Sewing Gifts

I recently inherited several boxes of vintage (1930's through 1970's) sewing paraphernalia from a Great Aunt who was down sizing from her current apartment to an assisted living environment.  She no longer has the space nor the ability to do all of the crafts that she formerly did. And when I say "crafts"...plural...I mean it. 

She must have tried nearly every craft out there.  I, humbly, received box after box of surprises.  Most of it was organized into labeled plastic boxes.  Some of the items were tucked away in adorable little vintage tins, like the one below.  Aside from sewing supplies, there was everything from tatting supplies, to crochet and knitting supplies, to beading and applique.

There were boxes of beads, glitter, buttons, pins, needles....

.....yarn, thread, lace, elastic and twill tape...

....an entire basket full of vintage rick-rack....what am I going to do with all of this?...

One of my favorite surprises in the lot was a collection of vintage crochet and knitting magazines dating back to 1939!!!  I used to crochet and knit, but since I've gotten into sewing, I don't do it anymore.  No matter though....the photographs in some of these magazines are gorgeous!!

This one is from 1974, and features articles and afghans centered around the Old Sturbridge Village, which is a Living History Museum in Massachusetts covering the years of 1790's through 1830's.  The pictures in this magazine are so much fun!  It makes me want to go there.

There are funky, fun ones from the 1960's.

Some adorable ones of little cherubic children in the 1950's.

Some patriotic ones from the 1940's.

I just LOVE the glamer in these photographs!

Last but certainly not least were these beautiful fur collars....I'm guessing from the 1940's, but I am not an expert and can't be sure. 

I only hope that I can preserve this special gift and pass it on to my daughter when I am no longer able to do my craft.  Thank you, Aunt Jean!