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. 

Royal Society Floss Embroidery Linen

Recently I came upon some lovely stamped linen for embroidery by  Royal Society Floss like this beauty.

Royal Society Floss Stamped Embroidery, Roses, Roses, No.500

 The stamp is still clear despite the fact the linens are from the 1940's or 1950's. 

So, it got me thinking about the company, Royal Society....

 According to "The Dawn of DIY: When It Was Hip to Stitch" by Ben Marks "(the) Nonotuck Silk Co. of Northampton, Massachusetts, promoted a thread brand called Corticelli, to give the easily replicated commodity a romantic, Italian sensibility. Verran sold its thread and embroidery kits under the wealthy sounding Royal Society brand, even though its cotton thread and rayon floss, Euler writes, were less expensive than the silk floss sold by its competitors. As a point of reference, a typical Richardson Silk Company pattern, without the floss, cost 15 cents; selling thread was business of a lot of nickels and dimes, so differentiating your product in a marketplace where brand loyalty was largely absent was especially important."

He was right; the name Royal Society Floss does sound pretty fancy but honestly, the linens have a good feel to them and the designs are beautiful. 

You can find embroidery linens in my other shop, Patternhaus. There are knitting needles, embroidery, crochet, and knitting patterns, and yarn available for purchase as well. Oh, and some of the patterns are available for immediate download so you can save on shipping costs. 

As a special to blog readers the coupon code BLOGGIN for 15% off is valid in Patternhaus, too. 

Make magic one stitch at a time. 

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing. 

New Listings in GoofingOff Sewing: Be Still My Rockabilly Heart!

It's mid summer and incredibly hot in this part of the world. Summer in north Florida is like this: hot in the morning, rain in the afternoon, hot in the evening. Sometimes we are lucky to get a breeze..and when we do I love to stand in it and savor it. The next best thing is a fan on the front porch blowing while I sit in the front porch swing.  There are times I want to stay outside sans A/C, especially if I am working in the yard. Today darling hubby put up a fan above the swing (had one that died 2 years ago...fan, not the hubby) after I bought a new one. Hooray! Maybe I will sit in the swing and let the fan blow on me (a little, not gale force) during our afternoon shower.
Meanwhile, back at GoofingOff Sewing, there's some new patterns just listed. Some, like the Rockabilly Summer Tops, are perfect for summer...as in now...others good for fall or holiday sewing. Either way, each one has its own charm.

Be Still my Rockabilly Heart! Simplicity 2118  Misses' Blouses and Bras from 1957 in size 18, Bust 38. COMPLETE

McCall's 2542 Misses' Pullover Dress from 1986 in size 10. COMPLETE

Simplicity 5979 from 1965. Misses' Weskit, Pants, Skirt, and Blouse in size 12, bust 32 inches. COMPLETE
What is a weskit? It looks like it is part vest, part blouse; this one is lined and double breasted.

McCall's 6996 Men's Shirts in 38-40. COMPLETE

New Look 6251 Misses' Two Piece Dress. European sizing. COMPLETE 
Size 8-18 or 36-46 (Euro) Six Sizes in one Pattern!

McCall's 6597 Misses' Playsuit sized for stretch knits. COMPLETE

Simplicity 9738 Script Alphabet Embroidery Transfers

Simplicity 6411 Hip Huggers, Bra-Top, and Shirt in size 18, Bust 40 inches. COMPLETE

Simplicity 4762 Men and Boys Vests and Ties UNCUT Imagine matching vests and ties at a wedding, a holiday gathering, or photo shoot. Too cute!

Simplicity 8161 Misses' Shirt-Jacket, Pants, Skirt from 1979 in size 10 COMPLETE

McCall's 3857 Misses' Jacket, Top, Skirt, & Pants Size 12 or 14. COMPLETE

Simplicity 8749 Men's, teen boys, or Misses' Shirt, pull-on pants, and cap in Xs-S-Med. COMPLETE

Use the coupon code BLOGGIN to get 15% off your purchase at GoofingOff Sewing. 
Savor the summer and Happy Sewing!
Post by Eileen ......who is GoofingOff.

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. 

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

Miss Eileen's Vintage Scarves

I have to start off by saying I love vintage scarves.  Whenever I see a beautiful vintage scarf I am reminded of Hedy Lamar....the scene in the movie "Come Live With Me." She took a scarf, wrapped it around her head into a turban and captivated James Stewart. Glamourous. Just glamourous. Here's a few beauties I found on my trip to Petaluma, California. I couldn't just drink wine....there's lots of vintage stores to pick through. 

Vintage 30 inch Silk Scarf

Blue Flowers

Vintage 1960s

Blue Flowers on Cream Scarf

Soft Fringe

30 inches square

Vintage Honey Silk Scarf. 30 inches Square

Blue with an abstract pattern. Honey signature on the corner.

100% Rayon Scarf, 1950's. 

Made in Japan. Hand Rolled Hems.

Lee Fashions

Post by Eileen...Miss Eileen...who is also GoofingOff.

New Fabric Listings in GoofingOff Sewing

 Here's a few new fabric listings in the GoofingOff Sewing shop. Some of the fabric is vintage stock sold in one piece, no cuts.

Anchors from Waverly Fabrics...available per 1/2 yard.

Great for quilting, maybe a little boy's room.

Vintage green little white red rimmed flowers fabric. 2 1/3 yards long, 44 inches wide

Little dresses, quilting...

Flowered Knit Fabric 1 way stretch
Beautiful fabric with a cross wise stretch, 6 inches stretches to 9 inches. 1 2/3 yards of 60 inch wide fabric.

I see T-shirts and tank tops from this beautiful fabric.

Silky pink abstract design fabric 2 3/4 yards long, 44 inches wide. Entire piece

Pretty and light weight.

Beautiful pink silky fabric, 23 inches wide by 50 inches long. Sold as one piece.

Enough for a scarf, beautiful and feels good, too.

Vintage Light pink dotted swiss fabric. Light pale pink vintage stock, never used, clean and fresh. 45 inches wide, 1 1/2 yards long. For sale as one piece. 

Enough for a baby dress, a fancy quilt...very pretty.

Ladybugs and daisies on colorful stripes....by the half yard

I love this! So colorful and fun! I'm making pillowcases from this. I will count ladybugs until I fall asleep.

Post by Eileen Patterson.