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?