It's About Big Buttons at GoofingOff Sewing

When out thrifting I am attracted to sewing stuff, especially vintage sewing stuff. supplies. I can sniff them out better than an old coon dog on a trail….which leads me to this post. Buttons. Lots of buttons of all types, colors, and sizes. Today it is about these big, beautiful buttons.

Big buttons are more than closure devices. When buttons are big they have the ability to show off, to shout out on their own. They become a focal point of a design. They are much more than a way to close a coat.

Tan shank buttons with copper inset, 1 1/2 inch diameter

These buttons were most likely a rescue from an old coats that had seen better days. I found them in the most adorable sewing basket at an estate sale. I will share that later. Today, it’s about the buttons.
The buttons are big, 1 1/2 inches in diameter. They are made of a plastic material, maybe Bakelite. The round brown insert is copper. The buttons have a metal shank.

Black textured buttons

These buttons are big, thick, and textured. 1 1/2 inches in diameter. A heavy button that would stand up to the thickest wool. The hole is recessed in the back.

Jade green buttons 1 1/4 inch diameter

These lovely jade color buttons are 1 1/4 inch diameter. A small mark on the side of one. Still, lots of vivid, beautiful color.

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing. Make magic with every stitch.

GoofingOff Sewing's Mid Week Rummage: Devil's Food Cake

During a recent thrifting expedition, I ventured out of the sewing pattern section into the books. I can get lost in old books. I love books, especially old ones. I love the look and feel of them. Well, I had the good fortune to find a copy of Baker’s Famous Chocolate Recipes. “What makes this special?” one might ask. This copy is from 1936 and in very good condition. The cover graphics remain sharp and the pages are not brittle. While there is light yellowing throughout the book it is in incredibly good condition.

What does chocolate cake have to do with sewing? Coffee and cake to keep you going…and chocolate is a necessary part of life.

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing.

Mission to Haiti: Seven Ways to Help

For those who don't know yet, I signed up to do a medical mission in Haiti. Our team is from Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine (my mistake, I thought it was Bangor). We have a Go Fund Me account for the team (click HERE to check it out) that includes our mission statement and them members of the team. 

Here are ways to help. 

1) Medical Supplies: We need stethoscopes 

and blood pressure cuffs. We need medications 

and bandages. 

2) Kids supplies: We'll be going to orphanages to work with the children. Things to keep kids busy, like coloring books and crayons, would be wonderful. 

3) Insect repellent: I've been told the mosquitos are bad down there. Probably as bad as here (Florida). Repellent wipes would be handy. Drier sheets are good, too, to keep insects away, especially gnats. Tuck one under your hat or bra strap and they leave you alone. 

4) Easy to pack food: I'm bringing peanut butter and nuts. High protein and portable. Maybe sandwich thins, too. After all, they are already squashed flat.

5) Money: we could use it to keep the costs down. If someone wants to send money for something specific, like insect repellent, crayons, or enough peanut butter for the crowd, leave a message on the Go Fund Me page. 

6) Spread the word. Share our Go Fund Me page with everyone you know.....and wish us well. 

7) Buy something from my Miss Eileen's Vintage Shop. I am doing what I know to do, sell stuff. Here's a few new listings in the Miss Eileen's Vintage shop on Etsy.

Vintage Bowling Figurine  Beautiful features. Excellent condition.  $10
To purchase click HERE

3 Vintage Wooden Embroidery Hoops 
These hoops are good for embroidery or cross stitch and would make good frames, too.  $12
To purchase click HERE

Vintage Rocking Chair Pincushion This is as cute as it gets. 
Velvet seat for the pins. 
Excellent condition. $6
To purchase click  HERE

Little Girl in Pink Ruffled Dress Figurine Dainty and beautiful. Great gift idea. To purchase click HERE.

Little Deer Bookend This little guy is so cute. 
                 50's little deer bookend that stands about 5 inches tall.                           To purchase click HERE

Vintage Metal Embroidery Hoops 
These incredible embroidery hoops are metal with a spring on the side to maintain tension.  $10 
To purchase click HERE

So, if you can, help us out. If you can't, send your prayers and good wishes. 

How to Darn with Darn (ing) Cotton

While I listed this vintage darning cotton, I realized most people have no idea how to darn or way. Something that was once a necessity is now an almost cuss word.

Once a upon a time, socks were special and repaired when they developed holes. In the throw away society we live in today, darning is seldom done. In fact, most people don’t know what darning is or how to do it, but once learned it can save money and reduce waste.

To darn you need a large needle, matching thread, and a darning egg, if you can find one. If you can’t, a light bulb will work just has well.

