Thursday, July 30, 2009

What I've Been Doing and More Inspirations From the Past

I have been trying to sew a little this week, but I guess the surgery took more out of me than I realized because I get tired pretty quickly. SO..........
Since I haven't been able to do as much in the way of sewing, or much of anything else since I had my foot surgery, I have been organizing my patterns. I have a long way to go before I'm through, but this does make a dent in them. I have been storing my patterns in shoe boxes in this cabinet. Yes, I know it looks a little rough, but that's what I love about it. My husband's grandfather built this cabinet for his bride, my husband's grandmother, of course, when they first got married. It was her first kitchen cabinet. Somewhere along the way it was shortened. Apparently it was a tall cabinet to start with, but it doesn't matter. I love it. However, it will not hold my patterns the way I am reorganizing them, so I'm going to move it over next to my machine to hold other things that I need to have right on hand, like thread, etc.... I don't know exactly. Then, I plan to purchase a file cabinet. I may get one that will fit under my sewing table, or I may get one that is pretty and made from wood to use next to the bed so it can double as a night stand. I haven't gotten that far in my thought processes yet.
These file jackets are perfect for storing my patterns. I just put the directions and pattern pieces inside, cut the envelopes open and glued them to the outside. At the top I have written a short description of the pattern and it's sizes. I am planning to file these by sizes and styles. That's sort of how I had them in my shoe boxes, but I was really bad not to put them back in the right place. I think this will be easier. Also, with some patterns it is impossible, as you know to put all of the pieces back into those little bitty envelopes.

Now, for my Inspirations From the Past.
First, this is a doll cradle that my grandparents had made for my mom when she was about 2, so that makes it about 83 years old! The doll is an Effanbee that my Mother-in-law gave to one of my daughters for a Christmas or birthday. (Somehow, when I first published this post this picture got left out, so I'm adding it now.)

Next, is a Shirley Temple doll that is in very bad shape. this was Mother's doll. She actually played with it alot, as you can see. I need to see about having her restored.

Then, this is also one of Mother's dolls. She is one of the Dione quints. She also needs some tender loving care. Her dress is in great shape. It just needs to be cleaned. Any ideas about how I can do this myself, or where I can take them?

This doll is one that my aunt won for selling newspaper subscriptions. She was 10 years older than Mother. She gave this Southern Bell to Mother.

Mother must have really loved playing with dolls. This trunk was hers, too. She made these cloth dolls and their clothes when she was about 10, so about 75 years ago.

The American Indian doll on the left was my mom's. The other one is one that I got when I was little on a visit to Cherokee, NC.

This little fellow was also Mother's. I don't know anything about him, but he looks like a Campbell's Soup kid. I don't believe there were any Campbell's Soup kids back then, though.

This beauty is one that my aunt brought to me when I was very little. She brought her from a trip to Holland.

These are the Dione quints. They were Mother's.

These beautiful little African American dolls were also Mother's.

I say "were" my Mother's because she has given these dolls to me or to my daughters. She had enough dolls from her childhood to give one each to my sister, me (I actually got extras, as she gave me the ones she made, and a couple of the smaller ones), her 5 grand daughters, her daughter-in-law, and a cousin's wife. I don't have all of these to photograph.
I never realized until I started posting about these OLD things how much I really cherish them. I love new stuff, too. My house is a real mish-mash of styles. In other words, I really don't have a style.
I can't believe I found this background to match this post!

14 comments:

PaisleyJade said...

Love the cabinet! Hope you heal quickly - must be frustrating not being able to do everything you want to... although cleaning out stuff is great (as I never seem to get around to it!!)

Trudy said...

I'm so sorry that you still can't get in there and sew for too long. I hope you fully recover soon. It's great that you are being productive and getting organizing done, though. I love the way you have organized your patterns. I have never seen this method before , but I'm glad to know about it now. Here is a tip for getting the pattern tissue back into the envelopes. Take one of those wide clear quilting rulers and and place your pattern piece on it, wrap the pattern tissue around this ruler, pull the ruler out and complete the folding; and you have a perfectly folded and flat pattern piece.

You are so fortunate that your family has kept all of these treasures for you. There is so much history, and you will always have something special to remember them by and pass on.

Jocelyn said...

Oh Julia, I LOVE your cabinet. And you are so blessed to have all these wonderful vintage dolls that belonged to your mother. Not many people save these precious memories anymore.

Faye Lewis said...

Great collection!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

Wow, those dolls are incredible! You have so many of them! I have my grandmother's favorite doll and I cherish it, but she must not have had many dolls since I only got one. I'm the only granddaughter, so when she passed away I got all her girlie things. :)

The cabinet is wonderful, too. I hope you recover soon so you can get back to sewing!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your family heirlooms are fantastic! You're so fortunate to have them. I wish my mother had kept some of my toys/clothes, etc. I do have a couple of my grandmothers quilts and hand embroidered pillowcases.

What a great way to store patterns. I would have never thought of it but it makes perfect sense!

I hope you're still taking it easy and giving yourself time to heal.

blushing rose said...

I love the cabinet also. The dolls are wonderful, don't you enjoy the wonderful memories ... Get better soon. TTFN ~ Marydon

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

What beautiful dolls!!! I have no idea how to clean them but I bet if you Google antique doll cleaning tips something will come up.

Smiles,
Kelly

Lotta Dahl said...

HEHEH I've never seen anyone else that stores their patterns the same way I do before! lol That is so cool. Also, just wanted to let you know you mistyped your address on the heirloom party.

Anonymous said...

nice dolls.I just posted pictures of the baby doll big I made for my doll if you would like to come and see it. I'll be posting pictures my next project on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Emily, Age 8
www.sewingsister.blogspot.com

Claudia said...

Wow! The dolls are amazing! You have quite a collection. I love seeing them all. And the cabinet is beautiful! I love that style. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Marie said...

Hello Julia - thank you for joining the party! Wow, what a sweet doll collection your Mama had! I think my favorites are those quints and the ones she made out of cloth! So precious.

Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com

Kdottie Designs said...

What wonderful dolls! Such treasures. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

My Grandmother had the Dion Quints. I remember hearing about them.

what a great collection!

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