Thursday, February 28, 2008

A Few Notes & Updates On My Web Site

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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Even though my new store web site is very new I'm still tweaking the pages and adding products (and do keep checking back as I have so many wonderful items to add to all categories). I did want to mention I have added "live chat", possibly you have noticed, to my contact page. If you have a question and it shows I’m online, just click on the live chat icon and we can talk! If I’m offline, click on it anyway and you can send me an email. I will answer very promptly usually within minutes and if not within a few hours. I think live chat is a great feature and I hope it assures customers that I am within easy reach to help with all your needs.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Early 1900's Child's Blue Calico Dress ~ Country Style

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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True Blue ~ that Country look so many collectors decorating in the Country style yearn to have. This child's little calico dress from the late 1890's or early 1900's, I am sure would make many heart take a tumble!

During the 1990's I was a member of highly successful Country shop selling many early textiles including quilts, calico clothing & other well-loved textiles. It was a wonderful learning experience for me and my love of cloth was taken several steps further. I learned it doesn't have to be perfect to be well loved. I soon appreciated the mends, fades & a "little ragged around the edge look" that so many country folks find endearing and eager to add to their collections. So I began to seek out these well-loved clothing pieces from the past. Each time I acquire a piece it is a connection with the past. Always there are so many questions with most left unanswered.

This is a sweet little dress and probably worn by siblings as it does show repeated washings & wearings with the fading of the fabric.

Blue is also a highly contagious Country color!

Want to know more details about this little dress? And yes, it is for sale. Visit The Gatherings Antique Vintage

Friday, February 22, 2008

The Gatherings Antique Vintage Just Opened Web Site Store

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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I am so excited to announce the opening of my new web site store. I hope you will visit me at The Gatherings Antique Vintage on the net. It is a dedication of love and a tribute to past generations. Past generations that have provided us with the antique & vintage items we collect today.

You will find the same quality, one of the kind goods offered at http://www.the-gatherings-antique-vintage.net/ as you find in my Ebay store http://www.the-gatherings-antique-vintage.com . Each store carries different merchandise under the same categories. I hope you will shop both stores often.

Thought I would give you a sample of the findings....

Lady's Edwardian camisole from the early 1900's.

Little boy's dress from the later Victorian era.

Both of these items can be seen and purchased from www.the-gatherings-antique-vintage.net

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Shopping At The Heart of Country Show ~ Nashville

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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I had a grand time shopping at the antique shows in Nashville this time. The weather certainly didn't co-operate very well but the sellers were the best and gave it their all inspite of adverse weather.

Opening day for the first show dawn overcasted & downright cold. Just about opening time the snow flurries began to fly and in about two hours an inch or so of snow had built up on seller's table displaying in the outdoor spaces. Nary to say, not many dealers had much displayed outside as most tables and furniture were tarped. However, the rooms inside the hotel were warm and filled with wonderful merchandise. I always manage to find a few incredible pieces. Some so fragile you wonder how they survived the years. Others items I didn't even know existed. One dealer's room I especially liked as it was filled with textiles. This was a rag dealer's dream!!

The Music Valley show opened the second day. Weather was better with a warming of temperature and the sun shining down. It did put a smile on many a dealer (and buyer's) face. Again, I found some wonderful treasures. Probably my prize were two 1830 - 1840's wooden dolls. Pictures of these dolls will be posted in the future so hope you will visit my blog again soon.

It was a hurried three days of shopping and now I am busy unpacking my finds.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Shopping The Heart of Country Antique Show

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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I am off tomorrow for some serious shopping at The Heart of Country Antique Show along with the two tailgate shows, The Music Valley Antique Show & Fiddlers in Nashville. I'll meet up with my sis for some quality "chat" time, too. This twice a year event for me is something I do look forward to. When I return I will post a few photos of some of my "finds". In the meantime here's a web site link to two of the shows. There are photos of some great country offerings from some of the dealers displaying at the shows so do take a look.

http://www.heartofcountry.com/

http://www.musicvalleyantiquesmarket.com/

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Restoration or Not? ~ Lady's Edwardian 1920's Fancy Dress

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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Some times it is hard to pass up buying a lovely creation even though is does have damage. Such was the case of this dress from the late Edwardian - 1920's era. It is of gorgeous silk satin in a cream with extensive hand sewn pearl work ornamentation. The bottom portion of the dress is of a silk lace in a pretty floral pattern. Such a lovely piece of art had to been made for a special occasion and what could have been finer than perhaps a wedding. Certainly ramblings of thought, but still there are hints the dress was worn for a celebration.

Even though the damage is not terribly extensive there is enough that possibly the dress could not be restored, yet too lovely to discard.

I am a firm believer in preservation but I am also quite aware if a textile can't be restored or even enjoyed as it is that perhaps bits, pieces and parts can be recycled into something new. Again giving life and purpose to a beautiful piece. I think we have found this true throughout the generations past. And a perfect example of this would be recycling fabrics no longer usable in their former state but given new life in quilts. How many wonderful little tidbits were added to quilts through the ages.

So it is with this dress. If you would like to read a more detailed description of this dress please click on the link below.

See The Gatherings Antique & Vintage for this offering

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Lady's Victorian Combing Jacket, Sacque or Morning Jacket ~ What Purpose Is This Garment?

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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There are different words used for this Victorian lady's garment whether is it called a combing jacket, combing sacque, morning jacket or morning sacque. All are correct terms, however, in my opinion the the words combing jacket or combing sacque seem to be the most prevelant term used. As the name implies it is a garment milady would have worn for combing or brushing her long locks of hair protecting her clothing beneath.

These jacket or sacques were made in many styles but always short as pictured above. Some buttoned as the one above or tied with pretty silk ribbons. Some are extemely fussy with yards of lace & glorious ribbons while others were more simple in style and ornamentation. Cut of the jacket and the style of sleeves were dictated by the era as the combing jacket was worn from the middle 1800's into the Edwardian time period.

This jacket featured dates about 1890's and is of a nice quality pique cotton. Small peter pan collar edged in eyelet whitework. This trim also compliments and accents the yoke of the front of jacket as well as the edge of the sleeves. At the bottom hem line near the front opening a monogram of the intials M.Y. are beautifully hand embroidered. The buttons of the jacket are of a linen covered button. A button such as this is also used on household bed linens such a button back shams, mattress ticks and of course found on lady's underclothing.