My husband and I walked into the Antique Shoppe, hoping to find a few treasures to replace what we lost in last year's fire. My main focus was my sewing room but we were also looking for items for the rest of the house; like a curio cabinet, hutch, marble side table, etc.
I found this early 1900's STANSTEADY J. R. Clark Co. Wood Ironing Table. It measures 54" long and the large paper label is still on the top surface and showing some wear. The label says "The JRC Stansteady Open End Folding Ironing Table Manufactured Exclusively By The J.R. Clark Co. Minneapolis Minn."
I have only begun building my stash of fabric and hope that my storage space will be large enough. In one booth, I found this 1920-1940s vintage Ferris Woolen Company custom fabrics store display. This piece has beautiful graphics on paper over hard board and wood and was a working display back in the day. When you lift the drop down display flap, the custom fabrics would be revealed. Graphics read: Finest Custom Fabrics, Ferris Woolen Company, Successor to Detmer, Bruner & Mason, Inc. Chicago. Special Domestic Weaves, exclusive imported styles. Ferris Woolens of Virgin Wool, Contains No Shoddy, Established in 1895.
One booth had several shelves with these familiar vintage fabrics:
In the next aisle, I found a few quilts. The yo-yo quilt looked newly-pieced, with a wide-variety of fabric used for the yo-yos.
What struck me were the number of quilts with embroidery work that I found displayed in the back of a booth - like the sweet animals and lovely cameo ladies:
On this shopping adventure, I spotted an 1880s Wilcox & Gibbs cast iron sewing machine on a wood base. Their first sewing machines operated with a crank, like this model from the 1880s. It is said that the graceful arched shape forms the letter G for Gibbs.
Lindstrom's Little Miss electric sewing machine was called a miniature working toy. This one was in beautiful condition.
Down the street, a shopkeeper and I were talking about our favorite quilts and re-purposing fabric into other projects. She had some lovely fabric items and I asked her if she frequented estate sales. No, she shared that her mother was a collector and owned the shop. It stood vacant for a year after her mother passed away and now the daughter has proudly taken the reins. She excused herself for a few minutes and we continued looking at the beautiful collection of items.
As I was sorting through brooches in crystal bowls, I spotted these embroidered, patchwork hearts:
The proprietress suddenly appeared, carrying a large bundle. She said the quilt was her mother's favorite of all time. It wasn't for sale but she wanted to share it with a kindred spirit - we were honored that she shared such an exquisite quilt with us.
We returned to the Inn during our weekend getaway. A small bottle of wine and snacks awaited us in our room. From their website: "For Napa Valley Quilt, our grapes come from a patchwork of prime Napa Valley vineyards to create a classic Cabernet Sauvignon the way my family has made it for five generations." ~Joseph Wagner, Winemaker
There is much to be thankful for. I'm sending my very best wishes to you. Wishing you visits with kindred spirits, "follow your heart" and have "faith" this week of Thanksgiving.
“Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.” – Kahlil Gibran
XOXOX
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