Friday, October 09, 2009

Vintage Sewing

Yesterday Kim and I discovered an intriguing booth at an antique mall nearby. Stepping inside it's space was like stepping back in time. It took me back to my childhood when I would go to an old-fashioned department store downtown called "The Beehive". Wooden bins, open trays of thread, buttons, thimbles, and trims invited the observer to explore each space. Patterns from an era past reminded me of the fashions of my youth. Such displays simply inspire the observer to learn to sew! Trims and threads in a variety of colors and styles make one dream of creations! Buttons of interesting shapes and colors become central in selecting fabrics and styles to go with them. Backwards, maybe. Usually the pattern would come first, but for a budding seamstress, sometimes the little details inspire and the rest of a project is built around it. How fun it was to step back in time, even if just for a moment. And it made me pause to think. What inspires new seamstresses these days? Only they can tell, but I think it would be so interesting to know!

12 comments:

  1. It was always the buttons and the lace for me. By the way, I don't believe that I've mentioned how darling the gals in your header look at the tea table.

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  2. I don't sew nowadays, but a fabric store always gives me great pleasure. We used to have a store called Silk-o-lina that was a fabulous place to visit. Bolts and bolts, drawers and drawers of wondrous possibilities.

    It was always the fabrics themselves that lured me.......

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  3. What a cool new look for your blog!
    Can you see me drooling over all of those buttons and sewing things??!!

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  4. what fun, did you come away from there with any money left in your pockets ? I am not sure if I would : )

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  5. I just stumbled upon your blog and I have to agree that vintage sewing objects are so very inspirational. I happen to be leading (in my own mind, at least) a one woman campaign to bring back "slow sewing" where the process is just as important as the project.

    I think so many people advocate short-cuts that new sewists aren't able to learn the underlying fundamentals of sewing that are needed to create quality garments and therefore are dissatisfied with the outcome of the short-cut created project.

    Love your blog!

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  6. Such fun - and inspiration! I loved the trip down memory lane with you. I, too, loved the old stores that had just about everything in little bins and nooks and crannies. ~Adrienne~

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  7. Since you've been talking about sewing, I came back today to leave a wonderful link of unique handsewn aprons. They are so cute and chic and fun.... you'll be charmed!

    http://justalittlesomethingforyou.blogspot.com/2009/10/not-quite-like-your-grandmas-apron.html

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  8. Vee, the girls in my heading are nieces of a friend. We had a fun time with them on this photo shoot.

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  9. Thank you, Brenda, for the 'apron blog' link. Wow! So many beautiful aprons! I love them all! Thanks for thinking of me!

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  10. Dr. Julie-Ann, I understand what you mean about 'shortcut sewing'. I love the old, slow, handwork techniques best! Thanks for visiting Gracious Hospitality.

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  11. Brenda --- the name Silk-o-lina is enough to draw any seamstress inside the front door! Cute name!

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  12. Marie, I thought of you as I posted all those lovely vintage sewing things! Actually, when I was at the shop I thought of you too --- just your kind of place!

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