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

Collectible Costume Patterns

Costumes are special. Whether  for Halloween or a part in a play the costume helps transport a person into another character in another time and place. Here are two estate sale finds now available at GoofingOff Sewing. 

McCall's 1951 from 1955 in size 6.....Robin Hood costume with tights, tunic, and slippers. COMPLETE

McCall's 1485 from 1949 in size 6. Panda, Rabbit, and Cat. COMPLETE

Lots "new" listings added daily to GoofingOff Sewing. Be sure to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for a 15% discount...exclusive to blog readers. 

Post by Eileen Patterson.....GoofingOff

Vintage Vogue and Fabulous Fifties Sewing Patterns

Sometimes I find the most incredible patterns when I am out and about.

 This first pattern, Simplicity 1407, is beautiful! I love the dress. The style is from the late 1940's. The pattern is unprinted...the pattern piece is dotted to tell which piece is which. 

Simplicity 1407 Misses' Dress from the 1940's. Size 14, Bust 32 inch. Complete, UNCUT

This outfit from Tamotsu is incredible. I love the long jacket.

Vogue 1334 by Designer Tamotsu, Misses' jackets, dress, and pants in sizes 12-14-16. COMPLETE

Six gored skirts from 1952. Fabulous! A sweater and a pair of heels and the outfit is complete.

Vogue 7780 Misses' Skirts from 1952. Waist 25 inch. COMPLETE

Wearable art. Love it. I hate wearing what everyone else wears. The basic jacket is here and allows the sewer to make a design that fits. From Marcy Tilton.

Vogue 8430 Misses' Jacket, Wearable Art by Marcy Tilton One size, bust 31.5-44 inches. UNCUT

Happy Sewing! May your seams stay straight and your bobbins stay full. 

“New” Vintage Listings in MissEileen’s Shop

 

           Vintage Nylon Stockings….Lorette Exclusive with Kline’s

These stockings were made from Cantrece by DuPont, 400 needle, 15 denier. Cantrece was a new type of Nylon that was developed by Dupont to give perfect fit. It has stretch  but is sheer as regular nylon stockings with no looseness and were made to fit every contour of the ankle, calf & knee, all important to the fashionable woman of the 60’s.

 

    Vintage Mid Century Black Rotary Dial Telephone 

A little scuffed from use but still in incredible vintage condition. From the days when you had to call the phone company (there was only one) to hook up (install) your phone because jacks weren’t invented yet. Don’t even think or wireless or hand held. Those were imaginary things only seen in the movies or cartoons. Still works. These phones were built solid and heavy, meant to last a long time.

     Vintage Chenille Bedspread Yellow with Blue Basket and Pink Roses

This bedspread is gorgeous and in very good vintage condition. Absolutely beautiful. Tufting is all intact. It has been stored away for a long time. Full size, from the days when people were a little smaller in stature and money was tight. But then smaller beds meant snuggling a little closer. Hmmm….

    Vintage Hand Held Mirror by Avon

This cutie was made in the Wedgewood Jasper style with 3 Grecian Ladies. I used to think hand mirrors were oh-so-feminine. Bring to mind pictures of Victorian ladies admiring their long tresses.

All of these wonderful finds are in my MissEileen’s Etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by!