I was down in the basement today and came across some treasures. Just think how many people are alive today that does not remember wooden spools. Lorelei will see mine--maybe. But other than that she may never see any. Unless at some point she decides she likes to look at antiques.
If it wasn't for destroying one of these, I would make a toy that we used to make with them. We would cut notches in the ends and run a rubberband through the hole. on one end we would just use something to keep it from pulling through the hole. On the other end we usually used a match stick. and just run the end through the rubber band, or probably used a Lark's Head Knot...anyway, you could then 'wind it up' and set it on the table and the rubber band untwisting would propel it along. The match stick being longer than the diameter of the spool, would help keep the spool pressed against the table, or whatever you set it on and it would roll along.
I don't know why I did not think to open this up and take photo of the needles...mom always liked betweens to quilt with. She like a size 7 needle.
Used to various places would give a little pack of needles...
And somewhere there would be their name...these were always a nice bit of advertising to receive.
I enjoyed your post. I remember our aunt making toys out of those wooden spools. Our Temperature is really dropping and the wind blowing the rain sideways. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteThose needle packs were so handy and pretty! The spools, did you know you can make dolls from them, spool dolls? That may be something fun for you and Lorelei to do.
ReplyDeleteI just typed into Google, "how to make spool dolls". There are all kinds of teaching websites & videos. You can make different kinds too.
ReplyDeleteI have some old needle packs too, interesting form of advertising:)
ReplyDeleteSomewhere I have some wooden spools. If I find them I can make a winding-up spool thing for my grandson.
ReplyDeletethese are amazing, all three are amazing. I had forgotten about the needles and the wooden spools. I assume all the ones mother used are buried in the earth in garbage dumps now. I know at one time they were saved to use in Bible school projects, the spools, not the needles. ha ha
ReplyDeleteI have a box of wood spools somewhere in the attic. Not sure if my daughter will know they are rare when she comes across them when I am gone. She'll probably think "why did my mother keep THESE". I have a ton, well not a TON, of needles I have collected over the years. I keep them in a box about 1/2 the size of a shoe box. There are several of those advertisement needle packs.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
Very neat, Rose. So good of you to keep them. I have some wooden spools and pacs of needles. I remember as a kid there would be pacs handed out by deaf and mute people or they were selling them door to door. I think I still have a pac that says "deaf and dumb"----such things we said at one time.
ReplyDeleteI have some birds for you on my blog.
we are supposed to get snow today. Maybe we shall see
MB
Always fun to find these little treasures that have been tucked away for a while. I have seen the spools in antique shops. What a neat craft to put them together like that. I also enjoyed looking at the needle packets. This reminds me I promised myself that this would be the year to clean up our basement. I really do need to get cracking and who knows what I will find. Have a great weekend Rose :)
ReplyDeleteway cool. i love antiques. what fun!! have a super great happy weekend!! take care. and thanks for your visit!! ( ;
ReplyDeleteRose, I love things like this. I was going through my collection of old sewing notions the other night and thought about doing a post. What amazes me is that all the old pack of needles and things has "made in England". Isn't that neat...instead of made in China! Maybe I will do a post too. I can't resist buying old spools of thread and sewing things when I find them in the thrift store.
ReplyDeleteYour vintage cotton reels are worth keeping. When we were kids we used to hammer 4 tack in the tope and thread wool around them and pull through the hole, we called it Tomboy Stitch, and it kept us quiet for hours. Here in Aus. almost every child knew how to do this stitch in the Fifties. I think similar crafty things are sold now but made of plastic, not home made like ours used to be.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun post. I remember my grandma having the wooden spools. I remember folks making dolls with them. Occasionally, I see them in thrift stores. Those packs of needles are so interesting. I really enjoyed this. Have a great weekend and Happy Birthday to Lorelei!
ReplyDeleteFirst Rose, thanks for the birthday wishes! You made my day. Secondly those truly ARE treasures. We, as kids, used to make animals from wooden spools.
ReplyDeleteI saw recently where a quilter made a wreath out of spools and then made a 'ribbon' of button to adorn it. :-)
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