24

My mention that I bought 24 of a certain item at Saturday's estate sale prompted the terrific Gina of Vintage Junk in my Trunk to leave the following comment:

"Looking forward to what you got 2 dozen of; hope it's not what I think it is!"

Over the last week or so Gina and I have been commiserating. Outright complaining. Gina had e-mailed to say she was finally getting around to listing _____, and she had a few questions. I answered the questions as best I could, and wished her luck, because I knew she would need it. What she was listing requires care, patience and a high threshold for boredom.

There are 24 button cards in the photos, but that's not what I bought at the estate sale.

More e-mails were exchanged, and the thought of Gina toiling over her __________ made me feel a little guilty. I had my own stash of _________________ to sort and list, and it was the kind of job I was trying to put off indefinitely. But all the chatter about ______________ convinced me to get busy. At least I would have company, and misery loves company.

There are 24 wooden spools of thread in the sewing box, but that's not what I bought at the estate sale.

In one of my last e-mails to Gina, written after spending several hours with _________, I pledged I would never buy __________ again. She felt this was a sensible course. In fact, presented with the opportunity to buy a big bag of ________________ over this weekend, she wisely refrained.

There are more than 24 toy clothespins in the tin, and that's not what I bought at the estate sale. I already have enough of them.

No, I bought 24 patterns at the estate sale. Even though it was only days after I had pledged to never buy them again. Vintage patterns are fun and appealing. They're also a pain in the neck. Many sane people gather up a big bunch of patterns, stick them on eBay, confess they don't know if they're complete or not, and sell them for a lot of money.

Nothing wrong with that. But I feel compelled to check them over. Piece by piece. It takes a long time. It's extremely boring. (Just ask Gina!) But my great-grandmother and my grandmother would be horrified if I were selling patterns that I hadn't checked.

I tried to at least be discerning, and not buy more than I thought I could reasonably get through. (I love a good Dolman sleeve, don't you?)

So I bought 24. And I've already sorted and listed them. (They're on eBay, link in the sidebar, you know the drill.) And having spent a number of hours with vintage patterns, I am once again ready to declare that I'm never buying them again.

Unless they're really, really pretty.


 

Comments

[Queen of Fifty Cents]

Yup. Those are really, REALLY pretty!

[Tina]

I'm glad you only buy the pretty ones!

[Renee]

I couldn't even ponder a guess. These are so beautiful. I wish I could buy all my goods from you. They are so well taken care of and beautifully packed. These patterns are just gorgeous.I remember buying them with my grandma at the department store...I am looking forward to 24 of something else next weekend. Lots of stitching tonight.........crossing fingers toes and anything I can...smiles...Renee

[Brenda Kula-Pruitt]

Beautifully and wittily written, my friend! You know what, I sew pillows and sell them on Etsy now. But I flunked Home Ec. I couldn't follow a sewing pattern if I had a gun pointed at my head. I envy you even the patience of going through each one. The buttons, oh those pretty buttons!
Brenda

[laurie magpie ethel]

I did not think of 24 patterns. Good for you for checking them out if complete or not and not just lumping them off.

[Beth Leintz]

Barbara, You just reminded me that I have a box of patterns stashed in the closet that I really should go through-or else just surrender and use them as packing material. You got some fun ones!

[Crystal in Texas]

Sigh! I just wish I know how to sew...I'd love to look like those pretty models and wear those amazing clothes!

[Kathy]

Well these are really pretty and I understand why you are so torn and I feel your pain. How can we not rescue them, I ask you??? I have 6 sitting on my work table right now, patiently nagging me to get them listed. I do open every one and check for every piece and yes, it is daugnting. I do NOT iron them. I have heard that some people do. That is where I draw the line!!!

[Maria (Magia Mia)]

Been there, done that Barbara. I even go to the trouble of ironing the pieces. Must be residual Catholic guilt. I eventually sent my remaining stash back to Goodwill, after they languished in my Etsy shop for months. No.More.Patterns.For.Me.......

Hahaha......Love Brenda's comment. :)

[Gina @ Vintage Junk in My Trunk]

Well, now, if the ones I saw were as pretty as those, I may have been unable to resist. I'm sorry for leading you back down this path! Thankfully, I have no urge to iron the pieces, and I wouldn't mind the counting if they weren't oh so delicate and fragile. And tempting to cats as they flutter away from me. But congratulations on getting that many listed; I will probably be here for another year!

[Joy]

How very Mad Men some of these patterns are! No wonder they sell well. The Mad Men TV show style is all the rage now. Anyway, I thought maybe you bought 24 knee hugging elves. ;)

[Carmen]

Would you believe I guessed it right as soon as I read your first clue about a high threshold for boredom? I HATE selling patterns and do the bad thing...I put them in a lot. I only do it because I simply CAN NOT count the pieces, I tried before and was ready to blow my brains out after 2 or 3 of them. I refuse to buy them anymore, since I am unwilling to count pieces I'm afraid a buyer is going to be unhappy with them.

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

I always hated cutting out patterns, but I think checking the patterns to make sure that all of the pieces are there might be even worse, if at all possible! They sure are lovely though, and bless you for being a good and honest Ebay seller!

[barbara]

test