Darning is a sort of weaving with needle and thread. In this tutorial from Bea Johnson of Zero Waste Home, she shows how to darn a sock and thereby saving it from the trash bin.

First place the darning egg inside the sock positioning it is under the hole.

Run horizontal stitches over the hole, making sure that they cover an extra 1/2″ on all sides

Weave rows of stitches perpendicular to the previous ones.

End your last stitch inside your garment and cut the yarn. When fixing socks, do not make a knot (comfort).

Pat yourself on the back! You’ve saved a piece of clothing and your budget!

Thank you , Bea, for the tutorial.

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing

Singer Atomic Age Buttonholer and 3 Ways to Look Great

I love to sew AND get inspired by surrounding myself with beautiful things. The buttonholer case does that…and good to have for those vintage sewing machines around the house. As for the patterns…What’s not to love about 40’s style, long evening dresses, or slinky skirts with a slit to there? All I need is a Glen Miller playing “In the Mood.” So kick your shoes off and enjoy!

Vintage Singer Buttonholer

Vintage Singer Buttonholer with atomic age case in dusty rose. Complete set with buttonhole templates and instructions. Excellent condition. So the case looks great….great enough to use for trinkets if you don’t have the machine anymore. Can’t believe I said that.

Simplicity 2442 Misses’ Evening Dress with Bolero

Simplicity 2442 Misses’ Evening Dress with Bolero. Dress in three lengths with neckline variations. Size 14-22, bust 36-44 inches. UNCUT Great thing about this pattern is the variations….different lengths and necklines to make something individual…..and a bolero for cooler evenings or air conditioned venues.

Simplicity 1587 in size 14-22

Simplicity 1587 Misses’ Dress in 1940’s style, size 14-22, bust 36-44 inches. UNCUT This dress is so cute! So 40’s!

Vogue 9959 Misses’ Skirts size 6-10

Vogue 9959 Misses’ Skirts in size 6-10, waist 23-25 inches. UNCUT. Elegant and slinky.

That’s the latest sewing round-up at GoofingOff Sewing.

The Big Costume Sewing Pattern Sale, with over 100 costume patterns to choose from,  is still going on for the month of September and the patterns are going fast. The costume patterns are reduced  40% off.

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing

Make Magic with Every Stitch

My Mission Trip to Haiti: Making the Dream Come True

I didn’t realize what a big undertaking going on a mission trip would be. Our group is made up of nurses from Maine Medical Hospital and two nurses from Florida. I’m one of the two from Florida. The distance adds a challenge to getting things ready and fundraising. Instead of 12 helping hands there are 10 and 2. Thank God for friends and family. Things like attending the fundraiser in Portland, Maine is out. It sounds like it will be a good time, too. It will be on November 15 at 12:00 PM at the Flask Lounge…..and I won’t be there, which means I need to do other things to keep up my end. It does mean if you are up that way…GO! Click Here for more information: HERE

From Miss Eileen’s Vintage Shop is this Kodak Brownie Duraflex ll Flash Camera Outfit in the original box.
The kit comes with the camera, flash unit, instruction book, and a roll of Kodak Verichome Pan Film. The film expiration date is Jun 1968 and it is in the original box.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ve got lots of items to list in the vintage shop and a few patterns, too. Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for 10% off your purchase in MissEileen’s Vintage or GoofingOff Sewing. 

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing

My Mission Trip to Haiti: Part One: The Dream

Ever since I became a nurse I dreamt about going on a medical mission and caring for people in need.

About a month ago, my friend Denise told me about a group of nurses from Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine (Denise graduated nursing school with the trip leader)  that were planning a medical mission to Haiti and I thought this was finally my chance. Luckily, they had room for one more, me, so I am going on a medical mission to Haiti in January, 2016.

Am I nervous? A little.

Am I excited? Terribly so.

A million things come to mind….the practical like clean water and good food (I think I will bring my own almonds). Safety (That’s a concern no matter where you go…but I’ll leave my jewelry at home anyway)……The touchy-feely good stuff (the chance to help others). I don’t speak French, just a few words, and even less Creole, but caring and the touch of a human hand is universal.

Next thing is to make the dream come true.

I set up a Go Fund Me page to ask for help with some of the costs involved. The group estimated our costs to be approximately $1200….flights, ground transport, translators, food, and lodging.

I also thought I could have a yard sale or two (yes, I have that much stuff, lots of vintage and antiques) and use the profits from my Miss Eileen’s Vintage Shop on Etsy, too. Maybe bake and sell cookies, spaghetti supper….hmmm, you never know.

Lots to think about….lots to do. Wish me luck.