hi Fairlee!
Thankyou for your comment. I try to find out information about anything I post on my blog. Unfortunately, in this case, I was not able to find anything out about Morco. Regards to the price, well, the previous answer would still apply. I have not seen them anywhere for sale in Australia since I purchased mine.
Sorry, but I cannot be of any great help. Maz