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

Mid Week Rummage: Accent on Daintiness

Hostess Gown, Hollywood Patterns 1897, from 1939.

Happy Wednesday. 

My good friend, Nan, finished counting and checking about 100 patterns....which means I HAVE LOTS OF WORK TO DO! However, a gal has to take a coffee break sometime, so I did, and while I sipping my dose of caffeine (medicinal purpose...clears the cobwebs from the brain) I traveled back to 1939 through the pages of Ladies' Home Journal. 

I love to look at old magazines and newspapers. I heard someone say photography is like time travel.....well, I guess that is what I do. Today I traveled back to December, 1939, when Europe was at war but the U.S. wasn't....yet.  English mothers were worried about their children surviving bombing raids, dresses were still long, and the photo gallery for 1940 shows legends like President and Mrs. Roosevelt. Among the pages was this advertisement for Hollywood Patterns by Charlotte Johnson. 

Hollywood Patterns, Accent on Daintiness, 1939

"Accent on Daintiness" show several patterns for nightgowns, negligees, slips (fitted bodice and brassiere!), and robes. I love the hair styles and the Fred and Ginger fashions. Be still my heart! Maybe I can find some music, like Glen Miller or Benny Goodman to play so I can stay a little longer. 

Coffee break is over. Back to 2015. Got to quit goofing off. Wait...I am GoofingOff! lol

Post by Eileen .....who is GoofingOff. 
Get a 15% discount with the coupon code BLOGGIN... good to blog readers. 

McCall 9892 Ladies' & Misses' Blouse from 1938

OK, I'm excited. Very excited. I come by lots of vintage patterns but the ones from before the 1950's are hard to find. Very hard to find, so to find one from the 30's is Holy Cow exciting.
No misspelling…McCall's was McCall back in the 30's.

McCall 9892 size 16, bust 34 inches UNCUT $22.50

I love the haughty look of the models…sort of like Carol Lombard's sister in My Man Godfrey. Like they should be saying "Darhling, please….he's a bum. What do you want with him?"

The blouse is a very classic look with a yoked back, pleats in the front, a front button closure, pointed collar, short sleeves, or long sleeves with buttoned cuffs.
So cool!

Don't forget the Costume Sewing Pattern sale going on now until September 30th. All sewing costume patterns are 30% off.

post by Eileen Patterson….who's always GoogingOff!

Household Searchlight Recipe Book

Cookbooks are special. They spark interest in cooking, eating, and are a favorite of collectors. Every year there are cookbooks written and sold throughout the world. Just when I think every cooking idea has been covered, someone comes up with a different way to make soup, dessert, and entrees. There are special cookbooks and recipes handed down in families that are prized and held dear. That is the way of a cookbook, an unspoken promise to create fabulous food.

I’ve been a cookbook collector for years. I bought the Grand Diplome Cooking Course books back in the 70’s. Under the tutelage of the master chefs of the Grand Diplome I learned to filet a fish, make pie crust, and create a pot roast. I learned the importance and value good knives, how they should feel in the hand, how to sharpen the knife, and how to store a knife so it would last for a lifetime.

My favorite cookbook of all time, and one I refer to often is the Searchlight Recipe Book. My copy was left to me by a friend and I treasure it. The Recipe Book is a wealth of knowledge from Household Magazine of Topeka, Kansas. The book was first published in 1931, copyrighted in 1931, 1937, and again in 1952. My book is from the 1952 copyright. By that time it was in the 23rd edition. It is thumb tabbed with categories that include Canning and Preserving, Fish and Wild Game (a necessity if you are married to a hunter or fisherman…or fish yourself), and Candies. The recipes are practical, easy to follow, and tried-and-true hard-to-find bits of American history from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Recipes that have almost disappeared from everyday life like mincemeat (not in the jar), squirrel stew, and watermelon pickles are in the Searchlight Recipe Book.  It is a remarkable book.

Imagine my surprise when I found a Searchlight in a thrift shop. It isn’t in the greatest shape but it is still a great book. I’ll be offering it for sale in GoofingOff.Etsy the next few days. I just have to share this book with someone. It is wonderful.

Well, got to get on. Happy collecting to all.

Post written by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy.com and GoofingOff.artfire.com.