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Across the Fence:  THRIFT STORE AND RAG BALLS  |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 08:56:41 AM
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Snowing pretty hard here today and its suspose to keep going. But I got to the thrift and home before things got out of hand. Remember those curtains I had blowing in the wind the other day? Well they are not active today.
Made a few rag balls out of an old braided place mat, and now they are in a dye bath, they shoud be try in a month or so. Guess I should dye the pieces first. See I do learn just slower then most.
Love the little HOME SWEET HOME I got today, I know right where I will hang it.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 09:43:09 AM
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Miss Wilma,
How do you roll yours? tie the strips together?
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 10:04:16 AM
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I find old flannel blankets and tear into long strips, roll that into a ball the tear strips of old calico and completely cover the blanket ball, dont use soft spongy blankets they dont make hard balls, or you can use torn up sheets for the fillers, the reason I use the fillers is they are made for looks and it would take to much fabric to do the intire ball, I only use the old fabric because I sell them and the fabric I use is very expensive, I do have lots of wonderful reproduction calico that I could share some with you . When I get to the end of the string I either tack with old black thread or use a little tacky glue, just make sure you hold the strings very tight when you are winding them, sometimes they will fly loose , thats aggervating, I sell mine to antique dealers for 4 and 5 dollars each I made 29 one night while my Dad was here and they are done sold. So if you get the right fabric there is a steady market for them, I need to send you some samples of good fabric, will do so soon, In fact I think I have some thin old ticking that would make pretty ones will see what I can do for you, also I really like the rug ones look for the loomed rugs that are damaged, Just make sure the ball is tight and firm Love Ya Wilma
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 10:30:11 AM
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Miss Wilma,
That was very interesting. Thank you! And you know I love anything thing you send me. Just now I'm working on the red and white cutter quilt piece you sent me. When its done I will show a picture. You sound like your peppy self again, see you just needed that junking day.
Nancy Jo
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 11:10:16 AM
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Yeah you are right I had had so much company I was worn out but my spring is coming back , it has been so muddy and nasty here seem like all I do is sweep floorsI know you will make something pretty, I have a good cutter to sew but I have tea dyed it but if you would like some of it I will send you a pc. Yesterday I got the most wonderful book from Ronna, its 1852, on old crochet templates, I will treasure it forever, now I just gotta find something for her, Good luck with the balls if yo need me just let me know Love ya Wilma
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 12:02:12 PM
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I'm so glad you can appreciate the info and patterns in that book, Miss Wilma. I knew it had to go live with someone who would treasure it. The word "antique" is used so loosely, but that really does qualify. It was truly a thrift shop "find".
I have to find out if my daughter still has my rag balls, so much of my vintage stuff has somehow gone to live at her house :) They look so neat in a basket or bowl. Maybe I just need to make some. Hmmm, bet they'd look nice in silk, have plenty of that.
Ronna |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 3:38:10 PM
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I will be on the lookout for material. I will be needing it for any crazy quilting I do too. I made a few rag balls this afternoon, they came out pretty good. The ones I made from the braided place mats are drying, They should be totally dry in about a month.
Nancy Jo
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 4:27:08 PM
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Nancy,
With all the wonderful finds at your thrift shops, you should be able to get some silk dresses or blouses for very little and they would be wonderful for your crazy quilts. Old velvet too, it's so much nicer than the new. Add your beautiful embroidery and it would be stunning.
Ronna |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 4:33:29 PM
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Good idea Ronna. I do look for material, but I hadn't thought about velvets and silks.
Nancy JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 5:00:22 PM
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Does your thrift shop have a dollar day for clothing? I've bought hundreds of silks, evening gowns, beaded dresses, prom dresses and wedding gowns for a dollar each. Too much for one person to use, need to get them sorted and cut way back on the fabric stash. Anyone want to come shop at my storage? Debra is going to next week and I know Carol Sue would love to also.
