My Great Grandmother's Sewing Cabinet

My Great Grandmother

Her Sewing Cabinet

This information was provided by my dear cousin, Ray, who is a real genealogy buff. Thanks, Ray.

This old sewing cabinet belonged to  Great-Grandmother Eudora Pocahontas Saffer Lane. Born 12 August 1857 in Virginia. Married 9 August 1882 to Luther Augustus Lane (At Age 24). Died 12 December 1920 at Georgetown University Hospital in DC. (At Age 63) Buried in Clifton Cemetery in Clifton, Virginia. Her Nickname was either "Poch" or "Pock".

She ran a store in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Woodmont area after Luther died and is mentioned in a book. She worked at the National Cathedral School for Girls, located at the National Cathedral at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue in DC. She worked in the Dining Hall and also served as a Seamstress (Hence the sewing cabinet). She lived directly across the street from the Cathedral on 38th Street. She was 63 years old when working here. (Her last year of life)
 

As you can see, the top is badly scratched.

The inside label says that it was made in Huntington, Ind. I wonder if they still make them.

Probably not. They are probably made in China, like everything is these days. Sigh!

 wooden pulls, kind of cute

side view

I found this in the "Oops" paint section at Lowe's. It is called "Bird Nest" and as you can see, I got it for a fraction of the original price.

I love a bargain, don't you!?

One of my assistants, Daisy Mae.

I forgot to say that I cleaned and sanded everything here. But only the top did I sand all the way to the bare wood, since it was in such bad condition. The rest of the piece, I just took the shininess away.

Ooops, got some bleed through. Maybe another coat will help.

After 3 coats, Daisy gives her approval.

Another busy body assistant, Elmo.

I got this graphic courtesy of the Graphics Fairy.

Graphics Fairy

I read about doing transfers using Citra Solve online from some really talented bloggers.

I will try to remember where I found them.

Anyway, one of the bloggers warned me that this may not work on painted wood. She said to sand lightly the area of transfer before applying the Citra Solve. 

BTW, I had to order mine online at Amazon since I could not find a local store that carried it.

I took the image and my "sew what" in Ravi font, to Fed Ex to get a copy. Apparently the toner in the laser copiers work, but ink jet printers don't. 

I found a makeup brush from Clinique that I seldom used and cleaned and dried it thoroughly. I taped down my images and began to apply the Citra Solve sparingly so I wouldn't smear it. I lifted a corner to see if it was working, but I didn't see anything. So I added more CS.

 Actually not too bad. Although I wish it were a little darker. But I can fill in with my paint pen.

I will update you on the finished product. I just couldn't go another day without posting.

Mom, can we please go out and play now?

Thanks for your visit, so nice for your to come over.

Blessings,

♥Charlotte