9/29/14

What's In Your Sewing Basket?

Oh, the fun of collecting Sewing Stuff.   Although, in my Grandmother's day it was not considered a collection, but a necessary part of everyday life. 

No needle worker back in the 1920's and 1930's would be worth her stitches if she didn't have a Sewing Basket stocked with pins, needles, spools of thread, scissors, buttons, and scraps of flour sack fabrics.

My Mother's Sewing Basket was a treasure chest for me as a young girl in the early 1950's.  It is no wonder that I have carried on the tradition of Sewing Baskets.  Notice I said Baskets!
In every Sewing Basket there should be a 'Needle Case'.  Needless to say, I have several.  Some I have collected to display, but most I have made to use.  So, while working through my 4R Fiber Bucket List it was only natural to make a few Needle Keepers/Cases from my collection of Grandmothers Flower Garden Scraps and other 1930's-1950's Scrap Pieces. 
There will be a dozen or so of these Needle Books ready for my Booth at the
 Chicken Farm Art Center's First Saturday Sale this coming Saturday.
Nearly every Needle Case made so far has a few scraps of 'Blue'.  What is now referred to as '1930's Blue' was a popular color during the 1930's and 1940's production of 'Feed Sack' prints.  It was also a favorite color to use in Grandmothers Flower Garden and Double Wedding Ring Quilts.  Lucky me...I have original 1930's Scraps of both patterns.  
Won't they make a nice gift for a 'Needle Worker's Sewing Basket?   
Betcha Sally has a 'Blue Sewing Basket'!
Linking To

24 comments:

  1. Hi Sue,

    LOL When I married--at age 17--my mother had me create my own sewing kit. She gave me an empty box and had me sort through her buttons, needles, pins, and thread. Boy, did it come in handy!

    Thanks for making Blue Monday special.

    Have a Beautiful Blue Monday!

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    1. You married young and your mother was wise to set you up with a sewing box. What a nice memory...thanks for sharing.

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  2. Love love the old fabrics -- they are perfect for your needle cases which, by the way, are really sweet! I have a Sewing Susan that belonged to my mother -- it's falling apart but it's a special memory of her.

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    1. I think the Needle Cases are sweet, too. I have several of my Grandmothers sewing things, and they are special memories indeed.

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  3. Hi Sue .. not a lot is in my sewing basket now ... but I used to love bits and bobs, buttons, lace, colours, threads ... and fabrics ... I was never crafty, but kept a few pieces .... your baskets - look really fresh .. cheers Hilary

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    1. As you pointed out, you don't have to be 'crafty' to love those bits and bobs, buttons and lace that are found in a Sewing Basket. I love finding them at Thrift and Antique Shops. So neat what women saved in their Sewing Boxes and Baskets.

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  4. Love all of it Sue, especially the fabric needle cases!!
    ann

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    1. Thanks Ann. One can never have too many needle cases, right?

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    1. They are some of my favorites, Joy. All from the 1930's and 40's.

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  6. Sewing was no tmy thing, but my mother had to. She made all out cloths from feed sacks. Back then she used whatever she had. Probably did not know what a sewing basket was.

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    1. I know what you mean LV....my mother said the same thing about having to sew for their clothes. I am lucky to have their sewing baskets.

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  7. Oh I love your needle cases. Would you believe I don't have one. I so need to make one.
    Thanks for sharing. I love your header photo it is really pretty.

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    1. You definitely should make yourself a needle case. They are very easy to make. Maybe I should do a tutorial, huh?

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  8. Hello Sue, I have two sewing baskets and when I sold antiques I was always on the lookout for sewing vintage things to sell. My fave was a sterling needle case. I wish I still had it. Smile. Your collection is very nostalgic and I love the needle cases.

    We wore dresses made from feed sack fabric. Our Uncle owned a feed store and we would go pick out our favorite designs when a new shipment came in. This is going way back when we lived on a dairy farm. A great memory.

    Have a wonderful week.
    xo, Jeanne

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    1. Oh, I would love to have sterling needle case. Love it that you had a Family Supplier for those feed sack dresses. Great memory!

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  9. I enjoyed your post a lot. The past few years, I find myself collecting other people's scraps, buttons, patterns, and other sewing stuff. I have no idea what I'm going to do with them. Fortunately, it's not a lot. Yet.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed this post and shared your sewing basket stuff. I bet one of these days you will find just the right project for what you are collecting.

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  10. Anonymous9/30/2014

    Lovely bit of nostalgia.

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    1. Thanks Kathryn....it's fun to share these nostalgic memories and pieces of sewing history.

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  11. Sewing baskets are interesting and I bet that some people give them to Goodwill because they don't know what else to do with them if they aren't a seamstress. They tell a story.

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    1. It is true....I find sewing baskets at Goodwill, in junk stores and antique shops. I always look inside to see what has been saved. They do have a story to tell, and sometimes I find bits and pieces of writing.

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  12. Thanks for coming by my Blue Monday Cupcake post. I noticed on your google page that your in San Angelo. I was wondering where in Texas you are. I am in DFW. I have family in San Angelo. My cousin lives there with her family. Her husband coaches at the high school. I always interested in quilting bloggers and Texas bloggers. We're neighbors sort of! Thanks again for coming by have a Blesse Wednesday.
    Sherry

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  13. Oh I just read the above info. I want to add the reply option. Hopefully I can figure it out. Thanks for sharing this! Smiles, Sherry

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