Vintage Sewing Patterns = Heaven

I've always loved vintage sewing patterns.  I don't know why...I can't follow one to save my life ;)  But they are pretty, and they remind me of my Me-maw. 

I recently brought one of her Singer sewing machine/tables home to complete a perfect sewing nook in my studio.  I haven't quite figured out the machine yet, but I've set mine on top of the table (for now) and have been enjoying using it so much. 

I remember sitting with her in her sewing room when I was a kid and watching her sew.  And I remember not being allowed to touch much in there (because there were so many pointy things).

I now open the drawers to some of her sewing notions and smile.  Sometimes I tear up...but I always smile :)  Thinking of her sitting at the very same table I'm sitting at, sewing...and using the very same scissors I'm using.

  I miss her!  She was great...and we all miss her so much.

I have some her her knitting needles, crochet hooks, embroidery thread and hoops too.  I feel so blessed to be able to have some of her things and put them to good use.  I feel like a part of her is with me still and that's comforting somehow.

Me-maw made my oldest two girls blankets when they were babies, and they love them to pieces.  She had stopped knitting and crocheting by the time baby number three came along, but luckily she made my oldest (her first great-grandbaby) two blankets, so they can each have one.

And I'm so thankful to have a big blanket of my own that she crocheted me when I was a kid.  I've hung it over a chair in our 'parlor' (haha, I have to laugh at that name).  It's that room that some houses have, that you don't really know what to do with...the 'extra room,' if you will.  Ours, in the new house, is right when you walk in the front door, across from my studio, and we've put two bookshelves and a leather furniture set in it.  It's actually turning out to be quite a useful room for me!  I sit in there and read and knit and relax, and I keep all of our scrapbooks in there, so it's nice to peruse those at a moments notice :)

Now, I have these lovely vintage sewing patterns of Me-maw's to peruse, because my Mum brought them up this past weekend (thank you Mum, love you)...and I love them too.  I'd love to be able to use them one day, but right now...this is about as far as I've gotten with making clothes.

As far as this goes...

...you know I'm gonna be trying to knit something up, simply because the cover picture is so cheesy (and it's called 'Sports Buff Stuff), and how hilarious will it be to tell someone that their gift came from 'Sports Buff Stuff?'

And maybe I'll try something out of this one too...

...simply because that baby is a cutie patootie (and that book only cost 10 cents ;)

And now I'm in the mood for knitting, so I'm going to go work on the scarf I've been making baby girl forevah now (and maybe It'll be ready by Christmas).  I think I may be the slowest knitter ever. 

My Mum crocheted each of the girls really long scarves during all of our crazy snow last winter and she whipped them up in a matter of days.  It would've taken me months to make one!  So if anyone has any knitting mojo, please send it my way...

Jamie :)

Comments

[Theresa]

Thanks for sharing your memories of me-maw. It's great that you have inherited some of her crafty materials and tools. When you use them, it will remind you even more so of her. And there will be magic in your projects. I'm a slow knitter, too. I think because I am paying lots of attention to all my stitches and counts...I'm not fond of ripping things out and starting over!
Have a great weekend!!! Theresa

[cinnamon robin]

Vintage stuff is so cool, right?
I am sorry about your memaw. It's so nice to have those things that comfort you.

[robyn]

Such cool patterns! I bet your grandmother is so happy that someone else is enjoying the notions =)

Thanks for sharing your memories of me-maw

[resurrections]

Thanks for sharing. You did a great job with the pictures. I have all of my mothers patterns...I'm trying to use them

[Rhonda Roo]

Aw. Sweet lovely Jamie...this is one of those happy-sad posts. But, mostly happy, because you are part of Me-maw's legacy - and you will do something fabulous to commemorate, i know it!

And then you will teach your girls how to sew or knit or crochet and tell them all your favorite Me-maw stories about when you were a little girl...and y'all will sew and knit and crochet, and weave those stories into the work, and it will be a thread in your life.....

for the record, i would wear a LOT of those clothes tomorrow! Including the bunny suit-of COURSE :-) because I am just that kinda girl.

LOVE YOU! XOXOXOXO Rhonda Roo

[Gabrielle @ i.craft]

you are right they are different from modern patterns. I sew with them a lot and usually have to use them simply as a guide and draw from other abilities to complete them. My theory is that women in that day were such proficient seamstresses that the pattern was only a guide and they didn't need a ton of explanation because I know I have struggled with a few of mine, thrown my hands in the air, stomped away and came back to finish later. :)

[Gabrielle @ i.craft]

...but the finished product is sooooo... worth it! Have fun with those gems!

[Lesley]

How special....I think it is fantastic that you have all of those amazing things to help bring back those memories of your me-maw....I love the pictures on the front....I've actually seen them framed as art....which I would do...since I'm not that cool to be able to make clothing....

[Grammy]

Oh dear Jamie, you have certainly touched me reading your blog today. I too have a sewing room full of my mother-in-law's vintage patterns and some sewing notions. Her little house was chocked full because she had sewn for all of her kids and grandkids and made too many quilts for us all to count. I also have some patterns where my Mom used for me and my 2 sisters. I have in my sewing room my Mom's old sewing cabinet too that my Dad made. I am now a Grandmother of 4 and love sewing special little things for them whenever I have time. Our lives are different now since jobs still take us mothers and grandmothers away from home. I do so want to pass this sewing/crafting legacy on to my grandkids too. They enjoy coming into my sewing room doing odd things with my scrap material. Thank you so much for your blog. I hope someday one if not all 3 of my granddaughters will cherish my sewing "stuff" just like you.