Less is more....

That’s my motto for 2022, and I’m in the process of tidying up and sorting through various things. Since I was looking for some elastic for sewing, I remembered the sewing table that’s been sitting in the basement for many, many years. It ended up with me when we were clearing out Grandma’s apartment and was then forgotten. 



Now I’m sorting through it all, and I’m thrilled. There are a few things I’d like to show you. Those of you who are older might still remember one thing or another. Grandma would have celebrated her 100th birthday last year.





It’s supposed to fit any sewing machine. I’ll have to try that out as soon as I get the chance



Buttons for bedding. Rust-proof



And these wooden spools of thread make me so happy. And then there are lots of mother-of-pearl and glass buttons. Two wooden embroidery hoops and plenty of embroidery thread. Snap fasteners and so much more. 

Wow
What a great find!

Petra, you’ve found a real treasure there.

I got something like that years ago, too—from my mom.
She had a sewing machine in her cabinet and a little sewing basket. There were some very similar things still in there.
I threw some things away, but I was still able to use quite a few.

Petra, this is such a great find—I can fully share your excitement.
I’ve also kept some treasures like these. In December, quite a few more were added from my late mother-in-law.
Now there are plenty of sewing baskets; I have enough needles to last me a lifetime. 
Plus plenty of accessories—even though I threw a lot away because it smelled musty, there’s still plenty of sewing thread, bobbins, etc. I have enough of those to last several lifetimes.
It’s great that you took so many photos; I think treasures like these are wonderful

Best, Angi

What a great find! Congratulations on the treasures you discovered—I’m still very familiar with some of them, like these laundry buttons; I actually have a few of those lying around myself :-)

Love, Inge

Wow, Petra, treasures like these are truly wonderful and rare. I have some of these myself, or at least I recognize them. They bring back memories. For many years, I sewed on my mother’s old sewing machine. You still had to pedal it.

I’m in the middle of tidying up and decluttering right now, too—it’s actually kind of fun. And I’m finding all sorts of things I’ve been looking for for a long time.

Petra, haha, I’m also decluttering at the moment; it must be the time of year. You really do find all sorts of things; I still have bedding buttons like these in my sewing box, along with various snap fasteners from way back when. My mom has my grandma’s sewing box, though—who knows what treasures are still in there.

Dear Petra,
Thank you so much for sharing your treasures with us virtually. It’s truly nostalgic and heartwarming. Just thinking about how women used to do needlework with these items decades ago. And what times those were—how they cherished their treasures. And nothing was ever thrown away; instead, everything was carefully mended.
I hope you continue to enjoy this legacy. It’s in good hands with you.
Warm regards, Ina

Two years ago, I inherited a large assortment of threads, buttons, and zippers, but I kept only a small portion and donated the rest to a needlework group that also works for a thrift store. My whole car was full of boxes. The recipients were very happy, but it surely took them days to go through everything.

Thank goodness, it wasn’t quite that much for me. I have plenty of sewing thread and darning thread now. There was no fabric included, and unfortunately no elastic bands either. That’s what I was looking for.