Browsing Tag

Antiques

New Treasure! Singer 99

Uncategorized April 6, 2012

Believe it or not, my sister in law found this in the garbage.  Someone had just decided to throw it out with the trash.  The lever, and all of the parts (including spare needles and bobbins) were just sitting inside the box (which was locked and had to be picked open.

After doing a bit of research, and looking up the Serial Number, I’ve found that this is a pretty common machine, a Singer 99 Made in 1928.  This one is fully electric,  but has a knee lever as opposed to a foot pedal, something that I personally have not seen before.  It took some tinkering, but Dan and I got it up and running.  I gave it a good oiling and cleaned out the dust, but other than that, it is in remarkably good order for an 84 year old sewing machine. 

See it in action! Purrs like a kitten… an 80 year old kitten…

Possibly the coolest thing is all of the attachments.  There is a rolled hem foot, zipper foot, and a bunch of other crazy attachments that I’m not really sure what they do. Luckily, it is pretty easy to get information about these kinds of machines.  Neat, huh?

New (to me) sewing machine!

Uncategorized February 13, 2012

Ooohhh… Look at my Valentines Day Present! Isn’t it pretty? I got this today at an auction sale, along with some other goodies (a lamp and a table). I’ve been trying to research this well-loved sewing machine all afternoon.

This sewing machine has no obvious identifying marks. I can see where there once was a name plate of some soft, but it has long fallen off… There is a number, “131693” stamped into a metal piece on the front of the machine. I can tell this sewing machine got a lot of use, as the gold detail is worn off where fabric would have passed over it, over & over again. An inlaid mother-of-pearl flower has also “Disappeared.”

It seems to be in working order, and came with one wound bobbin, in the shuttle already in the machine. I haven’t threaded it yet, but have oiled it up and all of the parts move as they should.

The case it came in is beautiful on it’s own – inlaid along the top, and with a beautiful silver handle.

I’ve scoured the bottom of the machine, underneath the machine, inside the case, everywhere – to see who made this machine so I could try to date it, but nothing! I am told it is a German make, and it does resemble the Frister and Rossmann or Herman Kohler machines. I think it looks to be anywhere from 1880 to 1910. What do you think?
I just love old sewing machines… I can’t help but daydream about the woman who had used it before me… what she might have sewed, and for who… what her life was like. I am so excited to get this machine threaded up, and bring it back to life again!
We also picked up this rather unusual lamp… It’s only about 5′ high and has a long tassel pull on it. I think we are going to paint it white. It has made it’s home (for now) next to a lovely old wing-back we got from Dan’s Grandma, which she had upholstered in beautiful grey cut velvet damask.

What we wore… Edwardian Shirtwaist & Corset Cover

Uncategorized December 4, 2011
I think I’ve graduated from being obsessed with Victorian Clothing to obsessing over Edwardian Clothing… I’ve moved a century closer!
This is a very usual corset cover. It is made of a starched cotton (beautiful hand), with heavily starched ruffles over the bust (hiding some beautiful pin-tucks). The Edwardian shape always amused me – it is so unnatural with the large bust and thin hips. You can see how this corset cover would help achieve that look, by adding extra volume to the bust with all of those ruffles! If Ohhh Lulu were around 100 years ago, I probably would have designed this:

The shirtwaist is in rough condition. It is a net lace exterior (which is near perfect) over cream silk, which is pintucked down down the front. The silk has seen better days and is beginning to crumble in quite a few places. It has metal snaps down the back and is quite obviously handmade.

What we wore… Antique Clothing Collection.

Uncategorized December 4, 2011
As you may have gathered -I love vintage clothing and textiles, but even more than that, I love antique clothing and textiles.
I have finally gotten around to photographing some of the items in my very small collection. The unfortunate thing about pre 1940’s clothing is that alot of it is made of silk or fine cotton… which just does not stand the test of time. I want to make sure I keep a record of what I have so I will have a reminder even after the silk is too brittle to touch….
These are both gifts from Dan’s grandmother. The black collar is Victorian or Edwardian and is hand stitched. It is not finished, and I wonder if this was to become part of a top or whether it was meant to be just a separate collar. I think the shape is really unusual, and the lace is absolutely beautiful. I love the appliqué down the front.

This bolero came with the collar but I’m not sure that it is as old. It is stunning and in excellent condition. It is very tiny and just fits my small shoulders. This is one of my favourite items…

Handmade Histories…

Uncategorized December 4, 2011
Dan’s grandmother’s house was full of treasures. My mother-in-law packed 3 large bags full of hankies, silk scarves, hand trimmed cotton pillow cases, handmade doilies and some silk babies clothes. I love all of these little handmade and sentimental items.

I sorted through them last week and found some real treasures, and so many silk hankies!

Many of these were embroidered and tatted or crocheted by Dan’s great-aunt and Dan’s Grandmother. I really love these items… even though I never got to meet these people, having these precious items makes me feel close to them.
Among some of the items were little silk baby dresses and a small silk bonnet and cotton bib that belonged to Dan’s mom and Dan’s uncle. They are so precious, I love them dearly!


Sewing Marathon before getting back to real life…

Uncategorized January 6, 2011

Well, my two days off flew by, as usual. Back to work tomorrow. I am really hoping my New Years resolution comes to fruition quickly. I’m trying to decide what is worse… being terribly underemployed, or being unemployed… Every month, I cringe with regret when I pay my student loans. Surely I deserve more than to sweep the floor and scrub the toilet! Oh… I miss my old job….

So, I worked my butt off the last two days and sewed 5 (well 6, including the bodysuit) new items for my Etsy Shop.


I’ve been renewing my interest in Victorian Fashion lately… unearthing some old Victorian magazines that I had been collecting. This Chemise and Pantie set remind me of a delicate, Victorian woman’s under-things. Frothy with lace, crisp white.

They photographed nicely on my vintage, turn of the century dress form. I have to thank Dan for that one.


Lately, I’ve had an obsession with sewing contrast bibs onto everything. I suppose I just like any excuse to add a little ruffle and some lace, so I added one to a pair of panties… the fabric I used is so soft and worn-feeling, it feels vintage.


I made myself 2 of these thongs about a month ago, and I have to say they are the most comfortable pair of underwear I own. The fabric is is light and airy, the elastic perfectly stretchy, it feels like you are wearing nothing at all. I can’t stand man-made fibers or too-tight clothing!

I am actually going to keep the sample for this black set for myself to wear under my work uniform. I like to wear something ultra-feminine under my hideous man shirt to remind myself that, yes, indeed I am a woman!

While I was photographing my new items, I flipped through my 1876 Munsey’s Magazine and saw this interesting advertisement for Burnett’s Cocaine For the Hair! Apparently it will cure you of your dandruff…
Dan started back to school on Monday. It’s a 2 hour drive there and then back again. I feel like I have hardly seen him. It’s only Wednesday and I already miss him tons… Luckily the course is only 2 months, and when he finishes he will have his full Mechanics License! I am already so proud and excited for him!

I am looking forward to the Weekend already, even though mine doesn’t start until Saturday Evening. Our plans are to stay in and play some video games and follow up on our Oscar Movie Marathon!