Vintage-y Bits, Bobs, and The Curl

When I posted the little boy's Madeira romper last week, Cynthia of California Stitching left a comment asking to see "the curl" which she said they called a "pipeline" in Southern California. Here it is:

I also thought you'd like to see the vintage baby shoes he wore for the picture. I'll be picking up the pictures tomorrow and I can't wait to see them!

I was also inspired by Janice at Janice Ferguson Sews this week. She shared some of her hankie collection, along with her interesting stories to go with them. She commented, "What good is a collection if you never look it over?" She inspired me to go look through a bin in my closet where I keep a small stash of old lace, crocheted items, pillowcases, tablecloths, collars, yokes, etc. I use them occasionally when I have a tea party, but there are many things in there that need to be made into something. Janice, thanks for inspiring me to dig through and re-discover the treasures in there. I pulled out a few interesting things to share today.

I have 3 yards of this embroidered insertion.

Here's a pretty embroidered insertion. I believe it was made by machine, but sometimes I have a hard time telling when looking at the back. Does anyone know in what year they started making embroideries and laces by machine? I'd really like to learn more about the different types of lace: how is Irish crochet different from regular crochet? I don't think I'd recognize bobbin lace, hairpin lace, etc. I do know what tatting looks like, though I've never learned to make it.

These crocheted buttons were given to me by a friend who knows I love vintage things. The crochet covers solid wooden buttons. They are either an ecru thread or have aged to this color. They are really pretty, but I haven't been able to think of what to put them on. Any suggestions?

This lace galloon is a light pink color. It doesn't show up too well here. It feels like cotton lace. I have about 10 yards of this and again, I have no idea what to make from it. Jeannie B, I bet you'd have a great plan for this!!

This crocheted edging is only about 36" long and it is joined in a circle. Perhaps intended for the edge of a pillowcase? I am not a big fan of variegated thread, but this would be pretty on a pillowcase with lavender embroidery.

This is another old embroidery. It is about 2" wide and I have about 10 yards of it. It would probably be pretty on a baby dress as both a yoke ruffle and an edging. Or it would be perfect for some special bedding or even a baby blanket. It would also be great on the bottom of a petticoat for a historical garment.


I am nearly done with Andy's romper. I just have to put the elastic in the legs and do the buttons and buttonholes. Hopefully, it will be done for my next post. Have a lovely long weekend and thanks for the inspiration I get from all my blogging friends.