Nostalgic vintage squares

All at Rag Rescue tomorrow

All squared up with vintage fabric

Being listed tomorrow on the 

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

Vintage fabric squares

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE on 28th July

Vintage fabric at Rag Rescue

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

on Tuesday 27th July

Some more vintage fabric squares for you to look at.

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

Tomorrow July 26th

Sorry this is just a quickie as I am between taking and picking Molly up from a party. Then it's a sleep over and a fun packed day with her tomorrow, plus business of course.

Enjoy looking in the mornong

Sandie

Next seasons designer embellishments - black beadwork and lace

Black beadwork and lace is still in fashion this coming Autumn and Winter. Tomorrow I will be listing lots of Victorian black beadwork and vintage lace.

All at the RAG RESCUE website tomorrow July 23rd

Yet more vintage fabric squares at Rag Rescue

The Rag Rescue website shows more vintage fabric squares tomorrow Thursday 22nd July

More vintage fabric squares at Rag Rescue tomorrow

Six more pretty vintage fabric squares coming up tomorrow at the 

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

Vintage buttons etc. at Rag Rescue tomorrow

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

Vintage sewing and boudoir items at Rag Rescue tomorrow

Petit point embroidered boudoir items, 144 sewing threads in a three drawer box and a lovely mother of pearl circular silk winder will be listed tomorrow 19th July on the RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

I would just like to say thank you to my customers who ordered items from Wednesday to Friday this week and had to wait until Saturday for them to be posted. I was away at my son's graduation in Guildford and had a wonderful time. I was so very proud of him to have gained his medical degree in the specialist area of acute care. 

Vintage fabric squares at rag Rescue on Friday

Six more vintage fabric squares will be added to the RAG RESCUE WEBSITE on Friday 16th July at 7am BST

Lovely vintage fabric at Rag Rescue

All will be listed at the RAG RESCUE WEBSITE on Thursday 15th July at 7am BST

Nine more pretty vintage fabric scrapbags tomorrow

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE tomorrow Wednesday 14th July at 7am BST

Six more vintage fabric scappy parcels at Rag Rescue tomorrow

When I am cutting out fabric pieces for the scrap bags and squares, I always have some good pieces left over. There is nothing wrong with these pieces but they are too small for the sizes I use. I have therefore decided to sell these as scrappy parcels.

There are twenty pieces in a bag. They are all different shapes and sizes but at least one side is less than four inches.

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

These will be listed tomorrow, Tuesday 13th July at 7am BST

Six more vintage fabric squares

Coming up at the RAG RESCUE WEBSITE tomorrow Monday 12th July at 7am BST

Next week at Rag Rescue - vintage fabric week

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

Rupert Bear vintage fabric squares

A little late in posting I'm afraid. I got a long phone call from a friend just as I was about to start writing this post and by the time the phone call had ended I forgot all about my blog.

I couldn't resist these lovely vintage fabric squares. They will look wonderful as a quilt or individually as a cushion or embellished on a bag for a child.

They are now on the Rag Rescue website and you can find them today in 'New Listings' category or in the larger fabrics section. I've put them in the larger fabrics as they are 7 inches squares and at only 70p a square I think they are a real bargain.

More vintage fabric scrapbags tomorrow at Rag Rescue

Listing tomorrow at Rag Rescue website - Thursday 8th July at 7am BST

Vintage fabrics at Rag Rescue tomorrow

English and French vintage fabrics being listed on the Rag Rescue website tomorrow July 7th at 

7am BST

Vintage fabric squares tomorrow at Rag Rescue

Being listed on Tuesday 6th July at 7am BST

I think everyone was watching the tennis last week, but today they decided to increase their stock of vintage fabrics. The orders have been coming in fast and furious from customers all over the world today. I would therefore like to say a big thank you to you all, you sure have kept me on my toes.

Vintage fabric scrapbags start a new vintage fabrics week at Rag Rescue

I had got so low on vintage fabric scrapbags that I thought I ought to make some more.

I noticed that the category 'scrapbags' on the website was almost full of sold items and must be frustrating for those customers trying to find one they like, that was available. So I have cleared out all the 'sold' ones and I hope that helps.

