I am loving the old embroidery instructions at this website- and what makes all of the embroidery & lace such works of art is that they are all done on a treadle machine. No downloading a design from the ‘net to use in the fancy dancy embroidery machine- nope doing this all by hand err foot.
I am in awe-
The lace-
I love finding old carded buttons (and other sewing supplies) at the thrifts. The packaging alone is usually a work of art & they often are examples of our old retail landscape. In today’s finds I found old Twin Fair and Hens & Kelly tags- along with a cursive Sears logo.
Who else remembers shopping at Twin Fair?
Just “by using these buttons (snaps) your dress will fit- it promises Success in this great vintage card.
Old School Le Chic packaging (fashionable buttons guaranteed washable)
Not just quality- but Superior Quality
Hens & Kelly Department Stores- a much missed local department store that also gave out Green Stamps. From back in the day when department stores actually were more then clothes and housewares.
More Old School Le Chic Fashionable Buttons (guaranteed washable)
Remember when Sears sold buttons? Must have been back when department stores actually were full line stores- today the only store that comes close is Walmart and let us face it- Walmart is nothing like the department stores of yesterday. (Some could say Walmart is where the cesspool of humanity goes but I digress). Too bad Eddie Lampert is slowly destroying both Sears and Kmart turning both companies into shells of what they used to be.
(amazon ads below)
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00BNJ69ZC” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”instither-20″]Assorted Vintage Metal Buttons Gold And Silver Tone 12-28mm Diameter – 1/4 Pound[/easyazon_link] [easyazon_link identifier=”B001LAFTT0″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”instither-20″]DRESS IT UP 2866 VINTAGE BUTTON GRAB BAG[/easyazon_link] [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CQEDEC4″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”instither-20″]French General: Treasured Notions: Inspiration and Craft Projects Using Vintage Beads, Buttons, Ribbons, and Trim from Tinsel Trading Company[/easyazon_link]Ahh back to school time- the smell of new pencils & notebooks and the crowds of crazed parents wandering through Target looking for the ONE item that does not exist, but is yet on the supply list.
Kid #1 is a huge Pokémon fan (it comes with the age) and he needed a pencil case for school. So like all good crafty types instead of buying a $3.00 plastic pencil case I spent closer to $10 in supplies & about $30 in labor costs to make him one.
The pattern & tutorial for the bag comes via Very Berry Handmade.
Using the zipper foot.
More playing with the zipper foot. No matter how much sewing I’ve done zippers scare me. 
It looks like maybe I didn’t mess up the zipper.
Getting ready to turn it out.
And look- I’ve included some handy dandy links for buying Pokémon fabric straight from Amazon (and yes if you click & buy I get a few pennies
**blah blah blah affiliate links below so if you buy through them I’ll get a few pennies to fund my vintage cookbook habit**
Cricut has some great deals going on!
New advertiser! Thank you Keepsake Quilting for these great deals for my readers!
Weekend Sale! Save 20% on these “weekend projects” designed to be made in just a weekend! Hurry, supplies are limited and this offer is only valid through Sunday! Valid 8/28-8/30 with Offer Code KQ1518. :Take 20% off Select Kits at Keepsake Quilting with Offer Code KQ1518
Bring Jim Shore’s unique folk-art charm to your home for the holidays with these patterns, quilt fabrics and quilt kits! Plus, when you purchase a Jim Shore Kit, you’ll receive a Free Patchwork Stockings Digital Pattern! Valid now-8/30/15. Free Patchwork Stockings Digital Pattern with Purchase of Jim Shore Kit at Keepsake Quilting
Interweave is having an amazing sale! $2 for patterns & $4 for digital magazines? Yes please!
And for anything not on sale- can always use one of these codes for even more savings!
(And a quick preview of Leisure Arts Labor Day Sale-
)
I’ve only had this fabric from Joann’s forever (or so it seemed) and I can’t remember just when I bought the pattern but apparently it is out of print now- but still available on the Simplicity website (insert snarky comment about if they ever approve my affiliate with them I could directly link).
The pattern itself was fairly straightforward- it is a mix and match set so the shirt pattern is used also for the dress & the pants and shorts share a pattern. That isn’t uncommon though.
Working on inserting the sleeves. I think sleeve placement is one of those things that makes Baby Jesus cry. I am happy though, only had to rip out one sleeve and redo.
Closeup of the bodice. The rick rack was an additional trim I put on. I had different buttons picked out but someone (/cough the three year old) decided that buttons are her new favorite toy! The next buttons I messed up the buttonholes & made them a touch too small (grumbles). I do like the mix of button styles though. As the photo below shows trying to find 4 matching buttons in my multitude of vintage mason jars filled with buttons is always a challenge.
(and insert link to the pattern on Amazon- if you buy through them I get a few pennies)
![Singer instructions for art embroidery : Singer sewing machine company. [from old catalog] : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive](https://i0.wp.com/swampcrone.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Singer_instructions_for_art_embroidery___Singer_sewing_machine_company___from_old_catalog____Free_Download___Streaming___Internet_Archive.png?resize=278%2C372&ssl=1)
