Monday, June 18, 2007

~chest with vintage 40s fabrics~~


I found this small wood chest at a thrift shop for $2.50. I painted it white. Then with white glue thinned with water. I covered the drawers, sides, & top with vintage 40s fabrics. The fabrics have a bit of a story. I was at a sale a few summers ago and came across a box of old cotton fabrics. As I was looking through the box a sweet little old man came up to me. He sadly told me how his wife had passed away and that he was selling her things. With love in his eyes he told me the fabrics in the box were from his wife's old house dresses that she wore every day. That when the dresses wore out she saved ever piece of usable fabric. I told him I loved the fabrics and that I would make some very pretty things out of them. He smiled with tears in his eyes and said "thank you, enjoy the fabrics" he then walked away. Over the last few years whenever I work with these fabrics I think of this sweet little man & wonder how he is doing....

13 comments:

FourSistersInACottage said...

OH MARY!!!
That is the sweetest story ever!!!
I wish you could remember where he lived and show him this wonderful little chest you made from his wife's dresses.
Is it not wonderful how we can save our vintage history.
Love, Love, Love IT!!!
Hugs, Amy

Anonymous said...

Hello Mary, This is the sweetest thing ! So cute. To some people those bits of fabric would have seem but rags but you saw beauty in them and usefulness . To the old man they were rememberances of time spent with the love of his life. I'm sure he could recall sitting with her in the mornings having coffee or tea and her looking so pretty in her beauitful house dress . Well my imagination going wild ! What a lovely story. Wanted to say thanks for visiting my blog and the comment you left . You seem like such a dear person . God bless

Judy said...

What a sweet story, I had tears in my eyes while reading. I hope the man is doing well. What a beautiful chest and what a great idea. I have some fabric of my grandmothers, mostly scraps. I just may have to look for a chest and copy your idea.

ShabbyInTheCity said...

OH gosh! An amazing project with a tear jerking story to match! Get me a kleenex! I have a little cabinet like this and couldn't think what to do with it...now I know :)

Betty said...

What a wonderful story. She really must have had some pretty house dresses. Those fabrics are all beautiful!

a Bohemian Market said...

Mary Dear:
I wish I were your neighbor so I could do projects with you : ) Amy could come over and we could play : )
You are sooooo creative!!!
I wish I could meet the wonderful man who loves his wife so dearly.
Take care
carole

Anonymous said...

Oh what a lovely story, and sad at the same time. How lucky those fabrics found someone to appreciate them, the dresser is beautiful.

Cindy said...

What a sweet story. I LOVE what you did with that little chest. It's so adorable.

Mary said...

Mary, What a Lucky Lady, for her Husband to have loved her so much.
I am sure she got up and had his breakfast ready, greeting him with a smile. What a lovely thing for you to make with her morning dresses. Looks like the little chest could hold many precious memories. What a sweet love story :)

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

That is so sweet and your little chest is so lovely.
Ele

Amy said...

I love the story and I love the chest.
Amy

Lallee said...

I can only imagine how absolutely thrilled both the man and his wife would be with your little chest creation. I just love it. Thank you for the inspirational idea, too!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

that is such a cute little chest