Sewing Stuff and Silverware

I went to an estate sale and picked up a few things. The owner sewed, so there was a lot of fabric and sewing patterns to look through. I tried to restrain myself from buying too much because I don’t need anything and it was also “full-price” being the first day (rather than the 50% off price they often do on the final day of an estate sale).

I bought three lengths of fabric. Two yards of a very dark navy fabric with some woven stripes for $3. Three yards of light blue woven fabric for $8. And over four and a half yards of black slightly stretchy polyester fabric for $5.

I enjoyed looking though the many sewing patterns there. The patterns mostly ranged from the 1950s to 1980s. I got two patterns for $1 each (which is pricey for me). I didn’t see a date, but this dress pattern looks to be from the 1950s. I think it’s a cute dress and it says it’s easy to make.

I couldn’t resist this 1970s coat, pant, skirt and top pattern because I love that coat. I want that coat.

I got a bag of eyes and hooks for $4. I’m sure I already have enough, but it was inexpensive for the sheer volume. I also think some of the older packaging is interesting.

I got some silverware for $8. It’s Stanley Roberts silverware that was made in Japan. I liked the simple pattern on it. I got three large forks, three small forks, one large spoon, 11 small spoons, one very small spoon and one butter knife.

And finally, I got this loose-leaf tea spoon that I thought was cute and usable. It was marked as costing 50 cents, but they threw it in as a freebie. So my grand total was $30.

Sewing Supplies

Recently, I went to two thrift shops and picked up a few things. I got more seam binding because I do use it from time to time, so it’s nice to have on hand. I chose four colors (and wasn’t terribly picky about it since it’s used on the inside of garments and therefore isn’t seen). I like the different packaging that reflects the era it was made in.

I also got some more sewing patterns that I don’t need. I’m just drawn to sewing patterns. They’re interesting and useful (if I actually use them). But admittedly, I do like to buy vintage patterns because I like the art on it. I only got two patterns.

First is a dress pattern from 1969. I like the shape of the dress as well as the collar detail. I would love this if it was a coat pattern (and I’m sure if I was more skilled that that would be an easy thing to change).

Second is a dress pattern that didn’t have a date, but I’m guessing it’s from the 1960s. I think it’s a simple and elegant dress.

I also got a navy pleated wool skirt. I like the wool; it’s light and seems like it would work well for spring and fall. The skirt is way too long. It’s a bit higher than my ankles and just feels frumpy. This would be a good skirt to shorten; I think it would be really cute around knee-length.

Finally, I got a fabric cutting board. It’s large foldable cardboard that I can use to cut my fabric on. I’m looking forward to trying it out. Often the surface area I cut on doesn’t feel large enough, and sometimes the excess fabric wants to fall off the edge of the surface—it’s rather cumbersome. I’m hoping I can put this mat on the floor and that will lessen the problems I’ve been having. Overall I feel pretty good about these purchases that came to a grand total of $8.39.

Estate Sale: Papers and Sewing Stuff

A while ago, friends and I stumbled upon an estate sale and found lots of random stuff. We pooled all that we wanted together and bought everything for $10. For my stack of stuff, I paid $2. None of it I needed, but I inevitably find interesting items. I’m going to share everything but the matchbooks (that I’ll share later).

This estate sale had a box full of maps, and most of them were pretty much your average (dated) maps, but these two stood out to me. They’re completely unnecessary for me to have, but I appreciate their graphic nature. First up is the Home Oil Map for Vancouver. I actually love the cover, which has a flat one-color drawing of the city. I also like how the map is simple and well organized; I can’t imagine how much work it must have been to lay it out (before computers). I’m not sure how old this map is, but the population listed on it for Vancouver is 344,833, and looking online it looks like that was around1951.

Next up is a Washington Chevron map (1970 edition). What really drew me to it was the cover that uses an older version of the logo.

I got a couple of columnar pads. Truthfully, I don’t know what I could do with them, but I just think they’re interesting.

I found more sewing stuff. I got some buttons to cover and twill tape and two more patterns. First is an apron, likely from the 1950s (I couldn’t find a year on it). I’ve never made an apron, and it’s doubtful I’ll make this one, just because I don’t have much of a need of an apron. But I do appreciate its large pockets that would be useful when doing just about anything.

Next up is this suit pattern from 1973. I like the skirt and might make it.

Finally, I got the Singer Dressmaking Guide from 1947. It’s 50 pages of pretty much everything you need to make a garment (e.g. measurements, pattern alterations, cutting, marking, pleats, collars, hems, etc.). I like the simplicity of the drawings and the directness of the directions. Here are a few pages from the book.

Thrift Shop Souvenirs

I admit, as a child (and also as I grew older), I enjoyed shopping at souvenir shops that sell an array of stuff to show that you’ve visited a place: stuffed animals, picture frames, shot glasses, key chains, mugs, t-shirts, etc. I’ve bought my share of things over the years, and those things I accumulated now sit in a box—a box of unnecessary things. [Pause.] I don’t buy these types of items any more.

So when I went to the coast with a friend, we didn’t look at any of the touristy shops. But we did happen upon a thrift shop and each found stuff to buy. I found more sewing supplies. Yes, I don’t need any more, but I got eyes and hooks, twill tape and 10 zippers for $3.35.

I think the seam binding packaging is pretty cute (feels quite patriotic). And I think the zippers are adorable. These five and a half inch long zippers look like they’re made specifically for pouches, as there are stops at both ends of the zipper. I like the metal zipper handle that is so much cuter than the average zipper.

These are the only souvenirs I got at the coast and I think they’re good ones because they’re useful (assuming I use them). It also makes any items I make with them feel a bit more special because I got them on a trip so there’s a memory attached to them.