Gifts You Can Sew from 1942

Gifts You Can Sew from the Spool Cotton Company sold for 10 cents in 1942. It offered 71 gifts which "you can make yourself at one tenth the cost and ten times the fun." Some of these gift ideas were still floating around in my childhood.

Romantic Notions for the Bride-To-Be included a powder mitt and covered hangars. I remember being given a powder mitt as a girl.

I remember the Hillsdale quilters made a version of hanger covers in the 1990s, some which encased the hanger and included a zipper lining for a secure hiding place.

 It was a time when aprons were still worn.

 The chicken potholder was another item I recall seeing in many homes when I was a girl.

Aprons were also used by men, who ruled the Barbeque. Several types of bags for sewing and needlework were offered.

 Decorating napkins, placemats, and table covers for gift linens was popular.

 Applique and embroidery patterns were provided.

WWII was on everyone's minds, and everyone knew a man in service. Gifts for GIs included a duffle bag, money belt, and sewing kit.

Embroidery patterns in a patriotic theme were offered for a boy's fabric belt.

The necklace in crochet for teens seems quite odd to me. Also the mittens and sock-slippers. It was a different time.

 A rag doll and stuffed animals were suggestions for children's gifts.

 I love these vintage finds.

Handkerchief Souvenirs From Home and Abroad

New York City Central Park Zoo by Tammis Keefe was part of her NYC landmarks series

Handkerchiefs were popular souvenirs, easily packed colorful reminders of happy travels. Cities, states, countries, landmarks, museums, and fairs were depicted. Here are some from my collection.

City Souvenirs

New York City landmarks

Chicago by Tammis Keefe

Milwaukee, MN

Wilmington, Delaware by Tammis Keefe

Windsor and Niagara Falls Canada silk hankys

Tammis Keefe did a series of Philadelphia landmark handkerchiefs.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Rittenhouse Square

John Wanamaker's, "Meet Me at the Eagle"

Including historical landmarks.

The Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

Landmarks, Museums, Historical Interest

Independence Hall

Pennsbury Manor, home of William Penn

House of the Seven Gables

Mt Rushmore

Governor's Palace, Wilmington DE, Tammis Keefe

Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI by Tammis Keefe

Greenfield Village, uncut material, Tammis Keefe 

Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI by Tammis Keefe

Museum of Costume, Bath, England

 State Handkerchiefs

Michigan

The Great Lakes States

Hawaii

Around the World

Chinese handkerchief

New Zealand

Crossing the Equator

Great Britain

Bern, Switzerland

The Taj Mahal

 The New York World's Fair souvenirs

A handkerchief bag New York World's Fair

Silk New York World's Fair showing world costumes 

Years ago I saw this state handkerchief quilt on eBay. I started collecting these state hankys to make my own. I still need a dozen more.