Dainty Thread Crochet

Posted with permission from sctatepdx on flickr

I ran into this adorable baby on flickr while looking at Victorian children. His name is Charles Holt and at 7 1/2 months old weighed 23 pounds (a pound more than Andy at 13 months!) Isn't he the sweetest little guy? After noticing how cute he is, I noticed the gorgeous crocheted dress he is wearing. The whole dress is filet crochet and must have taken some Mama or Grandma many, many hours to make. I don't know if I'd have the patience to stick with a project like this until it was done, but it did get me wondering about thread crochet. I made 4 crocheted edge blankets for Andy before he was born and I loved working on them. 

I decided to see if I could find a pattern for a crocheted bonnet like the antique ones I often see. 

There are many antique repro patterns on ebay and the crochet thread varies from size 10 (bedspread weight) to 100 (almost like sewing thread). I made the blanket edges with size 10, so I thought I'd start there. I made this little bonnet and booties this week and both were supposed to be newborn size, but they are even tinier (perfect fit on a Bitty Baby).

I usually have to use smaller crochet hooks or knitting needles because things come out too big, but I guess this was an exception. If I make it again, I'll have to size up the hook!

Pages of the Past

"How to Make Children's Clothes the Modern Singer Way" from 1927 is a booklet I purchased for about $1. It is a great glimpse into the past and provides inspiration for today's old-fashioned Mamas and Grammies.

For the babies, we have several pages of little dresses. They are sweet and dainty! If you want to make dresses like this today, the place to look is the Old Fashioned Baby.

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I'm a sucker for rompers! I love the way they pouf around those fat baby legs. They are a great place to do a little hand work or smocking, too! The drop seats are just adorable. So, this is one of my favorite pages from this book.

Here's something sweet for little girls. "Bloomer Frocks" are short dresses with matching bloomers underneath. This is still a great style for today. I love the button waists that held up undies in the days before elastic.

With the hot weather we've had lately, everyone loves to put little ones in sun suits and play clothes! Wouldn't these styles be cute in the repro 30s prints? The bias bound edges are an inexpensive way to embellish these little bubbles.


These are just a few pages from this wonderful old booklet. I'll share more in another post. 

Happy 4th of July from the Beach

The kids and I have been on vacation at the beach this week. With my new laptop, I thought I'd have time to post while here, but we have been busy every minute! Swimming, mini golf, museums, shopping, and delicious meals have been on our agenda. I brought some smocking and crochet to work on, but I just haven't had time. The girls and I had fun going to some thrift shops, antique stores, and yard sales one morning. I had some great luck finding treasure. For $10, I bought a trash bag sized bag of old linens. Some are great and some are not!

 

These are napkins and handkerchiefs, some with hand crochet or embroidery. The purple pansies are 3D embroidery; really pretty!

 These are embroidered runners and doilies.

These runners have beautiful filet crochet around them (top).

 Two old dishtowels with primitive hand embroidery.

 Two 50s printed tablecloths; a nice large size.

 This is a hand crocheted tablecloth. It's about 60"x60" and in great condition!

 These are machine made tablecloths that were in the bag.

 A bag of doilies and random pieces of crochet. That's all from the yard sale. I have already soaked the lot in Biz and hung it on the line. Many of the pieces are nice and white now. I'll have to sort through them when I get home.

 This cutwork tablecloth is done by hand (but I don't know if it's old). It was $3 at the thrift shop.

 But this was my best find of all!! I am 99% sure that this is Liberty of London Tana Lawn. It is 36" wide and has the "feel" of LOL. Does anyone recognize this print? I bought the 3 yard piece for $3 at the thrift shop...can you believe it??

Today we will celebrate July 4th with a parade, cookout, family, and fireworks. I hope you all have a blessed, fun Independence Day, too!!