A Little Shaker Today ~ Southern California Rocked

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Well, Southern California rocked today. Not in the way of music or dancing but in the way of an earthquake. It did decidedly bring back memories of that fateful day of October 1987 when our little town of Whittier laid claim to an unknown fault and shook with a 5.9 earthquake. The damage to this Quaker town especially in the uptown area of old buildings was devastating ...and very sad to see.

So with the quake today centered in the Chino Hills area it was good to hear there was very little damage. Just many rattled nerves!

Antique Small Parasols ~ Child or Adult?

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I have read articles regarding the small size of a parasol being not necessarily a child's but may have been used by a lady riding in a carriage. She would want something to block the sun but not so large to hamper her view. I am sure this is a true statement, however, on the other hand I feel some small parasols were actually used by children.

Case in point would be this small parasol with its decidedly motif of children playing at the seashore. Certainly one that would have been carried by an young girl for a summer stroll perhaps on the broadwalk.

The fabric is a cotton printed with the figures. Much on the order of handkerchief fabric. I have never been able to find any history on this type of fabric used for parasols and certainly would like to learn more about this type. In the past I have had two others. Both were larger and definitely for a lady. One was a creamy white background printed with brown figures. The other was a red with white figures. All of the parasols were purchased over time in the New England states so a possibility a company located in the in one of the states manufacture this type of parasol.

Certainly not a fancy one of silk, satins & razzle dazzle but still one to delight. In my opinion, a bit unusual.

Update On Handmade Maltese Bobbin Lace

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I have been admiring a collection of silk handmade Maltese Bobbin lace doilies or mats and have written a post on my blog regarding a set of four a week ago. One single doily from this collection did catch my attention. It did not appear to being damaged but looked to be join as I could detect a loose silk thread interwoven in the piece. I am aware, as many who love and study old lace that indeed pieces are made in separately and then joined to form the whole unit.

So an email was sent off to my lace guru to give me answers to my question. Here is a photo of the doily in question.

If you notice at about 2:00 o'clock a faint thread line works its way from the edge towards the center. Below is her reply

"Handmade Maltese Bobbin Lace. Traditional peach silk. Yes it is made in sections joined. This lets more than one person work on a single item, to share the work, speeding production. There are three pieces in this one mat. The center cross and its ring of tiny leaves is one piece. They've hidden the join very well. The ring with large leaf motifs is made in a circle with the join at 2 o'clock in the center of one leaf. The outer ring of flowers is made as a curved edging with the join at 2 o'clock position. Well done! Each of these pieces takes a "few" bobbins. If the mat were made all at once, it would have all the bobbins working at once, slowing the process. It can be done of course, but time is money, and quickness is important. One person, one week production, vs one day, three people."

I would also like to give recognition to this special lady. Should you have questions regarding lace please send her an email. She would be happy to send a list of fees for her service. You can reach her at dankate at xvi.net

Antique and Vintage Fabrics ~ Do You Know These Names?

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Here is a very useful little booklet published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Bulletin No. 1449, dated March 1926. This particular booklet is titled "Selection Of Cotton Fabrics". Now if you were studying this booklet it would include chapters on uses for various fabrics, weaves, finishes and dyes. Really a learning lesson here! . However, it is the glossary that intriqued me the most as to the names of some of the cottons. Of course, we all know what broadcloth, swiss, velveteen and percale fabrics are but here are some lesser known names ~ Shaker flannel, Tarlatan, Birdseye diaper and another one called apron checks.

The definition of apron checks is a gingham woven with small checks of white and blue or other single color. Usually made of coarser yarns than dress ginghams. Uses: Aprons. Ah yes, today we called this fabric homespun. Not a true homespun but a mill or manufactured homespun . Today the colors of mill homespuns are eagerly sought after with the blue and white leading the way and yes, you will see many aprons made of this fabric. And no, I have never heard this fabric referred to as apron checks.

From The Linen Closet ~ Silk Maltese Bobbin Lace Doilies

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In my last post I had written about the lovely silk Maltese Cross Bobbin lace flounce. Lo and behold soon I wrote the post I received in the mail a group of silk bobbin lace doilies. Certainly the timing was perfect to write another article to show you this group of four 6" doilies all hand made.

They are so dainty. The color of the silk thread used is just the most beautiful shade giving the doilies an aire of importance.

And yet another picture of these beauties. The group is from the late Victorian or early 1900's era. Thought I would share and hope you enjoy.

Victorian Maltese Cross Silk Bobbin Lace Flounce

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The excitement of wanting to share another special purchase from the collection I bought last Tuesday was just too overwhelming not too share! Wow! What a gorgeous 19th C lace flounce. It is silk Maltese Bobbin Lace

If you look close you will see very fine detail of the wheat ears and Maltese Cross. Looking at the flounce I vision it broken into three sections. The upper portion or border along the neckline, the center section and the lower border of Maltese crosses along the scalloped edge. The center portion gives the feeling of being circular in motion with "wheels" of the dainty size wheat ears. Larger ones scroll along the top of these "circles". Three-pointed leaves form a row along the bottom edge of the circles.

The flounce measures 27" along the edge of the neckline. It is 7-1/2" wide. A very impressive size.

I can't imagine the time it took to make this flounce. I also wonder about the person who wore this lovely creation. Don't you?

For more details on this flounce please visit me here

A Tuesday Morning Appointment ~ Buying Victorian Clothing

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Out of the blue last week I was contacted by a client who wished to sell her Victorian and Edwardian clothing (mostly children's), laces, trims and a few other assorted cloth items. She has a collection of artist bears and purchased many pieces of clothing for a complete wardrobe for her bears to wear. Oh my, what a prize collection of garments those bears had to choose from!!

After a few emails and a phone call we set up an appointment for this past Tuesday morning. As she was within a half hour driving distance from me it was an easy appointment to get to. Upon arriving I did recognize her as being a buyer from Linda Mullins Teddy Bear Show in San Diego. I had sold at Linda's show for many years and had many clients who purchased my children's clothing, laces, trims & collars to dress their bears. So as I looked through her pretty things we talked about the show and other stores around the area. It was quite a delightful morning.

As I left her home with my newly acquired purchases in tow my thoughts were with the lady I just left. Even though I am only the caretaker of these items for alittle while I feel compelled to find a suitable home for each and every one of these treasures.

I thought I would show you a few of my purchased items ~ ~ ~ ~

A lovely Victorian vest made of Valenciennes lace insets alternating with rueshed lawn fabric.

Hand made Duchesse Lace yardage - oh is this yummy!

Torchon Bobbin Lace edged linen center handkerchief - unused condition.

A delightful yoke never used. Made of darn net lace with a great motif of birds, flora, and geometric design.

For further details on these items please read here

I will be posting other photos of this fabulous collection so will keep you updated.

Leggings! ~ The Art Of Dressing The Legs

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I recently was asked to write a short article for a magazine on the hosiery and how it related to fashion. Here is an exert from that article. I hope you will enjoy reading and viewing a few of the photos of stockings through the ages.

"Since the beginning of time and throughout the centuries the art of dressing legs in hosiery became fashionable. Both for men and women although for the latter the enjoyment of beautiful stockings was purely for themselves as clothing covered any view of artfully dressed legs. read on ....