Step Back in Time
This morning I want you to imagine yourself living in the 1800"s in a small town or village in Ontario. If you were a woman you would be making your own coats like my friend minnie did by spinning , dying, weaving and sewing. You would also be making just about everything your family and home required . If you didn't have the skills or materials you would trade for it with in your community. I took a visit to a favorite place of mine recently, Black Creek Pioneer Village and I wanted to share some images with you. 
I love the idea of trading rags , wool or grains for cloth and this leads to a proposal I would like to make to you. I really am running out of space for all the vintage fabrics and trims that I have collected over the years. I proposed renting out some storage space at the dinner table the other night but that idea didn't go over well. I could sell some on etsy or ebay but I really don't need the money and don't have the time to photograph it . If you want to offer me a trade for something you make or think I would like the I might open up a swap shop. If you don't have anything to trade ( I might not believe you because I think everyone has something worth trading) you can write me and tell me what you would do with the material and we can see if my heart strings get pulled in your direction. If you have been reading this blog and never leaving a comment this is a great opportunity for you to come out of the your closet to claim something from mine. Make me an offer !!!!!
ohh!
This is great!
I have something that I know you like :)
I will send it to you.
is the herbal ric-rac trim...you left a comment the other day on my flickr...
I have some extra...
I really enjoy vintage ribbons and trims...and vintage fabrics...so you may exchange one of these things for the herbal trim if you wish!
:)
If I leaved near Ontario...(but I have a lot of family that does!) I would certainly go to se your garage sale!
Posted by:ana rosa | May 12, 2008 at 05:14 AM
ohhh Margaret I´d know what to do with vintage fabrics and trims ;)
Maybe we find something you´d like to have in exchange? x, Friederike! Sandra
Posted by:Friederike! & Sandra | May 12, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Hmmmm so your sewing abilites are amazing so my items dont come near the greatness of yours but here is what I could offer:
A purse (or two)
pillows
curtains
a quilt (I am new to quilting but would love to still make you one if you can look past some minor, learning flaws)
I could embroider something for you (tea towels, bag, a set for hanging art)
Let me know if any of these interest you. I have too much fabric but I have a weakness for vintage prints and cant pass them up! (Plus if I use some of my fabric for a project for you it means I create space for some of your fabric!!!)
Posted by:Stefanie | May 12, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Your photos capture something very spiritual and quiet that I can't quite articulate. And your swap is an inspired idea. In exchange for vintage fabrics and/or trims to make reusable market bags, clothing, etc., I could offer:
1) framed prints of Lotte Reiniger's fairy tale silhouettes from a vintage The Illustrated London News magazine, shown at http://zencrafting.blogspot.com/2008/05/art-of-lotte-reiniger.html
2) a yard of vintage fabric in a lovely pattern and weight, shown at http://zencrafting.blogspot.com/2008/04/serendipity.html
Posted by:Patricia | May 12, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I so love this idea!! In fact, the little community that I used to live in had something similar to this but on a community-wide scale. There was a local "currency" and a monthly potluck in which members would bring their wares and exchange them for "currency" that they would then use to purchase items at participating businesses in town. It was a fantastic idea but lacked enough organization to make it work as well as it could have...
If it wasn't for the fact that I have WAAAAYYY too much fiber and fabric already, I'd take you up on your offer----but alas, I have no place to store it all! Love the idea, though!!
Posted by:Berlinswhimsy | May 12, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Oh, I must add this: I love the images from this place! It is one of those types of places that I could just visit over and over... We have a museum locally that is like this---I love to visit it and just imagine that old-fashioned lifestyle...
Posted by:Berlinswhimsy | May 12, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I don't have anything to trade...but I just wanted to say that those balls of wound up rags are beautiful.
Posted by:Linnea | May 12, 2008 at 06:59 PM
It would have been a hard hard life but how rewarding to be so entwined with everything - you make it, bake it, trade it all yourself.
I don't have anything to trade worth paying insane postage but what a great idea. I've sort of been mulling over a green dollars thing lately.
Posted by:Steph | May 12, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Hello your idea is magnificent, I love the image frm this place!!!!!!yes I am much that to share, for me is easy to imagine women weaving I did many weaving I can send to you pictures of them and if you want I will made something for you, also I have exhibited beautiful hang made paper books in Montreal what can I do for share?see me in azuldeluna.etsy.com, www.flickr.com and www.madelyn24.typepad.com/creativedetailsbymadelyn
Posted by:Madelyn | May 12, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Lovely place & photos (my 1st time here :))! I don't want to trade, since I'm running out of space myself. I always end up in buying fabrics, if I went to the city and they still waiting to be made to something *sigh* But I wish you happy tradings with all other readers :)
Posted by:Devi | May 13, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I found you on flickr today under handmade stitching. I was drwn in by the jacket"the mothership" and then found your daughters jacket, so beautiful.
I don't have anything at the moment to trade, may I take you up on the offer later? Your work is great, I'm glad to have stumbled upon it. Have you seen Jude Hill's blog? She is also on flickr...I point every artsy person to her blog, it is one of my favorite.
www.spiritcloth.typepad.com
Posted by:Laney | May 13, 2008 at 06:20 AM
Margaret I found you flickr,I wrote on may blog about your trading idea
Posted by:Madelyn | May 13, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Hello Margie, my name is Elsita and I come from Cuba, do you remember me? Just kidding!!! I just want to say that I would love to participate in this trade. I offer you some original little painting with any theme that you like :)
This is really exciting!
Wonderful idea!
Elsita :)
Posted by:Elsita :) | May 14, 2008 at 01:27 PM