Page 30 - 2019 August The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
P. 30
offering of antique and vintage notions. Use key- Tape measures: While most are fairly utilitarian,
words to narrow the search. Try to hone in on there are figural tape measures to be found in
specifics such as age or style to avoid scrolling different shapes which are very interesting and
through page after page of things that are of no worthy of note. Some stores gave out tape measures
interest to you. While there are literally dozens of to promote their businesses, making this a
different items that can be categorized as notions, collectible which crosses over the collecting cate-
here are a few of the more commonly found and gories of advertising and sewing.
perennially popular pieces:
Patterns: Vintage patterns in good condition are a
Boxes or bags designed to hold sewing tools: bit rare, as most were made of paper or cardboard,
Simple fabric bags were first used to contain the and were destroyed during use. If still intact, those
lady’s implements. In the 1700s, craftsmen began from the 1940s and 50s—specifically Vogue patterns
making very fine sewing tools for aristocratic —seem to fetch some of the highest prices.
women of the day which led to the creation of Warnes Shop featuring notions and lace galore
in the mining town of Sonora CA
decorative boxes designed specifically for holding Chatelaines and Etui: Less commonly seen in the
those fancy sewing tools. These were often inlaid marketplace, but definitely worth acknowledg-
with mother of pearl or jewels and lined with silk or vel- ment are these items which each held small sewing sup-
vet. A middle-class woman would have held her tools in plies. A sewing chatelaine is a decorative belt hook worn
a more utilitarian and far less expensive box or sewing at the waist with a series of chains attached to it. Each
basket. While an early elegant sewing box is on the high chain held a useful sewing tool such as a thimble, scis-
end of the collecting scale, less elaborate examples are sors,bodkin, etc. An Etui is a small ornamental case
fairly easy to find today. Finding one with an interior in made to hold sewing essentials, somewhat related to a
good condition can be a challenge since even a modest modern day mending kit.
woven sewing baskets was often lined with silk or silk
velvet – which has a tendency to shatter with age. Pay Thread winders: Made to keep threads from getting
special attention to the latches and hinges as these pieces tangled, these practical items can be found in mother of
were used often and tend to show wear. Sewing bags pearl, bone, sterling, heavy cardboard, and wood.
that were constructed of beautiful outer fabric and
sometimes embellished with ribbon work or other Bobbins Sewing birds: These wonderful tools are clamps, usually
decorations are always in demand. in the shape of birds (hence, the name), that are intended
to function as a “third hand” to hold the fabric taut
Scissors and shears: Small scissors with decorative when sewing. They clamped to the sewing table and
handles, sometimes made of sterling silver, and the larger, were constructed of metal. They are generally from the
more utilitarian in design sewing shears are always mid to late 19th century.
available at a variety of price points. Look for unique
handle designs on the small scissors. They should open Lace trim: A lace trim collection can be a lovely
and close properly and rust should be avoided. collectible either on its own or as a part of a larger
sewing notions collection. Many different styles and
Thimbles: These are widely available and are found in a price points span many generations of lace making. Lace
variety of materials, such as gold, silver, bronze, and trim looks particularly lovely when displayed on cards.
porcelain. There is a relatively large community world- Although beautiful machine produced trims can be
wide of thimble collectors and many books have been found, nothing can compare to the airiness and beauty
written on the subject. If you should choose to pursue of a piece of handmade lace.
collecting thimbles, gather some of these resources and
educate yourself on what to look for when collecting. Ribbons on bolts: Ribbons on their original bolts
are quite charming, particularly when the bolts bear
Buttons: A huge community exists for button collectors, interesting graphic designs. Those from the early 1900s
with much written on the subject. Suffice it to say that through the early 1930s generally are of most interest
these useful little creations can be found in many to collectors.
different materials, sizes, designs, and price points. A fun A chatelaine holding a group
variation to a button collection is to collect buttons that of sterling implements Bodkins: Although the word has several meanings,
are still on their original cards. Sometimes the graphics when used in the context of sewing, it refers to a very
used on the button cards are truly delightful in their own right. blunt, thick needle with a large eye, used to draw tape, ribbon, or cord through
a casing. Sterling silver and examples made of bone are particularly desirable.
Needle keepers and pincushions: For hundreds of years, needles were kept in
ornamental boxes. In the 15th century, pincushions were introduced. By the The price points are varied among the large selection of items in the
19th century, pincushions were commonly sold as gifts or souvenirs as well as category of notions and it is impractical to address the specifics here. However,
being made at home. Materials such as animal horns and hooves, shells,
several considerations come into play in determining the value of these items
various metals, fabric, porcelain, and coated paper were used to construct the across the board:
form of the cushions.
