A few weeks ago, Mr. C. was asking about my sewing machine collection. Yes, I’ve admitted that it’s a collection. There’s a saying that once you have three, you have a collection, and I have (ulp) seven. They are all extremely cool but two of the treadles are in parlor cabinets. That means they’re furniture…

Some of us share a fondness for old things, particularly for vintage patterns. For me, they can be sewing or knitting patterns, even books. They fascinate me, not just because of the design of the garments but because of the way they reflect social history in general and the perceived role of women in specific.…