Page 43 - JOA August 2020

Another piece of equipment “bor- Even today those tools have not changed much from those used out
rowed” from the cowboy was the sad- on the range. Industrial cutters and sewing machines certainly make the
dlebag. Handcrafted of heavy, thick crafting much easier, but the finishing and decoration are still done
leather with metal accents these bags mostly by hand to keep the “look.”
had to be sturdy and steady while If you intend to collect, and especially use, antique and vintage
attached to the bike to survive those motorcycle leathers today, be aware that riding laws have changed.
long road trips. Many areas require you to wear safety gear of a certain caliber, such as
clothing featuring internal armor in case of accidents. However, many
pieces of vintage and antique motorcycle riding gear are still legal to
wear while riding, as well as fun to display.

Vintage hand made motorcycle saddlebags

Construction of Motorcycle Gear
Like the leather gear worn and
used by the equestrian, motorcycle
leathers required the use of a heavy- Vintage Harley Davidson
duty sewing machine but were also brown leather chaps
hand-stitched. The thickness of the leather would determine the size of
the needle used on the piece, and hole punches, mallets, leather knives,
an anvil, grommet setter, and crafting equipment for tooling on the Classic vintage motorcycle club leather vest
leather with beautiful designs.

Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance writer specializing in writing short articles for 15 years. She is also an avid collector of both antique books and Star Wars memorabilia.
Although she is not in the antiques industry professionally, she has learned a lot about antiques over the years by periodically helping out at her mom’s antiques
shop in Greenville, NH. She currently balances maintaining the antiques shop’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MallofNE,
and working on various freelance writing assignments. She can be reached at dementorskiss77@yahoo.com.

Continued from page 39 with sterling accents or Do you prefer the fashion side of knitting? Knitting patterns and
guards. These attractive “recipes” first appeared for public consumption in the early 1800s. You
options traded function can collect patterns through the years, including wartime “Knitting for
for beauty; they did not Victory” examples. During World War II, women were encouraged by
have the same fine gauge advertising such as “England expects – knit your bit,” and patterns were
as steel wires and poor freely distributed to housewives and schoolchildren. The Victoria and
people knitting for a Albert Museum offers free patterns for “The Fatigue Cap” and “When
living continued to use You’re Off-Duty Jumper” among others. Early patterns are more
the more agile option. difficult to track down and may lead a dedicated collector on a bit of an
Rubber, celluloid, and ephemera treasure hunt.
casein needles appeared Knitting is rapidly developing a following and this arena may not
on the market in the late remain quiet for long. With young people and trendsetters picking up
1800s, and Bakelite the needles and events
examples joined them in such as the 2006
1909. Wood was also an Knitting Olympics with
option through the ages. over 4,000 participants,
If needle collecting inter- the recognition that
ests you, but sure to knitting is an ancient
check out Webster’s and still well-loved craft
Knitting Needle Notions may drive an increasing
online (click here) for a interest in vintage knit-
Knitting Sheaths can come in a variety of shapes list of brands and styles ting collectibles. There
and sizes and were often indispensable to master
knitters. The resemblance to wizards wands is a fun through the years and is still much to learn,
bonus for modern knitters. This collection of rare photographs to guide you but don’t let that stop
late 18th/early 19th century English and Welsh in finding the right vin- you! Why not learn to
hand-carved wood knitting sheaths, nine (9) pieces tage pair (or several!). use a knitting sheath, or
total, tallest 11". This collection sold for $475 at Knitting sheaths are hunt down the perfect
Kaminski Auctions no longer commonly pair of Victorian nee-
used but were very helpful when craftsmen needed to speed knit while dles? A craft can be Practiced antique dealers know how often people today
standing up. They were traditionally carved from wood and would be extra satisfying when assume that this item is related to laundry, when in
worn on the belt on the right side to support a right-handed knitting you have a complete set fact, it was a cherished knitting tool. The swift,
needle. The knitter would work with the mounted needle and pass of tools, and with cen- also called a niddy noddy, or yarn skein winder in its
stitches off of the left needle down onto the right. Wealthy women in the turies of options to differing forms, is a wooden tool that was designed
17th century and later also adopted sheaths. You can find them in ivory, choose from, you can’t to wind yarn by hand around the frame that can
expand or contract as needed.
scrimshaw, and from silver to wood, some with decorations or messages. go wrong.
Courtesy of Next Stage Vintage.
August 2020 41