Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Vintage Treasures

 
Hosted by Colorado Lady.  Please visit her blog for more vintage treasures.

In the spring of 2009, I bought a 1950s Singer sewing machine in a cabinet with a matching chair for twenty dollars.  Included in the seat compartment was this little four pack of sewing books.
There was also this lovely instruction booklet.
 
I have never used Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.  Every second page of Home Dressmaking is a an advertisement or testimonial of the remarkable healing powers of Lydia's vegetable compound.   No doubt this publication was complimentary.

16 comments:

  1. How cool. I am curious about their age.

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  2. The first photo shows the box with the printed words Singer Sewing Library. written in faded pencil are words "year 1934". So that makes them about 76 years old.

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  3. Lovely old books! I would love to sew the modern Singer way!

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  4. Wow what a find! I cant believe they were just tucked away like a little gift for you. They are so sweet! I think my favorite is the dress one...no maybe the childrens clothing. Oh they are all wonderful. I cant choose. :) Have a blessed week, Cherie

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  5. In spite of having hands that were bent completely out of shape by rheumatoid arthritis, my mother managed to be a world-class seamstress. Sewing for her wasn't a "quick fix." She spent hours, even days at the process. The first daunting task was making sure she cut the fabric in the most frugal manner.

    Her pieces were works of art - - - something which I did not appreciate at the time, longing for a "store bought dress."

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  6. I like old sewing books even though I don't like to sew.

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  7. Those are definitely vintage sewing books. You did very well when you found that machine.

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  8. I knew when I clicked on your page and saw your banner that this was my kind of place! Love the books and the story of their discovery. What treasures! I adore your vintage machines, too, and will be back to read more! For now, I think your Wilma has stolen my heart!

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  9. Yes, Wilma is a heart stealer. My son Jason has claimed her for his own! Even though he does not sew he wants it for display.

    I bought it about five years ago, the lady wanted $40 for the machine in the cabinet, with the manual, accessories and a dozen coloured cams to make decorative stitches. She wanted five more dollars for the matching chair. I promptly paid her $45 and took my treasure home. The machine head weighs about 40 pounds.

    Wilma sews excellent, precise stitches. She really is completely functional as well as beautiful.

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  10. What gorgeous books!! I love vintage sewing stuff..needle cards, wooden spools, tins and books. Great find!

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  11. What beautiful sewing books. Is the information within useful to you? Just wonderin.
    Kathy

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  12. These are really neat...I have never seen these before, they look to be in wonderful condition....I think this is a great collectible, especially for someone who sews! Have a great VTT!

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  13. Ohh,I love the little sewing books. I really like all vintage fabrics and anything related to sewing or any of the needlearts. You have some real little treasures there..
    Happy VTT, have a lovely weekend..

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  14. What lovely vintage sewing books! Thanks for sharing!

    Blessings, Grace

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  15. You are so lucky to have found the little sewing books with your sewing machine (and what a find at $20!).

    Wonder what the vegetable compound was good for? What a hoot!

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  16. Great find. Thanks for sharing them!

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