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Jan 12, 2013

Great Day at the Flea Market or "More Clutter"!



What a fun morning I had at the flea market today, readers!

The Louis XIV hairdo I'm sporting is actually an amazing bundle of vintage gathered ivory lace trim I got in a huge bag for $2.  Don't know what I'll trim with it, but I'll find something.



There's much more.  Don't you love this chic vintage hat box, which will definitely be part of a future Cathy photo shoot?



How about this pair of fans from Japan Airlines?  Love the colors: solid on one side, gold on the other!





I found three vintage notions relating to threading needles.  First, this unopened Kenmore contraption -- can't wait to try it out on my 158.141!







Then there's this red plastic doohickey, "The Automatic Needle Threader" (for hand sewing needles).  It worked!







Finally, a magnifying glass that attaches to your sewing machine!  I'm at that age.





The hat box, the fans, the notions: $8 total.  (I hope it isn't gauche to mention prices.  Reader Charlotte W. likes to know everything.)

Finally, I picked up these wonderful Singer Sewing Library booklets from the early 1930s.  I found three of the original four (Missing is "How to Make Draperies" -- like I ever would).  $15 total.



I adore the Art Deco period illustrations from "How to Make Dresses."  I haven't read it in its entirely yet, but it's chock-full of tips.















"How to Make Children's Clothes" is a fascinating window into children's wardrobes of the late Twenties/early Thirties, and full of charming, highly detailed period illustrations.























Readers, that's all for today, I'm afraid.  Michael and I are both still in recovery mode, if you can believe it, but I am hoping to start sewing again soon.

A lot of exciting projects on the horizon!

Have a great day, everybody!

28 comments:

  1. Wow...you completely won the flea market sweepstakes today!

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  2. What big beautiful browns you have!

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  3. Oh what a successful shop, I always tell what Ive paid for things. Love a bargain, got to tell the world. the illustrations in the books are beautiful. I bet they will make great reads.

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  4. Would it shock you to know that not only do I have the Children's clothing book, but that I paid $16 for it? A lot of the illustrations are closer to 20s than 30s, and I actually have a picture of my grandmother at four years old in a dress like the illustrated ones!

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    1. I actually thought of you when I bought it, Laura. Now that I know you have a copy I feel better about keeping mine for me! ;)

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  5. Sometimes you make NYC sound so affordable.

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  6. Wow, what an awesome score. I'm a wee bit jealous of that hand needle threader. My eye sight is not what it used to be...

    Enjoy your new treasures!

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  7. I have one of those hand sewing needle threaders somewhere - inherited from my grandma, I think. Also, what a steal for the hat box!!! They're so hard to come by in good condition! (And I know because I'm always looking for them for my hat collection.) I'm so jealous of your flea marketing. I have yet to find something good around here.

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  8. Which flea market do you hit - is it Chelsea? I went to the big garage flea market nearby and it was really pricey and Brooklyn flea was expensive as well. I can't figure out where to flea in NYC!

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    1. Yes, I go to the Chelsea market (indoor and outdoor). There are probably 100 vendors, maybe more. Some are expensive and some are not. It depends on what you're looking for.

      Sometimes I go and come back with nothing and sometimes I find great things at decent prices. You have to go often and get to know the vendors a little.

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    2. I'll bet Cathy could get even better deals!!!

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  9. Those books are stunning. I'm looking forward to future posts featuring these. Thanks in advance!

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  10. My word, what a haul! I especially like the fans and the sewing booklets...cheap entertainment@ 8 bucks.

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  11. I need the magnifier too. Let us know how it works. I just got back from a few days in the city. My first walk on the High Line... Really enjoyed it.

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  12. I have the booklet you're missing about making draperies. You're welcome to it if you'd like to have it.

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    1. Thanks, Carla, but I honestly don't think I'd ever open it!

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  13. I found one of those red hand needle threader gadgets in a drawer of my treadle machine. It is simply wonderful for eyes of a certain age. Enjoy your books, but, as a girl who was subjected to sunsuits in the 1960s, I don't wish them on anyone. When you need to relieve yourself in a hurry, a sunsuit is a terrible garment!

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  14. I bought my grandma a few of those red needle threaders when I was a girl - they do work!

    She liked to embroider and cross stitch, and even with cataracts, those doohickeys helped.

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  15. Oh how I miss the Chelsea market!!! Hop on the subway or take a little walk and everyone has brought all their glorious junk right to the center of the world!
    The singer sewing library is amazing! Enjoy!

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  16. Gah, what a fabulous flea market day! I love the 1930's books on dressmaking and children's clothes.

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  17. I am so jealous of your amazing finds!

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  18. what wonderful finds, I want to go shopping with you. Next time Im in Nyc im going to call on you.

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  19. Peter, so many of your posts remind me of being in my mother's closet! She had a hat box exactly like the one you picked up. I love to see hat boxes, especially old ones. What fun!

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  20. The Singer booklets? To die. Absolutely to die.

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  21. Barb aka WoodencanoeJanuary 14, 2013 at 4:32 AM

    Maybe people hung on to the Singer Library book on Draperies as it would remain useful long after the children had grown. I have one but it's mine! Have fun with all your new treasures.

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  22. My mother gave me one of those red needle threaders when I was in my 20s, saying I'd need it eventually. I've been using it nearly every day for the past 10 years :-) Ilove how it slides apart to collapse for travel.

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  23. LOL, of course the lady buying fabric in the book is wearing a fur ;-) Nice finds at the flea market. I inherited the red automatic needle threader from my grandmother and mine works nicely, too.

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