Sewing

Vintage Sewing Gems-Bakelite Buttons

2008-08-12T20:57:00Z

Grannie’s Button Tin

Everyone has a button jar, basket, box or tin. It’s where we put those extra buttons that hang on the tags of new clothing, the ones we scoop out of the lint trap, and the single buttons of unknown origin that are simply too pretty to throw away. If you’re lucky, you may have your grandmother’s or great grandmother’s button tin, in which case it may be filled with colorful plastic gems in the form of vintage bakelite buttons.

Popular Bakelite Buttons

For years, buttons were made of glass, porcelain, wood, pottery composite, celluloid, and metal, but by the 1930’s, the most common material was Bakelite. Invented in 1907 by Belgian born scientist Dr. Leo Baekeland, the material was developed for industrial uses, but by the 1930’s Bakelite and similar Catalin were enormously popular materials for fashion buttons. Available in a pleasing array of colors and impervious to heat and moisture, plastic could be carved, molded or laminated into a variety of shapes and styles.

Buttons in Whimsical and Common Forms

Usually sew through types, these buttons tend to be small and are reproductions of a variety of common items featuring everything from golf clubs to guitars, carrots to cocktails. A series of animal buttons included a Scottie dog, inspired by Franklin Roosevelt’s Terrier Fala. Sears Roebuck offered a dress with alphabet buttons that could be arranged to spell the wearer’s name.

Bakelite Carved Platter Buttons for Coats

These heavily detailed buttons could be as large as 2 ½’’ and were typically found on coats, which is why they are almost always black or brown. During the depression, folks wore their coats season after season, and button updates were a cheap way to perk up a tired garment.

Bakelite Cookie Buttons

These flat, sew through buttons were sliced off a Bakelite rod in which two colors were mixed to form a usually geometric pattern. Named thus for their resemblance to cookies made from sliced rolls of dough.

Button Values

Because of the popularity of Bakelite buttons in their day and the fact that every housewife had a sewing basket full of loose buttons, they’re still fairly easy to find. Individual buttons can bring $3-6 each. Sets on original cards are easily found at antique shows from dealers of vintage textiles and sewing notions. Sets usually contain 5 or 6 buttons, and can range in price from $20-$40 or more depending on size, color, form and complexity. As with most collectibles, crossover appeal drives up prices. A set of six 1939 World’s Fair Bakelite figural buttons on their original card sold on eBay for $42.

Antique Sewing Machines-More Sellers Than Buyers

2008-07-12T16:50:00Z

Antique Sewing Machines-Everyone has Them, Few Want to buy Them. . . .

Early Sewing Machines

In Europe, at least five different sewing machines were patented before one actually worked. In America, Walter Hunt developed a machine, but Elias Howe, Jr. was first with a workable, although prohibitively expensive model. Howe’s sewing machine worked well, but had to be crafted entirely by hand, which made it far too expensive for most potential customers. Isaac Merrit Singer made the sewing machine viable by offering an improved version of an existing model that was affordable but subject to regular breakdowns.

American Sewing Machine Manufacturers

By the mid 1850’s, dozens of American companies were making and selling sewing machines, including Grover & Baker Co, the Florence Sewing Machine Co, The American Buttonhole, Overseaming & Sewing Machine Co, Wheeler & Wilson, National, New Home, Graybar, Wilcox & Gibbs, Merrow Machine Co, Davis, Foley & Williams, and Singer

Collectible Sewing Machines

For collectors, the value in old sewing machines has most to do with rarity and condition. As the most successful models were produced in factories by the thousands, only the oldest, hard to find, aesthetically pleasing, or models that represent important technological advances are eagerly sought after, and command high prices.

While Singer is the most widely recognized manufacturer, its products are the least collectible except for the earliest examples such as the model #1 and the Turtleback, both of which are hard to find. Another popular Singer sewing machine is the Featherweight model. Introduced in 1933 at the World’s Fair in Chicago, the Featherweight proved to be enormously popular. Simple to run, and easy to maintain, the Featherweight is eagerly sought by even today’s quiltmakers. Some versions of this model can sell for almost $1,000.

Singer sewing machines, regardless of age and aesthetics, are, with a few exceptions, rarely worth more than a few hundred dollars at best, and the majority that are offered on eBay go unsold. Collectors do seem to like mini and toy models, but even these usually sell for under $100.

An old brother sewing machine

2007-12-10T23:42:00Z

Hello,

My mother in law resently passed away and i found an old Brother Charger661 sewing machine. it is beige in color and comes with a beige carrying case. It also has a metal foot pedal. I don't know how old it is,if it is worth anything.Can someone please help me. Thanks you so much.

Grammafood

Sewing with Stilettos!

2007-10-25T19:53:00Z

Did you know that Wednesday night is my favorite night of the week? My assistant, Kat, comes over on Wednesdays to help me work on my bags. She has been great to have around for the past year and a half, and I don't know what I would do without her!

As STITCH approaches, her help is especially important. I love my full time job at iTaggit, and it takes a lot of drive to come home after work and start sewing purses for 4 to 5 hours every night! That's why Wednesdays are so great - I have someone to help me out, chat with and have fun.

Last night Kat brought her roommate for some extra help - as she came in the door I said "welcome to my sweatshop!" I think I am a pretty laid back "boss" - but you'd have to ask them...

I had Kat working on some cosmetic bags last night, and proudly pulled out my new double needle for her to use. I finish off my seams with a double row of stitching - all that drop in lining mess is too much for a cosmetic bag!

Then we ran into a problem - all I have is cone thread. I buy everything SUPER SIZED - thread by the armful, interfacing by the bolt, velcro by the 50 yard bolt, zippers by the dozen - you get the picture. What to do when we didn't have another thread holder for the cone thread?

"We could just use my shoe..." volunteered Kat - and I said, "huh?" "The heel of my shoe - I do it at home all the time!" She pulled out her Stiletto Heel, placed it heel side up on the table - and VIOLA - it worked! She is such a genius, that Kat!

Seeing as how I don't own a pair of stilettos, I never would have thought of this. She finished the cosmetic bags, and her roommate did a superb job ironing on interfacing, and the "sweatshop" closed up at 10:00pm... I can't wait to see what new ideas Kat will have for me next week....

Check out some of the fabulous crafts and jewelry I've made in my iTaggit Collections! And mark your calendar for November 10th - STITCH! I promise to take oodles of pictures of my new bags this weekend!

blog by Anne Marie Beard

***check out my blog for a list of great craft and sewing suppliers if you need to buy in bulk too!***

iTaggit Members!

2007-01-01T05:00:00Z

iTaggit Members!

The Sewing Category has not been blogged in! Be the first to lead the way for the rest.

Thanks!

Kristen Borg
iTaggit Outreach Manager
www.itaggit.com