Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Spooky Basket: Sew Much Fun

A couple months back my brother had purchased for my birthday two items which I haven't been coveting for long, honestly. You could say I was in a way, though, since 'vintage sewing' is the quintessential term used to describe the entirety of my invisible wishlist.

Perhaps the inspiration to NBC's Sally's name?
This is a sewing book(let) written and printed in the format of a comic book, it has no date nor the name of the real author but it's safe to estimate it was printed in the 40's. It has inspired the likes of Alexander Henry to create a fabric from snippets of pages within it, and by the looks of the pen name might've inspired Sally Stitches from the beloved Nightmare Before Christmas movie (who knows, that's just my guess).


You wouldn't think it, but this little booklet is packed with more useful information than many actual sewing  books printed today. The information is so organized and well written, with just a touch of humor and imagery to help the beginner feel at ease... it is a wonder how so few of these were actually printed as to warrant its rarity status. The impression I get from reading it is what I imagine what it might've been like to have been taught by someone you love.

If only all spouses were so encouraging towards a sewing addiction.
With information this useful in something so fragile, I wanted to ensure the continued survival of this comic book. So I opted to scan it, and then frame the original copy to hang in my sewing room.


I found this frame at Family Dollar for $5, not bad considering similar to it at Walmart is $15 to $20... it is glass and wood as opposed to plastic on plastic-- I was quite surprised by that.
So now it sits right beside the second treasure my brother purchased for me.


It's a vintage KAYanEE Sew Master toy sewing machine circa 1940's made in Germany; unlike many of its type, because of the color and the decals. Perhaps the minty green wasn't as popular, because it doesn't come by as often as the red or the blue in this model, and certainly not in the almost mint condition this is in-- minimal rust, needle and screw top for thread stand intact.

The new focal point of my room brings me pride, but not as much as telling someone that it was all thanks to my little brother.



Tell me! What gifts were you given that blew your mind completely 
and you could not resist being completed elated about?

19 comments:

  1. Aw thats so lovely! And also really really cool. Your own little vintage sewing display!

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    1. It's really cute, and get over how neat they both are!

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  2. I can't believe you got that frame for five bucks! And where did your brother find that little beauty? At some little place in Calgary I must know about? Crossroads flea market, perhaps? That is amazing! :)

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    1. I never ask him because then I get disappointing when I go chasing after treasure, hehe.
      It's an art, and he an artist-- he finds the neatest things for everyone.

      I know, I feel like I should've bought more of these frames-- such a good price for them.

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  3. Have you seen Gertie's dress using the Alexander Henry fabric? It's pretty cool. I'm like you, I'm trying to preserve my old mags and patterns. I plan on making copies of each so I can hang some of them in my sewing room. Things from that time were just so much prettier, I love illustrations from the 1930's-1950's.

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    1. I have! I love the back on it.
      I really want to do that to my old pretty simplicity patterns; it'll add to the theme I have going in my room now lol

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  4. The original comic book! How cool! I've seen the cotton quilting fabric that reproduces some of the images in it, but the "Home Sewing Is Easy" book itself is more amazing, & framing it is a perfect addition to a sewing room :)

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    1. It's the neatest thing! It's inspiring a desire for the fabric hehe.

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  5. What a lovely vintage sewing corner.
    I think my best gift ever was a 10-year old tiny Ford convertible, gifted by my parents when I turned 18. It was pretty amazing :)

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    1. Do you still have it? If it's anything like I imagine it to be, it's gotta be one pretty little car!

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  6. That is lovely. I love the comic book and that sewing machine. What a really cool little brother you have! One of the best gifts I received was this Christmas from my husband's aunt. My husband's aunt is known to keep family heirlooms/treasures. She gave me this statue of a mother looking lovingly at her son. She said she saw me holding my son in that same posture with the same expression, she knew that statue was meant for me. It belonged to her mother (my husbands grandma who passed away a few years ago).

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    1. Thank you for sharing, very few things fills the heart with more joy than gifts chock full of love.

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  7. Woo, Little Brother! Nice one! :D That was a great idea, framing the book. Looks awesome!

    The gift that blew my mind was from my mom. For Christmas after I discovered goth, she sewed about a dozen items of gothy clothing for me - tops, dresses, vests and skirts in velvets, satin, and black lace. Not only did she not criticize me for "going goth," she made me a ton of clothes in my new style. Awesome!

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    1. Oh, what a beautiful gift-- acceptance. I think I would be in happy tears. Well, I am grinning ear to ear with just reading it.

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    2. That is so wonderful! Wish my parents and relatives were that accepting instead of making my life hell!

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  8. I love how that old sewing book is like a comic! And that sewing machine is beautiful! Good on your brother!

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  9. Oh gosh! Two treasures at the same time! :) The book looks amazing also the sewing machine. I have one from my childhood in the 70's looks more modern but have the same functions, and in red of course. Your green one is a beauty! Tell your brother that he is a great one :D

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