Victorian “Balloon Bag” Ornament

Here is a fun Fanciful Utility project that can be done for 19th century use of for a modern, holiday use.

This delightful little creation has been called by a few different names, a Balloon Bag, a Button Keep and a Thimble Holder to name a few. I’ve seen them in various sizes from about 3″ tall to just over 4″ tall. Each one made with silk covering pasteboard or a slightly more flexible version.

The following set of directions from A Girl’s Own Book, 1833, suggests the bag contain a ball of thread. As the piece closes nicely, it does well for holding buttons and thimbles, as the above names suggest. As a sewing accessory, I see it holding beads and trims as well.

A Girls Own Book 1833Directions for another version from Peterson’s Magazine, 1869:

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If you make this piece up as an ornament, all you need to do is add a hanging loop from one end. I highly suggest doing this before attaching the sides to each other. When making this green case, I snapped a rather strong needle into three pieces trying to work through the top tip. You could hang the piece as is or fill it with a gift. I picture these filled with candies, jewelry, smaller ornaments, or gift certificates. (You’ll need to make a larger version for gift cards.) Make 12 of them and celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. You could number them to use for Advent as well.

Here is the piece you have been waiting for… the template and directions. This pdf file is used with the directions in Fanciful Utility. If you need to order a copy, please visit ESC Publishing.

Click for the PDF Template

Click for the PDF Template

Here are originals to give you some ideas:

Holder

If you missed the previous templates, there is a Sea-Shell Template and a Tri-Lobed Needle-book available to accompany Fanciful Utility as well.

Published in: on November 2, 2013 at 9:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Geneseo Antique Show (pt3)

This segment turns out to be about some containers I saw.

There were several spice containers in beautiful condition. The patina on this one just glowed.

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This tin spice box has a space for the nutmeg grater in the lid. I should have taken a photo of the nice painting on the front.

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We’ve been picking up painted tin boxes (toleware) lately. So, of course this little box caught my eye. It was so small, not even 5″.

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There were only a few band or pasteboard boxes. This pair was incredible. They were also huge. From memory, I would say they were each at least 15″ wide and 12″ tall. How can these not spur one to want to paint their own?

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This box was much smaller, possibly 8″ across. The photo of the side didn’t come out. There are figures all around the sides.

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This last image I took because I want to look this up. Too curious.

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Published in: on October 30, 2013 at 6:00 am  Comments (2)  

Geneseo Antique Show (pt2)

I could call this segment “want but can not have.” We knew going into this show that the pricing would be “look, don’t buy”. Though, I did give myself permission to buy a sewing case or needle-book. There were none.

I did not expect to see three pieces I really, really wanted to bring home.

First is this milliner’s display head. She was lovely. She was in beautiful shape. I was able to get a good look at her painting and the way her head was wrapped under where the bonnet would sit in what looked like thing strips of leather. She also lacked a price tag.

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Then came two Paisley shawls. The first was a beautiful, near perfect condition 1840s square. The whole thing was comprised of compartmented medallions. The reverse showed so very well the transition from not trimming the back threads to beginning to. While the vast majority of the shawl was not trimmed, the smallish areas so solid color were neatly hand trimmed. The seller was the sweetest lady. She bought the shawl in Vermont along with a beautiful quilt. While she was whiling to negotiate the price, I still couldn’t because it would have meant not getting my much needed shelves.

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Then came this shawl. The purples are what caught my eye. Wow! What color. I’m accustom to seeing greens and blues pop like that, but the purple was unique. As soon as I went to touch this shawl, the vendor jumped right in to show it to me. She was much more of a hard seller. The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was the coarse, thick texture. Someone washed this with a lot of agitation. Not good.

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The center field was very small (a seemed selling point to the vendor) with a signature worked in. Usually, I see a signature with tapestry twill weave shawls (this was not) or embroidered shawls (this was not) or pieced shawls (this was not). Then I noticed this seam…… The border is an added on each side. Oh, how I wanted to measure the inside panel to see which size bracket if fell into.  In general, I would have liked to spend more time with this shawl to work out some curious oddities in it.

