Restoring Vintage KUBUS West German Nesting Blocks

Nesting Blocks Restored for Actual Play

We had a pretty beat up set of German Nesting Blocks in the attic. Parts of the paper and wooden structure were damaged and broken. The bottom, outer block was half destroyed. 

I of course forgot to take a good photo of how bad the toy looked before I got started. Here is an image from Etsy that looks about like what I was confronted with. This set is missing three blocks. I have nine, unfortunately missing the smallest plain inner block.

 Using red Shurtape, I renewed the edges. This step covered up some of the original image borders, but to me it was worth it, in order to make the toy attractive enough for my living room.

Without tape on left, with tape on right

The Biggest Block: the biggest headache

After some re-gluing and hammering the broken split wood, I filled in gaps with air dry clay and acrylic gel. Then I repainted the missing image sections with acrylic paint.

Patching done, ready for paint

I had to guess as to what was missing in the image - BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Same block with taped edges

Finished stack of nine

 I miss the blue and white striped edges but sometimes sacrifices can be made....

This set in better shape was sold on ETSY

Vintage Sewing Patterns to Give Away

I am cleaning out my studio and decided to reduce my pattern collection. 

I need to part company with vintage mostly 1950's and 1960's patterns plus a few from more recent decades up until about 1990. 

Maybe I could sell them. 

Or 

better yet, 

maybe you are in luck - 

or you know somebody who could be.  

EBay or my Etsy shop are options, but the truth is,  I would rather the patterns found an appreciative home without much hassle. You see, there are almost 100 patterns (97 to be exact).
I cannot imagine finding the time to check each envelope to make sure all the pieces are there. Chances are they are, because I spot checked a few. Vogue, McCalls, Butterick and Advance are the pattern companies.

Here are some eye-catchers:

 

Below is the collection:

Click on the picture to see it bigger.

 

If you are interested, comment and I will get back to you.

For FREE historical Costume Patterns

Pirate Blouse

The Mission

I was commissioned by Judy to create a pirate blouse. She is a member of the group Les Dames de Perlage.

I live 1,437 miles away.

With photographs, emails and phone calls, a positive attitude, and mutual cooperation we were able to get the design and fit just right.

Click the link: Eventually it was in the news!

About the Dames de Perlage

http://wgno.com/2016/01/07/carnival-krewes-for-the-crafty/

The Inspiration

The Mock Up

As long as I got measurements and a blouse sent to me that fits well, I had enough information to ensure a good fit.

Samples of Email Conversations:

The pattern fabric is an old sheet hence the red color.

It is only pinned and there is no elastic. I improvised the corset!

Now is the time to make a decision or two:

Is the length and fullness of back okay or longer? Less full? More full? LENGTH IS GOOD. COULD BE A LITTLE LESS FULL IN BACK.  I DON'T WANT A HIGH NECKLINE IN THE BACK. I'D LIKE IT SCOOPED. HOW LOW? HOW FAR DOWN FROM THE TOP?

Back scoop - 4" from bottom of corset strap around neck. 

Fullness of sleeve, proportions and ruffle. OKAY?

 FULLNESS IS GOOD. LOOKS LIKE THE THE GATHER MIGHT BE A LITTLE LOW. I MEASURED FROM SLEEVE SEAM - WHICH I HAD MY FULL LENGTH AT 25" - AND WOULD LIKE THE TIE DOWN AROUND 16 1/2".  What do you mean by 16 1/2? Please measure the length from the neck to the gathers under the elbow and add two inches for the fullness of the drape.

Fullness of gathers at bust and neckline:

LOOKS PERFECT. YAY

It helped a lot to get these three photographs

Sleeve - not sure if I'm supposed to be measuring with arm hanging down or outstretched to my side. 

Hanging down - 19 1/2"

or

Outstretched - 22" 

Both include the added 2"

XOXO   

Close Up

Done!

arrived in the mail

What an honor to be part of the fun!

Judy's fantastic beadwork

Thanks to photographer Bill Lanxner for the amazing photos of the Dames in costume!
http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/dames-and-dudes-on-parade

SUCCESS! THE MARDI GRAS MUSEUM of COSTUMES & CULTURE

What Judy looked like at her NOLA wedding in the dress I made for her - a creative collaboration.
That's my brother the groom by the way.

Inside and Outside

Outside

This morning I looked out the front door and saw a pile of snow sliding off the entryway roof. It looks like a length of fiberfill.  With temperatures in the teens and single digits, I am glad to be inside, where I am in the middle of weaving a white wool warp. Seeing the work of nature in a similar style outdoors gives me the sense that nature is doing the same but in a different medium. It is creating in cold and I am creating in warm.

Inside