Sister Thrift was a definite success. As soon as I walked in I saw a big box full of sewing supplies on the floor right in the entryway. Simon and I sat down and sifted through it all – spool after wooden spool of thread, needles of all sizes, two lovely handmade pincushions, pins, a cloth measuring tape, all kinds of goodies.
Lots of parts for an old Singer including all the feet and a ruffler. The Singer was for sale, too. Whoever owned all this stuff really sewed – all her patterns were there, all her bobbins. I do wonder if her scrap bag had been there at one point and was already gone.
I love all these old wooden spools. When my grandmother died (my father’s mother) I got much of the contents of her sewing box including many wooden spools like these. The cloth measuring tape is thin enough to be sewn to something, maybe a doll dress, and the pin cushion is now on my ironing board (I do need three pincushions – one on the ironing board, one on the work table, and one by the sewing machine).
I felt a little sad carting away this box of supplies (and it was half-price day so I got it, plus two fold out stands for displaying my work at craft fairs and an adorable mid-century vase, for $12.08). I wish I could have talked to the person whose sewing room was clearly emptied out and given to a thrift store.
There was a business card in the box from Seidel’s Sewing Machine Repair Shop “Sewing Machine Supplies of Every Description” located on Dorchester Avenue, founded in 1914. This was clearly a Jewish-owned business in Dorchester, back when that part of Boston had a large Jewish population.
Anyway, I feel lucky to have found this box when I did and to be able to put these supplies to good use again.
OOOOh you’re sooooo lucky ! I’m happy for you !! Smooches
Looky all that!
What a great find! I’d love to see the business card too.
Wow, that *is* a great find! You were very lucky! I always feel a little sad in thrift shops, wondering about the stories behind things there. I’d say that whoever had owned that stuff would be glad that you got it!
Good for you! Don’t feel sad as these things are going to a great home. Isn’t it wonderful when you come across such awesome finds. And boy, everything added up to be such a bargain!
Good for you! Don’t feel sad as these things are going to a great home. Isn’t it wonderful when you come across such awesome finds. And boy, everything added up to be such a bargain!
give all the treasures in the box a new life and whose ever’s it was would be happy. The sad part is that no one in the family wanted it, but the happy part is that it probably made your day. When I was helping my parents clear out their house, it was so important to them to think that someone valued the stuff we were trying to get rid of.
Can you still use the old thread?
I too collect old thread and especially those wood spools! Glad to know you found some goodies!
I’m sure the person would be thrilled that her notions are being used yet. Great finds! I think I may have to take the girls thrifting sometime this week to see what we can find.
Total score!