Crochet - Doll's Clothes from 1951

From 1951, a J.P. Coats booklet full of crocheted outfits for dolls in a variety of sizes.  Free download from The Antique Pattern Library.

Vintage Holidays - Easter

A winsome little chick from the Graphics Fairy.

Quote Of The Day

There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; and the true, where he is free to do what he ought. ~ Charles Kingsley

Grrrsday

Dolls & Dollhouses - Some Furniture from 1936

right-click to enlarge for a better view of these charmers

"Don't throw away your ice-cream cartons -- that is, if there is any little member of your family interested in doll's furniture!"

From 1936, a copy of McCall's Needlework, with (among many other things) instructions on making this furniture on page 52 .  A free download from the Antique Pattern Library.

Vintage Images - Spring

St Patrick's is past and Easter is still some time off - so here are some nice flowers from the Graphics Fairy to get us through Monday.

Caturday!

source: Facebook

Stash Busting For A Good Cause

Some of the nice people who read this blog have sent suggestions.

Since you're stuck at home anyway, here's a link to a pattern for face masks. Please, though, call your local health department, senior center and/or doctors' offices to make sure they will accept them.  

Also recommended (thank you, May) - don't forget to leave instructions with the donation.

-These are not FDA-approved surgical masks
- Masks need to be snugly fitted at all times.
- Don't touch the outside of the mask once you've put it on.
- Drop used masks into the washer and clean with hot water and a bit of bleach.

- Good idea to write the user's name on each mask with a Sharpie. 

Quote Of The Day

(From John Cleese).

Grrrsday

(This was posted on our county EMA FB page on Sunday).

Tatting - Swiss Frivolites from 1920

Just arrived at the Antique Pattern Library, a 'tween the wars tatting book from Switzerland.  

Look at those butterflies and flowers on #9! Further on, #s 15 and 16 are bookmarks just waiting to happen, and #28 is the perfect doll's house pillow top.

In addition to beautiful edgings and medallions that range from very simple to very ornate, there are illustrations on how to use them with a variety of clothing and household items. As long as you know that R means ring and Fd means chain, you can probably puzzle out the instructions even if you don't spreche the Deutsch. Free download.

Vintage Holidays - St Patrick's Day

Ireland has closed all the pubs.

7 Days and We Are No Longer Counting

Our cruise line has suspended operations until May 1st.

Quote Of The Day

Flatford Mill, by John Constable

If work were good for you, the rich would leave none for the poor. ~ Haitian proverb

Online Bookshelf - The Star People

I should read this, if only to find out what those dogs are doing to that bear.  I think it's a bear.

Sewing - Blouses and Accessories from Woman's Day, 1949

A lucky find of an old Woman's Day magazine in a thrift store from April, 1949 - A monthly column called Found Money, showing readers how to re-purpose things they already have.

 "Bureau Drawer Stowaways Into Wearable Accessories: Most of us have odd bits of treasure that we've held on to through the years - a beautiful scarf that never seems useful, a linen napkin or two that have survived their mates, sometimes very old clothes that are just too good to throw away.  We found that even some very small things could be made over into good-looking accessories."

Diagrams and instructions for all of the above, plus a blouse "from an old jersey skirt" are on my Flickr account, separated for better legibility. 

The Apples Didn't Fall Far From The Tree

Not a very good shot, but this is the photo that two of my nephews (and their wives) re-enacted as a gift for their dad, my brother Mike.  You may recognize the handsome couple in the middle.

18 Days and Counting

Grrrsday

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, November 1937

This month - "Let's Make Money With Dollhouses," which contains not one word about making money, only dollhouses, a Whirligig quilt pattern, and instructions for a crocheted medallion to make the bedspread on the cover. PDF at the Antique Patterns Library.  The usual crop of patterns for sale, as well as hints about all sorts of lovely things to make as Christmas presents that will be in the next issue.

A Dish Best Served Cold

Robert Smalls, born into slavery in 1839, escaped from the South in 1861 by stealing a CSS supply ship and, with a slave crew, piloting it to freedom.  After the war he bought his former master's house in Charleston to live in.