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As purchasing shelves this weekend were an absolute must …. and the shawl storage being overly full …. and the week’s salary price tags on the shawls, neither of them came home with me.

I did get shelves though. They are fabulous for storage.

Published in: on October 29, 2013 at 6:00 am  Leave a Comment  

Geneseo Antique Show (pt1)

The past couple weeks have been rather millinery light. My mind has wandered to Christmas ornaments and Christmas gifts. (You’ll get to see some posts on that soon.) Also, with the weather turning cold, I’ve been nesting, which means organizing. (How my poor husband hates my organizing because that also means cleaning and sorting.) In addition to this transition of focus, I’ve had this ridiculous coughing cold that makes focusing difficult at best. With nearly 4 solid weeks of feeling miserable, this weekend I had a little bit more energy to actually do things. Granted, the plans for the weekend didn’t really go as planned, starting with sleeping through the performance of Little Women at school.

After that extended nap and a decent night’s sleep, we went to the Geneseo Antique Show Saturday morning. This year, there was an abundance of crocks and wooden bowls. I took oodles of photos for mom and to share. (I’m going to split these up into a couple posts.)

This is a crock I hadn’t seen in person before. It is a cake crock. At first glance, my thoughts were “no? really?”. Then I remembered the price listings in the book I gave mom for Christmas last year. Those had cake crocks. This was very neat. I would say this is between 10″ and 12″ across.

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I wish this photo hadn’t come out blurry. It was a difficult angle to shot with so many people around. It has a CW era date on it, which we can not see. 😦 When I saw this, I thought it would be good for the Commemorative & Memorial Project. (If anyone is particularly good at pen and ink, this is a good option. Maybe Lily?)

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This next piece just fascinated me. It is a complete, or nearly complete salesman’s sample case. Or, atleast that is how the dealer explains it. I loved it both for what it was and the ideas for other displays that popped into my head. Each piece is numbered. I would have loved to read what each numbered item was in the words of the salesman. Number 1 is in the upper right corner, with numbers one through five being marked on a piece of wood or spool and a fiber. The numbers then proceed top to bottom, right to left. Okay, technically, I took the photo from the side. So, if shown from the front the numbers would proceed left to right, top to bottom.

The ideas this case sparks makes me want to find a similarly sized case. I am envisioning a millinery materials display with neatly rolled/coiled and numbered pieces inside. This could include structural materials and decorative materials. Hmmm, maybe two cases; one for structural and one for decorative. I would want to show the different types of ribbons as well as the silk. Those could take up a lot of space. It would bee so convenient to have such display cases together for talking with guests.

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Published in: on October 28, 2013 at 4:20 pm  Leave a Comment  

The Baker and His Wife by Jan Steen 1658

I’ve had hot, soft pretzels on the mind for a couple weeks already. Seeing this painting makes me want to make some. What a perfect warm treat on a cold fall evening. Yum!
I’m also curious about the bread held up and in the basket. They look concave. I wonder what those are.

Sifting The Past

The Baker and His Wife_Jan Steen_1658Jan Steen (1626 – 1679)

Detail: food, baker, bread, buns, manchet, pretzel, pretzel hanger, workman, work cap, boy, horn, bread rack, store front,  peel

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Published in: on October 23, 2013 at 7:51 am  Comments (6)  

Did You Know?

Did you know the techniques in Fanciful Utility: Victorian Sewing Cases and Needle-books can also be used for a variety of other 19th century projects?

They can!

The stitches and assemble techniques can be used for making many of the items found in Godey’s Lady’s Book, Peterson’s Magazine, Workwomen’s Guide, and A Girl’s Own Book just to name a few.

 

 

wpid-2013-10-06-12.14.18-1.jpgThis leather, cotton and silk market wallet was made using the pasteboard and binding techniques outlined in the book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can make travel cases such as this one using the skill youS learn from FanU.

