Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Old Favourites


A love of collecting vintage sewing
tools, books, patterns
has always included searching
for vintage sewing accessories
to make.
I have a collection of felt
needlecases which include
the ever-popular
bonnet lady needlecases
and wide-brimmed hat needlecases,
I found these two patterns in
a vintage Madame Weigel's
(Australian magazine) Journal
of Fashion - October 1, 1945.
Here they are for you to enjoy.
(click for larger image)


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Friday, January 29, 2010

Sewing Companion Dolls



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Among my vintage sewing
collections, I have many folders
lining the shelves in my
sewing room full of vintage
patterns.
Once upon a time, I used
to have a stall at a
trash 'n' treasure market.
I used to stock much of the stall
with bazaar items, many that I
had made using patterns that
I had purchased either from
new Women's magazines or
from vintage magazines that I found
myself at trash 'n' treasure markets.
I would look for any of thoses that
included patterns for dolls and toys, bazaar items,
items for fetes, babies, and above all,
Christmas gifts.
Not to say that once I had access to
a computer ..... well, the whole
world opened up to me!! 

Sewing Companion Dolls

Would it be fair to say that these
companion dolls have evolved from
the chatelaine?


They serve the same purpose - to hold
all the necessary sewing equipment needed
and close-by for the needlewoman.
The pictures below are taken from
vintage magazines and a commercial
pattern. The dolls are both novel
and charming.


This is Grizelda, and she has the added
bonus of being a workbag.
(1930's)

 

This is Sally Spool from
Star Gift Book No. 48
The American Thread Company
(1930's)





This is the "Sewing Doll" from
Simplicity Crafts 5227.
(2004)





This is called "Johnny-on-the-spot",
a crocheted cowboy from 
Crochet Money-Makers for your Bazaar
Book No. 278 
J & P Coats . Clark's ONT
(1951)

 

This is "Sammy Spool"
another crocheted doll from
Gifts Galore by
Coats & Clark's Book No. 183
(1968)




This sweetie is a design from the
well-known Jean Greenhowe of
the English Women's Weekly, a fabulous
designer of dolls, toys, and
gifts, knitted and sewn as well as wooden
toys. (1983)
I actually picked up a handmade doll
from a local bazaar about 25 years ago, paying
just $2. I still have this doll (pic below)
and discovered that it is the Jean Greenhowe
sewing doll just 20 years later when I
managed to come across the EWW
magazine issue with the pattern included.




It may be not quite as well made as the
original, but I still like her.
One day I will attempt to make one of
my own.
In the course of "vintage
sewing" collecting, I have also
found these two delightful versions
below.




There is a website called "Gail Wilson Designs"
which sell as a kit or a completed doll called -
"The Ladies Home Sewing Companion"
All of Gail Wilson Dolls are an absolute
delight and worth the visit ....
Click HERE for the New Items
and scroll down to see the "sewing"
dolls.


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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Jennifer Murphy


Ever since I saw Jennifer Murphy
on the "Martha" show,
I became a fan of her work.
Her originals are a little
beyond me in price but I
am happy to go with the
licensed items of
her designs.
Being a Pin Cushion Collector
(among a million other things!)
I couldn't resist her little
Pearl the Pig pincushion (below).



Jennifer's website can be found
and she has a blog


The links to her spot on "Martha" are
here for the pom pom bunny and  
here  for her pumpkin people.
(The particular segments can be
found at the right-hand side of
the page - you will need to click
on the arrow for further videos
on the show which are in two parts.)





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