Oh, what luck

Yesterday was Family Day. A day off work and therefore a day to hit the antique malls. And what a day it was.



I found some great vintage patterns -- with all of their pieces and in my size! The smock pattern (I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures of my Grandma wearing one of these when she first got married) and the blouse pattern are both from 1948. The blouse pattern is even unmarked, which scares me a bit. I, until now, had only heard of unmarked patterns. How are you supposed to know what to do with them, let alone which one is which?!? The 1950's Butterick dress is so great, and I've already picked out the fabric for it. I have had some floral fabric in aquas and reds kicking around for a while, so I think I'll use it for this with a crisp white linen for the inset collar. It seems like a pretty simple pattern -- with kimono sleeves! How fun!



I also got this- the Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book. I started reading last night and it is actually really good. It has valuable sections, like the one shown, Making the basic muslin. Now making a muslin has been something I have been thinking about doing for a while, I just wasn't sure I'd know how to adjust it properly, but this section of the Sewing Book is quite extensive so maybe I'll jump right in. I've noticed a lot of the vintage patterns I have don't quite have as detailed instructions as current patterns, so this book should be helpful. I guess everyone sewed back then so they knew what they were doing! I found some nice buttons too. Black iridescent plastic ones in two sizes and some really pretty sky blue plastic ones that have a nice way of sparkling in the light. Also purchased was a complete set of floral iron transfers. These are hard things to find, and I have been looking specifically for florals for a while. I have an idea in my head for an embroidered tea cozy.



I also found these two little cookbooks; one a Magic Baking Powder issue and the other a Monarch Flour. I loved Monarch's clever slogan of "Happy Bakeday to You!" and it contains recipes like Graham Molasses Nut Bread and Sour Milk Gingerbread. Yum. I had to get this specific Magic Baking Powder cookbook (there were a couple), because of the penciled note on the front- Mrs. Hasp, June 1935, Camrose - Be careful of it (the cook book I presume) as there are some of my favorite recipes in it. I wonder if it was returned to her.



And last but not least, the mugs. First found was the pretty milk glass mug with aqua polka-dots. Perfect. Then..... the Medalta bull mug. Now, all I can say is wow. I have another bull mug that I got at the Goodwill years and years ago with a brown band across the top and a different bull and it has long been a favorite. So to find a partner for it is really quite exciting! Coffee anyone?