A couple more sheer fabrics

[Maggie Halberg]

Carolann,  I'll pick one up now that I've actually started to carry a purse.  My sister never leaves the house without her jewelers loop, which I've found useful from time to time.

[Joanna Jones]

Uh, Abby, may I suggest, in order of importance:
1.  Period-correct fabrics, especially wool challis
2.  Correct children's shoes
3.  Repro late 50's sewing machines
4.  portable log cabins

Is that enough or do you need more suggestions? 

Nothing like spending someone else's money!

[anb717]

I'm sure I can run with that list, only if the portable log cabin refers to a portable restroom that one can get in an out of in a lady like way in full garb.  If not, that portable log cabin is going to the top of a list

What about a world elimination of snoods?  I'll just find every sutler and buy out their inventory and we can have a mass snood burning!

[Ms. Jean]

Add handles to the snoods, use for small grocery items.

Years ago we also voted for more entire villages arranged for our use.  Please include several, scattered geographically, to your list.

Jean
Route 66

[Stephanie Brennan]

Joanna-
      N&T has some wool challis , Robert Land can and did make children's shoes apparently it was a negative income adventure. A gentleman with a small period store sells 1870's Wheeler and Wilson  or maybe it is Wilcox and Gibbs one is for sewing the other for smoking. Original log cabins can be purchased in WV for reasonable amounts, but you must put them together and transport on your own flat bed tow truck.     Nothing to monumental.............. Stephanie


    K thanks for the fabric closeups!

[K Krewer]

There is actually a gentleman in our area who has made a "prefab - log cabin" that he sets up at events.  Very ingenious.  Each of the four sides is a separate piece that fastens together at the corners. 

[Stormi Souter]

A gentleman with a small period store sells 1870's Wheeler and Wilson  or maybe it is Wilcox and Gibbs one is for sewing the other for smoking.

He sells Wilcox and Gibbs, primarily because the style didn't change drastically, ever. A 1910 model looks pretty much that same as the 1860 model. Problem is, the only do chain stitch, not lock stitch, which isn't the most practical, IMHO, though I have seen an original dress sewn chain-stitch.

Wheeler and Wilsons changed drastically from the '50s to the '70s, compare a model 5 to a model 8! They don't even sew in the same direction.

The '50s machines are hard to find at affordable prices though, I've had dozens of machines and the earliest was late '60s. I did have the cabinet to a '56 machine, just no machine! Lots of other '50s goodies in the drawers, though! The cabinet had been rehomed with an 1880s Singer, *and* set in backwards! I had an older gentlemen whose mother had been a seamstress in the 1920s tell me that his mother had done the same thing to be more comfortable sewing left-handed, I don't know how true that is, and it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me... but there it was!

However, finding later (70s-80s) treadles for a good price (ie, $150 or under) is not that hard, if you know where to look. If anyone is ever in NC I can tell you good places to shop, but no matter where you are, try estate sales! I've picked up several good, older machines under $30 at estate sales, they usually need cleaning, but they run!

-Stormi

[Glenna Jo Christen]

Have linen tester and tape measure, will travel! :-)
We also have three different kinds of hand magnifiers scattered around the house for close up study of photos, etc. with the large, lowest power one with a handle (think Sherlock Holmes ) that the grand kids think is theirs. I'm working on getting my grand daughter hooked on period clothing. At age 3 1/2 she is still stuck in her "Princess" phase right now. If she stops growing for 5 minutes I will make her a period dress and she will be a gonner I'm sure. 

Glenna Jo (who wore out her "thou shalt not covet" mantra long ago.

[JocelynS]

He sells Wilcox and Gibbs, primarily because the style didn't change drastically, ever. A 1910 model looks pretty much that same as the 1860 model. Problem is, the only do chain stitch, not lock stitch, which isn't the most practical, IMHO, though I have seen an original dress sewn chain-stitch.

Whoa-  don't get a seam caught on anything in that dress!

[Mary Warren]

I have two Wilcox & Gibbs chainstich machines.  Both were made during the war years.  If you are diligent and tie off your seams they won't unravel.  I've used my many time to make period clothing and have never had a problem.  I do worry a little bit about what might happen if a thread breaks in the middle of a seam whilie I'm wearing the clothing.      I guess I'd really be having a period correct moment then wouldn't I?   

[Stormi Souter]

I always have visions of a bodice seam opening up like a dog-food bag! Hehe. The dress I've seen, all the seams were intact after all these years, though! I just don't trust myself that much, I tend to wear my clothes pretty hard, period or not.

[bevinmacrae]

Just last month I was dropping some things off to Abraham's Lady, and on the counter she had period correct infant shoes. I didn't get to look at them up close or note the price or anything, but they looked good from two feet away!
Bevin

[Colleen]

Have linen tester and tape measure, will travel! :-)

Yep, linen tester AND a regular loupe and tape measure in purse (the mini-retractable kind) same at work in desk, at home in several areas, along with the bigger magnifying glasses as well.......Carolann, there are far more of us out there than you think!

Colleen

[Joanna Jones]

I have been dragging my silk dress along to work every day for the last month just in case I come across a fabric shop while I'm doing home visits.  Does that count?     I'm pretty sure the nursing students I take along with me think I'm weird. 

 And I have a special spot in the car where I keep all my fabric coupons - I never bother to bring them in the house.