Monday, February 27, 2012

A Few of My Favorite Finds

 I am still sorting things and washing and trying to find places for everything but I thought I would show a few of the interesting things I uncovered along the way.  I want to know what you all think about this crochet piece.  I'm guessing it isn't a crochet bra!  I'm thinking it should be folded in half and sewn together but no clue why it only has the small medallion on one side and what the purpose is.  Have any of you seen something like this finished??
 Okay, Renee, did I find my fist ever piece of sack cloth??  It was in a little baggie with some sewing notions so naturally I grabbed it.  Imagine my surprise to find this in with a batch of filthy quilt square and at The Bins of all places!  It is in pristine condition despite it's "roomies".
 Now isn't this clever!!  It was in the big bag of millinery flowers.  It is a plastic rose with each petal painstakingly covered in aluminum foil.  A tedious process, I'm sure, but I love the look!
 I included the black and chartruese millinery flowers just because I thought they were different.  Click this one bigger so you can see the black rose surrounded by tiny velvet daisies with star centers.  I have not attempted to untangle these bunches at all and some of the leaves are really bent.  I emailed Karla Nathan, "The Hat Whisperer" for advice and she said some people steam them.  Another project for another day.
 How sweet is this?  I spotted it buried way down deep in a bin and it was so dirty that it was stiff.  I very gently soaked it as clean as I could.  I was really afraid it would just dissolve away.  Just look at that detail.  There is even a tiny little collar and the bottom of the sleeves are gathered for a cream-puff effect.
The back features button loops and tiny little mother-of-pearl buttons.  I am afraid to force them through the buttonholes so it will stay just as it is.  A lot of love went into making this so I think I need to honor it by using it in a piece of artwork.  Me and my muse are rolling around some ideas.
I am not going to have access to my computer to respond to comments for a couple days so please don't think I am ignoring you.  I love your comments and read them all!

6 comments:

laurie -magpie ethel said...

I noticed the quarter in that last photo and realized how tiny that dress is...great rescue!

My Vintage Mending said...

Wow...it looked like a bra to me too. Probably more like an unfinished piece perhaps meant to go on a table? As a scarf. Looks like a sack cloth to me although I am surely thrown by the stark white. Usually more busy pattern wise. However it is quite possible a newer piece. Beautiful no less. I love that millinery. Enjoy your scat time...smiles...Renee

Into Vintage said...

I'm wondering if the crocheted thingy is part of a set of those pieces that go over the arms of upholstered chairs? I'm certain there's a better name for them but I just don't know what it is. Armchair covers?

Annette said...

I don't know what the doily thing is for but it sure is interesting. I can't imagine how much time and patience it took to cover the rose in foil. And the little dress is just too cute. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I want to reach out and touch everything. The little dress is as cute as a button. I'm thinking Amy's idea about the arm covers is correct, so I guess there's another one out there somewhere:-)

Laurie said...

I don't know what it could be. If it's a cover of some sort, maybe was going to be a pillow decoration, to go over a solid colored fabric and make a round pillow; maybe she was going to continue making the little flower medallions so there'd be a row of them all along the pillow's seam.