Thursday, January 12, 2012

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



9 comments:

Richard Cottrell said...

You are very ambitious. Richard from My Old Historic House.

Sweepy said...

Woof!
My hoomans recycled their late Mama's sewing machine which I promptly marked. So much for being an assistant. I guess Daisy Mae and Elmo did a better job.

And now its time for someone to make you all a drool kerchief!

Barbara said...

What a treasure you have in that sewing cabinet! I'm a genealogy and history nut, too. I'm sure this will be beautiful when you finish and I realize the top was badly scratched but I confess I cringe that you're painting it, just because it seems to be such a treasure. But that's why my house looks so junky! lol I really can't wait to see the finished product!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

You are on a roll with spiffing up old treasures. I love that old sewing table. It will make a nice end table next to a chair. Your helpers are too cute!

Will be watching to see how the final product turns out.

Gail Dixon said...

It's so awesome that you have so much information about your interesting great-grandmother! I love what you did with the sewing cabinet and cannot wait to see the finished product. Btw, I loved your little assistants. Too cute!

hootnonny said...

Love your Great Granny's name! You are so industrious these days and always end of with great looking furniture! Can't wait to see the final results.

Brenda said...

It has been so many years ago, I am in my 50's but when in high school we did a project in our Art class that we used a solvent (not sure what) and did something like this but used newsprints and magazines. We used a toothbrush to rub the solvent on the paper. Cannot believe I even remember it.

Susanne said...

What a great heirloom to have! I have something similar, it it had legs they were gone by the time I got it and it has one drawer and the flat top opens with the tray inside. It had similar funky metal spool holders that I removed since repurposed it and it wasn't a family heirloom. I use it to house my make-up and some jewelry in my bath.
Susanne.

Rosemary Aubut said...

Great job! Love the history behind the cabinet!