Vintage fabric scrapbags contain 4 pieces of vintage fabric, each measuring 12cms x 18cms at only £3.50

Vintage buttons at Rag Rescue on Friday 2nd july

Nine card of vintage buttons all from one collection. I do have more and will card them up when I have the time, so keep an eye open on the website or the blog in the coming weeks.

These nine cards of buttons will be listed tomorrow, Friday 2nd July at 7am BST

Vintage embellishments at rag Rescue tomorrow

All at Rag Rescue tomorrow being listed at 7am GMT

Collectable antique packets of sewing needles

I've often been asked on the website by needle packet collectors if I sell packets of old needles. The answer is, yes I do, but usually at the fairs.

So here today is a collection for all of the needle packet collectors everywhere.

There is one very special one. 

This packet of needles is really unique , so unusual. On one side as can be seen is a post card addressed to G S Edmonstone . Ladies outfitters & Baby linen Establishment, 50 Alfreton Road Nottingham - Agent for Pullars Dye works Perth. Posted Redditch Nov 1883.

It is a one penny needle wrapper made by Wm Allwood and sons. Minerva needle works, Alcester, Redditch.

This packet and the others shown will be listed tomorrow, Wednesday at 7am BST

Beautiful vintage French sewing threads

At the RAG RESCUE website tomorrow.

Vintage French threads and two very large hanks of vintage English knitting / crochet silk.

Antique lace bobbins at Rag Rescue

Wooden lace bobbins were usually made for a close-grained hardwood, fruitwood being very popular. They would have been turned on a foot operating lathe.

As well as adding colour, the beads keep the bobbin steady against the pillow. The bottom bead is usually larger than the rest. Some of the other beads may be 'square cuts' which were impressed while hot with the side of a file. They are mainly red or white, occasionally dark blue and less frequently turquoise, amber, brown or green.

 Lace bobbin beads are threaded on brass wire although copper was sometimes used. At the end of a bobbin is a small hole through which the spangle is attached. This method of attachment indicates a mid to late 19th century bobbin. Early 19th century bobbins have a wire staple inserted at the base through which the beads hang.

 

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE TOMORROW

Peter Rabbit saves the week.

It has been rather a mixed week for me.

Tuesday saw me driving through the heavy traffic in Lancaster to visit the hospital for a scan and for the last three days I've spent hours and hours cross checking all of my tax returns ready to take them to the accountant on Monday.

However last week wasn't all that bad as we took our granddaughter Molly to see the Beatrix Potter adventure near Windermere.

Molly was so excited when we got inside. The characters were so life like although larger of course. She ran around from one window to another making the numerous Japanese tourists laugh, especially when she ran in front of their cameras.

There were large exhibits and tiny revolving ones which you had to peep through, it really was so enjoyable.

Molly came away armed with goodies from the shop some to take home with her and others to keep at our house, such as a wonderful new pinny to protect her when she bakes with us.

There was a wonderful little stepped Peter Rabbit garden outside where plants were grown for the cafe. I just had to take the photo below.

Afterwards we found a wonderful picnic place overlooking Windermere.

Windermere is normally VERY crowded at this time of the year BUT not last Wednesday. If you remember it was the England football match and I think everybody apart from the foreign tourists had stayed at home. There couldn't have been more of a perfect day for a visit.

Now it is back to work, snip, snip snip.

More vintage goods at Rag Rescue tomorrow

Vintage boxes. wedding tiara, 1940's collapsible hat, vintage needle case and old sylko set of drawers.

at the RAG RESCUE WEBSITE tomorrow

Vintage fabrics at Rag Rescue

At Rag Rescue tomorrow

Four scrappy parcels tomorrow. Each scrappy parcel contains 20 pieces of vintage fabrics. These fabrics are the pieces that I couldn't get any squares out of. Recycle, recycle, recycle.

Vintage fabric squares at Rag Rescue

At Rag Rescue website tomorrow.

Beautiful vintage fabrics covered in roses

Don't miss out, I have a feeling that these vintage fabrics won't last for long.

All at the RAG RESCUE website

tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd June, listing at 7am BST

1940's vintage fabrics - tradesman's samples. At Rag Rescue tomorrow.

