Friends, it's hard to believe that our very first Covid summer is coming to an end, but it is.
Time moves very strangely for me. It sometimes seems like it's still March, back when everything shut down, or certainly an extension of it. Many things have reopened since then, but it still feels like a different era--definitely not normal times. There are more people on the streets but still no tourists, which leaves the city feeling much emptier.I am happy to report that today, Saturday, the Chelsea Flea Market reopened. The market, which is under new management, had originally been scheduled to reopen last April, but we know what happened. I swung by this morning and I was delighted to see so many of my favorite vendors and many familiar faces. I didn't realize how much I'd missed the flea market till I returned.
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| Vintage buttons galore! |
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| I love most digging through piles of random stuff. |
I saw only one sewing machine today, a lovely Singer 301 (below). I won't lie: I was tempted as I don't own a 301 (similar to a Featherweight 221). But with roughly 17 machines already and a strong desire to downsize, I just couldn't take her. I hope somebody gives her a good home.
One of the most fun things at the flea market is the people. Naturally, today there were many colorful outfits and some stylish Covid masks (including my own--you probably recognize that lemon print).
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| I never thought to layer Hawaiian shirts, but it works! |
In the end all I came home with were these very lovely vintage plastic shirt buttons. There were many wonderful ones but I wanted to buy only buttons I could see myself using.
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| I do love vintage buttons. |
I'll probably return tomorrow: I have to make up for lost time!
I don't know about you but fall is always an energizing time for me. Come September, I find myself wanting to organize my time better as well as to clean up my space: I'm long overdue for some major decluttering. If you follow me on Instagram you may already know I'm deciding which of my two Berninas to part with: the 930 or the 830. I don't have the space for both. (Stay tuned: I may be announcing some sales sometime soon.)
And that's it. We're all doing well here and I hope you're doing well too.
Happy sewing, everybody, and happy (almost) fall!
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Out here on the west coast, the sky is filled with smoke and the sun peeks through a grey-orange haze. It feels like it should rain, but the temperature is in the mid-80s. But, the light change usually indicates a change in seasons, so it is beginning to feel like fall, too. Time to begin the gathering in of seeds and figs, and buttons, too, I guess! Glad you are well and all is as right as it can be on your side of the continent.
ReplyDeleteYour post is a welcome accounting to counterbalance our hazardous air and weird yellow light...Ridgefield, WA..about 25 mi. N of Portland.
ReplyDeleteoh that 301!!! I bought a 221 today! miss those days out and about..
ReplyDeleteIt reopened! Since going to gorgeous I'll swing vt, thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteMissed you, so glad you're back!
ReplyDeleteThat 301! And a long bed to boot. Most are short bed. A treasure.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you back - I’m in Melbourne, Australia so we are in hard lockdown for another couple of weeks. TBH i have no idea what season it is and would believe anything that I’m told. Lovely colourful photos. I’d keep the Bernina 830.
ReplyDeleteThat looks so fun! We don't have a flea market, but I really miss going in the little shops that have this sort of thing. I miss estate sales, too. I always headed straight for the bedrooms, looking for sewing machines or notions. If you downsize (Must you?), I would keep the 830, only because I have one and it's my favorite machine. It's such a joy to sew with.
ReplyDeleteA black longbed 301! I'd have grabbed it. They're very desirable. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove those photos of the autumn sunshine. September days like that are my favourite, and I get carried away with a tonne of sewing plans this time of year too. V jealous that you get to go to such a great flea market although probably just as well I dont live near there or I would probably bring back far too much. Beautiful 301 - love the style lines
ReplyDeleteLoved the peek at the market today- I'm in Seattle and we're staying inside with all the terrible wildfire smoke. I stumbled across Unicose patterns the other day and wondered if you'd ever tried them? They are a South American company (so all in spanish), but have so many unique men's patterns I haven't seen before! They seem to be more like StyleArc, more industry patterns with minimal instruction. I would love to hear your take on if they are worth trying. (I'd like to sew more for my partner, but he is not keen on the available men's sewing patterns I've found.)
ReplyDeleteNew to me. I'll check them out!
DeleteI've got an 830 Bernie and she's a lovely machine to use; being all mechanical I'd hang on to her over the 930, though if I could I'd hang onto both of them!
ReplyDeleteGlad that the flea market is back. Looking forward to making it there one day.
ReplyDeleteThis is great news! I thought I saw something online about the market reopening under the same management as the Brooklyn Flea, but somehow couldn't find any reliable info about it, so decided not to trek up to 25th street this weekend. Now I know what I'm doing next Saturday!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.chelseaflea.com/
DeleteThanks for the link! I'm grateful to the Brooklyn Flea people for reviving the Chelsea Flea Market, and I hope they allow it to retain as much as possible of its old flavor. So far, from your photos, it looks as if that's the case. In my opinion, the Brooklyn Flea tends to be over-curated and overpriced, whereas the Chelsea Flea Market was always a glorious hodgepodge where true bargains could be found on a regular basis.
DeleteHappy that you're back and life is beginning to return to normalcy in NYC. If anything the pandemic has generated a renewed interest in sewing (and other forgotten crafts such as baking, gardening and canning). Let's hope these interests will remain well into the future.
ReplyDeleteI am happy for you that you are back in your old Stomping grounds. But I take a pause at the opening line of your post "Friends, it's hard to believe that our very first Covid summer is coming to an end, but it is." Please let's not think this our first covid summer. does that mean there will be more? Hoping and praying the answer is "NO"
ReplyDeleteRuth, unfortunately there is no reason to believe we will not be dealing with this for a long, long time. Even if there's an effective vaccine -- a big IF -- it is likely to take a very long time to vaccinate everyone who is willing to be vaccinated. It's unfortunate but seems to be true.
Deletehttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02278-5
So happy to see a post from you again!! I just finished cleaning up my sewing room after sewing masks and christmas gifts this summer. Now if I only could read a book.
ReplyDeleteLove the buttons. I have some like those from my mother and grandmother, but never enough or the right ones. Happy to see you being able to be out and about now. I long for the day that I can come and be a tourist again!
ReplyDeletePeter, I am giving my Bernina 930 sewing machine to an old friend but have at least one duplicate presser foot. Would you be interested in me sending you my duplicates (once I see what they are) for free?
ReplyDeleteKathy C. in Las Vegas
Thanks so much for the offer, Kathy, but to be honest, I hardly ever use the feet I already have! But thanks again. :)
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