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 5:14:13 PM
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They look great Nancy! A trick I use when things need help drying out...put them in a low oven 180-200 degrees for "a while" (until they seem dry). Check every 5 minutes or so, turn them over so they don't get dark spots. My kids always think I'm baking, they say "Oh, it's just a doll" when they peek in the oven. You might need to bake cookies afterwards to appease the household. 
Rhonda
I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance even if I'm the only one...
http://www.kattywhompus.etsy.com |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 6:26:36 PM
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HEY MIZ NANCY .. you might want to consider unrolling those balls and letting them dry out .. one so that they are 'evenly' aged and also to make sure they don't 'mildewy' inside because it takes too long to dry.
i only make and buy rag balls that are rag balls all the way through .. because i mostly use them in my primitive projects.
they do look great heaped in an olded wooden bowl until i get to them though! i found a large bunch of them (about 18 balls .. great fabrics for only $16. ... that was a 'good thang'! xo
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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farmgirl blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
777 Posts
Lea
TN
777 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 7:57:41 PM
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They look really nice, Nancy Jo. Some folks use the "dab" method when dying their prims or even a paintbrush so the item doesn't get so saturated and the drying time is alot shorter. I, too, often dry my things in oven. Just watch them closely or they'll burn! Best wishes.
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 8:43:22 PM
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Do I detect words of wisdom here...watch closely in the oven, don't use a microwave........
Hmmm, some of us have to learn the hard way, don't we? :)
Ronna |
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farmgirl blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
777 Posts
Lea
TN
777 Posts |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2008 : 06:11:57 AM
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gurlz .. my dolly-making GURU .. Gail Wilson .. gave us her opinion on 'baking' dollies to 'age' them .. thought i'd pass it along.
"I DO NOT RECOMMEND BAKING YOUR DOLLS IN THE OVEN .. it can give them a very 'un-natural' aged look with dark streaks running across their face and possibly ruining a wonderfully-made doll". Gail told us to pre-dye our cloth to make sure we don't have these dark spots and streaks that ordinarily would not occur with age on a doll. You can get a more 'even' color with your dye bath (she had us use RIT TAN dye when she came to my house in Maryland to teach one of her wonderful dolls). She told us that to get a more 'authentic' aged look .. to add 'staining' by hand (she makes a GREAT one!) where staining would have naturally occurred where children would have held and touched the doll through the ages.
After spending a long-weekend with Gail at my home .. and listening closely to her advice .. if i had to use ONE word to describe Gail and her doll-making .. it would be INTEGRITY. She does not waiver from the integrity of doll making skills and techniques to reproduce quality dolls in every aspect. Be sure to visit her website (gailwilsondesigns.com)
I've also visited her home and it, too, is truly the most magnificent home for 'colonial' period i have ever been in.
And did i mention .. she is a true sweetheart!!!
xo, frannie
I've used her method .. and i've also just 'pre-stained' my dollies. (and OH YESSS!! i have been known to be in a 'hurry' and have 'sponge brushed' the dye on them AFTER they are stuffed .. and 'usually' am pretty successful with this method. My preference is to put them in the sunshine and turn them often IF i stain them AFTER the dolly body is made. Gail tells us to not be in a 'hurry' and to not take 'short-cuts'.
I have also thrown them in the 'dryer' which also gives a wonderfully even shade for me to darken by hand after they are dry. HOWEVER, it can stain the inside of your dryer .. rendering the NEXT load of WHITES you put in .. to become PERFECT doll body fabric .. however, you MIGHT just want those clothes to STAY white!
Now .. darkening dolly TAGS in the oven by baking them gives them that great STREAKED look!
xo, frannie
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2008 : 10:53:04 AM
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Yeah Nancy Jo! You did it! I LOVE your rag balls! You are one clever farmgirl! XO
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
The Beehive Cottage~est. 1971
Sisters on the Fly #595
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Across the Fence: THRIFT STORE AND RAG BALLS |
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THRIFT STORE AND RAG BALLS