Mondays listings start four days of listing vintage fabrics

at

THE RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

These vintage fabrics are part of a collection I bought. They are tradesman's sample fabrics from the 1940's

RAG RESCUE LISTS MORE ON FRIDAY

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

More lovely vintage goods tomorrow.

Coming up next week, lots and lots of vintage fabric

RAG RESCUE NEW LISTINGS FOR JUNE 17TH

Thursday 17th June listings at RAG RESCUE website

A late 19th century French rosy fabric covered box, an English boxed vintage vanity bag, 3 French cross stitch pattern books, red toile pieces and rosy squares.

Mouth watering vintage goods at Rag Rescue tomorrow

All at RAG RESCUE WEBSITE tomorrow

Top row from left :-

Late 19th century French silk boudoir hanger with embroidered butterflies and roses.

Late 19th century fabric covered box with a design of roses and birds.

English unused boxed dressing table set with pink silk, lace and petit point rose embroidery.

Centre row :-

Vintage yellow and floral needle case in the shape of a hat.

Unused boxed vintage wedding garters with ribbon roses.

plus four more scrappy parcels containing 20 pieces of vintage fabric.

Vintage goods at Rag Rescue tomorrow

Being listed tomorrow at

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

Oops! made a mistake in my pre-listing as the basket on the bottom left was listed today and will be able to be found in the Vintage goods section. That's what tiredness does for you.

Rag Rescue has more lovely vintage fabric squares added tomorrow

RAG RESCUE WEBSITE

RAG RESCUE ON-LINE SHOP IS OPEN AGAIN FOR ORDERS

Just to let you all know that I have re-opened the Rag Rescue shop.

We had two fantastic fairs at Lincoln and Newark and not only sold well but bought extremely well bringing home three banana boxes full of vintage fabrics, vintage trims and vintage goods. Once I have sorted them out and logged them into my system I will begin listing them on the website. This will be a mammoth task as I will have to wash all of the fabrics and iron them, photograph and list them. However I hope to begin listing some of these new items around the middle of next week. I think that I will be working when the football is on and only watch the England matches.

So as not to disappoint my customers all new listings will begin on Monday 14th June with previews of the next days listings seen here on the blog the previous evening.

My thanks go out to everyone who bought from us, customers from as far away as Japan, Australia, Tasmania, USA, Europe and of course the UK. Thank you also for all your kind comments on the loss of Ludo, many tears were shed for such a well loved fair dog.

The good news is that one of my old contacts at the fairs may be able to get us a new rescue dog as her daughter runs a dog rescue sanctuary. So, fingers crossed that at the end of July when we have finished travelling down south to visit my son and attend his 2nd graduation we will have a small addition to the family unit once again, I can't wait.

Vintage haberdashery

Huge three tray haberdashery box.

Have you ever thought of what Haberdashery means?

I found out that in the Middle Ages haberdashery included “daggers, swords, clasps, brooches, stay-laces, Spanish girdles, French cloths, Milan caps, glasses, painted crosses, dials, tables, cards, dolls, puppets, ink-horns, tooth-picks, fine earthen pots, pins and points, hawks’ bells, salt-cellars, spoons, knives, and tin dishes.” 

Today the current meaning of the word according to Wikipedia is a person who sells small articles of sewing, such as buttons ribbons, zippers and other notions. In the USA the word is a term for mens' outfitter.

I also discovered that there was and still is, although with a different aim now, a Haberdasher Company.

"The Company has its roots in a fraternity, a group of people who lived in the same area doing the same sort of work in medieval times and who worshipped at St. Paul's Cathedral. Members were haberdashers by trade. They sold ribbons, beads, purses, gloves, pins, caps and toys and in 1502 were joined by the hatmakers' fraternity. Thereafter there were two types of haberdasher: haberdashers of hats and the original haberdashers of small wares.

 

By 1650 the population of London had grown to such an extent that it was no longer possible to control the haberdashery trade. This resulted in a change of direction, over a long period, to the Company as it is now, with its emphasis on education and charitable giving."

Taken from the company website at 

http://www.haberdashers.co.uk/index.php?p=companyHistory

 

So if you have ever wondered why many of us have such an interest in haberdashery it is because it is an inherent part of our culture.