Button It!

Ever since I found my grandmother Stella's button box, I've collected buttons. After I've totally worn out a shirt or whatever, I take off the buttons before throwing it away. I heard that Cary Grant used to do that, too, so I don't feel so weird...or cheap.
Notice in the photo above, that the little jars even have a button lids. I knew I had to have them the second I saw them!


These are some of the buttons that started it all.


Those giant buttons are about 1.25" across. I probably won't ever use them...


And these remind me of Necco Wafers!


Some of my novelty buttons. I won't use these either, cuz they're too cute!


And look what I found when I dumped out my big button jar! That damn Little Foot I've been missing for over a freakin' year!
Now I have to apologize to the kids, my husband and even the stupid dog.

Vintage Sewing Machines

A few years back, I become interested in vintage and antique sewing machines. Not in just collecting them, but also in using them. I'm finding that they are so much better made than the new, improved plastic ones with all the bells and whistles.

Two things really surprised me:
1) I found that most of Singer's (for instance) attachments, were used on machines 100 years ago...hemstitchers, rufflers, binding... Why did I assume these were invented relatively recently for use on only the 'modern' machines?

2) My sewing machine dealer told me with great pride, that my new Elna would still be sewing away in ten years. Gee - that means I could have bought several vintage machines that are still sewing after 100 years, for the same price! You almost can't kill those things.

Here are a few photographs of my small, but growing collection:

Jones Medium C.S. treadle w/Queen Alexandra decal
Serial Number 98833
Circa 1900-1910
Manufactured in North Manchester, England
It came with the original manual, 3 shuttles, 5 bobbins,
a binder, quilter, 4 hemmers and a shuttle tension screwdriver.

Singer Model 99K handcrank
Serial Number Y2303516
1925
Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland
It came with the original manual, 5 bobbins, a binder,
foot hemmer, seam gauge and the large screwdriver.
My youngest learned to sew using this machine.

Singer Model 201K handcrank
Serial Number EC851510
1940
Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland
It came with the original manual, 6 bobbins, a binder,
quilter, adjustable hemmer, tucker, gatherer, and the large screwdriver.
My son MJ learned to sew on this machine. He pieced his first quilt with it. Ok, his only quilt. He preferred taking the machines apart and cleaning them.

Singer Model 221K Featherweight
Serial Number EE861595
1947
Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland
It came with 1 bobbin, a foot hemmer, an adjustable hemmer,
a gatherer, and a ruffler.

The first three are all people-powered and have come in handy more than once when the power's gone out. As a matter of fact, my 2 youngest learned how to sew on the handcranks.

I have a few more machines, but they'll have to wait til the next installment.

Shoe Pincushions!

I'm not really into shoes...unless you count these shoe pincushions! I started collecting them in 1999 and I just can't stop. They remind me of the shoes my grandmother wore back in the 40's and 50's. I just love them!

Wooden Spools

As I was looking for my 3rd lost 1/4" presser foot, I came across this small cache of wooden spools. The loose ones were stolen from my grandmother's sewing basket at least 30 years ago, when her eyesight was so bad I knew she wouldn't be needing these anymore. And she'd never notice anyway.

The spools on the twine were purchased at a tiny little antique/junque shop in Oklahoma. The sweetest couple ran the shop, and after sneezing my way through the years of dust, I came upon this little necklace of spools. I love the tag, too!
I've got my mother's sewing basket around here somewhere...I bet there's more in there, too!