 

 

 

 

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I enjoy making both 19th and 21st century Christmas decorations. You can make some of those seen here. Also, the templates for the shaped in FanU can also make great ornaments.

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I used the same techniques when I made the soles for these quilted silk slippers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other items found in period publication you can make using the same skills and techniques can include:

  • Watch pockets
  • Pen wipes
  • Children’s toys
  • Small books
  • Work baskets
  • Pasteboard doll furniture
  • Card cases
  • and so many more……

If you don’t already have your copy of Fanciful Utility: Victorian Sewing Cases and Needle-books, purchase your copy directly from ESC Publishing.

Published in: on October 18, 2013 at 6:15 am  Leave a Comment  

Ideas, Ideas…. What Shall the Next FanU Swaps Be?

It sounds like the participants in the first set of Fanciful Utility Fabric Swaps have been enjoying the swaps. This summer and fall we did three swaps, a Cotton Swap, a Silk Swap and a Crazy Swap. The Crazy Swap is currently underway. It is so very nice to get a fun piece of fabric in the mailbox rather than the usual bills and spam. I know I get excited each time I see one of those envelops.

We’ve had a few people share their projects so far. I look forward to seeing more of the projects. So, please continue to share what you make.

You know me, my mind is always wandering and looking ahead. So, of course, I am pondering what themes to do in our next set of swaps. I think January would be a good time to begin another trio of swaps. That would give us one each in January, February and March to help us through those winter months. I’ve had a few different theme ideas floating around in my head. I would love to hear what you think; what themes you like and any theme ideas I haven’t thought of yet.

Here are a few….

First up,  the “Romantic Swap”. This would include reproduction cotton prints from the Romantic Era, 1820s through 1840s. This era is full of fun, wild even, colorful prints.

New ideas 1

Next idea has a motif I love. The “Paisley Swap” would include 19th century appropriate Paisley motifs. These could be an organized, all over print usually accomplished with a block, or Paisley’s set into a strip design. Lots of options here.New ideas 2b

Looking at a silk option, we could do a “Silk Jacquard Swap”. Oh, what delicious fabrics this could include. This would be one of the more pricey swaps for those that don’t already have a silk jacquard on hand.

New ideas 3

As I was looking through fabrics, one theme that wanted attention suggested a “Mini-Swap”. This wouldn’t be mini-fabric. This would be for mini-prints. While tiny prints weren’t usually the showcase of sewing cases, an assortment of mini-prints could make for some fun cases. Doll lovers may particularly like this swap because the scale could easily be used with the doll size sewing cases and needle-books in Fanciful Utility.

New ideas Mini

This next theme is inspired by my Grandma. While using some of her fabric pieces, I notices she had a leaf theme going on for a little while. I made my little sister a rolled case with Grandma’s leaf prints. It came out so cute, I have to consider it for a swap. Thus, the “Leaf Swap”. Now, the question is… Spring leaves or fall leaves???

New ideas Leaves

 While looking at reproduction fabrics and original swatch books, a “Geometric Swap” stood out. I don’t think many of us think about geometrics showing up in prints from the 19th century. This could be a good way to look at them. New ideas Geometric   I had been thinking about a “Patriotic Swap” or a “Centennial Swap”. I have to admit now… that one is hard. I need to know what you think about this one. New ideas Patriotic

An idea stuck in the “I wonder” stage is Toiles. These don’t show up much in sewing cases of the mid-century. They would look so very cool if they did. Two other challenges are the scale of most toiles and the cost. I think some of us may get frustrated with cutting the prints evenly.  New ideas Toile

Whether you have already participated in a FanU Swap or are considering joining in, I would love to hear from you on ideas for the next swaps.

If you want to pick up a copy of Fanciful Utility (or give some as gifts), hop over to www.thesewingacademy.com to order directly from the publisher.

