Friday, January 15, 2016

The Early Workbasket ~ Darning Tins

Welcome Friends & Needleworkers!

What an upside down day I've had...happy it's Friday!

It seems like it was just Monday,
how time flies when you enjoy your work!

As promised on Monday,
I have a wee sneak peek to share with...
This will be the third kit for the Sheepish Needle Club.

I hope to have the model finished soon, 
so I can share the complete reveal with you!

The scheduled ship date is on or before 
January 30th.

~*~

 The Early Workbasket...

Today's topic is going to be ~Darning Tins~

Definition of Darning...

  Darning is a sewing technique for repairing holes or
worn areas in fabric by weaving thread or yarn across the 
gap or hole using needle and thread.  

It is often done by hand, but it is 
  also possible to darn with a sewing machine.


Today, we'll be looking at just Daring Tins...
Darning tins are fun to look for while out antiquing!

They range in size from small to large,
but are usually very affordable!


I especially love small round ones...
A true darning tin is so unique...from top to bottom!

The bottom belly has room for storage,
while the center ring holds balls of thread and
 the top dome of the lid has a felt pincushion
  and thimble holder...HOW CLEVER!!


They typically have a round nob on the lid... 
They come in a wide range of colors...usually bright!


And are commonly made of metal or tin...
This one nicely holds some little Valdani thread balls.



I only have a couple tins that were my Grandmothers...
This was a popular tin design to look like needlepoint!



My Grandmother lived through the Great Depression 
and saved little scraps of just about anything...
Just as she left it so many years ago...frozen in time!
(very dear to my heart)


This one is just wonderful to hold in your hands...
Very smooth and worn with age...love, love, love it!


This style of darning tin will only be 1~2 inches high...
Just the right size for storing threads!



This next style is similar to the first little white one only bigger...
Baked enamel darning tins were popular during the 1940's 
and were made in the USA.


It has the round nob on the lid...
With the special felt pincushion and thimble holder.


Nice removable thread tray...
Roomy storage under the insert for things like
tape measure, scissors, etc.



What I really like about this style is that 
it can be easily modernized... 
Makes the ultimate Punchneedle tin! 



If you're out searching for one of these,
the two most popular colors were red and yellow...
The best place to find one is on Ebay.



Another great way to make a darning tin is to 
recycle wonderful old candy tins...
This one is a Thornes's Premier Toffee tin from
Leeds, England.


I love the tartan print on the lower part...
Again, you could find something like this on Ebay.


Or, maybe you have a neat old tin tucked away...
Just waiting to hold some of your special sewing goodies!
(Mrs. Steven's Candies...Chicago)


Do you remember the old Fruit Cake tins?
They also work great!


Hope you enjoyed today's Early Workbasket!
So many fun and unique sewing notions to make
our sewing rooms special!

~*~

Weekend Soul Food...

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to them that send him:
for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Proverbs 25:13...KJV

~*~

Hoping you enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Find joy in the simple things in life,
Kindly, Tammy





13 comments:

  1. Tammy... You're blog is really lovely. Your staging of the photographs demonstrates your eye for detail and simple beauty. I'm so glad I discovered you, so to speak!

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  2. What a great collection.
    Thanks for sharing the pics.
    I also have the tin that looks like Needlepoint. :)
    Marilyn

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  3. Lovely tins. Thank you for the info and pics.
    Rose

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  4. Tammy...I enjoy your "steps back in time" features. I have learned so much! Thank you for taking time out of your day to share with us! By the way I love the last photo...did you take that on your property? The lighting is fabulous...fits this time of year to a tee! Lisa K

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  5. Neat post. I favor the pink tin. ;)

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  6. Just beautiful tins to collect or hand down. I joy
    seeing them..thank you

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  7. Just beautiful tins to collect or hand down. I joy
    seeing them..thank you

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  8. Treasures, each and everyone of them...

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  9. Thank you for all your informative posts. My mother and grandmother always kept sewing supplies in tins but they were always recycled tins. I never Knew there were actually darning tins. I can remember my mother darning socks. She never had a darning egg but used a light bulb.

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  10. Well I never! I've been running across these in antique shops for years and never realized what I was passing over, darn! (pun intended) You give some of the most interesting info on sewing items.

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  11. I so look forward to the weekly Workbasket. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and posting such beautiful pictures.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  12. Enjoyed this lesson on darning tins. My mother kept buttons in a tin and she also had an egg basket where she kept her darning supplies. She used a lightbulb for darning socks. I have the egg basket and it is very special to me. I keep a light bulb in it as a tribute to her "make do" sprit.
    Charlotte



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