Page 26 - tmp
P. 26
Page 26 The Antique Shoppe March, 2020
“SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE” the ladies themselves—those for whom sewing was a “genteel art”. A prized
gift in these circles was an etui, a decorative box filled with exquisitely realized
Design Trends of the Mid-20th Century sewing accessories. (An example of sewing’s downward tumble in today’s
public awareness: a well-stocked etui was recently offered for sale as “Aunt
Ida’s manicure box”. Aunt Ida evidently liked her manicures on the rough side.)
By Donald-Brian Johnson What constitutes a collectible sewing accessory? Well, for starters, thimbles
and thimble holders. In addition to metal thimbles, here have been wood
thimbles, plastic thimbles, and porcelain thimbles, as well as less practical
This Month’s Feature— options, such as glass and mother-of-pearl.
Naturally, all those thimbles called for thimble holders, and here imagination
STITCHES IN TIME: ran rampant. Some portrayed classical or pastoral figures. Others were issued
Sensational Sewing Collectibles as souvenirs of specific occasions:
a shell thimble holder from the
It’s 1908, and Mr. and Mrs. 1898 Omaha Exposition depicts a
Smith are going on a trip. Mr. boy in a sailboat.
Smith has just finished packing Also ubiquitous in the sewing
his new pride-and-joy: a hot-off- realm: pincushions. There are
the-Detroit-assembly-line “Model pincushions held by winsome
T”. No horse and buggy for the ceramic children. . .metal
Smiths! Mr. Smith helps Mrs. and wood pincushion shoes. .
Smith in, cranks up the “T”, and .beadwork pincushions . . .and
off they go on their lengthy (40 fashionable ladies boasting
miles at least!) journey. pincushion skirts.
But wait: Mrs. Smith has The twentieth century saw the
forgotten something. No, she advent of a new batch of sewing
simply cannot do without it, don’t Pewter thimble holders, tallest figure collectibles, including catalog
even ask. Mr. Smith sighs, stops 3-1/2” h. $175-200 each. advertisements, instructional
the auto, and heads back into booklets, and sewing patterns.
the house. He emerges lugging Judging by the colorful
Mrs. Smith’s portable sewing illustrations on the pattern packets
machine, (the 1907 “Singer issued by Butterick, McCall’s, and
Travel Model”). At the turn of Simplicity, sewing perfection was
the twentieth century, a sewing just a needle-and-thread away.
machine is a must-have, even And, while few collectors
when you’re on vacation. have enough space available to
In our ready-to-wear world, host hordes of full-scale sewing
sewing is often regarded as machines, there are plenty of travel
merely a quaint curiosity, a and toy versions available. “Junior
nearly-forgotten homemaking art. machines” with bright case colors
But, once upon a time, sewing were marketed as teaching tools
was a mainstay of the harried for youngsters. Promos for Singer
housewife’s daily “to do” list. miniatures of the 1920 proudly
As the 1947 edition of the Singer boasted that “every little girl over
Dressmaking Guide noted: “Mrs. Smith” relied on this: 1907 “Singer four years of age can set one up
“Since time immemorial, Travel Machine”. 6-1/2” h., $250-275. and sew in a jiffy”.
sewing has been the special field Homemakers once spent
of expression for woman. Down Wooden boot countless hours on sewing and
through the ages, the advance of The Spool Cotton Co. supplied something to pin cushions, mending. Imaginative renditions
sewing has marked the progress keep the kids occupied while Mom sewed: tallest 5” h. of the necessary tools lightened
of the world, as definitely as animal heads and tails, to glue to the spool $50-75 each. their daily drudgery. Nowadays,
ends. This one’s “Pete Pig”. $25-35.
rings mark the age of the tree.” these basics of yesteryear’s
How long have there been everyday life have become
sewing accessories? Well, cherished collectibles. In many
how long have folks been cases, they’re even put to their
wearing clothes? “Bodkins” intended uses once again, with
(stone “needles”), discovered the art of sewing rediscovered by
in French cave dwellings, have a new generation. As the Spool
been reliably dated to the 15th Cotton Company put it, in their
century—BC! The real glory days 1941 booklet Learn How, sewing
of sewing accessories, however, “gives color and meaning to
had to wait until the 19th century, modern life.” “Mrs. Smith” would
when mass production made them definitely agree.
readily available to all classes.
Ordinary folk, sewing only for Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann. Sewing
their own family, had the plainest collectibles courtesy of Suzanne Earnest.
Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of
tools. A wealthy household might numerous books on design and collectibles,
indulge in more elaborate sewing including “Postwar Pop”, a collection of his
accessories, for use by ladies’ columns. Unfortunately, he can’t sew a stitch.
Please address inquiries to:
maids. The most elegant sewing “Kewpie” in cushion, 1920s. “Dutch Shoe” sewing kit, a souvenir of the donaldbrian@msn.com
utensils were reserved for use by 3” h., $25-35. 1933-34 Chicago Worlds Fair. 5” l., $40-50.