Published in: on October 16, 2013 at 7:37 pm  Comments (6)  
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“Travelers and Traveling” from 1860

Today’s reblog

If I Had My Own Blue Box:

I stumbled across this article, “Travelers and Traveling” by Mary A. Denison in Peterson’s Magazine from 1860.

I rather enjoyed the first part, but then it took quite a twist.

“Think for a moment of the masses moving in every direction. From homes of wealth and of poverty they come – from the emigrant’s little cabin of mud by the wayside, and the palace of the titled noble – on the they throng, men, women, and children – sick and well – joyful and sorrowful. Some are in the first flush of wedded happiness, on their bridal tour – some are leaving the home of youth and childhood, where they have been sheltered and fondled, to seek a scanty living in a heartless world. Some go at the call of husbands to the land of the golden mountains – some to while away a leisure that is wearisome, to fill…

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Published in: on October 15, 2013 at 7:16 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Cold Weather Prep – ReBlogs

For today’s “Reblog”, I’m continuing with the cold weather theme and combining two previous post on prepping for the cold weather. Both are from 2011, which, as you can tell, was a year when the weather turned much earlier than this year. Right now, we have chilly mornings in the upper 30s and low 40s with “warmer” afternoons in the upper 60s or low 70s even. But, with the trees almost at peek, we know the cold, cold weather isn’t far behind.

Are You Ready for Your Cold Weather Events?

For those of us in the northern states of the country we usually see the onset of fall as the ‘end of the season’. But, many of us have cold weather activities ahead of us. This could be ceremonies for Veteran’s Day and Rememberance Day, Yuletide and Christmas events for our living history sites or even festive caroling in our communities.

For each of these events, the weather can get down-right Cold!

 

Keep in mind – Layers are the Key to Warmth. This means your 1) Underpinnings 2) Dress 3) Outerwear and 4) Accessories.

Here is a list of items that can help you keep warm:

For your dress, consider:

For outerwear, think beyond the cape that will let cold air in and encumber you arms. Consider:

Accessories help keep your hands and head warm. Consider these:

An Evening Chill in the Air

Have you noticed the chill in the air as evening sets in? I know it is still August. But, it is definitely there. While it may feel refreshing to fall asleep in this fresh cool air after many hot and humid nights, we all know this means even colder nights aren’t far behind. I’ll admit, this year I am particularly not looking forward to the colder weather coming in since I don’t exactly have my own home with my own favorite creature comforts. I am big, really big on my creature comforts, most of which come from what I’ve learned about how people kept warm in the 19th century. But, I digress.

With cold weather imminent, now is the time to make sure you are ready. After all, you don’t want to be left out in the cold without your cold weather wear.

Layers are the Key to Warmth. This means your 1) Underpinnings 2) Dress 3) Outerwear and 4) Accessories.

For your underpinnings, consider these:

For your dress, consider:

For outerwear, think beyond the cape that will let cold air in and encumber you arms. Consider:

Accessories help keep your hands and head warm. Consider these:

Published in: on October 11, 2013 at 4:00 pm  Leave a Comment  

The Usefulness of a Jacket – Godey’s 1858

For my first “reblog”, a little bit on coats/jackets as I’m quite a bit chilly tonight.

If I Had My Own Blue Box:

This is a clip from Godey’s, 1858, I had in my “Distracting Odds and End” folder. It simultaneously speaks of the commonness of a shawl and the usefulness of a jacket.

 Hints on Jackets – When to Wear Them by Mrs. Damas Few things that we wear are, in my opinion, more comfortable than a jacket. There are various sorts, morning and evening- jackets, for young and old; but what I would first wish to call attention to is a comfortable jacket, one that can be worn at any time, the first thing in the morning, and the last thing at night. Mothers of families would do well to have such a one. It is a common practice with many to draw on a shawl; and, as this is generally done in a hurry, it rarely covers the chest, and requires one arm to hold it on. The jackets I…

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Published in: on October 10, 2013 at 7:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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