Sorting, Sifting, and Purging...
I'm currently in the midst of organizing my back room, and I've come across some interesting finds that I thought I'd share.
My mom and grandmother (her mother) were both very skilled in the arts of crocheting, embroidery, and tatting. I believe that many girls and women from their time learned these skills in school.
*Hand Knits for Babies*,
published in 1946.
It's a bit sad that no one makes these beautiful sweater sets for babies anymore. They used to create such lovely gifts for newborns.
Were you ever the recipient of a baby sweater set or booties from an older Aunt or Grandmother?
*Campus Classics for knitters* - 1944
They offer patterns not just for sweaters, but also for vests and gloves.
These two works were published in 1942.
The Jack Frost Handbags and the Blue Baby Book, 1945.
The Babies and Children is from 1953.
The McCall's Needlework published in 1955-1956, while the Floral Dollies were from 1950.
McCall's Needlework, published in 1974-75, and another edition from 1969.
Although there is no specific date, in the past, the San Francisco Examiner featured a craft section that showcased various patterns, including sewing, embroidery, crochet, and knitting. My mom would send away for these patterns.
Embroidered kitchen linens
It is clear that this is the cost for bulk rate postage.
I couldn’t find a publishing date for “Babies.”
As for “Mon Tricot American,” it is a French publication. Published December 1974. There are some sweater patterns in it that I would love to buy already made from a store.
On Etsy, I found it priced at $10.83. Hardly worth my time unless I bulked them all together.
What should I do with these items?
I'm considering selling them on eBay or Etsy. I’ll likely sell them all in bulk since they aren't particularly valuable. Like many antiques and collectibles, their worth is determined by what a buyer or collector is willing to pay.
From my observations, these items are a dime a dozen. I'll be checking though...
Yesterday, the temperature reached 104 degrees, and today it is expected to rise to 106 degrees. We had planned to barbecue yesterday, but we scrapped those plans when it was 102 degrees at grilling time. There was also a church potluck yesterday, and the temperature reached 100 degrees by noon and there was no air conditioning in the basement, where the kitchen is located. For those serving and cleaning up, it was HOT!
My husband, who often jokes about being half-lizard, was outside today hauling rocks to another part of the yard.
Well, it's back to the sorting, sifting, and purging...
Stay COOL 😎
Debby
I'm glad we're not as hot as you but I know our time is coming. It's 89F now and suppose to get to 94F so its not too bad.
ReplyDeleteBoy all of those books bring back a whole lot of memories. We have the majority of my Mother in Laws patterns and send away things too. She was the most fabulous knitter and did a whole lot of sewing, everything from bedspreads to baby clothes and most of my hubby's play clothes. She did a lot of needlework too. Her hands were never idle.
Check out the prices on eBay and etsy but maybe the bundling will be the best way to go. Collectors often like the illustrations and styles of clothing shown more than the actual patterns. Good luck on the purging. We are just about physically "purged out" The body can only take so much. I have to admit I will be glad when Saturday is all done. Pressure will be off and we can get our mojo back. I know our kids will be a huge help but its still on our shoulders. Money is the goal !!
Weather says it will only be 84F on Saturday. That will be Awesome !
Sue
That’s probably the way I’ll go - with the bundling. I sold on eBay for a time. I just went on there and it says 2003. I did it till about 2010 but I lost interest. Who knows, I might even just give them away to someone if they pay the postage! It’s not like it’s enough money to make it worthwhile. I have to think about it. Maybe I’ll find more. Sometimes when you’re trying to get rid of things, you just want it gone!
DeleteWow 84 is nice for Saturday. Do take photos! I’m excited for you. I’ve never made a lot of money with garage sales because I’m too motivated in getting rid of the stuff over making money.
I was not.. but when I had my eldest I did ask an aunt to knit me some booties and a hat.
ReplyDeleteHow special. My mom crocheted a sweeter and booties for my first born that I still have. I also have a couple of crocheted baby blankets that were gifts.!
DeleteThose kinds of pieces were beautiful and receiving that gift meant someone put their heart into it. Bob had an aunt who crocheted little sweaters for our kids. His sister learned to tat and did a few pieces but it's so much work.
ReplyDeleteI hope someone buys your patterns. It would be nice for someone to enjoy them.
I’m always delighted to see an infant sweater set with booties. They were always so delicate and soft.
DeleteWhat a great find to come across all those old patterns. People have a tendency not to give me any needlework because I do a lot of it myself, but I'd love to get something!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can see that happening. My mom never received any needlework gifts either.
DeleteHi Debby.....There are usually collectors for every kind of item under the sun. I hope you'll find someone who will love all the patterns you have. Thanks for stopping by Writing Straight from the Heart and for commenting, too. That is very appreciated. Hope you have a good week! Susan
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to find the right home or homes for them. They’re in very good condition
DeleteI crocheted a baby blanket for all of my nephews and niece. Then I crocheted afghans for both my sister and brother. I also crocheted a pair of doilies for everyone who attended my baby shower. Everyone loved their handmade gift. It is a shame it is becoming a lost art. Janice
ReplyDeleteI still have many dollies and embroidered pillowcases and dresser scarfs from aunts and my grandma.
