Hunting for Patterns

Last week, I finally got out and about to some thrift stores, looking at this and that but mostly hunting patterns. I bet you didn't even know that I have a vintage pattern shop on Etsy, did you? It's Magnolia Sewing Basket only there's not much in the Basket right now! I have lots of patterns to list.... but it's not just a matter of the listing -- I scan the pattern front and back, edit one close-up for the main photo, make sure all the pieces are present and accounted for and do any needed research. Quite a bit of work for one little pattern! 

Anyway, back to the thrift shops -- there are really only two close around that sell patterns and there's never any rhyme or reason as to what you will find. I'll be glad when nicer weather hits and the estate and yard sales are abundant!

So I found some cute patterns -- not any older than the 70s but that's okay. I thought I'd share a few of the kid's patterns that I found -- I have put them through their scanning / editing process and they are ready to list! 

Do you remember MC Hammer?

All the cool kids wore Hammer pants and danced to You Can't Touch This.

This pattern is from 1991 but is reminiscent of Hammer pants (or harem pants). My son was the one who liked MC Hammer, or at least that one song, and he even had a pair of Hammer pants! Can't say I was thrilled with the notion, but you've gotta pick your battles with a ten year old!

Now this was more my daughter's speed -- lots of ruffles! No more though.... it's jeans and tee shirts now! She might own one dress, but I'm not even sure of that! 

Noli would like it for sure, especially now that she's nine! (which I cannot believe, but that's how many candles were on her cake this past Saturday...)

This Gunne Sax dress is cute in a Little House on the Prairie way. Reminds me of the dresses Nellie Oleson wore -- the little bratty girl who was always getting Laura into trouble. I guess you can tell this is an 80s pattern by looking at the big curly hair on that cute model!

This is a sweet dress for a junior bridesmaid or flower girl, or for a special "dress up" party. So adorable. Noli was a junior bridesmaid recently for her uncle's wedding (her dad's brother) but her dress was much more grown up looking than this pattern. (Probably a version of the bridesmaid's dresses) I wish I had a picture to share but I only saw the dress, not Noli in it!!

I found a lot more patterns but they were adult sizes.... maybe I'll share some of them another day but I'm just working on the kids right now :)

sharing on ~
Show and Share
Thrifter Share
Vintage Bliss Tuesdays

♥♥

Special Santas ~ My Favorite Things

I have lots of Santas to be displayed at Christmastime, but two are very special ones.  They both belonged to a very dear aunt and I am so glad that I have them today.

  I remember this roly-poly one on display in her home every Christmas. She painted it and I remember asking why the fur on his hat was black. She said it was so that you could see it since it was right next to his beard. I guess that satisfied me, but when Noli asked the same thing she insisted that it should be white and "of course you can tell his beard from his hat!" Can you believe it -- so many years later, she asks the same question as I did!

As you can see, he has a very round tummy! He's heavy so I guess he must eat a lot of Christmas cookies! He's made of a solid plaster -- I imagine my aunt painted him back in the 40s or 50s. She would spiff him up and repaint where necessary every few years but I have left him as he was when she gave him to me. I don't want to paint over her art!

I was thrilled when she gave him to me after I had married! She knew how precious he was to me and now he brings back lovely memories of my aunt. 

This Santa, on the other hand, has been on a diet so he's not so chubby. The same aunt painted him in the 60s or early 70s and gave him to me sometime in the 80s.  At first I wasn't so wild about him but, over the years, have grown to love him. Sometimes I put Christmas cards in his bag, but lately I've let him hold some poinsettias. Maybe this year I'll put some tiny toys in his bag instead!

He has sparkly glitter on his fur, and I love his blue eyes and cute bald head! Oh yeah, questions from Noli on the bald head too!! 

And every year, Stephanie asks when I'm going to give him to her. Well, she'll just have to wait a while longer! But I'm glad she wants him, and the roly-poly Santa too... I imagine they will be passed down to Noli some day.

These two special Santas are usually the first decorations I put out -- they each have their own special place of honor  :)

This reminds me, I'd better get crackin' on the Christmas decor -- I still have all my fall/Thanksgiving pumpkins out! Nothing like being a lazy bones in the holiday decorating department!

Any other lazy bones out there? 


~ sharing at
Vintage Bliss Tuesdays 
Vintage Inspiration Party
What's It Wednesday
Share Your Cup Thursday



♥♥