Estate Sale Finds!

[bethzylla]

I've had some pretty good luck and a lot of fun at the few estate sales I've gone to.  Granted, I've only been to a handful, but still - it's enough to get me good and hooked.  Earlier this week I hunted down a few via Craigslist, and yesterday was the day.  I hit 4 total sales, and my journey took me from south Arlington to Irving, and finally to the Bishop Arts district in Dallas.  Someone was smiling down on me, because I got quite a haul!

I should mention that I chose my sales based on the fact that the ads mentioned either sewing or crafting items.  I've learned that you can pick up a lot of vintage or antique sewing stuff on the cheap at these places, and that's exactly what I was going for.  There are a few specific pieces I keep hoping to find, but mostly I was just going to see what I could find. 


First off, a crapton of lace. 
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Rick rack, velvet ribbon, and cording. 
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Various sewing notions, including thimbles that actually fit my fat fingertip (YAY!!!), buttons, seam binding, bias tape, and curiously...bias strips on rolls.  Have I been living under a rock or something, and just didn't realize they were made this way?  Or is it something that isn't manufactured anymore?  In any case, I'm happy to have basic white and black, gray pin stripes on black, and rainbow stripes on white. 
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Tatting shuttles, thread, pattern booklet, and a scroll frame. 
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Even more sewing stuff, including pattern weights and a velvet pin board!  I don't even know how long I've watched ebay for a reasonably priced pin board.  Funny how you happen upon stuff unexpectedly.  Also a bunch of interfacing and some cute fabric. 
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More fabric, more notions.  That blue eyelet is going to make a super cute skirt for summer. 
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Embroidery books and design transfers, and some how-to's on tying various types of bows with ribbon.  That'll come in handy on future millinery experiments! 
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Silk (I think) scarves with darling designs. 
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Hand embroidered handkerchiefs. 
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The coup de grace of the entire day, an antique silk umbrella!  Sadly, the silk is shattering so there are repairs/replacement pieces in its future, but I'm still psyched about it! 
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And finally, a male mannequin bust for displaying pieces, or photographing them.  I've been kicking around the idea of getting one for a while, but I've been lazy.  Finding this one must be a sign!  My plan is to destash by making things to sell on Etsy.  Now I'm one step closer!
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Comments

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

Woohoo!!! You got some great stuff! That umbrella is AMAZING! I haven't been estate sale shopping in forever. You are totally making me want to go!

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

I couldn't believe my luck when I found it. Apparently it was used in stage productions of Mary Poppins!

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

Wow, jackpot! Love the umbrella in particular!

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to get started on a new silk shell for it. Seems I came across a tutorial on re-doing antique umbrellas at some point in the past, but naturally I didn't bookmark it. Time to spend some quality time with Google...

[blessedlucidity.livejournal.com]

Amazing haul!! Cannot wait to see what you do with it all - especially the blue eyelet. Nothing so sweet or feminine than eyelet lace.

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

The scalloped border is what sold me on it. I have so many skirt patterns that I haven't tried yet. Time to remedy that!

[darthcynthia.livejournal.com]

Excellent haul! :)