DeleteOh my goodness, I remember these! I believe I even may have some of Phil's from when he was a baby.
ReplyDeleteI still have Michael’s that my mom crocheted for him.
DeleteGosh, I hope you weren't one of the ones who stayed to clean up!
ReplyDeleteNo I didn’t clean up and I felt bad about it but the heat was draining me
DeleteOh, I swear my mother had one of those issues you feature at the top! I, too, miss those sweater and cap ensembles in which we used to clothe our children. She (mom) knit a beautiful set for my little son, and I could kick myself for not capturing a photograph.
ReplyDeleteYour 106* days reminds me of Arizona ... not for the faint of heart. We're sitting in the 70's and low 80's -- but pay the price in tons of rainfall.
We’re suppose to cool down to the mid 90’s starting tomorrow
DeleteI have many of Mom's knitting pattern books. I made many a set for nieces and nephews as well as a few of the next generation. They are no longer appreciated as much as they used to be. I know many of the nieces and nephews who I made for their children did not even use them.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Oh I bet they were beautiful, Jackie. It’s a dying craft
DeleteI got several sets from my grandmother and aunts. I passed them to my son and daughter. I hope they have saved them. I found a lap blanket my grandma made for my mom. I don't know if it is crocheted or knitted. I have it on my bed and I will eventually give it to my granddaughter that likes to craft. I have showed her basic sewing. I showed both my granddaughters during Covid. Those things you showed will sell on Etsy. Lots of people like to collect vintage items. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat a trip down memory lane. Get the items valued before putting them on sale to get an idea of their real worth. God bless.
ReplyDeleteSuch interesting publications - a hark back to a mostly bygone era. They are sure to be treasured by someone.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, what a find those are. I not only received a sweater set for a few of my kids when they were born, but also booties. I also crochet booties for gifting, but have yet to dive into the sweater set making. When my Mom was still alive, I crocheted many doilies too. She appreciated them, but not one person would buy them at my craft shows. In fact, no one bought the baby booties either, but I gifted them. One year I gifted embroidered hand towels. Some of the kids got entire sets of embroidered hand towels. I have not made booties in a while, and when I last got out my pattern, I forgot to note what size crochet hook. Of course the pattern came from my Mom's friend, so I will have to do some trials with hooks this summer. The only problem with older book patterns, is that they require yarn that is no longer made, so unless it's a similar weight, it's a bit of a trial to use them.
ReplyDeleteMother bought 10 cent patterns at the dime store, but not baby things. I have never seen any of these books and I was born in 1944.. We were Southern Dirt Poor, which means the only thing we ate was what daddy grew in the dirt. the majority of the people we knew were also dirt poor. None of my parents friends could afford magazines either.
ReplyDeletethere are treasures and someone might see them and start a bidding war. its all about the right person that sees them. mother did make a few booties and hats, I' do remember that. I thought we were special because our last name was McCall.. ha ha
Oh, those are really special! I don't knit or crochet, but I appreciate those who do. My DIL loves to do one or the other, I forget which it is, but she doesn't really have time to do much with it these days. I never received any hand made sweater outfits for our babies, and because it is so hot here in Florida, I don't remember them being that popular once you could buy such cozy knit sleepers, etc. at the store. But a gift like that would certainly be a treasure to keep. I would say put the books on ebay or etsy, and you might be surprised! I enjoyed looking at them!
ReplyDeleteSo fascinating to come across such old items as these, Debby. I think you're correct in saying that they are only valuable to someone who collects/saves these types of things. Your heat sounds horrid! Yes, stay cool, my friend. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know northern California got that hot. I am surprised. I was given knitted things by my MIL and mother. I kept them for years and years - until we DOWNSIZED - so sorry I got rid of them.
ReplyDeleteHi Debby, thank you so much for your visit and kind comment on my blog. Stay safe in the heat! I have been cleaning, organizing and purging as well, it feels so good to clear out clutter and unneeded items. I don't mind if my comment is not responded to, I am just happy to visit you and to see what you are up to. Each person has a different method in how they do their blog, some respond to comments and some do not. For me it is just important to know that my comment is read, and I thank you so much for your post. I hope you have a wonderful week! Stay hydrated and cool.
ReplyDeleteMy mom took up knitting in the 1970s, so your pamphlets of that vintage look familiar.
ReplyDeleteA lot of memories for you in this post. Sadly, my mom was more like a minimalist and for that reason I don't really have any of my baby items. Thankfully the rain has kept our temps very bearable.
ReplyDeleteHi, I enjoyed looking at all the items you shared. Do let us know what you decide to do with them and how you do if you sell them.
ReplyDeleteCarla
Debby, I think that's great that you are sorting and organizing. I smiled at these items, and especially when you mentioned McCall's. My mom was a wonderful seamstress, and would sew all my clothes and many things growing up. She used the McCall's patterns and others, and they were always so difficult for me to understand them, and appreciated her skills. There's so many people that would love these, you could probably get some money for them. That was neat that your mom and grandmother both crocheted and embroidered. It sounds like it's very hot there. Try to stay cool, and I loved this post of sorting and organizing.
ReplyDelete~Sheri