Victorian horn and hooves pincushions A selection of ribbons
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
28
words to narrow the search. Try to hone in on there are figural tape measures to be found in
specifics such as age or style to avoid scrolling different shapes which are very interesting and
through page after page of things that are of no worthy of note. Some stores gave out tape measures
interest to you. While there are literally dozens of to promote their businesses, making this a
different items that can be categorized as notions, collectible which crosses over the collecting cate-
here are a few of the more commonly found and gories of advertising and sewing.
perennially popular pieces:
Patterns: Vintage patterns in good condition are a
Boxes or bags designed to hold sewing tools: bit rare, as most were made of paper or cardboard,
Simple fabric bags were first used to contain the and were destroyed during use. If still intact, those
lady’s implements. In the 1700s, craftsmen began from the 1940s and 50s—specifically Vogue patterns
making very fine sewing tools for aristocratic —seem to fetch some of the highest prices.
women of the day which led to the creation of Warnes Shop featuring notions and lace galore
in the mining town of Sonora CA
decorative boxes designed specifically for holding Chatelaines and Etui: Less commonly seen in the
those fancy sewing tools. These were often inlaid marketplace, but definitely worth acknowledg-
with mother of pearl or jewels and lined with silk or vel- ment are these items which each held small sewing sup-
vet. A middle-class woman would have held her tools in plies. A sewing chatelaine is a decorative belt hook worn
a more utilitarian and far less expensive box or sewing at the waist with a series of chains attached to it. Each
basket. While an early elegant sewing box is on the high chain held a useful sewing tool such as a thimble, scis-
end of the collecting scale, less elaborate examples are sors,bodkin, etc. An Etui is a small ornamental case
fairly easy to find today. Finding one with an interior in made to hold sewing essentials, somewhat related to a
good condition can be a challenge since even a modest modern day mending kit.
woven sewing baskets was often lined with silk or silk
velvet – which has a tendency to shatter with age. Pay Thread winders: Made to keep threads from getting
special attention to the latches and hinges as these pieces tangled, these practical items can be found in mother of
were used often and tend to show wear. Sewing bags pearl, bone, sterling, heavy cardboard, and wood.
that were constructed of beautiful outer fabric and
sometimes embellished with ribbon work or other Bobbins Sewing birds: These wonderful tools are clamps, usually
decorations are always in demand. in the shape of birds (hence, the name), that are intended
to function as a “third hand” to hold the fabric taut
Scissors and shears: Small scissors with decorative when sewing. They clamped to the sewing table and
handles, sometimes made of sterling silver, and the larger, were constructed of metal. They are generally from the
more utilitarian in design sewing shears are always mid to late 19th century.
available at a variety of price points. Look for unique
handle designs on the small scissors. They should open Lace trim: A lace trim collection can be a lovely
and close properly and rust should be avoided. collectible either on its own or as a part of a larger
sewing notions collection. Many different styles and
Thimbles: These are widely available and are found in a price points span many generations of lace making. Lace
variety of materials, such as gold, silver, bronze, and trim looks particularly lovely when displayed on cards.
porcelain. There is a relatively large community world- Although beautiful machine produced trims can be
wide of thimble collectors and many books have been found, nothing can compare to the airiness and beauty
written on the subject. If you should choose to pursue of a piece of handmade lace.
collecting thimbles, gather some of these resources and
educate yourself on what to look for when collecting. Ribbons on bolts: Ribbons on their original bolts
are quite charming, particularly when the bolts bear
Buttons: A huge community exists for button collectors, interesting graphic designs. Those from the early 1900s
with much written on the subject. Suffice it to say that through the early 1930s generally are of most interest
these useful little creations can be found in many to collectors.
different materials, sizes, designs, and price points. A fun A chatelaine holding a group
variation to a button collection is to collect buttons that of sterling implements Bodkins: Although the word has several meanings,
are still on their original cards. Sometimes the graphics when used in the context of sewing, it refers to a very
used on the button cards are truly delightful in their own right. blunt, thick needle with a large eye, used to draw tape, ribbon, or cord through
a casing. Sterling silver and examples made of bone are particularly desirable.
Needle keepers and pincushions: For hundreds of years, needles were kept in
ornamental boxes. In the 15th century, pincushions were introduced. By the The price points are varied among the large selection of items in the
19th century, pincushions were commonly sold as gifts or souvenirs as well as category of notions and it is impractical to address the specifics here. However,
being made at home. Materials such as animal horns and hooves, shells,
several considerations come into play in determining the value of these items
various metals, fabric, porcelain, and coated paper were used to construct the across the board:
form of the cushions.
Victorian horn and hooves pincushions A selection of ribbons
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
28
